Clean Truck Check Compliance

California's Heavy Duty Inspection & Maintenance Program

“Then, out of nowhere, we get a notice from the DMV saying our registration is incomplete because of some new law. No one told us anything about this Clean Truck Check.”

—Robert Carrillo, Small Business Owner

CARB Clean Truck Check

What is California's Clean Truck Check Law?

California has rolled out a new program aimed at curbing pollution from heavy-duty diesel trucks operating within the state. Known as the Clean Truck Check, the initiative, launched in 2023, mandates annual emissions testing for trucks with a gross vehicle weight rating over 14,000 pounds.

“I’ve been running this business my whole life, and we’ve always played by the rules,” said Robert Carrillo, owner of a family-run business his father started in 1958. “Then, out of nowhere, we get a notice from the DMV saying our registration is incomplete because of some new law. We have seven trucks, all diesel, and no one told us anything about this Clean Truck Check.”

The Clean Truck Check program, which stems from Senate Bill 210, signed into law by Gov. Gavin Newsom in 2019, is part of the California Air Resources Board's (CARB) ongoing effort to reduce harmful emissions that contribute to smog and other air quality issues in the state. Diesel trucks are a significant source of nitrogen oxides (NOx) and particulate matter, pollutants that negatively impact public health and the environment.

Clean Truck Check applies to both in-state and out-of-state vehicles that operate on California public roads, ensuring the regulation's broad reach across the state's trucking industry. However, certain trucks, including emergency vehicles, military vehicles, and low-use trucks, are exempt from the annual testing requirements.

Under Clean Truck Check, diesel vehicles must pass periodic inspections that monitor their On-Board Diagnostics (OBD) systems—the technology that tracks a vehicle's engine performance and emissions. Any issues flagged by the OBD must be repaired to keep the truck on the road.

A Crash Course in Clean Truck Check Compliance

If you operate a heavy-duty diesel truck in California, here’s a quick overview of how comply with Clean Truck Check:

Create a CTC-VIS Account

Go to the CARB Clean Truck Check portal (CTC-VIS) and set up an online account (click here for detailed instructions with screenshots). This will be your Clean Truck Check dashboard for tracking compliance and printing your Clean Truck Check compliance certificates. Click here to download our free CTC-VIS setup guide with detailed instructions.

Add Vehicles and Pay Fees

After creating your account, add each diesel truck you operate with a GVWR over 14,000 pounds. A $31.18 annual fee per truck is required.

Schedule Periodic Clean Truck Check Inspections

Ensure each truck undergoes regular Clean Truck Check emissions tests, as mandated by CARB. This will include routine inspections of the truck’s OBD system to confirm it meets California’s emission standards. Semiannual inspections are required for 2025 and 2026. In the year 2027 Clean Truck Check inspections will increase to four per year.

When are Periodic Inspections Due?

For vehicles registered in California the inspections are based on the registration renewal date. If the registration renews January 31 or July 31, the Clean Truck Check tests are due January 31 and July 31. If the registration renews December 31, tests are due June 30 and December 31.

For out-of-state vehicles the Clean Truck Check inspection deadlines are based on the last digit of the VIN (see chart below). If the VIN ends in 3 or 9, the tests are due on the last day of Jan and July. If the last digit is 2 or 8, the test deadlines are due on the last day of June and December.

The bottom line... Clean Truck Check compliance is mandatory to operate legally in California and avoid fines and registration holds.

Contact us today for more information on the Clean Truck Check program, assistance with the CTC-VIS portal, or to order Smart CTC, our automated Clean Truck Check solution that keeps you compliant nationwide without shop visits or appointments.