Smog Check near Vista
4 BAR-licensed smog stations near Vista — the closest is Carlsbad STAR Smog Check, 5 to 7 miles away. Walk-ins welcome. STAR-certified where indicated.
Closest smog stations to Vista
Sorted by distance. All independently owned, all BAR-licensed.
Carlsbad STAR Smog Check
📍 2509 Palomar Airport Rd Suite 115
Carlsbad, CA 92011
STAR-certified · Test-only station
Shop details →
Carlsbad Auto Repair & Smog
📍 2509 Palomar Airport Rd
Carlsbad, CA 92011
STAR-certified · Test-and-repair station
Shop details →
Oceanside STAR Smog Check
📍 3940 Mission Ave
Oceanside, CA 92058
STAR-certified · Test-only station
Shop details →
Smog Check Escondido
📍 750 N Escondido Blvd Unit C
Escondido, CA 92025
STAR-certified · Test-only station
Shop details →
Smog check near Vista — the facts
- AreaVista, Vista, CA
- ZIPZIPs 92081, 92083, 92084
- Closest stationCarlsbad STAR Smog Check · 5 to 7 miles
- License typeSTAR-certified · test-only
Getting from Vista to the shop
Carlsbad STAR Smog Check is at 2509 Palomar Airport Rd Suite 115, Carlsbad, CA 92011 — 5 to 7 miles, depending on where in Vista you are from Vista (straight-line, measured from the addresses inside ZIPs 92081, 92083, 92084; the drive is a little longer). Walk-ins are welcome, or book online; most inspections take about 20 minutes. Bring the vehicle and the registration renewal notice if you have one. If your notice says STAR, this station qualifies. Test-only means the station performs the inspection and is not licensed to sell you a repair. Any California smog station's license type and STAR status is public at search.dca.ca.gov.
Also within reach of Vista: Carlsbad Auto Repair & Smog (5 to 7 miles), Oceanside STAR Smog Check (4 to 8 miles), Smog Check Escondido (8 to 12 miles).
Each location posts its own inspection fee on-site, and the $8.25 state certificate fee is charged only when the vehicle passes. Current new-customer tickets are on the coupons page; how California smog pricing works is explained here.
DMV field office
The DMV field office nearest Carlsbad STAR Smog Check is the Oceanside Field Office. You do not need to go there for the smog check itself — a passing result is transmitted to the DMV electronically by the station, usually within minutes. Registration is handled by the DMV, not by smog stations.
Smog check questions from Vista drivers
Smog check station near my zip code?
We serve multiple neighborhoods.
- Central location easy access
- STAR-certified if needed
- See hours on our GBP listing
We're a BAR-licensed station serving the area.
Why does my DMV notice say I need a STAR station?
High emitter profile algorithm flagged your vehicle.
- 2 percent random selection in enhanced areas
- Make model year mileage history factors
- Only STAR cert accepted for these
Per BAR STAR Program (bar.ca.gov/star).
Difference between STAR and regular smog station?
STAR has higher BAR standards.
- Passes audit regularly
- Inspector certification stricter
- Equipment requirements higher
Per BAR STAR Program (bar.ca.gov/star).
Can a STAR station test any vehicle?
Yes any vehicle non-STAR cars too.
- You can choose to use STAR voluntarily
- Directed vehicles must use STAR
- No extra friction for non-directed
Per BAR STAR Program (bar.ca.gov/star).
More areas near Carlsbad STAR Smog Check
Smog check in Carlsbad → · All service areas → · Find your closest shop →