--- title: Pickup Truck and Van Smog Check Rules, Reno | Xpress Smog url: https://xpresssmogcenter.com/vehicles/pickup-trucks-and-vans/ 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/) - [Vehicle types](https://xpresssmogcenter.com/vehicles/) - Pickup trucks and vans # Smog check rules for pickup trucks and vans A gas pickup or van rated up to 8,500 pounds and built in 1996 or later gets the OBD II plug-in test in Nevada, while one rated 8,501 pounds or more gets the two-speed tailpipe test. Diesel pickups and vans up to 14,000 pounds GVWR are tested too, with the DMV's diesel procedure. 4.7 stars from 550 Google reviews of the two Reno Xpress Oil & Lube Centers Pickups and vans cover the whole range of Nevada's rules. Two trucks of the same model year, parked side by side in a Sparks driveway, can get different tests because of one number on the door jamb. Here is how to tell which test yours gets. ## At a glance - Gas, up to 8,500 pounds, 1996 or newer: OBD II plug-in test (Nevada DMV). - Gas, 8,501 pounds or more: two-speed tailpipe test, any year. - Diesel, 14,000 pounds GVWR or less: dynamometer, opacity and visual inspection. - The manufacturer's weight rating decides, not the declared weight for fees. ## Three trucks, three tests Picture three pickups based in Reno. A gas half-ton rated at 7,000 pounds is light duty, so the DMV's on-board diagnostics page puts it on the OBD II test like a sedan. A gas three-quarter-ton rated at 10,000 pounds is heavy duty, and the same DMV page says all heavy-duty vehicles continue with the traditional two-speed tailpipe method, whatever the year. A diesel one-ton rated at 12,000 pounds is under the DMV's 14,000 pound diesel line, so it tests every year with the diesel procedure. Vans split the same way. A minivan or small cargo van usually sits in light duty; a full-size high-roof van or a passenger van with a heavier rating can sit in heavy duty. The rating on the label tells you which. ## Reading the label on the door jamb The DMV defines light duty as gasoline vehicles up to 8,500 pounds and heavy duty as 8,501 pounds or more. For diesels, the DMV's diesel page adds a point that applies to many work trucks: the manufacturer's weight rating decides, and it may differ from the declared weight you chose for registration fees. Look at the manufacturer's label, usually on the driver's door jamb, and at your renewal notice, which says whether a smog check is required. ## The plug-in test on lighter trucks For a light-duty gas pickup or van, the test is the one described on the [OBD test page](https://xpresssmogcenter.com/smog-check/obd-test/): the VIN is scanned, a cable goes into the OBD port under the dash, and the result goes to the DMV in real time. A lit check engine light is an automatic fail on these trucks. Work trucks often carry something in that port. The DMV says to remove insurance trackers and monitoring devices before the test, because technicians are required to fail any vehicle with a device plugged in. Pull a fleet tracker before you leave the yard. ## Heavier trucks and diesels The tailpipe test for heavy-duty gas trucks is explained on the [tailpipe test page](https://xpresssmogcenter.com/smog-check/older-vehicles-tailpipe-test/), and the dynamometer, opacity and visual inspection for diesels on the [diesel smog check page](https://xpresssmogcenter.com/smog-check/diesel-smog-check/). For either one, call the service center before you bring a diesel or a large truck. ## Getting a pickup or van tested in Reno A light-duty gas pickup or van can drive into either Reno location with no appointment, inside an Xpress Oil & Lube Center: Reno Northwest at 6100 Mae Anne Ave, (775) 787-1000, open weekdays 8 am to 5 pm and Saturday 8 am to 4 pm; Reno South at 4993 Longley Ln, (775) 828-6996, open weekdays 8 am to 5 pm and Saturday 8 am to 3 pm. For a big truck or a diesel, call either number first. - The renewal notice, if you want to ask about renewing in the same visit. - The odometer reading. - An empty OBD port, with trackers and plug-in devices