Mobile CARB Emissions Testing in San Diego

Get CARB testing at your location in San Diego today.

San Diego County is home to one of California’s busiest freight and construction corridors, with thousands of diesel-powered vehicles operating daily across the region. Under CARB’s Heavy-Duty Inspection and Maintenance (HD I/M) program, also known as Clean Truck Check, every heavy-duty diesel vehicle with a GVWR of 14,001 lbs or more must pass either an OBD (On-Board Diagnostics) test or an OVI (Opacity/Visual Inspection) smoke opacity test using the SAE J1667 snap-acceleration method.

NorCal CARB Mobile brings certified Clean Truck Check testing directly to your yard, job site, or fleet location anywhere in San Diego County.

Our mobile OVI testing service is especially critical for pre-2013 engine model year vehicles that are not equipped with mCall 916-890-4427

Book online: https://norcalcarbmobile.com

On-Site Emissions Testing | Professional Service | CARB Certified

Service Coverage

We bring professional CARB emissions testing directly to your location throughout San Diego County.

North County

  • Oceanside

  • Carlsbad

  • Vista

  • Encinitas

  • San Marcos

  • Escondido

Central San Diego

  • Downtown San Diego

  • Mission Valley

  • La Jolla

  • Pacific Beach

  • Clairemont

  • Kearny Mesa

East County

  • El Cajon

  • La Mesa

  • Santee

  • Lakeside

  • Poway

South Bay

  • Chula Vista

  • National City

  • Imperial Beach

  • Bonita

We serve all of San Diego County, including San Diego, Chula Vista, Oceanside, Escondido, Carlsbad, El Cajon, National City, La Mesa, Santee, Poway, Imperial Beach, and more.

Simple, Transparent Pricing

OBD Testing: $75

Standard emissions test for most vehicles.

Smoke Opacity Test (SAE J1667): $250

Testing for diesel vehicles.

Motorhome/RV Testing: $300

Complete testing for RVs and motorhomes.

No facility fees. No hidden charges. No waiting.

Why San Diego Chooses Mobile Testing

Beat the Traffic

  • No driving across town to find a testing facility

  • No San Diego traffic delays getting to appointments

  • We come to you at home, work, or job sites

Perfect for Coastal Communities

  • Service from Del Mar to Imperial Beach

  • Marina and boat yard testing for work vehicles

  • Flexible scheduling around your routine

Save Your Day Off

  • Evening appointments available

  • Weekend service

  • Quick testing while you’re at home or work

Our Services

OBD Testing ($75)

  • Professional computer diagnostic scan

  • Emissions system verification

  • Official CARB certificate provided immediately

  • Typical completion time: 15–20 minutes

Smoke Opacity Testing ($250)

  • SAE J1667 smoke meter analysis

  • CARB-compliant procedures and documentation

  • Typical completion time: 30–40 minutes

Motorhome/RV Testing ($300)

  • Comprehensive emissions evaluation

  • All required CARB certifications

  • Experienced with large vehicles

  • Typical completion time: 45–60 minutes

Ideal for Local Industries

Construction and Contractors

  • Job site testing across San Diego County

  • Diesel specialist services for equipment

  • Fleet testing and flexible scheduling

Property Management

  • On-site testing for maintenance vehicles

  • Fleet services for property teams

  • Volume pricing available

Military and Defense Contractors

  • Service near bases including Miramar and Coronado

  • Flexible scheduling for active duty

  • Quick turnaround for deployment timelines

Small Business and Startups

  • Office location testing during business hours

  • Minimal disruption to operations

  • Invoice billing options available

Equipment Rental Companies & CALTRANS Contractors

San Diego County's infrastructure projects, highway construction, and public works programs rely heavily on rented heavy-duty diesel equipment. Companies renting large diesel machinery—excavators, bulldozers, cranes, and haul trucks—to CALTRANS and other government agencies must ensure every unit is CARB compliant before deployment. Many of these rental units are equipped with pre-2013 engine model year diesels that require OVI (Opacity/Visual Inspection) testing using the SAE J1667 snap-acceleration protocol rather than standard OBD testing.

NorCal CARB Mobile specializes in on-site J1667 smoke opacity testing for equipment rental yards and active job sites throughout San Diego County. Whether you operate a rental fleet supplying equipment for I-5 corridor improvements, I-15 expansion projects, or local municipal infrastructure work, our mobile testing team can test your entire fleet on-location with zero downtime.

