Hear from Our Customers
Your trucks pass inspection. Your DMV registration goes through without holds. You avoid penalties that start at $1,000 and can hit $75,000 per day depending on the violation.
That’s not scare tactics. That’s California law for heavy-duty diesel trucks and alternative fuel vehicles operating on public roads.
If your semi truck or commercial vehicle is model year 2013 or newer and has a GVWR over 14,000 pounds, you’re required to complete CARB emissions testing every six months starting in 2025. Miss it, and you’re looking at registration blocks, freight facility denials, and fines that pile up fast. Get it done right, and you’re back on the road in under 20 minutes with a compliance certificate that clears you with CARB and the DMV.
This isn’t about passing some feel-good environmental checklist. It’s about keeping your business running without interruption. No downtime. No surprise penalties. No scrambling when registration renewal comes up.
All SMOG Motors is a CARB credentialed testing facility serving Altadena and the surrounding areas. Our testers completed the HD I/M training course, passed the state examination, and use CARB certified equipment to perform OBD emissions testing on heavy-duty vehicles.
We’re not trying to be everything to everyone. We focus on trucks that are 2013 or newer with a GVWR over 14,000 pounds because that’s what the state requires and what Altadena fleet operators and independent drivers actually need.
You’re not getting upsold on services you don’t need. You’re getting a compliance test that meets California Air Resources Board standards, gets reported immediately through the CTC-VIS system, and gives you documentation you can actually use.
You bring your truck in. We verify it’s model year 2013 or newer and has a GVWR over 14,000 pounds—if it doesn’t meet both criteria, we can’t test it under CARB’s heavy-duty program.
We connect CARB certified testing equipment to your truck’s OBD system. The test checks emissions data directly from your vehicle’s onboard diagnostics. No guessing. No visual inspections that vary by who’s looking. Just data.
The whole process takes less than 20 minutes in most cases. Once the test is complete, results get uploaded immediately to the CTC-VIS system, which updates both CARB and the DMV. You get your compliance certificate on the spot. If your truck passes, you’re cleared for the next six months. If it doesn’t, you’ll know exactly what needs attention before you can retest.
Ready to get started?
You’re paying for a state-mandated CARB compliance test performed by a credentialed tester using approved equipment. That’s it. No add-ons. No surprise fees.
What you get is OBD emissions testing for your 2013 or newer heavy-duty truck, immediate results reporting through the CTC-VIS system, a compliance certificate that satisfies CARB and DMV requirements, and documentation you can show at freight facilities or cargo ports if they ask.
Altadena fleet operators deal with tight schedules. Downtime costs you anywhere from $300 to $900 per vehicle depending on your operation. We keep testing quick because we know your truck sitting in our bay is a truck that’s not generating revenue. Fast doesn’t mean sloppy—it means we’re not wasting time on things that don’t matter to your compliance status.
If you’re running a mixed fleet, keep in mind this service only applies to your newer, heavier trucks. Older vehicles or those under 14,000 pounds GVWR fall under different testing requirements. We’ll tell you upfront if your vehicle doesn’t qualify so you’re not making a trip for nothing.
If your truck is model year 2013 or newer, has a GVWR over 14,000 pounds, and operates on California public roads, yes. That includes diesel and alternative fuel commercial trucks, buses, and even California-registered motorhomes or RVs that meet those specs.
Starting in 2025, testing is required every six months. It doesn’t matter if you’re an independent owner-operator with one truck or managing a fleet of 50. The requirement is the same.
If your truck doesn’t meet both criteria—2013 or newer AND over 14,000 pounds GVWR—then it’s not subject to this specific heavy-duty emissions testing program. Lighter vehicles or older trucks may have different smog check requirements, but they’re not part of the CARB heavy-duty compliance program we’re talking about here.
You get a report showing exactly what triggered the failure. Usually it’s an emissions system issue flagged by your truck’s OBD system—something like a malfunctioning sensor, a DPF problem, or an error code that indicates your emissions controls aren’t working as designed.
You’ll need to get the issue repaired, then come back for a retest. You can’t register the vehicle or clear your compliance status until it passes. That means no DMV renewal, and depending on where you operate, you could get flagged at weigh stations or denied entry at freight facilities.
The good news is the test tells you what’s wrong. You’re not guessing. Take the report to a qualified repair shop, get the fix done, and retest. Once it passes, you’re cleared for the next six months and your compliance status updates automatically with CARB and the DMV.
Testing fees vary, but you’re looking at a reasonable cost for a service that keeps you legal and operating. Compare that to the alternative: fines starting at $1,000 and going up to $75,000 per day for serious violations, plus DMV registration holds that stop you from renewing your plates.
If you’re managing a fleet, multiply that risk by every truck you operate. One missed test or one non-compliant vehicle can trigger penalties that dwarf what you’d spend on regular testing.
We’re upfront about pricing. No hidden fees. No upsells. You’re paying for the test, the compliance certificate, and the immediate reporting to CARB and DMV. That’s what you need, and that’s what you get. Call ahead if you want an exact quote, but don’t let cost be the reason you skip compliance and risk your operation.
No. This service is specifically for trucks that are model year 2013 or newer with a GVWR over 14,000 pounds. That’s what CARB’s heavy-duty compliance program covers, and that’s what we’re licensed and equipped to test.
If your truck is older than 2013 or weighs less than 14,000 pounds GVWR, it doesn’t qualify for this program. You may still need a smog check depending on the vehicle type and weight class, but it would fall under different California emissions testing requirements.
We’re not going to take your money for a test we can’t legally perform. If you’re unsure whether your vehicle qualifies, call us with your truck’s model year and GVWR. We’ll tell you right away if we can help or point you toward the right testing option if we can’t.
Most tests are done in under 20 minutes. That includes connecting the equipment, running the OBD emissions test, uploading results to the CTC-VIS system, and printing your compliance certificate.
There’s no lengthy inspection process. We’re not crawling under your truck or doing visual checks that drag things out. The test pulls data directly from your vehicle’s onboard diagnostics, which is fast and accurate.
If there’s a wait because other trucks are ahead of you, that’s the only thing that adds time. But the actual testing process is quick. We know downtime costs you money, so we don’t waste it. Get in, get tested, get back on the road.
You get a compliance certificate that shows your truck passed CARB emissions testing. That certificate includes your vehicle information, test date, results, and the tester’s credentials. It’s proof you’re compliant if anyone asks—DMV, freight facilities, cargo ports, or enforcement during roadside checks.
Your test results also get uploaded immediately to the CTC-VIS system, which updates both CARB and the California DMV. That means your compliance status is on record with the state. When your registration renewal comes up, there’s no hold because your emissions testing is already cleared.
Keep a copy of your certificate in your truck. If you’re stopped at a weigh station or entering a facility that checks compliance, you’ll have documentation on hand. It’s valid for six months from your test date, then you’ll need to retest to stay compliant.
Local Resources
Useful Links
Other Services we provide in Altadena
