---
title: Motorhomes and Heavier Gas Trucks: Smog Check Rules
url: https://xpresssmogcenter.com/faq/motorhomes-and-heavy-trucks/
business: Xpress Smog Check Center (Located inside Xpress Oil & Lube Center)
locations: Reno Northwest: 6100 Mae Anne Ave, Reno, NV 89523, (775) 787-1000, Mon-Fri 8 am-5 pm, Sat 8 am-4 pm, Sun closed; Reno South: 4993 Longley Ln, Reno, NV 89502, (775) 828-6996, Mon-Fri 8 am-5 pm, Sat 8 am-3 pm, Sun closed
type: Nevada smog check (vehicle emissions inspection), drive in, no appointment
---

Located inside Xpress Oil & Lube Center

- Smog check at two Reno locations
- Oil change in the same visit
- No appointment needed

[Xpress Oil & Lube](https://xpressoilandlube.com/)

- [Home](https://xpresssmogcenter.com/)
- [Questions and answers](https://xpresssmogcenter.com/faq/)
- Motorhomes and heavier gas trucks

# Motorhomes and heavier gas trucks

Nevada tests gasoline vehicles of any weight when they are based in urban Washoe, and the DMV uses a tailpipe test for heavy-duty gas vehicles of 8,501 pounds and up. Call the service center to ask about a motorhome or large truck before you bring it.

4.7 stars from 550 Google reviews of the two Reno Xpress Oil & Lube Centers

Size changes the test, not the yearly rule. A large gasoline truck or motorhome follows the same requirement as a car, with a different inspection method.

### Does a motorhome need a smog check?

If it runs on gasoline, is model year 1968 or newer and is based in urban Washoe, yes. The DMV tests gasoline vehicles regardless of weight or size.

### Where does light duty end and heavy duty begin?

The DMV defines light duty as gasoline up to 8,500 pounds and heavy duty as 8,501 pounds or more. The manufacturer's rating decides, not what you declared for registration.

### How is a heavy-duty gas vehicle tested?

The DMV says all heavy-duty vehicles keep the two-speed tailpipe method. The OBD II scan replaces that method only for 1996 and newer light-duty vehicles.

### Can I bring my motorhome to your Reno locations?

Please call the service center to ask about a motorhome or large truck before you come. Reno Northwest is (775) 787-1000 and Reno South is (775) 828-6996.

### What details should I have ready for the call?

Your model year, the manufacturer's gross vehicle weight rating, the fuel type and your renewal notice. Those facts decide which test applies.

### What if the motorhome is diesel?

Diesel follows a separate rule. A diesel is tested only at 14,000 pounds GVWR or less, and the DMV points to roadside enforcement for heavier ones. See the [diesel truck questions](https://xpresssmogcenter.com/faq/diesel-trucks/).

### Does the visible smoke rule apply to big gas trucks?

Yes. Gasoline vehicles in Nevada must not emit visible smoke, and the DMV says a smoking vehicle will not pass and gets no waiver.

### Can a heavy-duty vehicle get a waiver?

The DMV waiver covers carbon monoxide and hydrocarbon failures for heavy-duty vehicles, with conditions. Read the [waiver page](https://xpresssmogcenter.com/smog-check/smog-waiver/) for the Washoe requirements.

### How long does a passing result last?

The DMV says 90 days, or 180 days on a Nevada dealer sale.

### Where else can I check the rules for my vehicle?

The DMV Reno emission lab at (775) 684-3580 answers weight and eligibility questions. See also the [tailpipe test page](https://xpresssmogcenter.com/smog-check/older-vehicles-tailpipe-test/).

### Is a pickup over 8,500 pounds heavy duty?

By the DMV's definition, yes: heavy duty starts at 8,501 pounds. Look at the manufacturer's weight rating on the door jamb sticker.

### Does a motorhome built on a truck chassis count by the chassis rating?

The DMV says the manufacturer's weight rating decides. If your paperwork is unclear, call the DMV Reno emission lab at (775) 684-3580.

## A phone call first

Because every large vehicle is a little different, a short call lets the staff tell you about your motorhome or truck. Hours are Monday to Friday, 8 am to 5 pm at both Reno locations, and Saturday until 4 pm at Reno Northwest or 3 pm at Reno South.

A motorhome that sits for months may need some miles first. If the battery was disconnected or codes were cleared, the DMV says to drive up to a week under varying conditions before a retest.

## Which number decides the test

Two numbers matter: the manufacturer's weight rating and the fuel. Gasoline up to 8,500 pounds is light duty, and a 1996 or newer light-duty vehicle gets the OBD II scan. Gasoline at 8,501 pounds or more is heavy duty and gets the tailpipe method. Diesel has its own 14,000 pound line.

Write both numbers down before you call the service center, along with your model year. That is all the staff need to talk through your vehicle.

