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You’re running a business, not a compliance department. But California doesn’t care—miss your Clean Truck Check deadline and you’re looking at fines up to $10,000 per vehicle per day. Registration holds. Trucks sitting idle while you scramble for answers.
That’s not a scare tactic. That’s what happens when CARB diesel compliance falls through the cracks.
We handle emissions testing for 2013 and newer heavy-duty trucks over 14,000 pounds GVWR. OBD scans for newer diesel engines. Smoke opacity testing when required. All of it done right, submitted on time, so your trucks stay registered and your business keeps moving. You don’t need another headache—you need a passing test and proof it’s filed with CARB. That’s what you get here.
All SMOG Motors has been serving Pasadena and the greater Los Angeles area with emissions testing you can count on. We’re CARB-credentialed testers, which means we’ve completed the state’s training, passed the exam, and we stay current on every regulation change that affects your fleet.
Pasadena sits in the heart of Southern California’s logistics corridor. Trucks move through here daily—local routes, regional hauls, cross-country freight. That means CARB enforcement is active, deadlines are strict, and there’s zero room for error.
We’re not here to upsell you or waste your time. You need California CARB compliant testing done correctly, and you need it without the runaround. That’s what we do.
First, we confirm your truck qualifies—model year 2013 or newer, GVWR over 14,000 pounds. If it doesn’t meet both criteria, this service doesn’t apply. No exceptions, no workarounds.
For 2013 and newer diesel engines, we run an OBD scan using CARB-certified testing equipment. We’re checking for fault codes, emissions system performance, and anything that could trigger a failure. If your truck is older or requires it, we perform smoke opacity testing and a visual inspection of emissions components.
Once the test is complete, we submit the results directly to CARB through the CTC-VIS system. You get documentation showing your compliance status, and the state gets what they need to keep your registration active. If something fails, we’ll tell you exactly what needs fixing and how much time you have before your deadline. No surprises, no confusion—just clear next steps so you can get it handled.
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California’s Clean Truck Check program kicked in fully as of January 1, 2025. If you operate a heavy-duty diesel or alternative fuel truck over 14,000 pounds GVWR on public roads, you’re in the program. That includes local delivery trucks, semi trucks, motorcoaches, transit buses, and even out-of-state vehicles operating in California.
Most trucks need testing twice a year—semi-annual compliance deadlines that don’t move. Starting in October 2027, OBD-equipped vehicles will shift to quarterly testing. Miss a deadline and the DMV places a registration hold. You can’t renew until you submit a passing test.
Here in Pasadena, that matters. You’ve got the 210 running east-west, the 110 cutting south toward downtown LA, and constant freight movement through the San Gabriel Valley. CARB enforcement and CHP are out there, and they’re checking. A registration hold doesn’t just cost you renewal fees—it costs you contracts, time, and money every day that truck sits.
Testing can be submitted up to 90 days before your deadline, which gives you a buffer if repairs are needed. Don’t wait until the last week. Get it done early, get it done right, and keep your fleet operating without interruption.
We only test trucks that are model year 2013 or newer and have a gross vehicle weight rating over 14,000 pounds. Both conditions must be met—no exceptions.
If your truck is older than 2013 or weighs less than 14,000 pounds GVWR, this service doesn’t apply. CARB’s Clean Truck Check program covers heavy-duty vehicles, and our testing equipment and certification are specific to that category.
Bring your registration and be ready to confirm your truck’s model year and weight class. If you’re not sure whether your vehicle qualifies, call ahead. We’ll walk you through it so you don’t waste a trip.
Pricing depends on what type of test your truck requires. OBD scans for 2013 and newer diesel engines typically run lower than smoke opacity and visual inspections for older or exempt vehicles.
We’ll give you an exact price when you call or come in, based on your truck’s year, weight, and testing requirements. There are no hidden fees, and we don’t charge extra just because it’s a commercial vehicle.
For context, CARB also charges an annual compliance fee of $31.18 per vehicle for 2025, which goes directly to the state—not to us. That’s separate from the testing cost. If you’re managing a fleet, ask about scheduling multiple trucks. We’ll work with you to keep costs predictable and downtime minimal.
If your truck fails, we’ll tell you exactly why—whether it’s a fault code, an emissions system issue, or something flagged during the visual inspection. You’ll get a written report that breaks it down in plain terms.
From there, you’ll need to get the issue repaired and come back for a retest. The good news is that you can submit your test up to 90 days before your compliance deadline, so if something fails, you’ve got time to fix it without missing your window.
If you’re close to your deadline and you fail, you’ve got 30 calendar days from the date you receive a Notice to Submit to Testing to get a passing result submitted to CARB. After that, the DMV can place a registration hold, which means your truck can’t be renewed or legally operated until you’re compliant. Don’t let it get that far—test early, fix fast, and stay ahead of the deadline.
Right now, most heavy-duty trucks in the Clean Truck Check program need testing twice a year—semi-annual compliance deadlines set by CARB. Your specific deadlines depend on when your vehicle was first registered in the program.
Starting in October 2027, if your truck is equipped with OBD (2013 and newer diesel engines), you’ll need to test four times a year—quarterly. That’s a significant increase, and it means tighter scheduling and more frequent compliance checks.
You’ll receive notices from CARB before each deadline, but don’t rely on that as your only reminder. Mark your calendar, set alerts, and plan ahead. Missing a deadline triggers a registration hold, and once that happens, your truck is grounded until you submit a passing test. Stay on top of it, and you’ll never have to deal with that situation.
Yes. If your truck operates on California public roads and meets the program requirements—over 14,000 pounds GVWR, model year 2013 or newer—you’re subject to Clean Truck Check testing, even if it’s registered in another state.
CARB doesn’t care where your plates are from. If you’re driving in California, you’re in the program. That includes trucks based out of state that make regular runs through Pasadena, Los Angeles, or anywhere else in California.
You’ll need to register your vehicle in the CTC-VIS system and meet the same testing deadlines as California-registered trucks. We can test your vehicle and submit the results just like we do for local fleets. Bring your out-of-state registration and any CARB correspondence you’ve received. We’ll make sure everything gets filed correctly so you stay compliant no matter where your home base is.
We recommend calling ahead to schedule a time, especially if you’re bringing in multiple trucks or you’re close to a compliance deadline. Walk-ins are welcome, but availability depends on how busy we are that day.
Testing doesn’t take long—usually under an hour for a straightforward OBD scan—but if there’s a line or we’re in the middle of another job, you could be waiting. Scheduling ahead saves you time and guarantees we’re ready when you arrive.
If you’re managing a fleet, let us know when you call. We can block out time to handle several vehicles in one visit, which keeps your trucks moving and minimizes disruption to your operations. Don’t leave compliance to chance—book your test, show up on time, and get it done right.
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