first fix-it ticket

[redyaris]

Eh, for future reference whats a 'ref' and do they have them in Florida???

[Battlekat]

Originally Posted by redyaris

Eh, for future reference whats a 'ref' and do they have them in Florida???

They may or may not have then in Florida, but probably. Check the FL DMV website.

In CA:

A "Referee" is a DMV a BAR approved Referee workshop or station that one is refered to by the DMV for certain things. Usually emission test and inspection of custom built vehicles and imported exotics.

Taken from the CA DMV website
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A Referee Center is a state-contracted vehicle emissions test facility that provides certain Smog Check
services for motorists. A Referee Center is authorized to offer specialized inspection services that are beyond
the scope of California's licensed Smog Check stations. Referee Centers are located primarily at California
Community Colleges throughout the state.

Referee Centers also provide training and work experience opportunities. The Bureau of Automotive Repair
(BAR) trains referees and provides technical direction and equipment. Referees also train students for careers
in the automotive industry.

Referee Centers:

Inspect Vehicles with Engine Changes, Gray Market Vehicles, and Specially Constructed
Vehicles
Engine Changes.

Vehicles whose original engines have been replaced with an engine not originally
offered for that vehicle’s year, make, or model.

Gray Market Vehicles.

Vehicles imported into the United States that do not meet U. S. EPA standards.

Specially Constructed Vehicles.

Vehicles, such as dune buggies or kit cars, that are deemed “specially
constructed” by the DMV.

Once these vehicles are inspected and certified by a Referee Center, a BAR label will be affixed to the
vehicle. Any licensed Smog Check station may perform subsequent inspections as long as the BAR label
remains in place and the vehicle’s emissions equipment remains the same.

Certify Vehicles with Limited Parts Exemptions
Motorists whose vehicles fail a Smog Check because of missing or modified emission-related parts, must
replace those parts. The BAR’s Emissions Parts Locator service helps motorists locate difficult to find
emissions parts or if the parts cannot be found, a Limited Parts Exemption is issued. When a Limited
Parts Exemption is issued, the motorist must take his or her vehicle to a Referee Center for inspection. If
it passes all other aspects of the Smog Check inspection, the vehicle will be certified. If the parts are
available in time for the next required smog inspection, they must be installed before the vehicle can be
certified. BAR’s Emissions Parts Locator service can be reached at (800) 826-3566.

Issue Smog Check Repair Cost Waivers
Repair Cost Waivers are available to everyone who has a vehicle that fails a biennial inspection and
who's emission system has not been tampered with. It allows a vehicle to be registered without passing its
Smog Check inspection by providing a temporary (two year) extension of time to complete all emissions-related
repairs. To qualify, at least $450 in emissions-related repairs must be made to the vehicle at a licensed Smog
Check station. The waiver may only be used once by a motorist during their ownership of the vehicle.
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Link to website