The Heavy-Duty Inspection and Maintenance Regulation, now known as Clean Truck Check, was approved by the California Air Resources Board (CARB) in December 2021. The program ensures that vehicles’ emissions control systems are operating properly when traveling in California. This program is needed to reduce emissions and improve public health statewide, especially in disadvantaged communities disproportionately impacted by air pollution. It also provides a level playing field for the businesses that operate these vehicles as it applies to almost all non-gasoline vehicles with a gross vehicle weight rating over 14,000 pounds that operate on California’s public roads and highways even if they are not registered in California. This includes public vehicles (federal, state, and local government), trucks, buses, commercial and personal vehicles, California-registered motorhomes, and single vehicle fleets.

Vehicle owners must take three steps to comply with Clean Truck Check: report vehicle information, pay the annual compliance fee, and submit a passing emissions compliance test.  

Step 1 is to create an account at cleantruckcheck.arb.ca.gov in the Clean Truck Check Vehicle Inspection System, also known as CTC-VIS. 

Once an account is created, users must report vehicle owner information or company information (such as entity name, company contact information, and USDOT number) and vehicle information. Vehicles should be added to or removed from CTC-VIS within 30 calendar days of a transaction to purchase or sell a vehicle. 

Step 2 is paying the annual compliance fee. 

Annual compliance fee deadlines can be found in CTC-VIS. Accepted methods of payment are credit card, debit card, and e-check. Payments made through any other CARB portals or paper check via mail will not be accepted. After the payment has been processed, a vehicle compliance certificate may be generated from your CTC-VIS account. Download and print a copy of the certificate for your records. 

Step 3 is testing vehicles and submitting passing emissions compliance tests. Most vehicles will have semi-annual requirements and will need to submit a passing emissions test twice a year. Emissions compliance testing deadlines are based on the registration expiration date for California DMV registered vehicles. For vehicles not registered with the California DMV and vehicles with DMV exempt plates such as government vehicles, the testing deadline is based on the last digit of the VIN. Emissions compliance tests may be submitted up to 90 days prior of the testing deadline to allow time for any necessary repairs. Emissions compliance testing deadlines began January 1, 2025. CTC-VIS sends out a monthly summary email notification for vehicles that have an upcoming testing deadline in the next 90 days.

For assistance with Clean Truck Check requirements, please email questions along with the applicable VIN to hdim@arb.ca.gov. Visit arb.ca.gov/CleanTruckCheck for more information on Clean Truck Check and other CARB regulations.