Hear from Our Customers
You already know California’s regulations are tight. What you might not know is that CARB collected over $21.5 million in citations in 2022 alone. Fines go up to $10,000 per vehicle, per day. That’s not a scare tactic—that’s what’s happening to trucks that don’t pass Clean Truck Check testing.
If your truck is model year 2013 or newer with a GVWR over 14,000 pounds, you’re required to test. Most heavy-duty vehicles need testing twice a year right now. Starting in October 2027, that jumps to four times a year for OBD-equipped trucks. Miss a deadline and CARB can place a registration hold with the DMV, which means your truck sits until you’re compliant.
The good news? Compliant results typically come back in one to three business days. You’re not losing weeks of work. You’re protecting your ability to operate, keeping contracts intact, and staying ahead of enforcement that’s only getting stricter.
All SMOG Motors is a CARB-certified testing facility serving Avocado Heights and the surrounding trucking corridor. We’re credentialed to perform Clean Truck Check testing using CARB-approved OBD testing devices for 2013 and newer diesel engines.
Avocado Heights sits right between the Pomona Freeway and the San Gabriel River Freeway, about 15 miles from downtown LA. That makes this area a natural hub for heavy-duty truck traffic moving through LA County’s industrial zones. We understand the routes you run, the schedules you keep, and what it costs when a truck sits idle.
We’re not trying to be everything to everyone. We focus on what CARB requires for newer heavy-duty trucks, and we do it right. That means accurate testing, proper documentation, and results you can rely on when it’s time to prove compliance.
First, we verify your truck qualifies for the service. That means confirming it’s model year 2013 or newer and has a GVWR over 14,000 pounds. If it doesn’t meet both criteria, this isn’t the right test.
Once we confirm eligibility, we connect to your truck’s OBD system using CARB-certified testing equipment. We’re pulling data directly from your emissions control systems to verify everything’s functioning the way California requires. This isn’t a visual inspection or a guess—it’s a data-driven compliance check.
After testing, results get submitted to CARB. If your truck passes, you’re compliant and clear to operate. If something flags, we’ll walk you through what needs attention before you can retest. Most trucks that are properly maintained pass without issue.
The whole process is designed to get you in, tested, and back on the road. You’re not sitting around for days waiting on paperwork. You’re getting certified proof of compliance that keeps your registration active and your business moving.
Ready to get started?
You’re paying for compliance certification that keeps CARB and the DMV off your back. That includes OBD testing performed by a CARB-credentialed tester, submission of results to the state database, and documentation you can reference during audits or registration renewals.
The annual compliance fee for 2026 is $32.13 per vehicle, and that goes up with California’s Consumer Price Index each year. Testing frequency depends on your truck’s equipment—most are semi-annual right now, but that’s increasing. You’ll also need to factor in your time and any potential repairs if something doesn’t pass.
Here’s the reality for Avocado Heights and the surrounding area: this is a major trucking corridor. You’ve got the 60, the 605, and direct access to the City of Industry and East LA’s distribution centers. CARB knows that. Enforcement is active, and they’re specifically targeting trucks with California plates that should be testing but aren’t.
If you’re running in-state or out-of-state trucks through California, this applies to you. CARB doesn’t care where your truck is registered—if it operates here and meets the year and weight requirements, it needs to be compliant. Ignoring it doesn’t make it go away. It just makes it more expensive when you get caught.
Yes, if your truck operates in California. CARB’s Clean Truck Check program applies to any heavy-duty vehicle with a GVWR over 14,000 pounds, model year 2013 or newer, that operates on California roads—regardless of where it’s registered.
Out-of-state trucks aren’t exempt just because they have plates from another state. If you’re hauling loads through California, picking up or delivering in the state, or running regular routes that cross into CA, you’re required to comply. CARB actively enforces this, and they can pull trucks during roadside inspections or issue citations for non-compliance.
The penalties are the same whether you’re based in California or not. That means fines up to $10,000 per vehicle, per day, and potential restrictions on operating in the state. If you’re running interstate routes that include California, factor compliance testing into your operating costs and schedule. It’s not optional.
