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You’ve got enough on your plate without worrying about whether your truck is going to pass a CARB inspection or get flagged at a weigh station. Clean Truck Check isn’t optional anymore—it’s state law for heavy-duty diesel trucks, and the penalties for skipping it are steep.
Starting January 1, 2025, every diesel truck model year 2013 or newer with a GVWR over 14,000 pounds needs to pass emissions testing twice a year. Miss it, and you’re looking at registration holds, fines up to $10,000 per vehicle per day, and potential “Do Not Operate” orders that sideline your truck completely.
We handle CARB emissions testing right here in Hemet, CA. You get in, we test your truck using CARB-certified equipment, submit the results directly to the state database, and you’re back on the road. No surprises, no runaround, no wasted time sitting at a facility that doesn’t know what they’re doing.
All SMOG Motors is a locally owned smog and emissions testing facility serving Hemet, CA and the surrounding Inland Empire. We’re CARB credentialed to perform Clean Truck Check testing, which means we’ve met the state’s standards for equipment, training, and reporting.
Hemet has over 500 carriers operating in the area, most of them small fleets or owner-operators running one or two trucks. You need a testing facility that understands the local trucking landscape and doesn’t treat you like just another number. We know what’s at stake when your truck is off the road, and we move fast.
We’re not new to emissions testing. We’ve been doing smog checks for years, and when CARB rolled out the Heavy-Duty Inspection and Maintenance program, we got credentialed because we saw the need. You don’t have to drive to Riverside or San Bernardino to get this done—we’re right here.
First, make sure your truck qualifies. This service is only for diesel trucks model year 2013 or newer with a GVWR over 14,000 pounds. If your truck has an OBD system and falls into that category, you’re in the right place.
When you arrive, we’ll connect to your truck’s onboard diagnostics system using CARB-certified testing equipment. The test checks your emissions control systems to make sure everything is functioning the way it should. We’re looking at things like your diesel particulate filter, NOx sensors, and other emissions components—basically, making sure your truck isn’t throwing codes or running with tampered equipment.
The whole process usually takes 30 to 45 minutes, depending on the truck. Once we’re done, we submit the test results directly to the CTC-VIS database. That’s the state system that tracks compliance. You’ll get documentation showing you passed, and that test counts toward your semi-annual requirement.
If something comes back flagged, we’ll walk you through what needs to be fixed. We don’t do the repairs ourselves, but we’ll tell you exactly what CARB is looking for so you’re not guessing. Once repairs are done, you come back for a retest.
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Clean Truck Check is part of California’s Heavy-Duty Inspection and Maintenance program, also called CARB HD I/M testing. It went into effect October 1, 2024, and compliance deadlines started January 1, 2025. Right now, you need to test twice a year. By October 2027, that increases to four times a year.
On top of testing, you’re required to register your truck in the CTC-VIS system and pay an annual compliance fee of $31.18 per vehicle. The fee and the test are separate—you can’t skip either one. CARB tracks everything, and if you’re not in the system or you miss a test, the DMV will put a hold on your registration.
Testing has to be done by a CARB credentialed tester using CARB-approved equipment. You can’t just plug in a generic scanner and call it good. The results have to be uploaded to the state database, and only credentialed facilities like ours can do that. That’s why finding a local testing location in Hemet, CA matters—you need someone who’s set up correctly and knows the process inside and out.
CARB also conducts roadside inspections throughout California, especially near ports, border crossings, and railyards. They use remote emissions monitoring devices to flag trucks that might be out of compliance. If you get pulled over and you’re not current on your Clean Truck Check, you’re facing penalties on the spot.
Your truck needs Clean Truck Check testing if it’s a diesel with a model year of 2013 or newer and has a gross vehicle weight rating over 14,000 pounds. That covers most Class 7 and Class 8 semi trucks, as well as some medium-duty trucks that fall into that weight range.
The key is the OBD system. CARB’s testing relies on onboard diagnostics, which became standard on diesel engines starting in 2013. If your truck is older than that, or if it’s under 14,000 pounds GVWR, this program doesn’t apply to you.
If you’re not sure, check your registration or your truck’s door placard for the GVWR. You can also call us and we’ll help you figure it out. Don’t assume you’re exempt just because you’re running a smaller operation—the rules apply to everyone, from single-truck owner-operators to large fleets.
If your truck fails, you’ll get a report that shows which emissions components or systems triggered the failure. Common issues include malfunctioning diesel particulate filters, faulty NOx sensors, or tampered emissions equipment. CARB takes tampering seriously—penalties for that can go up to $37,500 per violation.
You’ll need to get the issue repaired by a qualified mechanic. We don’t do the repairs, but we’ll explain exactly what the test flagged so you’re not walking into a shop blind. Once the repairs are done, bring the truck back and we’ll retest it.
You can’t register or renew your truck’s registration until it passes. CARB also has the authority to issue “Do Not Operate” orders for non-compliant vehicles, which means your truck could be grounded until you fix the problem. The faster you address it, the less downtime you’re dealing with.
Right now, you need to test twice a year—that’s semi-annual testing. The first round of compliance deadlines started January 1, 2025, and you’re required to stay current from that point forward.
Starting October 2027, the frequency increases to four times a year, or quarterly testing. That’s a significant jump, and it means you’ll need to build testing into your regular maintenance schedule. Missing a test isn’t just an inconvenience—it triggers registration holds and opens you up to fines.
CARB tracks your compliance through the CTC-VIS system, so they know exactly when your last test was and when your next one is due. Set reminders, keep your paperwork organized, and plan ahead. Testing takes less than an hour, but the penalties for skipping it can cost you days of downtime and thousands of dollars.
No. Testing has to be performed by a CARB credentialed tester using CARB-certified equipment. Not every smog shop or truck repair facility is set up to do this. The tester has to be trained, credentialed, and equipped with the specific OBD devices that CARB requires for heavy-duty vehicle compliance.
That’s why having a local option in Hemet, CA matters. You don’t want to drive an hour each way just to get a 30-minute test done. And if something comes back flagged and you need a retest, you’re making that trip again.
We’re credentialed and equipped to handle Clean Truck Check testing right here. Our results get submitted directly to the state database, so there’s no delay or extra steps on your end. You come in, we test, you’re done.
Yes. The annual compliance fee and the emissions testing are two separate requirements. The fee is $31.18 per vehicle per year, and it’s paid through the CTC-VIS system when you register your truck in the program.
Think of the fee as your entry into the system—it’s what keeps your truck active in CARB’s database. The testing is what proves your truck is actually compliant. You need both. Paying the fee doesn’t get you out of testing, and passing a test doesn’t mean you can skip the fee.
CARB uses the fee to fund the program, and they’re tracking everything electronically. If you’re not paid up or you’re not current on testing, the DMV will flag your registration. It’s a small cost compared to the penalties for non-compliance, and it’s non-negotiable.
Bring your truck, your registration, and any documentation related to your CTC-VIS account if you have it. We’ll need to verify the vehicle information and make sure everything matches what’s in the state system.
If you haven’t registered in CTC-VIS yet, we can walk you through that process. It’s required before you can submit test results, so don’t skip that step. You’ll also need to have your annual compliance fee paid up—CARB won’t accept test results if your account isn’t current.
Make sure your truck isn’t throwing any check engine lights before you come in. If there are active codes, the test will fail. If you’re not sure about the status of your emissions systems, it’s worth having a mechanic take a look first. We’re here to test, not diagnose, so the cleaner your truck is going in, the smoother the process.
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