CARB Clean Truck Check
What is Clean Truck Check Vehicle Inspection System (CTC-VIS)?
The Clean Truck Check regulation applies to heavy-duty vehicles over 14,000 lbs. GVWR operating on California public roads, including in-state, out-of-state, and government vehicles, moto coaches, buses, hybrids, commercial and personal vehicles, and California-registered motorhomes.
What are the requirements?
The California Air Resources Board requires semiannual testing and compliance for diesel and alternative fuel heavy-duty vehicles over 14,000 pounds operating in the state, regardless of their registration.
Which vehicles are exempt from the regulation?
The heavy-duty vehicle types shown below are exempt from the regulation:
- Zero-emission vehicles
- Military tactical vehicles (title 13, CCR, section 1905)
- Emergency vehicles (California Vehicle Code section 165 or California Health and Safety Code section 1797.84)
- Historical vehicles (authorized by California Vehicle Code section 5004)
- New vehicles with engines certified to the most stringent optional, NOx standard (less than or equal to 0.01 g/bhp-hr) –Only during the first four years of
- Motorhomes registered outside of California
- Vehicles operating under an experimental permit (authorized by California Health and Safety Code section 43014)
Clean Truck Check Compliance Fees Deadlines
In 2024, there is only one emissions testing requirement. The registration fee must be paid by the last day of the month as noted in the table. The compliance fee must be paid depending on the vehicle’s DMV/outside-of-California registration expiration date.
| Vehicle’s DMV Registration Expires | Clean Truck Compliance Fee Due Last Day of |
|---|---|
| January or July | July |
| February or August | August |
| March or September | September |
| April or October | October |
| May or November | November |
| June or December | December |
Is there a Annual Recurring Fees?
Starting in 2025, the compliance fee must be paid yearly based on the last VIN digit.
| Vehicle’s VIN Number Ends in | Clean Truck Compliance Fee Due Last Day of |
|---|---|
| 0 | October |
| 1 | November |
| 2 | December |
| 3 | July |
| 4 | August |
| 5 | September |
| 6 | October |
| 7 | November |
| 8 | December |
| 9 | July |
You can sign up for email updates from the California Air Resources Board (CARB) at the https://public.govdelivery.com/accounts/CARB/subscriber/new?topid=hdim. This allows you to receive regular updates on topics like the Clean Truck Checks program directly from CARB.
Timing of testing
California-registered vehicles must pass the Clean Truck Check test within 90 days before their DMV registration renewal date.
For vehicles registered outside California or without DMV registration, compliance deadlines are based on the last digit of the VIN. Test results may be submitted up to 90 days early but must be in by the deadline.
| VIN ending in | First test results due | Second test results due |
|---|---|---|
| 0 | April 30 | October 31 |
| 1 | May 31 | November 30 |
| 2 | June 30 | December 31 |
| 3 | July 31 | January 31 |
| 4 | August 31 | February 28/29 |
| 5 | September 30 | March 31 |
| 6 | October 31 | April 30 |
| 7 | November 30 | May 31 |
| 8 | December 31 | June 30 |
| 9 | January 31 | July 31 |
After the initial three-year testing period, vehicles with onboard diagnostics systems will be required to undergo compliance testing four times per year starting on April 1, 2027.