Right now, most heavy-duty trucks need testing twice a year. But that’s changing. Starting in October 2027, trucks equipped with OBD systems will need to test four times per year.
The testing frequency depends on your truck’s model year and emissions equipment. Newer trucks with OBD capabilities fall under stricter testing schedules because CARB can pull real-time data from the emissions control systems. Older trucks in the program may have different requirements, but if your truck is 2013 or newer, expect semi-annual testing now and quarterly testing soon.
Missing a testing deadline triggers a registration hold with the DMV. That means you can’t renew your registration until you’re compliant, and you can’t legally operate the truck on California roads. If you’re managing a fleet, you need a system to track testing dates for every vehicle. One missed deadline can take a truck out of commission and cost you contracts.
If your truck fails, you’ll need to address whatever triggered the failure before you can retest and become compliant. The OBD testing pulls data directly from your emissions control systems, so failures usually point to specific components or sensors that aren’t functioning correctly.
You’ll get a report showing what failed. From there, you’ll need to get the necessary repairs done—whether that’s fixing a malfunctioning sensor, addressing an emissions system issue, or resolving a check engine light that’s tied to emissions controls. Once repairs are complete, you come back for a retest.
The truck can’t operate legally in California until it passes. That means downtime, repair costs, and lost revenue while the truck sits. The best way to avoid this is regular maintenance. If your emissions systems are working properly and you’re staying on top of routine service, most trucks pass without issue. Waiting until you’re forced to test is when problems show up and cost you time.
No. Our CARB compliance testing service is specifically for trucks that are model year 2013 or newer with a GVWR over 14,000 pounds. If your truck doesn’t meet both of those criteria, this isn’t the right service.
The reason is simple: CARB’s Clean Truck Check program for OBD testing applies to newer trucks equipped with advanced emissions control systems. Trucks older than 2013 either fall under different testing requirements or aren’t subject to this specific program. We’re certified to perform the OBD-based testing that applies to 2013+ heavy-duty vehicles, and that’s what our equipment and credentials cover.
If you’re running older trucks, you may still have other California emissions requirements depending on the vehicle’s weight class and use. But the Clean Truck Check testing we provide won’t apply. Make sure you know what your specific truck requires before assuming it needs this test. CARB’s regulations are full of phases and exceptions, and testing the wrong vehicle wastes your time and money.
The state compliance fee for 2026 is $32.13 per vehicle, and that increases annually with California’s CPI. But that’s just the state fee. Your total cost depends on the testing facility, any service fees, and whether your truck passes on the first attempt.
If your truck fails and needs repairs, you’re looking at additional costs for parts, labor, and retesting. Depending on what’s wrong, that can range from a few hundred dollars for a sensor replacement to several thousand if you’re dealing with major emissions system repairs. Then there’s the cost of downtime—every day your truck isn’t running is lost revenue.
The real cost of non-compliance is much higher. CARB fines go up to $10,000 per vehicle, per day. If you’re running multiple trucks and you’re not compliant, those penalties add up fast. A registration hold means the truck can’t operate legally, which can kill contracts and damage your reputation with customers. When you factor in all of that, the cost of testing is cheap insurance compared to the cost of getting caught without it.
We provide CARB-certified Clean Truck Check testing in Avocado Heights for heavy-duty trucks that are model year 2013 or newer with a GVWR over 14,000 pounds. We’re located in the heart of the trucking corridor between the 60 and 605 freeways, making us accessible for trucks running through LA County’s industrial areas.
We use CARB-approved OBD testing equipment and our testers are credentialed by the state to perform these inspections. That means the results we submit are recognized by CARB and the DMV for compliance purposes. You’re not dealing with a shop that’s guessing or using uncertified equipment—you’re getting testing that meets the state’s exact requirements.
If you’re based in Avocado Heights, the City of Industry, Hacienda Heights, or anywhere in the San Gabriel Valley, we’re a local option that understands the routes and schedules you’re working with. We know what it’s like to run trucks through this area, and we’re not trying to keep your vehicle longer than necessary. Get in, get tested, get compliant, and get back to work.
Local Resources
Useful Links
Other Services we provide in Avocado Heights
