California random state reff

Hello everyone. I know I recently just got a state reff. I did not find this out untill I went to do my smog inspection. The smog guy said hey I can do you car it has been flagged to visit a state reff. I just heard about this from a guy on youtube and said the same thing happend to him. Does anyone know if this is true for California vehicles. Can they legally do this and attach a state reff inspection at random to your specific vehicle.

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I don't know how people put up with this kind of crap. I've lived in many states including California several times as an adult. The blanket of authoritarianism people willingly bend over and accept there is baffling to me. How do people willingly choose to be ruled over in such a manor?

Search around svtperformance. There is a thread on the site here, that has quite a few posts of guys "random" state ref inspection. Most were having to return to factory components. Even mid pipe, and tune. It's a trip.

I went through something similar with my gtr in Colorado last year, it sucked. Hope you have all your stock parts and a way to intsall your factory cal.

ajaf1656 said:

I don't know how people put up with this kind of crap. I've lived in many states including California several times as an adult. The blanket of authoritarianism people willingly bend over and accept there is baffling to me. How do people willingly choose to be ruled over in such a manor?

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Well, I am thinking of moving to Idaho. How do you like it there?


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Sucks! Also sucks to live in a Dem controlled state. Ask me how I know.

Many of us terminator owners in California have been sent to a BAR ref. It just started this year. There are a few threads on here about it.

And it looks like BAR field stations may be closing ‘temporarily’.

COVID-19 Impacts on BAR Programs and Services

FFS this has got to be the absolute definition of ‘non-essential service’.

If they’re shut down does that mean you get a pass on inspection?


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I doubt its actually random. After doing a lot of research I believe the state has been keeping tabs on who has an aftermarket tune for years are are just now getting around to going after people.

I say this because years ago they started preventing people from smogging cars with emissions monitors turned off. The state computer knows what monitors are supposed to be supported and if even one of them, say egr was off the state computer wouldn't communicate with the ecu for the test. I am willing to bet a record of the non communication was made at that time using the vin.

People then had to get the monitors turned back on to pass smog but the record was already generated using the vin and now they are coming after us. Random inspection my ass.

Some of this tracking could have also started years before as well for all we know. Decipha has stated that the state CAN tell if you car has a tune on it with SCT. Do a search for his name. You may be getting sent that way and not randomly. People have been claiming that the state cant tell if your car is tuned but its false. They know the second the car is hooked up to the machine.

I also believe SCT shared all our information with the epa when they went crawling to the feds to self report and avoid a massive fine. I have zero proof, just suspicion.

Put your stock stuff back on and trudge through.

The state can tell if your car is tuned, at least I know with SCT's handheld tuners. They search for whatever the SCT handheld does to your PCM to 'marry' the handheld and the PCM together (it must add a string of code or something) and that's how they tell.

Go on Instagram and find this lawyer on there. His Instagram name is FYourTicket I think he can get you out of this no prob

Wings65288 said:

Go on Instagram and find this lawyer on there. His Instagram name is FYourTicket I think he can get you out of this no prob

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You do realize the state is doing this to us under the clean air act right? How is a lawyer supposed to help when this isn't a ticket or other infraction?

They have random exhaust monitors on freeway onramps that sniff your vehicle and snap a picture of your plate.

barstowpo said:

They have random exhaust monitors on freeway onramps that sniff your vehicle and snap a picture of your plate.

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No they don't. The closest are the road side smog stops that you can decline. But then they probably mark your plate in a registry.

Blkkbgt said:

You do realize the state is doing this to us under the clean air act right? How is a lawyer supposed to help when this isn't a ticket or other infraction?

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It wouldn't hurt to see what the lawyer says.

The main thread is over in road side pub. CA is a great place to visit. Sad the commies ruined it and i feel bad for all you guys who have to put up with it.

It’s not easy

MarkOPKS said:

The main thread is over in road side pub. CA is a great place to visit. Sad the commies ruined it and i feel bad for all you guys who have to put up with it.

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Thanks its not easy, but its still nice to enjoy the beautiful drives. We still have 2 drag strips in norcal and 3 road courses in norcal.

me32 said:

Thanks its not easy, but its still nice to enjoy the beautiful drives. We still have 2 drag strips in norcal and 3 road courses in norcal.

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damn well that helps a little. They’re supposed to be building a road course not too far from my house but it is sloooow going. I bet memberships are going to cost more than my car too lol