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Out-of-State Vehicle Smog Check in Oceanside, CA
Registering an out-of-state car in California for the first time? It needs a smog check first, and military members are not exempt. Oceanside STAR Smog Check inspects out-of-state vehicles for new Oceanside residents and Camp Pendleton families at 3940 Mission Ave, seven days a week. Book online or call (760) 439-8000.
- 4.8★ · 706 Google reviews
- STAR certified
- BAR-licensed station #298098
- Walk-ins welcome
- Se habla español
New to Oceanside on orders
A lot of the out-of-state cars we inspect belong to families who just reported to Camp Pendleton. We're on Mission Avenue and open seven days, so the smog check can happen on a weekend while you're still unpacking. If your situation has registration questions beyond the smog check, DMV is the place to ask; we can tell you what the inspection involves.
Exempt vehicles
- Fully electric vehicles.
- Motorcycles.
- Gasoline vehicles from 1975 and older.
- Diesels from 1997 and older, and diesels over 14,000 lb GVWR.
Anything else, especially a newer car, call us to confirm what your vehicle needs.
Bring and expect
- Bring the vehicle and the documents DMV sent you, if you've started registration.
- Approve the estimate before the inspection starts.
- We inspect it under California's procedure for its model year.
- You get a report with the result and any open safety recalls.
If it fails
A car that's lived under another state's rules may need work first. Pick a licensed test-and-repair or repair-only station for that work; BAR's Auto Shop Locator can point you to one. Then the $30 smog retest here applies within 30 days (retest terms). If the repair involved a battery disconnect or cleared codes, drive normally for a week or two before you return.
Makes we test
F-150s to Odysseys, every make: full list.
What drivers say
5 out of 5 stars
“Shop does good work with a smog test. Always go to him whenever I have to do these tests. Nice dude.”
5 out of 5 stars
“Easy, professional, and cost-effective. They got a new customer with me I highly recommend”
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a smog check to register my out-of-state car?
Yes. California requires one before a car's first registration here, whether it was bought out of state or registered there.
I'm active duty. Am I exempt?
Military members and veterans are not exempt from California smog checks. For registration questions specific to your orders, check with DMV.
My car is nearly new. Does it need a check?
Call us at (760) 439-8000 to confirm what your vehicle needs.
Can I come on a Sunday?
Yes. We're open seven days; see the hours below.
Hours and location
| Day | Hours |
|---|---|
| Monday | 9 AM–5 PM |
| Tuesday | 8 AM–5 PM |
| Wednesday | 8 AM–5 PM |
| Thursday | 8 AM–5 PM |
| Friday | 8 AM–5 PM |
| Saturday | 8 AM–5 PM |
| Sunday | 8 AM–5 PM |
Oceanside STAR Smog Check
All Smog · 3940 Mission Ave, Oceanside, CA 92058 · BAR license #298098 · (760) 439-8000
Newcomers find us from Camp Pendleton, Oceana, Talich and Vista.
Pay with cash, any major credit or debit card, Apple Pay or Google Pay. Waiting room with Wi-Fi. English and Spanish (se habla español). Holiday hours follow our Google Business Profile.
Welcome to California
Book a time, walk in, or call first with questions about your vehicle.