removed. ### Sources - [dmv.nv.gov/emission_obd.htm](https://dmv.nv.gov/emission_obd.htm) (Nevada DMV On-Board Diagnostics: OBD II for 1996+ light duty, two-speed for heavy duty, OBD port devices; read 10/19/26) - [dmv.nv.gov/emission.htm](https://dmv.nv.gov/emission.htm) (Nevada DMV Emission Control Program: light duty up to 8,500 lb, heavy duty 8,501 lb+; read 10/19/26) - [dmv.nv.gov/emission_diesel.htm](https://dmv.nv.gov/emission_diesel.htm) (Nevada DMV Diesel Testing: 14,000 lb GVWR line, manufacturer's rating decides; read 10/19/26) ### 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) ### What a customer said Reno South Came in got my car smogged and registered, quick and easy!! Guys were super friendly!! Will be back next year. [All smog check reviews](https://xpresssmogcenter.com/reviews/) ### Related - [Diesel truck questions](https://xpresssmogcenter.com/faq/diesel-trucks/) - [Smog check rules for heavy-duty gas trucks](https://xpresssmogcenter.com/vehicles/heavy-duty-gas-trucks/) - [Insurance trackers and OBD port devices](https://xpresssmogcenter.com/faq/obd-port-devices/) - [Smog checks for business fleets](https://xpresssmogcenter.com/smog-check/fleet-vehicles/) - [Drive in now](https://xpresssmogcenter.com/drive-in/) 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/) ## Related situations [### How the OBD smog test works The plug-in test for 1996 and newer cars and light trucks. Learn more](https://xpresssmogcenter.com/smog-check/obd-test/)[### 1968 to 1995 vehicles: the tailpipe test How older cars and heavy-duty trucks are tested. Learn more](https://xpresssmogcenter.com/smog-check/older-vehicles-tailpipe-test/)[### Diesel smog check rules Which diesels test in Washoe County and how. Learn more](https://xpresssmogcenter.com/smog-check/diesel-smog-check/) ## Other vehicle types [Smog check rules for motorhomes and RVs Gas motorhomes test at any weight; heavy diesels do not. Learn more](https://xpresssmogcenter.com/vehicles/motorhomes-and-rvs/)[Smog check rules for motorcycles and mopeds Motorcycles and mopeds are on the DMV exempt list. Learn more](https://xpresssmogcenter.com/vehicles/motorcycles-and-mopeds/)[Smog check rules for heavy-duty gas trucks 8,501 lb and up: tested every year, tailpipe method. Learn more](https://xpresssmogcenter.com/vehicles/heavy-duty-gas-trucks/)[Smog check rules for leased cars and trucks Leases test every year; a lessor-to-lessor transfer can be exempt. Learn more](https://xpresssmogcenter.com/vehicles/leased-vehicles/)[Smog check rules for replica vehicles Replica Vehicle registrations are on the exempt list. Learn more](https://xpresssmogcenter.com/vehicles/replica-vehicles/)[Smog check rules for propane and natural gas vehicles Running permanently on propane, CNG, methane or butane means exempt. Learn more](https://xpresssmogcenter.com/vehicles/propane-and-natural-gas-vehicles/) ## Pickup trucks and vans: questions Still have a question? Call either Reno location or just drive in; there is no appointment to make. ### My half-ton and my neighbor's three-quarter-ton are both 2021. Why different tests? The weight rating. Up to 8,500 pounds is light duty and gets the OBD test; 8,501 and up is heavy duty and gets the tailpipe test. ### Does my diesel pickup need a smog check? If it is rated 14,000 pounds GVWR or less, 1968 or newer, past its third registration and based in the testing area, yes, every year. ### I registered my truck at a lower declared weight. Does that change the test? For diesels the DMV says the manufacturer's weight rating decides, not the declared weight for fees. ### Can a work van with a GPS tracker be tested? Remove the device from the OBD port first. The DMV requires technicians to fail a vehicle with a device plugged in. ### Is a new pickup tested? Not on its first three registrations. Testing starts at the fourth. ## Two Reno locations, inside Xpress Oil & Lube Center [Reno Northwest smog check](https://xpresssmogcenter.com/locations/reno-mae-anne/)[Reno South smog check](https://xpresssmogcenter.com/locations/reno-longley/)