California Vehicle Retirement Program
 

If you're considering retiring an older vehicle, California's Consumer Assistance Program (CAP) offers eligible vehicle owners a financial incentive to retire qualifying vehicles.
 

The program is administered by the California Bureau of Automotive Repair (BAR). Eligibility, application approval, incentive amounts, and payment are determined by the program—not by Star Smog Check & Registration.
 

Star Smog Check & Registration is an independently owned private business providing smog inspection and vehicle registration services in Lancaster, CA.

How the Vehicle Retirement Program Works
 

The general process is:

1. Review the Eligibility Requirements

Your vehicle and personal circumstances must meet the current CAP eligibility requirements.

Different requirements apply depending on the vehicle retirement incentive you are applying for.
 

2. Submit Your Application

Eligible vehicle owners can apply through the official Consumer Assistance Program.

You may apply online and check your application status through the official program website.
 

3. Wait for Approval

Do not retire or dismantle your vehicle before receiving approval.

If your application is approved, you will receive instructions for completing the vehicle retirement process. BAR specifically advises applicants not to retire their vehicle before receiving their eligibility letter.
 

4. Visit a Contracted Dismantler

After approval, you will be directed to a BAR-contracted dismantler.

The dismantler will inspect the vehicle and verify that it meets the applicable operational and equipment requirements.
 

5. Receive Your Incentive

Once the vehicle passes the required inspection and the retirement process is completed, the applicable incentive is issued according to the program requirements.

Current Vehicle Retirement Incentives
 

The current CAP vehicle retirement program lists the following incentives:
 

$1,350 Incentive

Applicants who do not meet the income eligibility requirement may qualify for the $1,350 vehicle retirement incentive if they meet all other program requirements.

For this option, the vehicle must have failed its most recent Smog Check inspection.
 

$1,500 Incentive

Income-eligible applicants may qualify for a $1,500 incentive if they meet the applicable requirements.
 

For this option, a qualifying Smog Check inspection must generally have been completed within 180 days before applying, and the vehicle may have passed or failed the inspection.
 

$2,000 Incentive

Income-eligible applicants may qualify for a $2,000 incentive if they meet the applicable requirements.
 

For this option, the vehicle must have failed its most recent qualifying Smog Check inspection.
 

Incentive amounts, eligibility requirements, and available funding may change. Always verify the current requirements with the official program before applying.

Who May Qualify?

Eligibility depends on several factors, including:

  • Vehicle ownership
  • Vehicle registration history
  • Vehicle type and condition
  • Smog Check history
  • Household income, when applicable
  • Vehicle operational requirements
  • Other current program requirements

The official program provides the complete eligibility requirements.

Important: Don't Retire Your Vehicle Before Approval

If you're planning to participate in the program, do not take your vehicle to a dismantler for retirement before your application is approved.

According to the current program guidance, applicants should wait until they receive their eligibility approval before proceeding with vehicle retirement.

Need More Information?

For the most current information about:

  • Eligibility
  • Application requirements
  • Incentive amounts
  • Application status
  • Required documents
  • Approved dismantlers
  • Vehicle retirement requirements

please refer to the official California Consumer Assistance Program.

Official Program Information:
California Bureau of Automotive Repair – Consumer Assistance Program

CAP Online Application:
California Consumer Assistance Program Online Application

Our Services

While we do not administer or operate the vehicle retirement program, Star Smog Check & Registration provides automotive services in Lancaster, including:

  • STAR Smog Checks
  • Smog Inspections
  • VIN Verification
  • Vehicle Registration Services
  • Registration Assistance
  • Other automotive services

For information about our services, contact us at:

(661) 948-9999

505 West Avenue J
Lancaster, CA 93534

Important Disclaimer

Star Smog Check & Registration is an independently owned private business. We are not affiliated with, endorsed by, sponsored by, or operated by the California Bureau of Automotive Repair (BAR), California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV), or any other government agency. We do not administer the Consumer Assistance Program, determine eligibility, approve applications, issue government incentives, or operate the vehicle retirement program. Program eligibility, requirements, approvals, incentive amounts, and payments are determined by the applicable government program.