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You’re not getting tested because you love paperwork. You’re doing it because California requires it, and the consequences of skipping it are expensive.
Passing your CARB emissions testing means your registration doesn’t get blocked. It means you don’t get pulled over at a weigh station and handed a Notice to Submit. It means you’re not scrambling to find a testing facility while your truck sits idle and you’re losing money by the hour.
For owner-operators and small fleets running 2013 or newer trucks over 14,000 pounds in Montebello and across Southern California, this isn’t optional anymore. Starting in 2025, compliance deadlines happen twice a year. By 2027, it’s four times a year. Miss one, and the DMV can freeze your registration until you’re back in compliance.
We handle Clean Truck Check testing for diesel trucks that meet California’s CARB truck regulations. You show up, we test your OBD system through the J1937 or J1979 connector, and you get results the same day. No guessing. No surprises.
We’re based in Montebello, and we’ve been CARB credentialed testers for over two years. Before that, we spent 25 years as owner-operators in the construction industry, so we know what it’s like to deal with compliance deadlines, tight schedules, and regulations that change faster than you can keep up.
Montebello sits right in the middle of one of the busiest freight corridors in California. There are over 100 trucking companies operating in this area, and most of them are small fleets or independent drivers who can’t afford downtime. That’s why we offer mobile testing—we come to you.
We’re licensed, insured with $2 million in liability coverage, and we’ve completed over 250 Clean Truck Checks and 50 OVI inspections. We’re not new to this. We also stay in direct contact with CARB, which has helped us negotiate reduced penalties for clients who were facing serious fines.
First, make sure your truck qualifies. This service is only for trucks that are model year 2013 or newer and have a gross vehicle weight rating over 14,000 pounds. If your truck is older or lighter, this isn’t the right test.
Once you schedule, we confirm your truck’s VIN, registration details, and compliance deadline. We can come to your location in Montebello or the surrounding area, or you can come to us—whatever works better for your schedule.
On test day, we connect to your truck’s onboard diagnostics system using the J1937 or J1979 connector. The test checks for emissions-related fault codes and confirms your truck meets California CARB compliant standards. It usually takes less than 30 minutes.
If your truck passes, we submit the results directly to CARB, and you’re good until your next compliance deadline. If it doesn’t pass, we’ll tell you exactly what’s flagged and what needs to be fixed before you can retest. No runaround. You’ll know where you stand before you leave.
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California’s CARB clean truck check program started in October 2024, and every compliance deadline after January 1, 2025, requires a passing emissions test. If you’re registered in California or you operate here regularly, this applies to you.
Right now, testing happens twice a year. By October 2027, it increases to four times a year. Miss a deadline, and CARB can block your DMV registration. That means your truck is off the road until you submit a passing test. Fines can go up to $10,000 per vehicle per day if you’re caught operating out of compliance.
Montebello is a hub for freight and logistics, with trucks moving through the I-5, I-10, and I-710 corridors daily. Roadside monitoring is active in this area, and if your truck gets flagged, you’ll receive a Notice to Submit to Testing. You have 30 days to comply, or your registration gets suspended.
The annual compliance fee is $31.18, and that’s separate from the testing cost. Testing itself checks your OBD system for emissions faults. If your diesel particulate filter, NOx sensors, or exhaust system have issues, they’ll show up in the test. Fixing those problems before you test saves you time and money.
This isn’t about older trucks or light-duty vehicles. If your truck is 2012 or older, or under 14,000 pounds GVWR, different rules apply. We only handle CARB emissions testing for the 2013+ heavy-duty category.
If your truck doesn’t pass, you’ll get a detailed report showing exactly which fault codes triggered the failure. Most failures are related to the diesel particulate filter, NOx sensors, or exhaust aftertreatment system.
You’ll need to get those issues repaired by a qualified mechanic before you can retest. We don’t do the repairs ourselves, but we can point you toward what needs fixing so you’re not guessing. Once the repairs are done, you can schedule another test.
Keep in mind that if you’re under a compliance deadline or you’ve already received a Notice to Submit from CARB, you’re working against the clock. You have 30 days from the notice to submit a passing test, or your registration will be blocked. Don’t wait until the last minute to address it.
Yes, if your truck operates in California regularly. CARB compliance applies to any heavy-duty diesel truck over 14,000 pounds that’s model year 2013 or newer, regardless of where it’s registered.
If you’re an out-of-state operator running loads through California, you’re subject to the same testing requirements as California-registered trucks. Roadside monitoring doesn’t care what state your plates are from. If you get flagged and you’re not compliant, you’ll be issued a Notice to Submit, and you’ll have 30 days to pass a test or face penalties.
The good news is that we can test out-of-state trucks. You don’t need to be registered in California to use our service. We submit your results directly to CARB, and you’re covered for your compliance period.
Right now, compliance deadlines happen twice a year—semiannually. That means you’ll need to pass a Clean Truck Check two times per year to stay compliant.
Starting in October 2027, that increases to four times per year, or quarterly. CARB assigns your specific compliance deadlines based on your truck’s VIN and registration details, so your schedule might be different from another operator’s.
You can check your compliance deadline by logging into CARB’s online portal or by contacting them directly. We also help clients track their deadlines and send reminders when it’s time to schedule their next test. Missing a deadline can result in registration holds, so it’s worth staying on top of it.
Yes. We offer same-day Clean Truck Check testing if you need it, and results are available immediately after the test is complete.
If you’re facing a tight compliance deadline or you just got a Notice to Submit and you’re running out of time, same-day service can keep you from losing your registration. We run a mobile testing operation, so we can come to your location in Montebello or nearby areas, which saves you the trip to a testing facility.
That said, same-day availability depends on our schedule, so it’s better to call ahead and confirm. If you can plan a few days out, that’s even better. But if you’re in a bind, we’ll do what we can to get you tested and back on the road.
A standard smog check is for passenger vehicles and light-duty trucks under 14,000 pounds. A Clean Truck Check is specifically for heavy-duty diesel trucks over 14,000 pounds that are model year 2013 or newer.
The testing process is different, too. A Clean Truck Check uses your truck’s onboard diagnostics system to check for emissions-related fault codes. It doesn’t involve a tailpipe test like older smog checks did. Instead, it’s all electronic, pulling data directly from your truck’s OBD system through the J1937 or J1979 connector.
Not every smog shop can perform a Clean Truck Check. You need a CARB-certified tester who’s completed the state’s training course and has the right equipment. That’s what we do. If you’re driving a semi truck or any heavy-duty diesel that meets the weight and year requirements, this is the test you need.
Testing costs vary depending on whether you need mobile service or if you’re coming to us, but we keep pricing straightforward. There’s also the $31.18 annual compliance fee that CARB charges separately, which goes directly to the state.
The cost of the actual Clean Truck Check depends on your truck and your situation. If you need same-day service or mobile testing at your yard or job site, that affects pricing. But compared to the cost of a failed compliance deadline—registration holds, fines up to $10,000 per day, and lost revenue while your truck sits—it’s a small investment.
We’re upfront about pricing when you call. No hidden fees, no surprises. You’ll know what it costs before we schedule anything, and you’ll know exactly what you’re getting.
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