Valley Glen Star Smog Check at Joe's Drive Thru

How much is a smog check for Valley Glen drivers?

$60 out the door if your car passes. That is $51.75 for the inspection plus $8.25 for the certificate, and the certificate goes to the DMV electronically. No extra credit card fees; Apple Pay and Google Pay accepted. If the car doesn't pass, you don't pay: PASS OR DON'T PAY®.

What happens if your car fails

What is a Star smog check?

Some DMV renewal notices require the test at a Star station. Joe's is a Star station and test only, so it can do your Star check as well as Regular, Change of Ownership, Hybrid, and Out of State tests. NO PASS, NO PAY®: if the car doesn't pass, you don't pay for that inspection.

Where can I get a smog check near Valley Glen?

At Joe's Drive Thru Smog Check™ Star Station, 10909 Burbank Blvd, North Hollywood, CA 91601, which serves Valley Glen drivers from this one location. It is a walk in, test only drive thru lane, open Monday to Friday 9 AM to 6 PM and Saturday 9 AM to 2 PM, with no appointments. From Joe's service areas page: "NO PASS, NO PAY®. Your future tags called. They miss you."

Driving in from Valley Glen

Valley Glen and Joe's share a street. Burbank Boulevard runs along the bottom of the neighborhood, right past the Valley College campus, so head east on Burbank, cross the 170, and look for us on the left one block past Vineland Avenue. If you are up near Victory or Oxnard, take the 170 south to the Burbank Boulevard exit and head east from there. Students between classes, this one is for you: stay in your car, and you are usually done in about 10 minutes. It is $60 out the door, and if the car does not pass, you do not pay.

Valley Glen smog check FAQ

Can I get a Star smog check here?

Yes. Joe's Drive Thru Smog Check™ Star Station does Star smog checks for 2000 to 2026 gasoline and hybrid light duty vehicles. It costs $60 out the door if the car passes.

Do I need an appointment?

No. Joe's is a walk in drive thru with no appointments. Pull in during open hours: Monday to Friday 9 AM to 6 PM, Saturday 9 AM to 2 PM, closed Sunday.

Which cars can Joe's smog check?

Gasoline and hybrid light duty vehicles from model years 2000 to 2026 that are up to 7 feet tall. Joe's does not test diesel vehicles.

How can I pay?

Credit cards with no extra card fees, plus Apple Pay and Google Pay. The price is $60 out the door when the car passes.

Is there a smog check near Los Angeles Valley College?

Yes. Valley College sits on Burbank Boulevard, and Joe's is on the same street at 10909 Burbank Blvd in North Hollywood. Head east on Burbank Boulevard past the 170, Lankershim, and Vineland Ave; we are on the left at Cleon Ave. Walk in, no appointments.

Which DMV office is closest to Valley Glen?

The Van Nuys DMV field office at 14920 Vanowen St is the closest full service office. The Arleta office at 14400 Van Nuys Blvd is another option.

What’s the price if I pass?

$51.75 + $8.25 certificate = $60 out the door. No shop fee. No card fee. Fail = $0 for that test.

Can I stay in the car?

Yes. That is the entire personality of Drive Thru Smog Check™.

Joe’s Drive Thru Smog Check™ is not a waiting room experience. It is not a repair shop with a smog machine in the corner. It is a test only drive-thru smog™: roll in, keep the A/C on, get the official test, roll out. Pass or Don’t Pay®. If the car doesn’t pass, you don’t pay for that inspection. That’s not poetry. That’s how it works.

From Joe's blog

• STAR station: Test-only. No repair conflict.

• How to find a STAR smog station near you: If your DMV notice says STAR, here is what to look for in a STAR certified station so the process stays smooth and fast.

• Average cost of a STAR smog check in 2026: The Bureau of Automotive Repair’s March 2026 report put the statewide average inspection cost at $68.56, with the $8.25 state certificate added when the car passes.

• STAR test only vs test and repair costs, January 2025 BAR data: In the January 2025 report, STAR test only stations averaged $59.77 per initial inspection, compared with $68.28 at STAR test and repair stations.

Nearby areas Joe's serves

• Smog check for Valley Village drivers

• Smog check for Van Nuys drivers

• Smog check for North Hollywood drivers

• Smog check for Panorama City drivers

Want the details? See Joe's services and price, how to find Joe's and Joe's FAQ.

See all service areas | Back to Joe's home page

Where Valley Glen drivers actually go

Joe's Drive Thru Smog Check™ Star Station
10909 Burbank Blvd, North Hollywood, CA 91601
(818) 760-0703
Monday to Friday 9 AM to 6 PM
Saturday 9 AM to 2 PM
Sunday closed
Walk in, no appointment. Stay in your car.

Achieving clear skies for the next generation, one car at a time™