Need to verify compliance status quickly? Use our free CARB compliance check app at carbcleantruckcheck.app or book testing directly at norcalcarbmobile.com.

Pre-2013 Diesel Engines & J1667 OVI Testing in San Diego

If your fleet or equipment includes diesel engines manufactured before 2013, those vehicles likely lack the on-board diagnostics (OBD) systems required for standard electronic testing under CARB's HD I/M program. Instead, these older engines must undergo an OVI test—a smoke opacity measurement conducted using the SAE J1667 snap-acceleration method. This applies to a wide range of vehicles and equipment still common across San Diego County, including older Class 7 and Class 8 trucks, agricultural equipment, construction machinery, and legacy fleet vehicles.

Our certified technicians perform J1667 testing on-site, providing immediate results and compliance documentation. This is especially valuable for rural areas of San Diego County—such as Ramona, Julian, Fallbrook, and Valley Center—where older fleets and farm equipment are more prevalent and access to testing facilities is limited.

Learn more about J1667 testing requirements: CARB J1667 Smoke Testing Explained | Do California Agricultural Vehicles Need Testing?

Serving All San Diego County Industries

From the Port of San Diego's bustling freight terminals to the agricultural operations in East County, NorCal CARB Mobile serves every industry that depends on heavy-duty diesel vehicles. Our San Diego clients include trucking and logistics companies, landscaping and tree service fleets, waste management and recycling haulers, food distribution and refrigerated transport companies, towing and recovery services, and government contractors working with CALTRANS, the City of San Diego, and San Diego County public works departments.

We also serve the growing number of diesel-powered fleet vehicles used by utility companies, telecommunications contractors, and energy sector operators throughout the San Diego metropolitan area and surrounding communities.

How to Schedule Your Appointment

Three easy ways to book:

Information we’ll need:

  • Vehicle year, make, and model

  • Location/address in San Diego County

  • Preferred date and time

  • Type of test required

What to Expect

Before Your Appointment

  • Confirmation by call or text 24 hours in advance

  • Technician arrival window notification

  • Any special instructions for your location

During Your Service

  • Professional, CARB-certified technician

  • Fully equipped mobile testing unit

  • Clear explanation of the process

  • Immediate results upon completion

After Testing

  • Official CARB certificate provided on-site

  • Digital copy emailed for your records

  • Multiple payment options accepted

  • Receipt provided immediately

Payment Options

We accept cash, checks, credit and debit cards, Venmo, Zelle, and invoice billing for qualified business accounts.

Special Services for San Diego

RV and Motorhome Specialists

  • Large vehicle testing by experienced technicians

  • Storage facility testing at your RV location

  • Pre-trip testing before travel dates

  • Competitive pricing

Fleet Services

  • On-site testing at your facility

  • Scheduling to minimize downtime

  • Volume discounts for 5+ vehicles

  • Recurring maintenance schedules available

Diesel Specialist Services

  • SAE J1667 smoke opacity testing

  • Work truck and commercial vehicle testing

  • Construction equipment testing

  • Certified technicians with diesel experience

Contact NorCal CARB Mobile

Serving all of San Diego County

Main Phone: 916-890-4427

Text/Customer Service: 415-900-8563

Email: sales@norcalcarbmobile.com

Website: https://norcalcarbmobile.com

Service Hours

  • Monday–Friday: 7:00 AM–7:00 PM

  • Saturday: 8:00 AM–5:00 PM

  • Sunday: By appointment only

Extended hours available for fleets and special circumstances.

FAQs

How long does OBD testing take?

Typically 15–20 minutes on-site. Certificates are issued immediately.

Do you come to my workplace or job site?

Yes. We service homes, offices, job sites, storage facilities, and more across San Diego County.

Do you perform SAE J1667 smoke opacity testing for diesel?

Yes. We provide J1667 smoke opacity tests and documentation for diesel vehicles and fleets.

Which areas do you cover?

All of San Diego County including San Diego, Chula Vista, Oceanside, Escondido, Carlsbad, El Cajon, La Mesa, Santee, Poway, and more.

What payment methods do you accept?

Cash, check, credit or debit, Venmo, Zelle, and invoicing for qualified business accounts.

Book Your San Diego Appointment

Stop waiting at testing facilities. Get professional CARB emissions testing at your location anywhere in San Diego County.

Text “SAN DIEGO” to 916-890-4427 to schedule today.