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Three services. One location.

Vehicle Weighing, Safety Inspections & STAR Smogin Bakersfield

Certified vehicle weighing, Vehicle Safety Systems Inspections (brake & light), and STAR smog checks—all at one location. Smog testing is OBD2 only, for model year 2000 and newer vehicles.

Walk-ins
No appointment needed
Mon–Fri
9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
OBD diagnostic interface with illuminated indicators beside a vehicle steering wheel
Licensed California station
STAR-certified smog testing
Certificates issued on site
Commercial & passenger vehicles

What we do

The service you need, all in one place

Visit us for a weight certificate, a safety inspection, or a STAR smog check. If your paperwork calls for more than one service, we can handle them at the same location.

A vehicle tire resting on a certified precision wheel scale during a weight check

Certified scales

Certified Vehicle Weighing

Certified weight certificates for DMV registration, unladen weight, and axle-by-axle load checks — printed while you wait.

  • DMV unladen weight certificates
  • Gross and axle-by-axle weight readings
  • Commercial trucks, trailers, RVs, and buses
Learn more
Close view of a brake rotor and caliper with the wheel removed during a safety systems inspection

Replaced brake & lamp in 2024

Vehicle Safety Systems Inspection

The one state certificate that replaced brake and lamp certificates in 2024 — required for salvage titles, specially constructed vehicles, and CHP or court referrals.

  • One VSSI certificate — replaces the old brake and lamp pair
  • Brakes, lamps, steering, suspension, and tires in one inspection
  • Salvage and revived-salvage title requirements
Learn more
OBD diagnostic interface with illuminated indicators beside a vehicle steering wheel

STAR certified

STAR Smog Check Station

OBD2 smog testing for model year 2000 and newer vehicles, including STAR-directed DMV renewal notices.

  • OBD2 testing for model year 2000 and newer
  • STAR-directed DMV renewal notices
  • Standard biennial smog checks
Learn more

Start here

What does your notice mean?

Two or three taps and you'll know which certificate you need, how long it takes, and what to bring — the same answer you'd get by reading it to us on the phone.

Compliance triage
Step 1 of 3

What does your paperwork say?

Why MS

The state decides whosigns your paperwork.

Every certificate on this list has to come from a station licensed for it, or the DMV sends the application back. We hold all of them under one roof, which is why it's one trip.

  • DMV weight certificate

    Must come from a licensed public weighmaster. A truck-stop scale ticket is not accepted.

    Licensed weighmaster on site

  • Vehicle Safety Systems Inspection

    Only a BAR-licensed VSSI station can issue it. Brake-and-lamp licenses ended in September 2024.

    Licensed VSSI station

  • STAR-directed smog check

    A regular smog shop cannot sign it. The notice names a STAR station for a reason.

    STAR certified

  • Axle weights on a full rig

    Needs a deck long enough to take a tractor-trailer, not just a pickup.

    Room for a full rig

How it works

In, tested, and out with your paperwork

No appointment, no runaround. Most visits are done inside an hour.

  1. 1

    Call or drive in

    Tell us what the DMV, CHP, or BAR asked for — or just read us the notice. We'll confirm which certificate applies before you make the trip.

  2. 2

    We run the service

    Certified scale readings, a full Vehicle Safety Systems Inspection, or a STAR smog test. Commercial and passenger vehicles alike.

  3. 3

    You leave with the document

    Certificates print on site and smog results transmit to the DMV electronically. If something fails, you get a written list of exactly what and why.

Find us

520 Butte Street, Bakersfield

Minutes from Highway 178 and Highway 99, with room to bring a full rig through the gate.

Hours
  • Monday9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
  • Tuesday9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
  • Wednesday9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
  • Thursday9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
  • Friday9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
  • SaturdayClosed
  • SundayClosed
Phone
(661) 563-0231

Call during business hours for pricing and wait times.

Email
admin@msvehiclecompliancecenter.com

Email us with questions about services or what to bring.

Or send us a message

520 Butte Street

Bakersfield, California 93305

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Service area

Serving all of Kern County

  • Bakersfield
  • Oildale
  • Shafter
  • Delano
  • Taft
  • Wasco
  • Arvin
  • Lamont
  • Tehachapi
  • Buttonwillow
  • McFarland
  • Kern County

Questions

Answers before you drive over

Still not sure what your notice is asking for? Call us and read it to us.

Do I need an appointment?

No. We take walk-ins Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM. If you are bringing several vehicles or a large commercial rig, a quick call ahead at (661) 563-0231 helps us line up the bay for you.

What is a STAR station, and why does my notice mention it?

STAR is a certification the Bureau of Automotive Repair issues to stations that meet higher performance standards. The DMV directs certain vehicles to STAR stations based on the vehicle's history. If your renewal notice says the test must be done at a STAR station, only a STAR-certified station's certificate will clear your registration — and we are one.

When do I need a brake and lamp certificate?

As of September 27, 2024, there is no separate brake and lamp certificate — California replaced both with a single Vehicle Safety Systems Inspection (VSSI). You need it in the same situations: salvage or revived-junk titles, specially constructed vehicles, some out-of-state transfers, and correction notices that name brakes, lighting, or other safety systems. If you are not sure, call us and read us the paperwork.

What do I need to bring for a weight certificate?

Bring the vehicle and your registration or title paperwork. If the DMV gave you a form or a notice, bring that too so we can match the certificate to the requirement.

Can you weigh a loaded commercial truck?

Yes. We can capture gross weight and break it out axle by axle so you can rebalance a load before you get to a state scale.

What happens if my vehicle fails?

You get a written report of exactly what failed and why. Repair it wherever you choose, then bring the vehicle back for a re-test or re-inspection of those items.

What forms of payment do you take?

Give us a call at (661) 563-0231 for current pricing and accepted payment methods before you come in.

Do you serve areas outside Bakersfield?

We serve all of Kern County — Oildale, Shafter, Delano, Taft, Wasco, Arvin, Lamont, Tehachapi and beyond. We are on Butte Street, minutes from Highway 178 and Highway 99.

Need it weighed, inspected, or smogged?

We're open Monday through Friday, 9 to 5. Walk in, or call ahead and we'll tell you exactly what to bring.