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If you operate trucks with a GVWR over 14,000 pounds and a model year of 2013 or newer, you’re required to pass CARB Clean Truck Check emissions testing twice a year starting in 2025. Miss that deadline or fail the test, and the DMV puts a hold on your registration. Your truck sits. Your revenue stops.
The state doesn’t care if you didn’t know about the notice or couldn’t find a testing facility. Once you’re flagged, you have 30 days to submit passing results or face enforcement action. That can mean fines up to $10,000 per vehicle, and in extreme cases, penalties reaching $75,000 per day.
CARB compliant testing isn’t optional anymore. It’s the difference between running your business and watching it stall out because a truck can’t legally move. You need a credentialed tester who knows the system, uploads results immediately, and clears your vehicles without the runaround.
All SMOG Motors is run by people who spent 25 years as owner-operators in the construction industry. We know what it’s like to get a Notice to Submit to Testing and feel the clock ticking. We’ve dealt with CARB regulations firsthand, not just read about them.
We’re CARB credentialed testers serving Altadena and the surrounding Los Angeles County area. That means we’ve passed the state training course and exam, and we’re authorized to perform Clean Truck Check emissions testing on heavy-duty diesel and alternative fuel vehicles. When we test your truck, the results go straight into the CARB system—no delays, no confusion.
Altadena sits in the heart of California’s commercial transportation corridor, where port activity, freight movement, and drayage operations create constant demand for compliant trucks. If you’re running a fleet here, you can’t afford to be out of compliance.
First, we verify your truck qualifies for Clean Truck Check testing. That means it’s model year 2013 or newer and has a GVWR over 14,000 pounds. If it doesn’t meet both criteria, this service doesn’t apply.
Next, we run the emissions test using CARB-approved equipment. For most trucks, that includes smoke opacity testing and emissions control system checks. We’re looking at whether your vehicle meets the standards set by the state, not whether it “seems fine” on the road.
Once the test is complete, we upload the results directly to the CARB database. If your truck passes, the DMV hold is lifted immediately. If it doesn’t pass, we’ll walk you through what needs to be fixed and how long you have to retest. You’re not left guessing.
The whole process is designed to keep you compliant without wasting your time. You’re in, you’re tested, and you’re back on the road with proof that your truck meets California’s heavy-duty vehicle compliance requirements.
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When you come in for CARB diesel compliance testing, you’re getting a state-mandated emissions inspection performed by a credentialed professional. That’s not the same as a regular smog check. This is specific to heavy-duty trucks operating in California, and the standards are stricter.
Starting in 2025, most heavy-duty vehicles are required to test twice a year. By July 2027, that increases to four times a year for OBD-equipped trucks. The annual Clean Truck Check fee is $31.18 per vehicle, and that’s on top of the testing cost. If you’re managing a fleet, those numbers add up fast.
But here’s what you’re really paying for: the ability to keep your trucks registered and operational. Without a passing test, the DMV won’t renew your registration. And if you’re caught operating a non-compliant vehicle, you’re looking at fines that can shut down your business. In Altadena, where logistics and freight operations depend on port access and tight delivery schedules, one sidelined truck can cost you contracts.
You’re also paying for speed. We upload results immediately, so there’s no waiting around for paperwork to clear. And if CARB flags your vehicle during a roadside inspection, you’ll have documentation showing you’re compliant.
Any diesel or alternative fuel truck with a GVWR over 14,000 pounds and a model year of 2013 or newer operating in California must undergo Clean Truck Check emissions testing. That includes semi trucks, box trucks, dump trucks, and other heavy-duty commercial vehicles.
If your truck is older than 2013 or weighs less than 14,000 pounds GVWR, this program doesn’t apply to you. The state set those cutoffs because newer trucks are equipped with emissions control systems that can be tested under the Clean Truck Check framework.
Testing became mandatory on January 1, 2025, with most vehicles required to test twice a year. If you receive a Notice to Submit to Testing from CARB, you have 30 days to submit passing results or face penalties.
If your truck fails, you’ll need to make the necessary repairs and retest before the 30-day deadline. The most common failure points are issues with the diesel particulate filter, exhaust system, or onboard diagnostics. We’ll tell you exactly what’s wrong so you’re not guessing.
Once repairs are made, you come back for a retest. If the truck passes, we upload the results and your DMV hold is lifted. If it fails again, you’ll need to address whatever’s still out of spec.
Operating a truck that’s failed testing isn’t an option. CARB can issue fines up to $10,000 per vehicle, and the DMV won’t allow registration renewal until you’re compliant. If you’re under a tight deadline, it’s worth getting the truck inspected before the official test to catch problems early.
Most tests take 30 to 60 minutes, depending on the truck and whether there are any issues. We’re not rushing through it, but we’re also not dragging it out. The goal is to get accurate results and get you back on the road.
If your truck passes, the results are uploaded to CARB’s system immediately. That means the DMV hold is lifted in real time, and you have proof of compliance right away.
If there’s a problem, we’ll walk you through what needs to be fixed and how long it’ll take to retest. You’re not sitting around waiting for someone to call you back or mail you paperwork. Everything happens on-site.
Bring your vehicle registration and any notices you’ve received from CARB or the DMV. If you’ve had recent repairs done to the emissions system, bring documentation of that work. It helps us understand what’s been addressed and what might still need attention.
Make sure your truck is in normal operating condition. If the check engine light is on or there are obvious exhaust issues, we’ll likely find problems during the test. It’s better to address those before you come in, especially if you’re up against a 30-day deadline.
If you’re managing a fleet, bring a list of the vehicles you need tested and their VINs. That speeds up the process and makes sure we’re testing the right trucks.
Clean Truck Check testing must be performed by a CARB credentialed tester at an authorized facility. You can’t just take your truck to any smog shop. The state requires specific training and certification to perform heavy-duty vehicle emissions testing, and not every facility has it.
We’re credentialed and authorized to perform Clean Truck Check testing in Altadena. That means the results we submit are recognized by CARB and the DMV. If you go somewhere that’s not credentialed, the test won’t count, and you’ll have to do it again.
You can verify a facility’s credentials on the CARB website, but if you’re already here, you’re in the right place. We’ve been through the training, passed the exam, and we’re set up to handle heavy-duty diesel compliance testing for 2013 and newer trucks.
If you ignore the notice, CARB contacts the DMV and places a hold on your vehicle registration. That means you can’t renew your registration, and technically, you can’t legally operate the truck. If you’re caught driving a non-compliant vehicle, you’re looking at fines and potential impoundment.
The 30-day deadline isn’t a suggestion. Once that window closes, CARB can escalate enforcement action, which can include penalties up to $10,000 per vehicle. For repeat violations or deliberate non-compliance, those fines can go much higher.
The longer you wait, the worse it gets. If you’ve received a notice, the smartest move is to get tested as soon as possible. Even if your truck fails, you’ll have time to make repairs and retest before the deadline. Ignoring it just guarantees you’ll be dealing with fines, registration holds, and trucks that can’t move.
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