--- title: Smoking Vehicles and Visible Exhaust in Nevada | Xpress Smog url: https://xpresssmogcenter.com/faq/smoking-vehicles/ 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/) - Smoking vehicles and visible exhaust # Smoking vehicles and visible exhaust Gasoline vehicles in Nevada must not emit visible smoke, regardless of the county. A smoking vehicle will not pass an emission inspection and does not qualify for a waiver. 4.7 stars from 550 Google reviews of the two Reno Xpress Oil & Lube Centers Visible smoke is treated more strictly than most problems. These answers come from the DMV's Emission Control page, and they apply to every Nevada county, not only Washoe. ### Is visible smoke illegal in every county? The DMV says gasoline vehicles in Nevada must not emit visible smoke, regardless of the county. ### What can happen if my car smokes? Smoking vehicles can receive citations and/or mandatory testing, based on the DMV. Law enforcement may issue citations for visible smoke. ### Will a smoking car pass the smog check? No. A gasoline-powered vehicle that emits visible smoke will not pass an emission inspection. ### Can I get a waiver for a smoking vehicle? No. Waivers are not issued to smoking vehicles. The vehicle must be repaired with no limit on cost. ### What is the Smog Spotter program? A DMV program that encourages the public to report smoking vehicles online or by calling 844-END-SMOG. ### Does the program cover diesels? Yes. The DMV will investigate reports on any vehicle with a Nevada registration, including heavy-duty diesel trucks. ### Does it reach rural areas? Yes. The DMV says it investigates vehicles based in rural areas too. ### Should I test before I repair? For many problems, a failed report is the first step toward a waiver. For smoke, repairs carry no cost limit, so the goal is to fix the cause. ### Who should do the repair? A repair shop. For emission repairs the DMV recommends a 2G licensed station. ### Where do I read more about failing? See [failed smog check](https://xpresssmogcenter.com/smog-check/failed-smog-check/) and [waiver questions](https://xpresssmogcenter.com/faq/waiver-questions/). ### Is a little blue puff at start-up considered visible smoke? The DMV page uses the words visible smoke without a size. If you see smoke from your tailpipe, have it checked. ### Can I report a smoking vehicle myself? Yes, through the DMV's Smog Spotter program, online or at 844-END-SMOG. ## Address it before renewal If your tailpipe shows smoke, take care of it ahead of your renewal date. A pass is the only path to registration for a smoking gasoline vehicle, because no waiver is available. Once the repair is done, drive in to either Reno location with no appointment. ## Why smoke is handled strictly The DMV treats visible smoke as an obvious sign of an emission problem. A smoking vehicle can be cited on the road, can be ordered to test, and cannot pass an inspection. Because the waiver is closed to smoking vehicles, the repair is the only path. Plan the time before your registration date, since Nevada has no grace period. Owners sometimes wonder whether a waiver could cover the problem if repairs are costly. For a smoking gasoline vehicle the DMV says no, and that is why the repair has no cost limit. The 2G licensed repair stations the DMV recommends can take the vehicle from there, and a drive-in test confirms the result. Hot weather and long hills do not change the rule. Whether you drive around Reno streets or head up toward the Sierra, a gasoline vehicle must not put out visible smoke, and the DMV applies that standard in every county. If you are not sure what you are seeing, a drive-in test gives a clear answer. The technician reports pass or fail, and the result goes to the DMV electronically in real time. ### Sources - [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 - [Failed a smog check](https://xpresssmogcenter.com/smog-check/failed-smog-check/) - [Smog waiver in Washoe County](https://xpresssmogcenter.com/smog-check/smog-waiver/) - [Smog waiver questions](https://xpresssmogcenter.com/faq/waiver-questions/) - [After a failed test](https://xpresssmogcenter.com/faq/failed-test-questions/) - [Repair and retest](https://xpresssmogcenter.com/smog-check/repair-and-retest/) 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/)