CARB Compliance
Regulation:
The Clean Truck Check regulation – also known as the Heavy Duty Inspection and Maintenance Program – applies to nearly all non-gasoline vehicles (including diesel vehicles) with a gross vehicle weight rating of 14,000 pounds or more which operate within California.
After the reporting period closes, all vehicles covered by the regulation will require proof of compliance to continue legally operating within the state. Failure to comply could result in CARB placing a DMV registration hold on non-compliant vehicles.
The Clean Truck Check regulation was approved by CARB in 2021. Phase 1 of implementation began January 1, 2023, with CARB deploying Remote Emissions Monitoring Devices and roadside monitors that examine the emissions of passing heavy-duty vehicles and flag potential high emitters, which are then targeted for Notices to Submit to Testing. Phase 2 of the program—the current database-reporting requirement—was initiated on October 1, 2023.
Phase 3, which will begin on January 1, 2025, requires owners of heavy-duty vehicles to submit to emissions testing twice a year. For California-registered vehicles, emissions testing compliance deadlines are tied to the vehicle’s DMV registration date, and passing test results must be submitted within 90 days of the compliance deadline, which means testing can begin in October 2024 for certain vehicles.
Q and A:
How will I know when periodic testing begins?
Clean Truck Check periodic compliance testing requirements for all vehicles that operate in California are effective October 1, 2024. For example, a vehicle with a compliance deadline of January 1, 2025, may submit a passing emissions test as early as October 1, 2024. Vehicles may submit tests no more than 90 days prior to the vehicle’s compliance deadlines. Vehicle’s upcoming deadlines will be available in the CTC-VIS account and notifications will be sent every 30 days beginning 90 days before the compliance deadline.
How often will my vehicles require a periodic emissions test?
Nearly all vehicles are required to undergo twice per year testing with results submitted to CARB. On-road agricultural vehicles and California-registered motorhomes only will be required to undergo testing once per year.
Three years after the start of Clean Truck Check periodic emissions testing (2027), on board diagnostics (OBD) equipped vehicles will be required to undergo testing four times per year. On-road agricultural vehicles and California-registered motorhomes will remain on the once per year testing frequency, even if equipped with OBD.
What are the due dates for my vehicles' periodic compliance testing?
For California-registered vehicles, the due dates, called compliance deadlines, are linked to each vehicle’s DMV registration expiration/renewal date. Passing Clean Truck Check test results may be submitted up to 90 days before a compliance deadline.
As an example, for twice per year testing, if a vehicle’s registration renewal date is March 15, the first compliance test results may be submitted up to 90 days before March 15, but no later than that date. The second compliance test results would be due 6 months later by September 15 and could also be submitted up to 90 days ahead of that date. You may check your vehicle’s compliance deadline in your CTC-VIS account.
Where do I find more information the the Clean Truck Check regulation?
This link will provide you with the answers you need. Clean Truck Check Requirements
DMV Registration Holds for Noncompliance, what is it?
CA DMV registration holds are actively being placed on vehicles that do not comply with the Clean Truck Check requirements. Avoid a California DMV registration hold by reporting vehicles and paying the annual compliance fee in CTC-VIS.
