Periodic Smoke Inspection

The PSIP program requires that all California-based fleets of two or more heavy-duty vehicles (gross vehicle rating over 6,000 pounds) are required to perform annual smoke and tamper inspections of their fleet. Fleet owners are not required to inspect vehicles that are powered by diesel engines until after the 4th model year of the engine. (Example: 2010 engines are exempt from being tested for the PSIP until January 1 of 2014). A 2010 model year engine must be tested sometime during 2014 or it will be in violation of PSIP). The Periodic Smoke Inspection "Fleet" Program serves as a companion to the Heavy-Duty Diesel Inspection "Roadside" program, to ensure that all of California’s heavy-duty vehicles are properly maintained, tamper free and free from excessive smoke. Heavy-duty diesel-powered vehicles that are not part of a fleet or are exclusively for personal use are exempt. To ensure compliance, the Air Resources Board will randomly audit fleets’ maintenance and inspection records, and test a representative sample of vehicles. All vehicles that do not pass the test must be repaired and retested. Fleet owners who neglect to perform the annual smoke opacity inspection on applicable vehicles are subject to penalties of $500.00 per vehicle, per year. For more information visit  http://www.arb.ca.gov/enf/hdvip/psip_pamphlet.pdf