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You’ve got trucks to run and deadlines to hit. The last thing you need is a DMV registration hold because California changed the rules on heavy-duty emissions testing.
Starting January 2025, every diesel truck over 14,000 pounds and model year 2013 or newer needs CARB compliant testing twice a year. Miss it, and your registration gets blocked. Your truck sits. Your revenue stops.
We handle the entire clean truck check process at your location. You don’t drive anywhere or wait in line. We show up with state-certified equipment, run the OBD test on your 2013+ trucks, and file everything with CARB’s system the same day. You get proof of compliance. Your trucks stay on the road.
This isn’t optional anymore. CARB is enforcing this across Los Angeles County, and San Dimas operators are feeling it. If you run a fleet or own even one qualifying truck, you’re required to test. We make sure it happens without killing your schedule.
All SMOG Motors is a CARB-certified heavy-duty emissions tester serving San Dimas and the surrounding Los Angeles County area. We’re licensed by the state, trained on the latest CARB protocols, and listed in California’s official commercial tester directory.
We’ve been helping truck operators navigate California’s emissions requirements because we understand what’s at stake. You’re not just checking a box—you’re protecting your ability to operate. One missed test can mean thousands in lost revenue while your truck sits waiting for DMV clearance.
San Dimas sits right in the heart of LA County’s freight corridor, where over 52,000 trucking businesses operate. The regulations here are strict, and enforcement is real. We work with owner-operators, small fleets, and commercial drivers who need reliable testing without the runaround. You call, we come out, and we get it done right the first time.
First, you schedule a time that works for you. We offer same-day appointments for most locations in San Dimas and nearby areas. You tell us where your truck is—your yard, a job site, wherever—and we come to you.
When we arrive, we connect our CARB-approved diagnostic equipment to your truck’s OBD system. This is the onboard diagnostics port that all 2013 and newer diesel engines are required to have. The test pulls data directly from your engine’s computer to check emissions performance. It takes minutes, not hours.
Once the test is complete, we upload the results directly to CARB’s CTC-VIS database. That’s the state system that tracks compliance for every heavy-duty vehicle in California. The DMV checks this system before they’ll renew your registration. If you’re in the system and compliant, you’re clear. If you’re not, you get a hold.
You’ll receive documentation showing your truck passed and that the results were filed with the state. Keep that for your records. If you’ve got multiple trucks, we can test them all in one visit and handle the reporting for your entire fleet. You don’t have to call CARB, chase down paperwork, or wonder if it went through. We take care of it.
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California’s Heavy-Duty Inspection and Maintenance program applies to diesel trucks over 14,000 pounds GVWR that are model year 2013 or newer. If your truck fits that description and operates in California, you’re required to get tested twice a year starting in 2025. By 2027, that increases to four times a year.
Each test costs $31.18 in state fees, plus the testing service. You’ll need a CARB-certified tester with the right equipment—not just any smog shop can do this. The test has to be done by someone who’s completed CARB’s official training and passed their credentialing exam.
In San Dimas and across LA County, enforcement is active. CARB uses roadside monitoring to flag high-emitting trucks and sends notices requiring testing within 30 days. If you ignore it, you’re looking at fines starting at $1,000 and going up to $75,000 per day for repeat violations. In 2022 alone, CARB collected over $21 million in penalties.
The mobile testing we provide means you’re not losing half a day driving to a test station and waiting in line. We come to you, test on-site, and file everything electronically. If you’ve got a fleet, we offer discounted pricing for multiple vehicles tested at once. You stay compliant, your trucks stay registered, and your business keeps moving.
Yes. This isn’t about whether your truck runs well or looks clean. It’s a state-mandated emissions compliance program tied directly to your DMV registration.
If your truck is a 2013 or newer diesel over 14,000 pounds and you operate in California, you’re required to test twice a year starting January 1, 2025. The DMV checks CARB’s compliance database before renewing your registration. If you’re not in the system as tested and compliant, they place a hold. Your truck can’t be legally registered or operated until you get tested and clear the hold.
