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If you run trucks in California, you already know the rules changed. As of January 2025, every heavy-duty vehicle with a 2013 or newer engine and a GVWR over 14,000 pounds needs to pass CARB emissions testing twice a year. Miss it, and the DMV puts a registration hold on your truck—which means it’s grounded until you fix it.
That’s not a warning. That’s what actually happens. CARB uses roadside monitoring and automated license plate readers to flag high emitters. If your truck gets flagged, you have 30 days to submit a passing test or face enforcement. Fines start at $1,000 and can climb to $75,000 per day for repeat violations.
You’re not looking for someone to explain the law. You need a facility that can test your truck correctly, report results instantly to CARB’s CTC-VIS system, and help you stay ahead of the next deadline. That’s what we do in San Marino—CARB-certified smog checks for the exact trucks that need them, with OBD testing that takes about 20 minutes and updates your compliance status immediately.
All SMOG Motors serves commercial operators in San Marino and across the greater Los Angeles area. We’re a CARB-credentialed testing facility, which means our testers completed the HD I/M training course, passed the certification exam, and hold active CARB Authorized Tester Certification.
We focus specifically on 2013 and newer heavy-duty trucks over 14,000 lbs GVWR—the exact vehicles that fall under the Clean Truck Check program. That’s not by accident. These trucks have different testing requirements than older models, and we built our service around getting it right the first time.
San Marino sits in the heart of LA County’s commercial corridor, where enforcement is active and compliance deadlines are strict. We’re here because this is where the trucks are—and where operators need fast, accurate testing without the runaround.
You bring your truck in. We verify it’s a 2013 or newer model with a GVWR over 14,000 pounds—if it doesn’t meet those specs, this test doesn’t apply. Assuming it does, we run an OBD emissions test, which takes about 20 minutes. We’re checking your onboard diagnostics system to confirm your truck meets CARB’s emissions standards.
Once the test is complete, we transmit the results directly to CARB’s CTC-VIS database. That’s the system CARB and the DMV use to track compliance. If you pass, your record updates immediately. If there’s an issue, we’ll tell you exactly what it is and what needs to happen next.
You’ll need to repeat this process every six months to stay compliant. Starting in October 2027, trucks with OBD-equipped engines will need testing four times a year. We can help you track those deadlines so you’re not scrambling at the last minute or dealing with a registration hold when you need to renew.
This isn’t complicated—it’s just specific. And if your truck qualifies, we handle it correctly.
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You get a CARB-certified emissions test performed by a credentialed tester who knows the Clean Truck Check requirements. We use OBD testing for 2013+ trucks, which is faster and more accurate than older smoke opacity methods. Results go straight into the CTC-VIS system, so your compliance record updates in real time.
In San Marino and throughout LA County, CARB enforcement is aggressive. Roadside monitoring has been active since January 2023, and automated license plate readers are scanning for non-compliant trucks every day. If your truck gets flagged, you have 30 days to submit a passing test. After that, penalties start—and they escalate fast.
We also help you understand what’s coming. Right now, testing is required twice a year. In 2027, that increases to quarterly testing for OBD-equipped vehicles. If you operate a fleet, that’s a lot of deadlines to manage. We can set up reminders and help you stay on schedule so you’re never caught off guard.
This service applies only to trucks that are model year 2013 or newer and have a GVWR over 14,000 pounds. If your truck is older or lighter, different rules apply—and this isn’t the test you need.
If your truck fails, you’ll need to get it repaired and retested before CARB will update your compliance status. We’ll give you a detailed report that shows exactly what triggered the failure—usually it’s a sensor issue, a fault code, or an emissions system malfunction.
You’ll take that report to a qualified repair shop that can fix the problem. Once repairs are done, you come back for a retest. We run the same OBD check, and if everything’s clean, we submit the passing results to CARB’s CTC-VIS system.
The clock matters here. If you were flagged by CARB’s roadside monitoring, you have 30 days from the notice to submit a passing test. If you miss that window, you’re looking at fines and potential registration holds. Get it fixed fast, get it retested, and get your record updated—that’s the only way to avoid penalties.
