--- title: Propane and Natural Gas Vehicle Smog Rules, NV | Xpress Smog url: https://xpresssmogcenter.com/vehicles/propane-and-natural-gas-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/) - [Vehicle types](https://xpresssmogcenter.com/vehicles/) - Propane and natural gas vehicles # Smog check rules for propane and natural gas vehicles The Nevada DMV exempts vehicles running permanently on propane, compressed natural gas, methane or butane from the yearly smog check. The word permanently matters: a vehicle that can still run on gasoline is a question for the DMV before you assume it is exempt. 4.7 stars from 550 Google reviews of the two Reno Xpress Oil & Lube Centers Alternative-fuel vehicles are uncommon in Washoe County, which is exactly why owners and fleet managers are unsure of the rule. The DMV puts these fuels on the same exempt list as electric vehicles, with one qualifying word. ## At a glance - Exempt: vehicles running permanently on propane, CNG, methane or butane (Nevada DMV). - Electric vehicles share the same line on the exempt list. - Hybrids follow a different rule: exempt five model years, tested in the sixth. - Registration still renews every year. ## What the DMV list says The Nevada DMV's Emission Control Program page names, among its exemptions, electric vehicles and vehicles running permanently on propane, CNG, methane or butane. A vehicle that fits that description is outside the yearly test even when it is based in Reno, Sparks or the rest of the Washoe testing area, whatever its model year or weight. ## Dedicated fuel or dual fuel The DMV wrote permanently into the rule, and that is where the questions start. A dedicated propane or CNG vehicle with no gasoline system is the plain case the words describe. A conversion that keeps the gasoline tank and lets the driver switch between fuels is harder to call from the page alone. If your vehicle can still run on gasoline, ask the DMV or the Reno emissions lab how it is classed before your renewal comes due. The [emissions lab guide](https://xpresssmogcenter.com/guides/dmv-emissions-lab-reno/) says where it is and when it is open. Your renewal notice is the practical check: it says Smog Check Required when the DMV expects a test. ## Not the same rule as hybrids Gas-electric hybrids are not on the alternative-fuel line. The DMV exempts new hybrids for their first five model years and tests them from the sixth, and a plug-in hybrid that burns gasoline is still a gasoline vehicle for that rule. Fully electric vehicles are exempt outright. The [hybrid and electric vehicles page](https://xpresssmogcenter.com/smog-check/hybrid-and-electric-vehicles/) covers both. ## The other exempt categories Propane and natural gas sit on a list that also includes motorcycles, 1967 and older vehicles, qualifying classic plates, replica registrations and heavy diesels. Each one has its own conditions, collected on the [classic and exempt vehicles page](https://xpresssmogcenter.com/smog-check/classic-and-exempt-vehicles/). ## What an exempt owner still does each year The exemption removes the emission test, not the registration. You still renew every year, still need Nevada evidence of insurance, and are still responsible for renewing on time even if no notice arrives. The [renewal page](https://xpresssmogcenter.com/smog-check/registration-renewal/) explains online, kiosk and in-person renewal. ## Mixed fleets A business running a few CNG or propane trucks next to gasoline vans has two sets of rules in one yard. The alternative-fuel trucks are exempt under the DMV line; the gasoline vans test every year at renewal. Those vans can drive into either Reno location with no appointment. Reno Northwest on Mae Anne Ave, (775) 787-1000, is open weekdays 8 am to 5 pm and Saturday 8 am to 4 pm. Reno South on Longley Ln, (775) 828-6996, is open weekdays 8 am to 5 pm and Saturday 8 am to 3 pm. Both are inside an Xpress Oil & Lube Center. ### Sources - [dmv.nv.gov/emission.htm](https://dmv.nv.gov/emission.htm) (Nevada DMV Emission Control Program: exempt list incl. electric and propane, CNG, methane, butane vehicles, hybrids; read 10/19/26) - [dmv.nv.gov/regrenewal.htm](https://dmv.nv.gov/regrenewal.htm) (Nevada DMV Registration Renewal: yearly renewal, responsibility without a notice; 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 I go here to get my person vehicle smogged and all of our fleet vehicles. The team here is great. They are attentive and quick with their work. I would highly recommend coming here if you're in Reno and need your car smogged. [All smog check reviews](https://xpresssmogcenter.com/reviews/) ### Related - [Hybrid and electric vehicle questions](https://xpresssmogcenter.com/faq/hybrids-and-evs/) - [Motorcycles and other exempt vehicles](https://xpresssmogcenter.com/faq/motorcycles-and-exempt/) - [Do I need a smog check?](https://xpresssmogcenter.com/do-i-need-a-smog-check/) - [Smog check rules for motorcycles and mopeds](https://xpresssmogcenter.com/vehicles/motorcycles-and-mopeds/) - [Smog checks for business fleets](https://xpresssmogcenter.com/smog-check/fleet-vehicles/) 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 [### Hybrids and electric vehicles When a hybrid starts testing and why EVs never do. Learn more](https://xpresssmogcenter.com/smog-check/hybrid-and-electric-vehicles/)[### Classic plates and other exemptions Classic Vehicle, Classic Rod, Old Timer and the rest of the exempt list. Learn more](https://xpresssmogcenter.com/smog-check/classic-and-exempt-vehicles/)[### Smog check for your registration renewal The yearly test before you renew a Washoe County registration. Learn more](https://xpresssmogcenter.com/smog-check/registration-renewal/) ## 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 pickup trucks and vans The 8,500 lb line decides plug-in test or tailpipe test. Learn more](https://xpresssmogcenter.com/vehicles/pickup-trucks-and-vans/)[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/) ## Propane and natural gas vehicles: questions Still have a question? Call either Reno location or just drive in; there is no appointment to make. ### My truck was converted to run on propane but still has its gas tank. Is it exempt? The DMV exemption says running permanently on propane. Ask the DMV or the Reno emissions lab how a dual-fuel conversion is classed. ### Is a CNG vehicle exempt no matter its age? The exempt list does not set a model year for it. A vehicle running permanently on CNG is on the list. ### Is my plug-in hybrid in the same category? No. Hybrids are exempt for five model years and tested from the sixth. ### Is an electric vehicle exempt too? Yes. The DMV exempt list names electric vehicles in the same line as propane, CNG, methane and butane vehicles, so a fully electric car has no yearly emission test. ### Do I still renew registration every year? Yes. Only the emission test is waived by the exemption. ## 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/)