There are no exemptions for low mileage, private use, or trucks that “seem fine.” The regulation applies across the board. Even if your truck passes with flying colors, you still have to go through the process and get it documented in the state system. Skipping it doesn’t just risk a fine—it grounds your truck completely.
The state charges $31.18 per vehicle per test as an annual compliance fee for 2025. That’s the fee CARB collects regardless of who does your testing.
On top of that, you’ll pay for the actual testing service. Most mobile testing services in the LA County area charge around $95 per truck, though pricing can vary depending on location and whether you’re testing multiple vehicles at once. If you’ve got a fleet, we offer discounted rates for bulk testing done at the same time and place.
Keep in mind you’re required to test twice a year starting in 2025, so budget for at least two tests annually per qualifying truck. By 2027, that requirement increases to quarterly testing, meaning four times a year. It’s a recurring cost, not a one-time thing. Factor it into your operating budget the same way you would for fuel, maintenance, or insurance.
The DMV will place a registration hold on your truck, which means you can’t renew your registration until you get tested and clear the hold. Your truck is effectively grounded until you’re compliant.
If CARB flags your truck through roadside monitoring or a compliance check, they’ll send you a Notice to Submit to Testing. You’ve got 30 days to get it done. Miss that deadline, and you’re looking at fines starting at $1,000. For repeat violations or deliberate non-compliance, fines can reach $75,000 per day. CARB collected over $21 million in penalties in 2022, so they’re enforcing this aggressively.
Beyond fines, you’re losing money every day your truck sits. If you’re an owner-operator or run a small fleet, even a few days of downtime can wreck your cash flow. The cost of testing is a fraction of what you’ll lose in penalties and lost revenue. Get ahead of it, stay on schedule, and avoid the headache entirely.
No. Regular smog shops that test passenger cars aren’t equipped or certified to perform CARB clean truck checks on heavy-duty vehicles.
You need a CARB-certified HD I/M tester who’s completed the state’s official Heavy-Duty Inspection and Maintenance training program and passed the credentialing exam. They also need CARB-approved diagnostic equipment that can connect to your truck’s OBD system and upload results directly to the CTC-VIS database. Most standard smog shops don’t have that equipment or certification.
CARB maintains an official directory of credentialed testers. If someone isn’t listed there, their test won’t count. The results have to be filed electronically with the state through the proper system, or the DMV won’t recognize it. Don’t waste time or money on a test that doesn’t meet the requirements. Make sure whoever you hire is state-certified and equipped to handle 2013+ diesel trucks over 14,000 pounds.
The actual test takes about 15 to 20 minutes per truck once we’re on-site and connected to your vehicle’s OBD system. It’s not a lengthy process.
What takes time for most operators is driving to a testing location, waiting in line, and dealing with the back-and-forth. That’s why mobile testing makes sense. We come to your yard, job site, or wherever your trucks are parked. You don’t lose half a day on logistics.
If you’re testing multiple trucks, we can run them back-to-back in the same visit. A five-truck fleet might take an hour and a half, start to finish. We file all the results with CARB electronically before we leave, so you’ve got proof of compliance immediately. No waiting for paperwork or wondering if it went through. You’re done, and your trucks are clear to operate.
If your truck fails, you’ll need to get it repaired and retested before CARB will mark it compliant in their system. The test results will show what triggered the failure—usually it’s an emissions system fault or a check engine light related to emissions controls.
You’ll need to take your truck to a qualified diesel mechanic who can diagnose and fix the issue. Once repairs are done, you’ll need to get retested to verify the truck now passes. Only then will the passing result get uploaded to CARB’s database and clear your registration hold.
Failures aren’t common if your truck is well-maintained, but they do happen. The OBD test is checking your truck’s emissions systems—things like the diesel particulate filter, NOx sensors, and exhaust controls. If something’s malfunctioning, it’ll show up. The good news is you’ll know exactly what needs fixing, and once it’s repaired, you can get back on the road. Don’t ignore a failure or try to dodge it. CARB tracks this, and the DMV won’t let it slide.
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