Mobile OVI Smoke & OBD Testing
We Come To You

A CARB smoke opacity test measures the density of smoke coming from a diesel vehicle's exhaust using a calibrated opacity meter. The California Air Resources Board (CARB) requires this test for heavy-duty diesel vehicles with engines manufactured before 2013. The test involves a snap acceleration procedure where the engine is rapidly accelerated while the opacity meter measures the percentage of light blocked by exhaust smoke. Vehicles must measure below specific opacity thresholds (typically 40% for 1991-2009 engines, 20% for 2010-2012 engines) to pass.

HD-OBD (Heavy-Duty On-Board Diagnostics) testing is an emissions compliance check for diesel vehicles with 2013 or newer engines. A certified technician connects a diagnostic tool to the vehicle's OBD port to read the engine's built-in emissions monitoring system. The test checks for active diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs), monitors readiness status, and verifies that the vehicle's emissions control systems are functioning properly. This replaced the smoke opacity test for newer vehicles as part of CARB's Periodic Smoke Inspection Program (PSIP).

Our mobile testing prices are: HD-OBD at $99 per vehicle, OVI Smoke/Opacity at $225 per vehicle, Combined OBD + OVI at $299 per vehicle, Fleet rates available (5+ trucks), and RV/Motorhome OVI from $225. These prices include travel to your location within our Northern California service area. No hidden fees or trip charges.

In California, diesel-powered vehicles with a Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) of 14,001 pounds or more are subject to CARB's Periodic Smoke Inspection Program (PSIP) and Heavy-Duty Vehicle Inspection Program (HDVIP). This includes semi-trucks, box trucks, dump trucks, concrete mixers, buses, diesel motorhomes, and other heavy-duty diesel vehicles. Vehicles with 2013+ engines need HD-OBD testing, while vehicles with pre-2013 engines need smoke opacity testing.

Under California's Periodic Smoke Inspection Program (PSIP), heavy-duty diesel vehicles must be tested annually or as required by CARB regulations. Fleet owners should also be aware that CARB conducts random roadside inspections (HDVIP) and vehicles found out of compliance face significant fines. Keeping current with annual testing ensures you avoid penalties of $500 or more per violation and keeps your vehicles legal to operate in California.

We provide mobile CARB testing across all of Northern California, including: Sacramento and surrounding areas (Roseville, Elk Grove, Folsom, Rancho Cordova, Citrus Heights, Rocklin, Lincoln, Auburn, Davis, Woodland, West Sacramento), the San Francisco Bay Area (San Francisco, Oakland, San Jose, Fremont, Hayward, Berkeley, Richmond, Concord, Walnut Creek, Livermore, Pleasanton, Dublin), the Central Valley (Stockton, Modesto, Fresno, Bakersfield, Tracy, Manteca, Lodi, Turlock, Merced, Visalia), and North State (Redding, Chico, Marysville, Yuba City). We also serve Napa, Sonoma, Solano, and Placer counties.

We use the WAGER 6500 Series Opacity Meter, which is a BAR (Bureau of Automotive Repair) certified and CARB-approved testing device. The WAGER 6500 uses advanced light extinction measurement technology with a precision optical sensor to accurately measure diesel exhaust opacity. It provides real-time readings, automatic calibration, and generates certified test reports. This is the same equipment used by CARB's own inspection teams.

If your vehicle fails a CARB emissions test, our technician will explain the results and provide guidance on common causes of failure. For smoke opacity failures, common issues include worn injectors, turbo problems, clogged air filters, or engine timing issues. For HD-OBD failures, issues typically relate to emissions system fault codes such as DPF, EGR, or SCR system problems. You will need to have the vehicle repaired and then schedule a retest. We offer competitive retest rates.

A single HD-OBD test typically takes 15-20 minutes per vehicle. A smoke opacity test takes about 20-30 minutes per vehicle. A combined test takes approximately 30-40 minutes. For fleet testing, we can typically test 8-12 vehicles per day depending on the mix of test types. We arrive at your scheduled time and work efficiently to minimize your downtime.

No. That is the entire point of our mobile CARB testing service. We come to your location with all the necessary equipment, including the WAGER 6500 opacity meter and HD-OBD diagnostic tools. We can test at your fleet yard, truck depot, construction site, warehouse, business parking lot, farm, or even your driveway. This saves you the time and fuel cost of driving your heavy-duty vehicle to a testing station.

The Periodic Smoke Inspection Program (PSIP) is a California Air Resources Board regulation that requires owners of heavy-duty diesel vehicles to have their vehicles tested for excessive smoke and emissions on a regular basis. The program applies to vehicles with a GVWR over 14,000 lbs operating in California. Vehicle owners must use a CARB-licensed tester to perform the inspection and maintain compliance records. Failure to comply can result in fines starting at $500 per violation per vehicle.

Yes, we are fully licensed by the California Bureau of Automotive Repair (BAR) with license number IF530523. Our technicians are trained and certified to perform both HD-OBD and smoke opacity testing per CARB regulations. All test results are reported directly to CARB through the official reporting system, and we provide official compliance certificates upon passing.