--- title: Insurance Trackers and OBD Port Devices at a Smog Check url: https://xpresssmogcenter.com/faq/obd-port-devices/ 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/) - Insurance trackers and OBD port devices # Insurance trackers and OBD port devices Remove any insurance tracker or monitoring device from your OBD port before you arrive. The Nevada DMV says technicians are required to fail any vehicle that has a device plugged in. 4.7 stars from 550 Google reviews of the two Reno Xpress Oil & Lube Centers The test on a 1996 or newer vehicle works through one connector under the dash. If something else is already sitting in that connector, the test cannot go the normal way. Here is what the DMV says about it and how to get the port clear before you drive in. ### What is the OBD port? It is the connector the analyzer cable plugs into for the On-Board Diagnostics II test. The DMV says it is usually found under the dashboard, and the test uses no other probe in the engine or the tailpipe. ### Which vehicles get tested through that port? The DMV says OBD II is built into all 1996 and newer light-duty vehicles, and in Nevada those vehicles get an OBD II inspection instead of a tailpipe test. Older vehicles and all heavy-duty vehicles keep the two-speed tailpipe method. ### What kinds of devices must come out? The DMV's wording is insurance trackers and monitoring devices. Any small device that plugs into the port to record driving, send data or watch the vehicle falls under that description. ### What happens if I leave one in? The DMV states that technicians are required to fail any vehicle with a device plugged in. A fail for that reason is easy to avoid, so unplug the device ahead of time. ### Will unplugging my insurance device cause trouble with my policy? The DMV does not address insurance programs. If you are in a discount program that uses a plug-in device, ask your insurer how to remove it for a day and put it back. The DMV rule is the same either way. ### Do I need to take out a phone charger or dash camera adapter too? The DMV's instruction is about trackers and monitoring devices. To keep things simple, unplug anything attached to the port before you drive in, so the technician can connect the analyzer without delay. ### Where do I find the port if I cannot see it? Look under the dashboard on the driver's side first, since the DMV says that is the usual spot. Your owner's manual will show the exact position for your vehicle. ### How long does the test take once the port is clear? The DMV says most OBD II tests are completed in five minutes or less. The technician scans your VIN with a bar code reader, connects the analyzer cable, and the analyzer reads the emission data. The result shows pass or fail and goes to the DMV in real time. ### Can I plug the device back in right after the test? Once the test is done and your result is showing, yes. A later retest would need the port cleared again, so keep the device in the glove box until you are completely finished. ### What if my light is on and my port is clear? A check engine light that is on is an automatic fail in Nevada, but the DMV still says to get tested. Read about [the check engine light](https://xpresssmogcenter.com/smog-check/check-engine-light/) and the [OBD test](https://xpresssmogcenter.com/smog-check/obd-test/). ## A two-minute check before you leave home Crouch down at the driver's seat, find the connector and make sure nothing is attached. If a device is there, pull it out and set it aside. Then drive in to Reno Northwest or Reno South, no appointment needed, and the technician can go straight to the scan. After a pass, the DMV says you can renew right away at the station, online at MyDMV or at a DMV Now kiosk. ### Sources - [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.htm](https://dmv.nv.gov/emission.htm) (Nevada DMV Emission Control Program; 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 - [How the OBD smog test works](https://xpresssmogcenter.com/smog-check/obd-test/) - [What to bring to your smog check](https://xpresssmogcenter.com/smog-check/what-to-bring/) - [Check engine light questions](https://xpresssmogcenter.com/faq/check-engine-light-questions/) - [How long a smog check takes](https://xpresssmogcenter.com/smog-check/how-long-it-takes/) - [How to give your car its best chance to pass](https://xpresssmogcenter.com/guides/pass-your-smog-check/) 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/)