Hear from Our Customers
You’re running trucks in California. That means CARB compliance isn’t optional, and the stakes are higher than most people realize.
A single non-compliant truck can trigger a DMV registration hold that grounds your vehicle until you fix it. That’s lost revenue, missed deliveries, and a scramble to get back on the road. Fines start at $1,000 and can climb to $75,000 per day per vehicle if you’re caught operating without proper emissions testing.
If your truck has a 2013 or newer diesel engine and weighs over 14,000 pounds GVWR, you need semi-annual CARB emissions testing. Not the old-school smog check. This is OBD testing performed by CARB-credentialed testers using certified equipment that reports directly to the state’s CTC-VIS database.
We bring the testing to you. Your trucks stay on your lot, we handle the compliance, and you get confirmation that your results are in the system before the deadline. No surprises. No holds. No fines.
All SMOG Motors specializes in CARB clean truck check services for heavy-duty vehicles with 2013 or newer engines. We don’t work on older trucks or lighter vehicles because the testing requirements are completely different.
El Segundo sits in the middle of one of the busiest freight corridors in the country. You’ve got LAX cargo operations, port logistics, and distribution centers all around you. That means you’re dealing with tight schedules, high-volume operations, and zero tolerance for compliance issues that shut down your fleet.
We’re CARB-credentialed, we use certified OBD testing devices, and we submit results electronically to the state database. You’re not dealing with a general smog shop trying to figure out heavy-duty compliance. This is what we do.
You schedule a time. We show up with CARB-certified testing equipment.
We connect to your truck’s OBD system and run the emissions test. The whole process takes about 20 minutes per vehicle if everything’s running clean. If your truck passes, we submit the results directly to CARB’s CTC-VIS database that same day. You’ll get confirmation that your compliance is on file with the state.
If something flags during the test, we’ll tell you exactly what the issue is. You’ll know whether it’s a sensor problem, an emissions system fault, or something that needs a mechanic. We don’t do repairs, but we’ll point you in the right direction so you can get it fixed and retested.
Testing needs to happen twice a year for trucks with 2013+ engines. You can submit results up to 90 days before your deadline, so most fleet managers schedule testing a month or two early to avoid any last-minute issues. By 2027, the requirement shifts to quarterly testing, so staying ahead of deadlines is going to matter even more.
Ready to get started?
California’s CARB truck regulations require emissions testing for all heavy-duty vehicles over 14,000 pounds GVWR with 2013 or newer diesel engines. This applies to semi trucks, box trucks, dump trucks, and any commercial vehicle that meets those specs.
Testing has to be done by a CARB-credentialed tester using approved OBD testing devices. The results get submitted to the state’s CTC-VIS database, which the DMV checks before renewing your registration. If your test isn’t on file, your registration gets held. If you’re operating with an expired registration, you’re looking at fines and potential impoundment.
El Segundo’s location near the ports and LAX means you’re in a high-enforcement area. CARB uses roadside monitoring devices and automated license plate readers to flag high-emitting vehicles. If your truck gets flagged, you’ll be required to test within 30 days. If you don’t, the penalties escalate fast.
The testing frequency is semi-annual right now, but that changes to quarterly by October 2027 for OBD-equipped vehicles. That means more frequent testing, tighter deadlines, and less room for error. Getting set up with a mobile testing service now means you’re not scrambling when the requirements tighten.
If your truck has a diesel engine with a 2013 or newer model year and a gross vehicle weight rating over 14,000 pounds, you need CARB emissions testing twice a year. This includes semi trucks, heavy-duty box trucks, dump trucks, and other commercial vehicles that meet those specifications.
The testing requirement applies to OBD-equipped vehicles, which became standard on diesel engines starting in 2013. Older trucks with pre-2013 engines follow different rules and aren’t part of this program. If you’re not sure what year engine you have, check your vehicle registration or the emissions label under the hood.
You’ll know you’re due for testing when your DMV renewal notice arrives. If your test results aren’t in the CTC-VIS database, your registration will be held until you get tested and submit results. You can also check your compliance status by contacting CARB or looking up your vehicle in their system.
If your truck fails, the test results will show which part of the emissions system triggered the failure. Most failures are caused by faulty sensors, issues with the diesel particulate filter, or problems with the selective catalytic reduction system.
You’ll need to get the issue repaired by a qualified mechanic who works on heavy-duty diesel emissions systems. Once the repair is done, you’ll need to retest to confirm the truck is now compliant. We can come back out and retest after repairs are completed.
The key is not to ignore a failed test. Operating a non-compliant truck puts you at risk for fines starting at $1,000 and going up to $75,000 per day per vehicle. It also means your DMV registration won’t be renewed, which grounds the truck until you fix the problem and pass the test.
CARB allows out-of-state testing, but only if it’s performed by a CARB-credentialed tester using approved equipment. The problem is that most testing facilities outside California don’t have the certification or the equipment to submit results to the CTC-VIS database.
If you’re based in California or your trucks are registered here, it’s easier to get tested in-state where the infrastructure is already set up. Trying to find a credentialed tester in another state adds unnecessary complexity and delays, especially if your registration deadline is approaching.
For fleets that operate primarily in California, scheduling mobile testing in El Segundo or the surrounding area is the most reliable option. We come to you, test on-site, and submit results the same day. You don’t have to track down out-of-state testers or worry about whether the results will actually make it into the state system.
You can submit test results up to 90 days before your compliance deadline. Most fleet operators schedule testing 30 to 60 days early to avoid any last-minute issues that could delay registration renewal.
Testing early gives you a buffer if something goes wrong. If your truck fails the first test, you have time to get repairs done and retest before the deadline. If you wait until the last week and something fails, you’re racing the clock to avoid a registration hold.
CARB’s system timestamps when results are submitted, so as long as your test is in the CTC-VIS database before your deadline, you’re covered. We recommend setting reminders based on your registration renewal dates and scheduling testing at least a month out. That way, you’re never cutting it close.
Yes. Trucks with pre-2013 engines follow different testing protocols and aren’t part of the OBD-based CARB clean truck check program. Older trucks may be subject to opacity testing or other emissions requirements depending on their model year and weight class.
All SMOG Motors only handles CARB emissions testing for 2013 or newer trucks over 14,000 pounds GVWR. We don’t test older vehicles because the equipment, certification, and reporting requirements are completely different. If you have older trucks in your fleet, you’ll need to find a facility that specializes in pre-2013 emissions testing.
The distinction matters because trying to get the wrong type of test will waste your time and won’t satisfy the DMV’s requirements. Make sure you know what year engine is in your truck before scheduling any emissions testing.
A regular smog test is designed for passenger cars and light-duty vehicles. CARB emissions testing for heavy-duty trucks is a completely different process that uses OBD diagnostics to check emissions system performance on vehicles over 14,000 pounds.
The testing equipment is different. The certification requirements are different. The reporting system is different. A standard smog shop that tests cars can’t perform CARB clean truck checks unless they have a credentialed tester on staff and access to the CTC-VIS database.
Heavy-duty CARB testing checks your truck’s onboard diagnostics for faults in the emissions control system. It’s not a tailpipe test. We connect to your OBD port, pull data from the engine computer, and verify that all emissions components are functioning correctly. If everything checks out, the results go straight to CARB’s system and your truck stays compliant.
Local Resources
Useful Links
Other Services we provide in El Segundo