### Sources

- [dmv.nv.gov/emission.htm](https://dmv.nv.gov/emission.htm) (Nevada DMV Emission Control Program; read 10/19/26)
- [dmv.nv.gov/emission_obd.htm](https://dmv.nv.gov/emission_obd.htm) (Nevada DMV On-Board Diagnostics page; read 10/19/26)
- [dmv.nv.gov/emission_diesel.htm](https://dmv.nv.gov/emission_diesel.htm) (Nevada DMV diesel testing and enforcement; read 10/19/26)

## More questions by topic

[Who needs a smog check in Nevada](https://xpresssmogcenter.com/faq/who-needs-a-smog-check/)[Where in Washoe County a test is required](https://xpresssmogcenter.com/faq/smog-check-areas-washoe/)[The renewal notice and the smog line on it](https://xpresssmogcenter.com/faq/renewal-notice/)[Your result and the DMV link](https://xpresssmogcenter.com/faq/certificate-and-dmv-link/)[How long a passing test is good for](https://xpresssmogcenter.com/faq/90-day-rule/)[Renewing your registration with the smog check](https://xpresssmogcenter.com/faq/renewing-at-the-station/)[What a smog check costs](https://xpresssmogcenter.com/faq/price-and-fees/)[Driving in without an appointment](https://xpresssmogcenter.com/faq/drive-in-no-appointment/)[Hours and the quiet times to come in](https://xpresssmogcenter.com/faq/hours-and-busy-times/)[Which service center to use](https://xpresssmogcenter.com/faq/which-service-center/)[An oil change in the same visit](https://xpresssmogcenter.com/faq/oil-change-same-visit/)[Check engine light questions](https://xpresssmogcenter.com/faq/check-engine-light-questions/)[After a failed test](https://xpresssmogcenter.com/faq/failed-test-questions/)[Smog waiver questions](https://xpresssmogcenter.com/faq/waiver-questions/)[Not ready and rejected results](https://xpresssmogcenter.com/faq/not-ready-questions/)[After a battery change or a repair](https://xpresssmogcenter.com/faq/battery-and-recent-repairs/)[Gas caps and small fixes before a test](https://xpresssmogcenter.com/faq/gas-cap-and-quick-fixes/)[Insurance trackers and OBD port devices](https://xpresssmogcenter.com/faq/obd-port-devices/)[New vehicles and the first three registrations](https://xpresssmogcenter.com/faq/new-vehicles/)[Hybrid and electric vehicle questions](https://xpresssmogcenter.com/faq/hybrids-and-evs/)[Diesel truck questions](https://xpresssmogcenter.com/faq/diesel-trucks/)[Motorhomes and heavier gas trucks](https://xpresssmogcenter.com/faq/motorhomes-and-heavy-trucks/)[Classic car and Old Timer plate questions](https://xpresssmogcenter.com/faq/classic-cars/)[Motorcycles and other exempt vehicles](https://xpresssmogcenter.com/faq/motorcycles-and-exempt/)[Moving to Reno or Sparks](https://xpresssmogcenter.com/faq/moving-to-reno/)[Leaving Nevada or living away part of the year](https://xpresssmogcenter.com/faq/leaving-nevada/)[Military members and students](https://xpresssmogcenter.com/faq/military-and-students/)[Private party sales](https://xpresssmogcenter.com/faq/private-party-sales/)[Buying from a Nevada dealer](https://xpresssmogcenter.com/faq/dealer-sales/)[Smoking vehicles and visible exhaust](https://xpresssmogcenter.com/faq/smoking-vehicles/)[Engine swaps and modified vehicles](https://xpresssmogcenter.com/faq/engine-swaps-and-modifications/)[Registered outside the Washoe testing area](https://xpresssmogcenter.com/faq/registered-outside-the-testing-area/)

### Your location: Reno South

- Call [(775) 828-6996](tel:+17758286996) Mon-Fri 8 am-5 pm, Sat 8 am-3 pm, Sun closed
- Address 4993 Longley Ln, Reno, NV 89502

[Directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=4993+Longley+Ln%2C+Reno%2C+NV+89502&destination_place_id=ChIJc5xNCcI_mYARXjHn3y79iJw)

### Related

- [1968 to 1995 vehicles: the tailpipe test](https://xpresssmogcenter.com/smog-check/older-vehicles-tailpipe-test/)
- [Diesel truck questions](https://xpresssmogcenter.com/faq/diesel-trucks/)
- [The two-speed idle tailpipe test](https://xpresssmogcenter.com/guides/two-speed-idle-test/)
- [Locations](https://xpresssmogcenter.com/locations/)
- [Smog waiver in Washoe County](https://xpresssmogcenter.com/smog-check/smog-waiver/)

Located inside Xpress Oil & Lube Center

Both smog check locations sit inside an Xpress Oil & Lube Center, the locally owned Reno drive-in that has served this town since 1983. Drive in, no appointment; get your oil changed in the same visit.

[About us](https://xpresssmogcenter.com/about/)
