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If your truck has a GVWR over 14,000 pounds and it’s model year 2013 or newer, you’re required to pass Clean Truck Check emissions testing twice a year. Miss a deadline and you’re looking at registration holds, fines up to $10,000 per vehicle per day, and trucks that can’t legally operate.
You’ve got 30 days from the time you receive a Notice to Submit to Testing to get it done. That’s not a lot of wiggle room when you’re running a business. And if you’re managing multiple trucks, those deadlines stack up fast.
We handle CARB diesel compliance testing right here in Agoura Hills, CA. You bring the truck, we run the test, submit the results directly to CARB, and you get your compliance certificate. No registration blocks. No enforcement letters. Just proof that you’re good to go for another cycle.
All SMOG Motors is a CARB credentialed testing facility serving Agoura Hills and the surrounding area. That credential isn’t something you just get—it requires completing CARB’s official training course and maintaining certification every two years. It means we know the regulations, we have the right equipment, and we’re authorized to submit results that actually count.
Agoura Hills has a solid base of small trucking operations, construction companies, and independent owner-operators. A lot of single-truck businesses that can’t afford downtime or surprise penalties. We get that, because we work with those operators every day.
You’re not dealing with a chain or a call center. You’re working with a local shop that understands what’s at stake when your truck is your livelihood.
First, we confirm your truck qualifies. That means model year 2013 or newer and a GVWR over 14,000 pounds. If it doesn’t meet both of those, this service doesn’t apply—no exceptions, because that’s how CARB wrote the rule.
Once we verify eligibility, we run the emissions test using CARB-approved equipment. For OBD-equipped trucks, that means plugging into the onboard diagnostics system. For non-OBD vehicles, we use alternative testing methods that meet state requirements.
After the test, we submit your results directly to CARB’s database. If you pass, you get a compliance certificate on the spot. If there’s an issue, we’ll walk you through what needs to be fixed and how to get retested. You can submit passing results up to 90 days before your deadline, so if you’re organized, you can get ahead of it.
The whole process takes about an hour, depending on the truck. You leave with documentation proving you’re compliant, and your registration stays clear.
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You get a full CARB HD I/M emissions test performed by a credentialed tester. That includes the physical test, results submission to the state database, and your official compliance certificate if you pass.
In Agoura Hills and across California, heavy-duty trucks make up only 3% of vehicles on the road but account for over half of smog-causing pollution. That’s why CARB is serious about enforcement. Automated license plate readers and remote emission monitoring devices flag potential high emitters, which means you could get pulled into mandatory testing even outside your regular schedule.
Starting in 2025, every qualifying truck needs testing twice a year. By October 2027, if your truck is OBD-equipped, that increases to four times annually. The compliance cycle is tightening, and the penalties for missing deadlines are steep. Registration holds mean you can’t renew your plates. Fines scale based on how long you’ve been out of compliance. And if you operate near California ports or railyards, access gets cut off entirely.
This service keeps you ahead of all that. You stay legal, your trucks stay registered, and your business keeps moving.
Yes. If your truck operates in California and meets the requirements—GVWR over 14,000 pounds and model year 2013 or newer—you’re subject to Clean Truck Check regulations even if it’s registered in another state.
CARB doesn’t care where your plates are from. If the truck is on California roads, it has to comply. That includes commercial vehicles, privately-owned trucks, government vehicles, and anything running on diesel or alternative fuels like CNG or hybrid systems.
Out-of-state operators sometimes assume they’re exempt, but enforcement doesn’t work that way. You’ll still receive compliance deadlines, and if you miss them, you face the same penalties as California-registered vehicles. Get tested locally before you cross state lines, or plan to handle it here in Agoura Hills when you’re in the area.
Testing costs vary depending on whether your truck is OBD-equipped or requires non-OBD testing methods. Most facilities in the area charge between $94 and $180 per test, with mobile services running higher—sometimes $140 or more.
We’re upfront about pricing before you schedule. There’s also a state-mandated annual Clean Truck Check fee of $31.18 per vehicle, which goes directly to CARB. That’s separate from the testing cost and adjusts slightly each year for inflation.
If your truck fails the first test, you’ll need repairs and a retest. Some shops charge full price for retests; others offer discounted rates if you come back within a certain window. Ask about that before you commit. The goal is to pass the first time, but if something comes up, you want to know what it’ll cost to fix and retest without surprises.
If your truck fails, you’ll get a detailed report showing what triggered the failure—usually an emissions reading that’s too high or an OBD system that flagged a problem. From there, you need to get the issue repaired and come back for a retest.
You still have to meet your compliance deadline, so don’t wait. The 30-day window from your Notice to Submit to Testing doesn’t pause just because you failed. Get the repairs done fast, bring it back, and retest before the deadline hits.
Common failure points include faulty sensors, exhaust system issues, or engine problems that cause higher-than-allowed emissions. A good mechanic who works on heavy-duty trucks can usually diagnose and fix it quickly. Once it’s repaired, we retest and submit passing results to CARB. Then you’re compliant and good for the next cycle.
Starting January 1, 2025, every qualifying truck needs Clean Truck Check testing twice a year. That’s the baseline for all heavy-duty vehicles with a GVWR over 14,000 pounds and model year 2013 or newer.
If your truck is OBD-equipped, the frequency increases to four times per year starting October 2027. CARB is phasing in stricter monitoring for vehicles with onboard diagnostics because the data is more precise and easier to track.
You’ll receive compliance deadlines via the Clean Truck Check system, and you need to monitor those emails closely. CARB doesn’t always send advance notice, so it’s on you to stay on top of when your trucks are due. Missing a deadline triggers penalties immediately—registration holds, fines, and potential enforcement action. Set reminders, track your fleet’s schedule, and plan testing windows in advance so you’re never scrambling at the last minute.
Yes. You can submit passing test results up to 90 days before your official compliance deadline. That’s one of the smarter ways to manage this if you’re running a tight schedule or managing multiple trucks.
Getting tested early means you’re not racing against the 30-day Notice to Submit window. If something fails, you have time to fix it and retest without the pressure of an imminent deadline. If you pass, you’re done and you can focus on running your business instead of worrying about compliance.
This is especially useful for fleet operators in Agoura Hills who are juggling multiple deadlines across different vehicles. Stagger your testing schedule, knock them out early, and you won’t be dealing with a pile of trucks all due at once. It’s basic planning, but it saves a lot of stress when enforcement is this strict.
Very few. If your truck is model year 2012 or older, you’re exempt. If it has a GVWR of 14,000 pounds or less, you’re exempt. Everything else with a GVWR over 14,000 pounds and model year 2013 or newer is subject to testing—diesel, CNG, hybrid, doesn’t matter.
That includes commercial trucks, construction equipment, buses, government vehicles, and privately-owned heavy-duty trucks. It also includes out-of-state vehicles operating in California. CARB cast a wide net because heavy-duty vehicles are responsible for the majority of smog-forming emissions despite being a small percentage of total vehicles on the road.
If you’re unsure whether your truck qualifies, bring your registration and we’ll confirm eligibility before scheduling anything. The rules are specific, and there’s no point in guessing. We’ll tell you straight whether you need the test or not, and if you do, we’ll get it done right.
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