Clean Truck Check Los Angeles & Riverside County, CA

Keep Your 2013+ Semi Truck Road-Legal

Digital OBD emissions testing for heavy-duty trucks in LA and Riverside Counties. We handle CARB compliance so you avoid registration holds and keep earning. Our mobile service takes care of everything!

CARB Credentialed Testers Only

Our testers completed California Air Resources Board training and certification. Every test meets current HD I/M regulations for accurate, state-approved results.

Direct CARB System Submission

We submit your OBD test results electronically to the CTC-VIS database the same day. No paperwork for you—just compliance confirmation.

Certified OBD Testing Equipment

We use only CARB-validated OBD scan devices that meet California’s strict technical standards for downloading and transmitting emissions data.

CARB HD I/M Testing Los Angeles & Riverside County, CA

Why Your 2013+ Truck Needs This Test

If you run a semi truck with a model year 2013 or newer engine and a gross vehicle weight rating over 14,000 pounds in California, you’re required to pass Clean Truck Check emissions testing. This is California’s Heavy-Duty Inspection and Maintenance program, and it’s not optional. The test itself is straightforward. SMOG Motors connects to your truck’s on-board diagnostic system, download emissions data from the ECU, and submit it directly to the State of California through the CARB compliance database. The whole process takes about 15 to 30 minutes if your truck’s systems are functioning properly. What matters is that you stay ahead of your deadlines. California-registered trucks follow your DMV renewal date. Out-of-state trucks follow a schedule based on the last digit of your VIN. Either way, you need a passing test submitted every six months—and you can submit up to 90 days early.

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All Smog Motors

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Stay compliant and keep your trucks on the road with All Smog Motors. We specialize in CARB emissions compliance checks for heavy-duty trucks, making the process simple, fast, and stress-free. Whether you’re up against a registration deadline or received a notice to test, our certified team will handle your inspection accurately and efficiently so you can avoid penalties and costly downtime. Fill out the form below to schedule your compliance check today and keep your fleet moving without interruption.

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Heavy-Duty Vehicle Compliance Los Angeles

What Passing This Test Does for You

This isn't about checking a box. It's about keeping your truck legal, your registration active, and your business moving without interruption from the state.

You avoid DMV registration holds that can sideline your truck for weeks while you scramble to fix compliance issues and lost revenue piles up.

You dodge fines that start at $1,000 per vehicle per day and can reach $10,000 depending on how long you’ve been non-compliant.

Your compliance certificate gets processed and shows up in your CARB account within 1-2 business days so you can renew registration immediately.

You stay off CARB’s radar for roadside enforcement stops and remote emissions monitoring that flags high-emitting vehicles for mandatory retesting.

You get state-issued documentation proving your truck meets California emissions standards if you’re ever pulled over or inspected on the road.

You can schedule your testing up to 90 days before your deadline, so it fits your route schedule instead of forcing an emergency appointment.

CARB Diesel Compliance in Los Angeles & Riverside County, CA

This Service Is for Specific Trucks Only

Let’s be clear about what qualifies. This Clean Truck Check service applies only to heavy-duty trucks that meet both of these requirements: model year 2013 or newer, and a gross vehicle weight rating over 14,000 pounds. If your truck is older than 2013, it requires a different type of test—opacity and visual inspection—which is not what we’re covering here. The 2013 cutoff matters because that’s when on-board diagnostic systems became standard in heavy-duty diesel engines. These OBD systems monitor your emissions control equipment in real time and store diagnostic data that we can download and submit the CARB compliance. Older trucks don’t have that technology, so they need physical smoke tests instead. The GVWR threshold of 14,000 pounds is California’s line for what counts as a heavy-duty vehicle under this regulation. If your truck is lighter, you’re not subject to Clean Truck Check at all. If it’s heavier and newer than 2013, you’re required to test twice a year starting in 2025—and four times a year starting in October 2027. Don’t assume you’re exempt just because your truck is registered out of state. California doesn’t care where your plates are from. If you operate on public roads in California, you’re subject to the same compliance requirements as every California-registered truck. That includes paying the annual compliance fee, registering in the CTC-VIS system, and submitting passing test results on your assigned schedule.

Semi Truck Smog Check in California

How the OBD Testing Process Actually Works

When you bring your truck in for Clean Truck Check testing, we’re not guessing or eyeballing anything. We’re pulling hard data directly from your truck’s computer. The OBD system in your truck constantly monitors emissions control components—things like your diesel particulate filter, selective catalytic reduction system, and exhaust gas recirculation valve. It tracks faults, stores diagnostic trouble codes, and records whether those systems are operating within acceptable parameters. We connect a CARB-certified OBD scan tool to your truck’s diagnostic port and download that data. The scan checks for active malfunction indicator lights, diagnostic trouble codes, permanent diagnostic trouble codes, and readiness monitors. If your MIL is on, you fail. If you have active or permanent trouble codes related to emissions, you fail. If your readiness monitors show “not ready” because someone recently cleared codes, you fail. Passing means your emissions systems are working as designed. Once we confirm a pass, we submit the results electronically to CARB’s CTC-VIS database. CARB processes it, updates your compliance status, and makes your certificate available in your account. You don’t have to mail anything, upload anything, or follow up with the state. We handle the submission, and you get confirmation that you’re good for the next six months. If your truck fails, we’ll tell you why. You’ll need to get the underlying problem repaired—whether that’s a sensor, a filter, or something more involved—and then retest before your deadline. The state gives you a 90-day window before your deadline to submit a passing test, so use that buffer. Don’t wait until the last week and find out your truck needs $3,000 in repairs.

Frequently Asked Questions

What trucks are required to get a Clean Truck Check in California?