Right now, if your truck is a 2013 or newer model with a GVWR over 14,000 pounds, you need emissions testing twice a year. That’s every six months. CARB tracks your compliance through the CTC-VIS system, and the DMV won’t renew your registration if you’re not current.
Starting in October 2027, the requirement changes to quarterly testing—four times a year—for trucks with OBD-equipped engines. That’s a significant increase, and it means you’ll need to stay on top of deadlines or risk getting caught in a registration hold right when you need to renew.
We recommend setting reminders based on your last test date. If you run a fleet, it’s worth building a compliance calendar so you’re testing trucks in batches and not dealing with last-minute scrambles. Miss a deadline, and you’re grounded until you pass—there’s no grace period.
Yes, if you operate in California. CARB’s Clean Truck Check program applies to any heavy-duty truck that operates on California roads, regardless of where it’s registered. If your truck is a 2013 or newer model with a GVWR over 14,000 pounds, and you’re driving it in California, you need to comply.
Out-of-state operators are required to register with CARB’s CTC-VIS system and submit to the same testing schedule as California-registered trucks. That means semi-annual testing now, and quarterly testing starting in 2027 for OBD-equipped vehicles. CARB’s enforcement doesn’t stop at state lines—roadside monitoring and license plate readers flag non-compliant trucks whether they’re local or not.
If you’re an owner-operator or fleet manager running interstate routes that include California, you need to factor this into your compliance plan. Ignoring it doesn’t work. CARB will catch it, and the penalties are steep—registration holds, fines starting at $1,000, and escalating daily penalties for repeat violations.
For 2013 and newer trucks, the OBD emissions test takes about 20 minutes. We plug into your truck’s onboard diagnostics system, run the test, and get results almost immediately. It’s faster than the older smoke opacity tests, and it’s more accurate because we’re pulling data directly from your truck’s emissions controls.
Once the test is done, we submit the results to CARB’s CTC-VIS system right away. If you pass, your compliance record updates in real time—no waiting, no paperwork delays. If there’s a problem, we’ll tell you what it is before you leave so you know exactly what needs to be fixed.
The actual testing is quick. What takes time is getting your truck repaired if something’s wrong, then coming back for a retest. That’s why it’s smarter to test before you’re up against a deadline. If you wait until your registration is about to expire and your truck fails, you’re stuck—DMV won’t process your renewal until CARB shows you’re compliant.
The DMV will place a registration hold on your truck, which means you can’t renew your registration until you pass a CARB emissions test and your compliance record is updated. That effectively grounds your truck—you can’t legally operate it until the hold is lifted.
If CARB flags your truck through roadside monitoring or automated license plate readers, you have 30 days to submit a passing test. Miss that deadline, and you’re looking at fines starting at $1,000. Repeat violations can escalate to $75,000 per day, depending on the severity and how long you’ve been out of compliance.
These aren’t scare tactics—this is what CARB actually enforces. The penalties are designed to be painful enough that you don’t ignore them. If you run a fleet, one non-compliant truck can trigger a cascade of problems, especially if CARB decides to audit your entire operation. Stay ahead of the deadlines, test on schedule, and keep your records clean. It’s a lot cheaper than dealing with the fallout.
CARB testing for heavy-duty trucks requires certified equipment and a credentialed tester who can access the CTC-VIS system to report results. Most facilities, including ours, operate from a fixed location where we have the tools and connectivity to run the test correctly and submit results immediately.
Mobile testing exists, but it’s less common for Clean Truck Check compliance because of the equipment and reporting requirements. If you’re managing a large fleet and need on-site testing, some providers offer that service—but you’ll want to confirm they’re CARB-credentialed and can transmit results to the CTC-VIS database in real time.
For most operators in San Marino and the LA area, bringing your truck to a certified facility is faster and more reliable. The test takes 20 minutes, results update immediately, and you’re back on the road. If you’re coordinating tests for multiple trucks, we can work with you on scheduling to minimize downtime and keep your fleet moving.
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