Hear from Our Customers
You’re running a tight operation in one of California’s busiest trucking corridors. Your trucks need to move, your contracts depend on it, and the last thing you need is a compliance issue shutting you down at the worst possible time.
CARB doesn’t mess around. If your 2013 or newer diesel truck isn’t compliant, you’re looking at fines that start at $1,000 and can hit $10,000 per vehicle per day. Your DMV registration gets blocked. Ports and railyards turn you away. One missed deadline can cost you more than the test ever would.
That’s where we come in. You get OBD emissions testing done by CARB-certified testers who know exactly what the state requires. We submit results to the CTC-VIS database. You stay compliant, your trucks stay registered, and you keep moving freight without the stress of wondering if you’re about to get hit with a penalty you didn’t see coming.
All SMOG Motors focuses on one thing: CARB compliance for heavy-duty trucks with 2013 and newer engines. We’re not trying to be everything to everyone. We’re here for the operators running the bigger rigs that need OBD testing under California’s Clean Truck Check program.
Florence-Graham sits right in the middle of LA’s industrial backbone. Transportation and warehousing employ thousands of people here, and the trucks that keep this area moving need to stay compliant or they don’t move at all. We’re local, we understand the urgency, and we’re set up to handle the specific requirements your fleet faces.
You’re not getting a general smog shop trying to figure out heavy-duty compliance on the fly. You’re working with testers who passed CARB’s credentialing course and know the regulations that apply to your equipment.
First, we confirm your truck qualifies—2013 or newer model year, diesel engine, over 14,000 pounds GVWR. If it doesn’t meet those specs, this isn’t the right test, and we’ll tell you that upfront.
Once confirmed, we run the OBD emissions test using CARB-approved equipment. We’re checking that your emissions control systems are functioning the way the state requires. This isn’t a visual inspection or a guess—it’s a data-driven test that either passes or identifies what needs attention.
After testing, we submit your results directly to the CTC-VIS database. That’s the state system that tracks compliance and ties into your DMV registration. You’ll typically see your compliance status update within one to three business days. If there’s an issue, we’ll walk you through what it means and what needs to happen next. No runaround, no jargon—just clear information so you can make the call.
Ready to get started?
This is OBD emissions compliance testing for heavy-duty diesel trucks. It applies to vehicles with model year 2013 or newer engines and a gross vehicle weight rating over 14,000 pounds. If your truck doesn’t fit that description, this service won’t apply.
Right now, testing is required twice a year. That’s changing—starting in 2027, CARB is moving to quarterly testing for OBD-equipped vehicles. The annual compliance fee is $31.18 in 2025, going up to $32.13 in 2026. You can submit tests up to 90 days before your deadline, so if you’re organized, you can stay ahead of it.
Florence-Graham is surrounded by freight hubs, warehouses, and logistics operations. If you’re running trucks in and out of LA’s port system or moving goods through Southern California, this compliance requirement is non-negotiable. A non-compliant truck gets denied entry to ports and railyards. It can’t renew registration. It’s not just a fine—it’s a truck that can’t work. In an area where transportation keeps the economy moving, that’s a problem you can’t afford to ignore.
If your truck operates in California, yes. CARB compliance applies to any heavy-duty vehicle operating in the state, regardless of where it’s registered.
Out-of-state trucks with 2013 or newer diesel engines over 14,000 pounds GVWR are subject to the same Clean Truck Check requirements as California-registered vehicles. That means you need to complete OBD emissions testing and submit results to the CTC-VIS database before operating here. If you’re running loads into California ports, through LA’s freight corridors, or making regular deliveries in the state, you’re on the hook for compliance. CARB enforcement doesn’t care about your license plate—they care about where the truck is operating.
If your truck fails, you’ll get a detailed report showing what triggered the failure. Usually, it’s a malfunction in the emissions control system—something the OBD system flagged that needs repair.
You’ll need to get the issue fixed by a qualified mechanic, then come back for a retest. CARB doesn’t let you skip this step. A failed test means you’re not compliant, and that means you can’t renew your registration and you risk fines if you keep operating. The good news is that the test results tell you exactly what’s wrong, so you’re not guessing. Once repairs are done and the system clears, you retest and submit the passing results. Then you’re back in compliance and back on the road.
Right now, trucks with 2013 or newer engines need testing twice a year—that’s semi-annual compliance. But that’s changing. Starting in 2027, CARB is moving to quarterly testing, which means four times a year.
The state is tightening requirements because they’re focused on reducing NOx emissions and diesel particulate matter, especially in areas like Florence-Graham and the surrounding LA basin where air quality is a serious issue. You can submit tests up to 90 days before your deadline, so if you plan ahead, you can avoid the last-minute scramble. Missing a deadline isn’t just an inconvenience—it triggers a registration hold and opens you up to penalties. Staying on top of your testing schedule is the simplest way to avoid those problems.
A regular smog check is for passenger vehicles and light-duty trucks. CARB compliance testing—specifically Clean Truck Check—is for heavy-duty vehicles with diesel engines, model year 2013 or newer, over 14,000 pounds GVWR.
The test itself is different too. Clean Truck Check uses OBD diagnostics to verify that emissions control equipment is working properly. It’s not a tailpipe test. It’s a data pull from your truck’s onboard system, and the results get submitted directly to the state’s CTC-VIS database. Most smog shops aren’t set up for this. They don’t have the CARB-certified testers or the equipment required for heavy-duty compliance. If you show up at a regular smog shop with a 2013 or newer big rig, they’re probably going to send you somewhere else. You need a facility that’s specifically equipped and credentialed for Clean Truck Check.
Yes, and the fines aren’t small. CARB penalties start at $1,000 per vehicle and can go as high as $10,000 per vehicle per day depending on the violation. In 2022 alone, CARB collected over $21 million in penalties.
Beyond fines, a missed compliance deadline triggers a DMV registration hold. That means your truck can’t be renewed, and technically, it’s not supposed to be on the road. If you’re trying to enter a port or railyard and your compliance status isn’t current, you’ll be turned away. For owner-operators and small fleets, one non-compliant truck can mean lost contracts, missed deliveries, and revenue that just disappears. The cost of the test and the time it takes is nothing compared to what happens if you let it slide.
The annual compliance fee is separate. For 2025, it’s $31.18 per vehicle, and it’s going up to $32.13 in 2026. That fee goes directly to CARB, not to the testing facility.
You’re responsible for making sure that fee is paid in addition to getting your emissions testing done. Both have to be current for your truck to stay compliant. The fee and the test results work together in the state’s system—if one is missing, you’re not fully compliant, and that can trigger a registration hold. It’s a small cost in the bigger picture, but it’s one more thing you have to track. If you’re managing multiple trucks, it’s worth setting up a system to make sure every vehicle has both the test and the fee handled before the deadline hits.
Local Resources
Useful Links
Other Services we provide in Florence-Graham
