Southern California Mobile Diesel Smoke Check

Diesel Smoke Testing

The California Air Resources Board (ARB) is testing heavy-duty trucks and buses for excessive smoke and tampering. Any heavy-duty vehicle traveling in California, including vehicles registered in other states and foreign countries, may be tested.

The California Air Resources Board has also implemented a fleet inspection program known as the Periodic Smoke Inspection Program (PSIP). The PSIP program went into effect on July 1, 1998 and requires California based fleet owners of more that one vehicle to perform annual smoke tests on commercial heavy duty diesel vehicles weighing over 6000 lbs. GVWR.

The purpose of both programs is to reduce excessive smoke from heavy-duty vehicles that travel on California’s streets and highways. The programs are required under the California Health and Safety Code sections 44011.6 and 43701(a), respectively. The California Code of Regulations, Title 13 section 2180 et. seq. and section 2190 et. seq. specifies the test procedures and applicable penalties.

Payment amount:

Notice of Violation (if repaired within 45 days)	no payment required
Level 1 Citation (if repaired within 45 days)	$300.00
Level 1 Citation (if not repaired within 45 days)	$800.00
Level 2 Citation	$1,800.00

Contact California Air Resources Board for answers to specific questions. www.arb.ca.gov