Department of consumer affairs bureau of automotive repair

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Consumer Assistance Program
Agency profile
CALIFORNIA STATE DEPARTMENT OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS - BUREAU OF AUTOMOTIVE REPAIR
History[edit]
Consumer Programs[edit]
References[edit]
External links[edit]
How do I file a complaint with the California Bureau of Auto Repair?
How do I check my cap status?
How do I file a complaint against a mechanic in Florida?
Who regulates auto body shops in California?

The Bureau provides consumer assistance from three locations in Los Angeles County; see site list for details.

Address: 27202 Turnberry Lane Valencia CA 91355

Website: http://www.autorepair.ca.gov

Hours: 8:00 am to 5:00 pm Monday-Friday, Closed State Holidays (Pursuant to Executive Order 2-13-09, all BAR offices will be closed the first, second and third Friday of each month until July 1, 2010.)

Phones: Service/Intake (661) 702-6600

Consumer Assistance Program

Phone

(866) 272-9642 (Consumer Assistance Program )

(800) 952-5210 (General Consumer Information Center)

Eligibility

To review eligibility requirements and apply, visit www.bar.ca.gov.

Services

The Bureau of Automotive Repair’s (BAR) Consumer Assistance Program (CAP) offers eligible consumers repair assistance and vehicle retirement options to help improve California's air quality. Eligible consumers may receive up to $1,200 in emissions-related repairs at a STAR test-and-repair station if their vehicle fails its biennial Smog Check inspection. Eligible consumers may receive either $1,500 or $1,000 to retire their operational vehicle at a BAR-contracted dismantler site.

Note: Participation is based on meeting eligibility requirements and the availability of funds each fiscal year (July 1 – June 30).

Hours

Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., excluding state holidays.

Addresses

Agency profile

CALIFORNIA STATE DEPARTMENT OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS - BUREAU OF AUTOMOTIVE REPAIR

The Bureau provides consumer assistance from 12 field locations, including three locations in Los Angeles County; see site list for details. There are no geographic restrictions.

Address

10949 N. Mather Blvd.

Rancho Cordova , Sacramento 95670 (Physical)

Get directions

Site Hours

Monday through Friday, 8:00am to 5:00pm; closed on State holidays.

TDD	(800) 322-1700 (Statewide TDD)
FAX	(916) 464-3405
Information, Service/Intake	(866) 272-9642 (Smog Check Consumer Assistance Program - CAP)
Service/Intake	(800) 952-5210 (855) 735-0462 (Licensing) (800) 622-7733 (Smog Check Referee Program)

All services by this agency

Automobile Complaints

Automobile Emissions Control

Consumer Education

Vehicle Recycling

Bureau of Automotive Repair

Bureau overview
BAR headquarters in Rancho Cordova
Formed	1972
Jurisdiction	California
Headquarters	Rancho Cordova, California
Bureau executive	Patrick Dorais Bureau Chief
Parent department	California Department of Consumer Affairs
Website	www.bar.ca.gov

The Bureau of Automotive Repair (BAR) is part of the California Department of Consumer Affairs (DCA), whose mission is to promote and protect the interests of California consumers. BAR provides a wide range of consumer protection services, including:

Registers and regulates approximately 36,000 California automotive repair dealers.
Licenses Smog Check stations, technicians, and inspectors.
Licenses brake and lamp stations and adjusters.
Mediates automotive repair complaints, saving California consumers millions of dollars each year in the form of direct refunds, rework, and bill adjustments.
Investigates and takes disciplinary action against licensees who violate the law.
Administers and enforces the Smog Check Program.
Helps to keep California’s air clean by reducing air pollution produced by motor vehicles.

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History[edit]

BAR was established within DCA in 1972 following enactment of the Automotive Repair Act (Act) of 1971. In response to consumer and industry concerns about fraud and incompetence in the automotive repair industry, the Act established BAR as the licensing and regulating authority over automotive repair dealers. The Act also gave BAR authority to license and regulate stations and individuals that perform services in the areas of lamp and brake inspection and repair. In 1982, California became the 20th state in the nation to adopt a vehicle inspection and maintenance (Smog Check) program. BAR became the administrator of the California Smog Check Program in 1984.

Consumer Programs[edit]

Consumer Assistance Program (CAP) offers repair assistance and retirement options to consumers whose vehicles fail a Smog Check.
STAR Program certifies stations that meet higher performance standards for inspecting high-emitting vehicles in the Smog Check Program.
Referee Program assists consumers with Smog Check inspection disputes, inspections of unusual vehicles, and locating hard-to-find emissions parts.
Auto Body Inspection Program offers no-cost inspections to consumers to verify that collision-related repairs were performed correctly.

References[edit]

^ "Bureau of Automotive Repair History and Overview". Retrieved September 17, 2020.

External links[edit]

Official website
Bureau of Automotive Repair in the California Code of Regulations
Smog Check Referee - https://asktheref.org/

How do I file a complaint with the California Bureau of Auto Repair?

If you have questions about the status of your complaint, please contact the Bureau of Automotive Repair, Complaint Intake Unit, by mail at 10949 North Mather Boulevard, Rancho Cordova, CA 95670, by phone at (855) 837-7985, or by fax at (916) 464-3405.

How do I check my cap status?

Visit the Consumer Assistance Program page at www.bar.ca.gov for answers to frequently asked questions and to check the status of your application. Contact our office at (866) 272-9642. Agents are available Monday through Friday between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., except state holidays.

How do I file a complaint against a mechanic in Florida?

To file a complaint about a motor vehicle repair shop, use our online form or call 1-800-HELP-FLA (435-7352). For out-of-state residents, please call (850) 410-3800.

Who regulates auto body shops in California?

The Bureau of Automotive Repair (BAR) licenses and regulates automotive repair dealers, Smog Check stations and technicians, and brake and lamp stations and adjusters. BAR also administers the Smog Check Program.