BAR Industry Update: Key Milestones and Regulatory Shifts for 2026

As we move into 2026, the California Bureau of Automotive Repair (BAR) is rolling out significant updates that impact every facet of the automotive repair and smog check industry. From the successful expansion of safety programs to mandatory software upgrades, here is the essential briefing for smog check business owners and technicians.

VSSI Program: A Successful First Year for Safety

Launched in July 2024, the Vehicle Safety Systems Inspection (VSSI) Program has officially replaced the legacy brake and lamp inspection process. Designed to ensure that revived salvage vehicles are truly roadworthy, the program has reached impressive milestones in its first year:

Station Growth: 497 VSSI stations have been successfully licensed statewide.

Inspection Volume: Technicians completed nearly 178,000 inspections in the first 12 months.

Safety Impact: The program reported a 16.1% failure rate, effectively keeping thousands of vehicles with critical safety defects off California roads until they were properly repaired.

Essential Tech Upgrade: Windows 11 Mandatory for Cal-VIS

To maintain the security and integrity of the California Vehicle Inspection System (Cal-VIS), BAR has issued a mandatory operating system requirement.

The Deadline: Standard support for Windows 10 ended on October 14, 2025.

The Requirement: All Cal-VIS computers used for Smog Check or VSSI inspections must now be updated to Windows 11 or higher. Failure to update will lead to business interruption, as the software will eventually lose compatibility with state servers.

New Advertising Rules for Automotive Repair Dealers (ARDs)

Transparency is the focus of new regulations that went into effect on October 1, 2025. All ARDs, including mobile repair services and referral platforms, must now include specific identifiers in all online advertising (websites, social media, and digital ads):

Business Name (exactly as registered with BAR).

ARD Registration Number.

Phone Number (the one currently on file with BAR).

Note: While BAR is focusing on education during the initial rollout, ensure your digital footprint is updated to avoid future citations.

Workforce & Career Development

BAR is doubling down on its commitment to the future of the automotive workforce through two key initiatives:

Automotive Technology Career Days In partnership with the California New Car Dealers Association Foundation (CNCDAF), BAR is attending 11 career day events through Spring 2026. At recent stops like American River College, BAR representatives demonstrated Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) repairs to inspire the next generation of expert technicians.

Seeking Smog Check Referees The Smog Check Referee Program is currently hiring qualified candidates. Referees play a unique role as "Subject Matter Experts," assisting consumers with complex certification issues and mentoring students at community college sites. Interested licensed technicians can apply atasktheref.org.

Program Rebranding & Clean Truck Expansion

Roadside Inspections Rebranded The "Roadside Inspection Program" is now officially the Roadside Emissions Survey Program. The change was made to emphasize that these checkpoints are voluntary data-collection surveys, not enforcement activities. Participation helps BAR evaluate Smog Check effectiveness, and no citations or personal data are ever collected during the survey.

Credentialed Testers for Clean Truck Check The California Air Resources Board (CARB) is actively recruiting Smog Check inspectors to become Credentialed Testers for the Clean Truck Check program.

The Opportunity: Testers perform OBD and smoke opacity testing for heavy-duty vehicles (over 14,000 lbs GVWR).

The Goal: As testing frequency for heavy-duty fleets increases in 2026, the demand for credentialed testers is at an all-time high. Visitarb.ca.govto start the free online training.