WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

As of January 1, 2025, the California’s Clean Truck Check HD I/M (Heavy-Duty Inspection & Maintenance) program became mandatory for all diesel and non-gasoline vehicles over 14,000 lbs GVWR, and all trucks must undergo emissions testing twice per year – this will increase to four times annually by 2027.

WHAT ARE THE PENALTIES FOR NON-COMPLIANCE?
While penalties can vary, most violations can result in a citation or a blocked vehicle DMV registration. A fine can be costly, but a blocked registration affects operations and can be difficult to work around. If you receive a citation, you will need to pay the designated civil penalty and provide proof of correction before the citation can be cleared.

KEY FACTS:
• Mandatory Testing: Began January 1, 2025
• Frequency: Twice per year (increasing to four times annually by 2027)
• Who’s Covered: Nearly all non-gasoline vehicles over 14,000 lbs GVWR, including diesel trucks
• Compliance Window: 90 days before your registration due date
• Port & Freight Operations: Compliance certificate required for entry and contracting

CLEAN TRUCK CHECK EXEMPTIONS:
Although most heavy-duty vehicles must abide by the CARB Clean Truck Check, some are exempt from the program. The following vehicles do not need to meet these emissions requirements:

• Zero-emissions vehicles
• Authorized emergency vehicles
• Military tactical vehicles
• Motorhomes registered outside of California
• Historical vehicles
• Vehicles operating under an experimental permit
• New vehicles with engines certified to the most stringent NOx standard (less than or equal to 0.01 g/bhp-hr)
• Gasoline vehicles

ONGOING AND FUTURE TESTING REQUIREMENTS

CARB separates future requirements into two broad categories:

• Engine model years from 2013 and later: These are OBD-equipped vehicles, which must submit to OBD testing twice a year. After three years, this requirement increases to four times per year. Motorhomes registered in California and on-road agricultural vehicles only need testing once a year.
• Engine model years prior to 2013: These non-OBD-equipped vehicles, including non-diesel vehicles, must pass a visual and functional inspection twice a year. Diesel vehicles must also pass a smoke opacity test twice a year. California motor homes and on-road agricultural vehicles again only need once-a-year testing.

Vehicles must meet a few other qualifications before being considered compliant with the Clean Truck Check program:

• The vehicle cannot have any outstanding enforcement actions.
• The vehicle cannot have any outstanding emissions or recalls related to OBD.
• All owner and vehicle information must be reported to CARB.
• The owner must pay the annual compliance fee to CARB.
• The owner must have submitted a passing compliance test to CARB.

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