Do I need a smog check?
If your vehicle is based in Reno, Sparks or the rest of urban Washoe County, is model year 1968 or newer, runs on gasoline or is a diesel up to 14,000 lb GVWR, and is past its first three registrations, yes, every year at renewal. The helper below applies every DMV exemption to your vehicle.
4.7 stars from 550 Google reviews of the two Reno Xpress Oil & Lube Centers
- No appointment needed
- Located inside Xpress Oil & Lube Center
- Two Reno service centers
- Results go to the DMV electronically
Smog check helper
Answer four questions
Answer four questions and the Nevada DMV rule for your vehicle shows below, with the kind of test it gets. The DMV decides every case; this is a guide.
The rule for your vehicle
Pick where the vehicle is based, the kind of vehicle and the model year, then press Check the rule.
Source: Nevada DMV Emission Control Program, dmv.nv.gov/emission.htm, and the DMV OBD and diesel pages, read 10/19/26. A passing test is valid 90 days (180 days on a Nevada dealer sale).
Drive in for the test, no appointment:
The DMV rules behind this tool
| Vehicle | Test in the Washoe testing area? | How it is tested |
|---|---|---|
| Gasoline, 1996 or newer, 8,500 lb GVWR or less | Yes, every year at renewal | OBD II plug-in test |
| Gasoline, 1968 to 1995, or any gasoline vehicle over 8,500 lb GVWR | Yes, every year at renewal | Two-speed tailpipe test |
| Diesel, 14,000 lb GVWR or less, 1968 or newer | Yes, every year at renewal | Dynamometer, opacity and visual inspection |
| New vehicle, first three registrations | No | Tested from the fourth registration |
| Hybrid, first five model years | No | Tested from the sixth model year |
| 1967 or older; motorcycles and mopeds; electric vehicles | No | Exempt |
| Diesel over 14,000 lb GVWR | No annual test | Statewide roadside opacity enforcement |
| Classic Vehicle, Classic Rod or Old Timer plates under 5,000 miles a year | No, with the yearly odometer certification | Exempt |
Your renewal notice is the final word: it says Smog Check Required when the DMV expects a test. The helper is for the questions before that, like a new car, a hybrid, a move to or from Reno, or a vehicle that spends part of the year out of state.
The exemptions in one list
The DMV exempts new vehicles on their first three registrations, hybrids for their first five model years, 1967 and older vehicles, motorcycles and mopeds, electric and alternative-fuel vehicles, diesels over 14,000 pounds GVWR, qualifying classic plates under 5,000 miles a year, replica vehicles, fleets in the Continuous Monitoring Program, and certain ownership transfers. Vehicles based outside the urban parts of Washoe and Clark counties are exempt too.
Sources
- dmv.nv.gov/emission.htm (Nevada DMV Emission Control Program; read 10/19/26)
- dmv.nv.gov/pdfforms/ec008.pdf (Nevada DMV EC-008 exemption application)
Related
Your location: Reno South
- Call(775) 828-6996Mon-Fri 8 am-5 pm, Sat 8 am-3 pm, Sun closed
- Address4993 Longley Ln, Reno, NV 89502
Straight answers
Questions people ask
Still have a question? Call either Reno location or just drive in; there is no appointment to make.
The helper says yes. What now?
Drive into either Reno location; no appointment. The result goes to the DMV electronically.
My notice says a test is required but the helper says no.
Go by the notice, or call the DMV Reno emissions lab at (775) 684-3580 to check the record.
Two Reno locations, no appointment
Drive in for your smog check. No appointment.
Two Reno locations inside Xpress Oil & Lube Center. Questions first? Send the form and the location you pick answers during business hours.
4.7 stars from 550 Google reviews of the two Reno Xpress Oil & Lube Centers
- No appointment needed
- Located inside Xpress Oil & Lube Center
- Two Reno service centers
- Results go to the DMV electronically