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You avoid a $10,000 per day fine. That’s not a scare tactic—that’s what CARB can hit you with if your truck isn’t compliant and you’re still hauling freight in California.
You also avoid a DMV registration hold, which means your truck stays registered and you stay working. No compliance certificate means no registration renewal. And if you get a Notice to Submit to Testing, you’ve got 30 days to pass or you’re looking at enforcement action that can pull your truck off the road.
If you’re running a 2013 or newer heavy-duty truck with a GVWR over 14,000 pounds, CARB compliance isn’t optional anymore. The Clean Truck Check program went into full effect in 2024, and every diesel truck operating in California has to pass emissions testing twice a year. That includes out-of-state trucks. This isn’t about where your truck is registered—it’s about where it operates.
All SMOG Motors is a CARB credentialed testing facility in Lynwood, CA. We’re certified to perform Clean Truck Check emissions testing using CARB-approved OBD scanning equipment, which is what your 2013 or newer truck requires.
Lynwood sits right in the heart of Los Angeles County’s industrial corridor. You’ve got the 710 running through, the ports nearby, and thousands of trucks moving freight every day. That means CARB enforcement is active here, and compliance isn’t something you can put off.
We handle the OBD scan, verify your emissions control systems, and submit your results directly to CARB through the CTC-VIS system. You get your compliance certificate, and your truck stays legal.
You bring your truck in, and we connect to the OBD port. CARB requires all 2013 and newer heavy-duty vehicles to be tested using an OBD scan—there’s no visual-only option for trucks in this category.
We run the scan using a CARB-certified testing device. It checks your emissions control systems and pulls diagnostic trouble codes. If your truck passes, we submit the results to CARB’s CTC-VIS database that same day. You’ll receive your compliance certificate, which is what the DMV and CARB enforcement will ask for.
If your truck doesn’t pass, we’ll tell you what failed and what needs to be addressed before you can retest. Most failures are related to fault codes or emissions system malfunctions. You’ll need to get those repaired, then come back for another test.
The whole process takes about 30 minutes if everything checks out. You’re required to test twice a year under current CARB regulations, and starting in 2027, that increases to quarterly testing. Missing a test or ignoring a Notice to Submit can trigger a registration hold or daily fines.
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This service applies to diesel trucks with a model year of 2013 or newer and a GVWR over 14,000 pounds. If your truck doesn’t meet both of those criteria, this isn’t the test you need.
CARB’s Clean Truck Check program is mandatory for all qualifying trucks operating in California, regardless of where they’re registered. That includes owner-operators, fleet trucks, and out-of-state vehicles running California routes. The program was designed to reduce diesel emissions from heavy-duty trucks, and CARB estimates it will prevent thousands of air quality-related health issues across the state.
In Lynwood and the greater LA area, enforcement is especially tight because of the high volume of freight traffic. You’ve got port drayage, rail yard operations, and long-haul routes all running through this region. CARB knows that, and they’re actively checking compliance.
Your compliance certificate is tied to your VIN and submitted directly to the state. It’s not a sticker you put on your windshield—it’s digital, and CARB enforcement can pull it up instantly. You’re also responsible for paying an annual compliance fee, which is $31.18 for 2025 and goes up slightly each year after that.
Right now, you’re required to pass a Clean Truck Check emissions test twice a year. That’s semi-annual testing, and it applies to all diesel trucks with a model year of 2013 or newer and a GVWR over 14,000 pounds.
Starting in October 2027, the requirement increases to quarterly testing—four times a year. CARB sets your testing deadlines based on your truck’s VIN, and if you miss a deadline, you risk a DMV registration hold and potential fines.
If you receive a Notice to Submit to Testing from CARB, you have 30 calendar days to complete and pass the test. Ignoring that notice can lead to enforcement action, including daily fines and restrictions on operating your vehicle in California.
If your truck fails, you won’t receive a compliance certificate, and you’ll need to address whatever caused the failure before you can retest. Most failures are related to diagnostic trouble codes or malfunctions in your emissions control system.
You’ll get a report that shows what failed. From there, you’ll need to take your truck to a repair facility that can fix the issue—whether that’s a sensor, a DPF problem, or something else in the emissions system. Once the repairs are done, you come back for another test.
You’re not allowed to operate a non-compliant truck for freight hauling in California. If you’re caught running a truck that failed testing or doesn’t have a valid compliance certificate, you’re looking at fines that can reach $10,000 per vehicle per day. CARB doesn’t mess around with enforcement, especially in high-traffic areas like Lynwood and LA County.
Yes. CARB compliance applies to all diesel trucks operating in California, regardless of where the truck is registered. If you’re hauling freight in California with a 2013 or newer heavy-duty truck, you’re required to pass Clean Truck Check emissions testing twice a year.
This catches a lot of out-of-state operators off guard, but CARB’s regulations are based on where the truck operates, not where it’s plated. That means if you’re running California routes—even occasionally—you need to be compliant.
CARB enforcement has access to the CTC-VIS database, which tracks compliance certificates by VIN. If you get pulled over or inspected and your truck isn’t compliant, you’re subject to the same fines and penalties as California-registered trucks. It’s worth getting tested before you run into an enforcement situation.
No. This service is specifically for trucks with a model year of 2013 or newer and a GVWR over 14,000 pounds. If your truck doesn’t meet both of those requirements, it’s not eligible for Clean Truck Check testing through this program.
Older trucks and lighter vehicles fall under different CARB regulations and testing requirements. Some may not require testing at all, while others might need a different type of inspection. The Clean Truck Check program was designed specifically for newer heavy-duty diesel trucks because they’re equipped with OBD systems that allow for electronic emissions monitoring.
If you’re not sure whether your truck qualifies, check your model year and GVWR. If it’s 2013 or newer and over 14,000 pounds, you need this test. If it’s older or lighter, you’ll need to look into what regulations apply to your specific vehicle.
The testing itself has a service fee, which varies by facility. On top of that, CARB requires an annual compliance fee that you pay directly to the state—$31.18 for 2025, and it increases slightly each year.
That annual fee is separate from the testing cost. You’re paying for the test each time you come in (twice a year under current rules), and you’re paying the state fee once a year to stay in the program. It’s not optional—if you don’t pay the compliance fee, you risk a registration hold.
The cost of non-compliance is a lot higher. Fines start at $1,000 per violation and can go up to $10,000 per vehicle per day depending on the severity. Add in the cost of a registration hold or having your truck pulled off the road, and you’re looking at serious financial consequences. Testing twice a year and paying the compliance fee is a small price compared to what happens if you skip it.
A Notice to Submit to Testing (NST) is a letter from CARB telling you that your truck needs to be tested within 30 calendar days. You might get one if you missed a testing deadline, if CARB flagged your truck for enforcement, or if there’s an issue with your compliance record.
When you get an NST, you need to take it seriously. You have 30 days from the date on the notice to complete and pass a Clean Truck Check emissions test. If you don’t, CARB can take enforcement action—registration holds, fines, and restrictions on operating your vehicle in California.
Bring your truck in as soon as you get the notice. We’ll run the test, and if it passes, we’ll submit the results to CARB right away. That clears the NST and keeps you compliant. If it fails, you’ll need to get repairs done and retest before the 30-day window closes. Don’t wait until the last minute—trucks don’t always pass on the first try, and you need time to fix issues if they come up.
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