Reference
CTC cheat sheet
One-page printable reference. Keep it in your cab.
CARB Clean Truck Check
Reference v.2026-05 · cleantruckcheckmobile.com
Heavy-Duty Inspection & Maintenance (HD I/M) program
In scope (ALL must be true)
- GVWR > 14,000 lbs (manufacturer-rated)
- Fuel = diesel, alt-fuel, or hybrid
- Operates on CA public road (even if out-of-state registered)
Gasoline-only HD and ZEV are NOT in scope.
Which test?
| Diesel/hybrid MY ≥ 2013 | OBD |
| Alt-fuel MY ≥ 2018 | OBD |
| Pre-2013 diesel | Smoke Opacity + Visual |
| Pre-2018 alt-fuel | Smoke Opacity + Visual |
| No compliant OBD-II | Smoke Opacity + Visual |
Frequency
- Semi-annual (every 6 mo) — default
- Annual — non-commercial motorhomes, ag vehicles
- Quarterly starting Oct 2027 for OBD-equipped
Deadline anchor: CA-reg → DMV expiration. Out-of-state → last digit of VIN.
Passing test may be submitted up to 90 days before deadline.
Exemptions (self-attested)
- Zero-emission (BEV, FCEV)
- Military tactical (13 CCR § 1905)
- Emergency vehicles (CVC § 165)
- Historical / Horseless Carriage plate
- Experimental permit (HSC § 43014)
- Out-of-state-registered motorhomes
- Engines certified to ULN ≤ 0.010 g/bhp-hr (through 12/31/2026)
No low-use, no small-fleet, no mileage exemptions.
Fees & penalties
- Annual compliance fee: $31.18 (2025), CPI-adjusted
- Tampering: up to $37,500/violation (HSC § 43016)
- Air-quality: $1,000–$10,000/day/vehicle (HSC § 42402)
- DMV registration HOLD for non-compliance
- Port/railyard entry DENIAL
- REMD + ALPR roadside → Notice to Submit, 30 days to pass
Reporting
Owner reports each vehicle in CTC-VIS within 30 days of acquisition/disposition.
- Report: cleantruckcheck.arb.ca.gov
- VDECS retrofit list: ww2.arb.ca.gov/diesel/verdev/vt/cvt.htm
- CARB CTC help: (866) 634-3735 · hdim@arb.ca.gov
Out-of-state vehicles
5-day one-time pass per year. Must request ≥ 7 business days ahead. Otherwise, full compliance required to operate in CA.
On-site checks (operator)
- OBD: readiness monitors complete
- OBD: no DTCs recently cleared (data link freshness)
- Visual: aftertreatment present + uncovered/uncut
- Visual: DEF tank present (for SCR equipped)
- Tamper indicators on EGR, DPF, SCR
- If retrofit: VDECS verified + properly tagged