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You’re not dealing with CARB compliance because it’s fun. You’re doing it because the alternative costs you money, time, and possibly your ability to operate in California.
Non-compliance isn’t just a slap on the wrist. CARB can fine you up to $10,000 per vehicle per day. They can block your DMV registration. They can pull your trucks off the road with a Notice to Submit to Testing. And if you’re trying to renew registration without a passing test, you’re stuck with a 90-day Temporary Operating Permit and a ticking clock.
The Clean Truck Check program requires every applicable semi truck and heavy-duty vehicle to pass emissions testing twice a year starting in 2025. If your truck has a 2013 or newer engine and weighs over 14,000 pounds GVWR, this applies to you—whether you’re registered in California or just passing through. By October 2027, that frequency jumps to four times a year for OBD-equipped vehicles.
We test your truck, submit results directly to CARB, and give you the documentation you need to stay compliant. You can submit a passing test up to 90 days before your deadline, which gives you breathing room if repairs are needed. Our focus is getting you tested fast so you can get back to work.
All SMOG Motors specializes in CARB compliance testing for 2013 and newer heavy-duty trucks over 14,000 pounds. That’s it. We’re not trying to be everything to everyone.
Our technicians are CARB credentialed, which means they’ve completed the official training course and passed the certification exam. We use CARB-certified OBD testing equipment, and we transmit results directly to the state. Commerce sits in the heart of Southern California’s logistics corridor, so we understand the pressure you’re under to keep trucks moving and contracts intact.
We’re here because this market needs people who know what they’re doing and won’t waste your time. You’re running a business. We help you stay legal so you can keep running it.
First, we confirm your truck qualifies. 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.
Once confirmed, we run an OBD scan using CARB-certified equipment. For newer diesel trucks, this is a relatively fast process—typically under an hour. The scan checks your truck’s onboard diagnostics to verify emissions systems are working correctly and meeting California’s standards.
If your truck passes, we submit the results directly to CARB electronically and provide you with documentation. You’ll have what you need for registration renewal or compliance verification. If your truck doesn’t pass, we’ll tell you what’s flagged so you know what needs attention before retesting.
You can schedule testing up to 90 days before your compliance deadline. That window exists so you’re not scrambling at the last minute if something needs repair. Your deadline is tied to your registration renewal date if you’re California-registered, or based on your VIN’s last digit if you’re out-of-state.
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You get a CARB-certified OBD emissions test performed by a credentialed technician. We’re not guessing or cutting corners—we’re following the exact protocol CARB requires for heavy-duty vehicle compliance.
We handle the submission to CARB for you. Once your truck passes, the results go straight into the state system, and you receive documentation proving compliance. You don’t have to chase down paperwork or wonder if it went through.
Commerce is one of the busiest logistics hubs in the country. The San Pedro Bay Port Complex moves 40% of all containerized cargo entering the U.S., and much of that freight moves through trucks operating in and around this area. That means CARB enforcement is active here, and compliance isn’t optional.
We also offer mobile service, which means we can bring the testing equipment to your location. If you’re managing a fleet or can’t afford to take trucks out of rotation, that flexibility matters. Most mobile testers in this market are uninsured—we’re not. And we’re available 24 hours, because your schedule doesn’t always fit into business hours.
Yes. If your heavy-duty truck operates in California and meets the requirements—2013 or newer model year and over 14,000 pounds GVWR—you’re subject to Clean Truck Check testing regardless of where it’s registered.
Out-of-state trucks follow a different compliance schedule than California-registered vehicles. Your deadline is based on the last digit of your VIN, not your registration renewal date. But the testing frequency is the same: twice a year starting in 2025, increasing to four times a year by October 2027 for OBD-equipped vehicles.
CARB doesn’t care if you’re just passing through or making regular deliveries. If you’re operating a qualifying truck in California, you need to comply. Non-compliance can result in fines, registration holds, and roadside enforcement actions that pull your truck out of service.
Right now, you need testing twice a year. Starting in October 2027, trucks with 2013 or newer engines will need testing four times a year.
The Clean Truck Check program started in January 2023, and the testing frequency has been ramping up as the program matures. If your truck has a 2013 or newer model year engine and weighs over 14,000 pounds GVWR, you’re in the program.
Your specific deadlines depend on whether you’re registered in California or out of state. California trucks are tied to DMV registration renewal dates. Out-of-state trucks are assigned deadlines based on the last digit of the VIN. You can submit a passing test up to 90 days before your deadline, which gives you time to address any issues if your truck doesn’t pass on the first attempt.
If your truck fails, you’ll get a report showing what triggered the failure. Usually it’s a fault code or emissions system malfunction detected during the OBD scan.
You’ll need to get the issue repaired and then retest. CARB gives you that 90-day window before your deadline specifically so you have time to fix problems without facing penalties. If you wait until the last minute and fail, you’re in a tougher spot.
A failed test doesn’t automatically mean huge fines, but operating a non-compliant truck after your deadline does. CARB can issue fines up to $10,000 per vehicle per day for non-compliance. They can also block your registration renewal or issue a Notice to Submit to Testing if your truck is flagged during roadside monitoring. Get it fixed, get it retested, and stay ahead of the deadline.
No. We only test trucks that are model year 2013 or newer and have a GVWR over 14,000 pounds.
This isn’t about turning away business—it’s about staying within the scope of what CARB’s Clean Truck Check program requires and what our certification covers. The 2013 cutoff aligns with when OBD systems became standard in heavy-duty diesel engines, which is what the testing protocol is built around.
If your truck is older than 2013 or weighs less than 14,000 pounds, it’s not subject to Clean Truck Check testing. You may have other emissions requirements depending on your vehicle type and use, but this specific program doesn’t apply. We’re focused on doing one thing correctly rather than trying to cover every possible scenario.
For trucks with 2013 or newer engines, the OBD test typically takes under an hour. It’s faster than older testing methods because we’re scanning your truck’s onboard diagnostics rather than running a full physical inspection.
The test involves connecting CARB-certified equipment to your truck’s OBD port and pulling emissions data directly from the vehicle’s computer. If everything checks out and there are no fault codes, it’s straightforward. If there are issues flagged, we’ll identify them during the scan.
Timing can vary slightly depending on the truck and whether any codes need further review, but you’re not looking at an all-day process. We know your time matters, and sitting around waiting for testing eats into your operating hours. That’s part of why we offer mobile service—we come to you so your truck doesn’t have to sit idle at a shop.
You’ll need your vehicle registration and any previous CARB compliance documentation if you have it. We also need to verify the VIN, model year, and GVWR to confirm your truck qualifies for testing.
If you’re an out-of-state operator, bring your current registration from your home state. CARB tracks compliance across state lines, so accurate vehicle information is critical for submitting results correctly.
Once testing is complete and your truck passes, we provide documentation showing compliance. That paperwork is what you’ll need if you’re renewing registration, responding to a CARB notice, or proving compliance during a roadside check. Keep it with your truck. If you’re managing a fleet, keep copies in your records for each vehicle. CARB enforcement is active in Commerce and throughout Southern California’s logistics corridor, and having proof of compliance on hand avoids unnecessary delays or penalties.
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