Any diesel or alternative fuel truck with a gross vehicle weight rating over 14,000 pounds that operates on California public roads is required to comply with Clean Truck Check. This includes semi trucks, commercial vehicles, buses, and even privately-owned heavy-duty trucks. It doesn’t matter if your truck is registered in California or another state—if you drive it here, you’re subject to the regulation. The testing requirements depend on your engine model year. Trucks with 2013 or newer diesel engines need OBD testing, which is what we provide. Older trucks need opacity and visual inspection testing, which is a different process. You’re also required to register your vehicle in CARB’s CTC-VIS system, pay an annual compliance fee (currently around $31 per vehicle), and submit passing test results on a semi-annual schedule. Most trucks test twice a year, though that increases to four times a year for OBD-equipped vehicles starting in October 2027.

How often do I need to get my truck tested for CARB compliance?

For most heavy-duty trucks, you’re required to submit a passing Clean Truck Check test twice a year—that’s semi-annual testing. Your specific deadlines depend on how your truck is registered. If it’s California-registered, your deadlines are tied to your DMV registration renewal date and then six months after that. If your truck is registered out of state, your deadlines are based on the last digit of your vehicle identification number, with each digit assigned to a specific month. You can submit your test results up to 90 days before your deadline, which gives you a three-month window to get it done without scrambling at the last minute. Starting in October 2027, the testing frequency increases to four times a year for trucks with on-board diagnostic systems—basically any truck with a 2013 or newer engine. That’s quarterly testing, which means you’ll need to stay on top of your schedule even more closely. The key is to track your deadlines in your CTC-VIS account and plan ahead so you’re never caught off guard by an upcoming compliance date.

What happens if my truck fails the Clean Truck Check emissions test?

If your truck fails the OBD emissions test, it means there’s an issue with your emissions control systems that needs to be repaired before you can pass. Common failure reasons include an active malfunction indicator light, diagnostic trouble codes related to emissions equipment, permanent diagnostic trouble codes that can’t be cleared without fixing the underlying problem, or readiness monitors showing “not ready” because codes were recently cleared. When you fail, you’ll need to take your truck to a qualified repair shop to diagnose and fix the issue. That might mean replacing a faulty sensor, cleaning or replacing a diesel particulate filter, repairing your selective catalytic reduction system, or addressing whatever component is malfunctioning. Once the repairs are done, you’ll need to drive the truck enough for the OBD system to complete its readiness checks—sometimes that takes dozens of warm-up cycles and hundreds of miles. Then you can retest. The critical part is timing. You have up to 90 days before your compliance deadline to submit a passing test, so if you wait until the last week and then fail, you might not have enough time to get repairs done and retest before your deadline. Missing your deadline means DMV registration holds and potential fines, so don’t procrastinate.

Can I still operate my truck in California if I'm not compliant with Clean Truck Check?

No. If you’re not compliant with Clean Truck Check, you’re not legally allowed to operate your truck on California public roads. Non-compliance has real consequences. The California Department of Motor Vehicles will place a registration hold on your vehicle, which means you can’t renew your registration until you get compliant. If you’re caught operating a non-compliant truck, you’re looking at fines that start at $1,000 per vehicle per day and can go as high as $10,000 per vehicle per day depending on the severity and duration of the violation. CARB also uses remote emissions monitoring devices at roadside locations to flag high-emitting vehicles. If your truck gets flagged, you’ll receive a Notice to Submit to Testing, and you’ll have 30 days to submit a passing test to CARB. Ignoring that notice leads to enforcement action, penalties, and registration holds. The bottom line is this: California takes emissions compliance seriously, and the enforcement mechanisms are already in place. If you operate heavy-duty trucks in this state, staying compliant isn’t optional—it’s a cost of doing business here.

How much does Clean Truck Check testing cost, and are there other fees involved?

The cost of the actual OBD emissions test varies depending on where you get it done, but you’re typically looking at somewhere between $90 and $180 for the testing service itself. That covers the time, equipment, and credentialed tester’s expertise to download your truck’s data and submit it to CARB. Beyond the test, there’s an annual compliance fee that every vehicle subject to Clean Truck Check has to pay. For 2025, that fee is $31.18 per vehicle, and it increases slightly each year based on California’s Consumer Price Index. You pay that fee through the CTC-VIS system when your compliance deadline comes up. If your truck fails the test and needs repairs, that’s where costs can add up quickly. Depending on what’s wrong, you might be looking at a few hundred dollars for a sensor replacement or several thousand dollars for more involved repairs like a diesel particulate filter or SCR system. Some industry estimates put the total annual compliance cost per vehicle—including testing, fees, and potential repairs—anywhere from $2,500 to $4,500. That’s not pocket change, but it’s still cheaper than the fines you’ll face for non-compliance or the lost revenue from having your truck stuck with a registration hold.

Do I need to do anything after my truck passes the Clean Truck Check test?

Once your truck passes the OBD emissions test and the results are submitted to CARB, we handle the electronic submission to the CTC-VIS database. You don’t need to mail anything, upload files, or contact the state yourself. Within 1-2 business days (or up to 7 days if you paid your compliance fee by eCheck), your compliance certificate will be available in your CTC-VIS account. You can log in, download the certificate, and keep it for your records. If you had a DMV registration hold on your vehicle due to non-compliance, allow 3-5 business days from when you download the certificate for that hold to be lifted with the DMV. Weekends and holidays don’t count as business days, so plan accordingly if you’re up against a deadline. After that, you’re good until your next compliance deadline, which will be six months later for semi-annual testing. The CTC-VIS system will send you email reminders about upcoming deadlines in the next 90 days, so you’ll have advance notice. Just make sure your contact information in the system is current so you don’t miss those notifications. And keep track of your schedule—your next test window opens 90 days before your deadline, so you can get it done early and avoid any last-minute stress.