Frequently Asked Questions

    Senate Bill 210 directed CARB to develop and implement a comprehensive heavy-duty vehicle inspection and maintenance regulation (now known as Clean Truck Check) to ensure that vehicles’ emissions control systems are properly functioning when traveling on California’s roadways. 

   Clean Truck Check applies to nearly all diesel and alternative fuel heavy-duty vehicles with a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) over 14,000 pounds that operate on California public roads and highways even if they are not registered in California. This includes public vehicles (federal, state, and local government); motorcoaches; transit, shuttle and school buses; hybrid vehicles; commercial vehicles; personal vehicles; California registered motorhomes; single vehicle fleets; and vehicles registered outside of California (not including motorhomes).

   Vehicles must be reported in the Clean Truck Check – Vehicle Inspection System (CTC-VIS), pay annual compliance fees, and undergo emissions testing. CA DMV registration holds are automatically placed on vehicles that are not compliant with Clean Truck Check requirements.

• Start by creating an account on the CA website for the CTC-VIS (Clean Truck Check- Vehicle Inspection System). The State will charge a registry fee, per vehicle, that needs to be tested (about $30). 
• Get a test performed by a credentialed tester and have the results sent to California Air Resources Board (sent to CARB by the tester)
• Follow up with the DMV in a few days to confirm they received your results and acknowledge you're in compliance

  CTC-VIS sends out monthly account summaries through email with information on upcoming compliance requirements for vehicles reported in the account. This will include testing information and requirements.  

To create a CTC-VIS account: https://cleantruckcheck.arb.ca.gov/

For more info go to the CA website: https://ww2.arb.ca.gov/clean-truck-check-vehicle-inspection-system-ctc-vis-online-user-guide 

 Clean Truck Check applies to nearly all diesel and alternative fuel heavy-duty vehicles with a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) over 14,000 pounds that operate on California public roads and highways even if they are not registered in California. 

   This includes: 

• public vehicles (federal, state, and local government)
• motorcoaches 
• transit, shuttle and school buses
• hybrid vehicles*
• commercial vehicles or personal vehicles
• California registered motorhomes
• single or multi-vehicle fleets
• vehicles registered outside of California -not including motorhomes (unless here longer than 5 days)
• farm equipment

      *How is Alternative Fuel defined for Clean Truck Check?

 "Alternative fuel” means natural gas, propane, ethanol, methanol, or other non-diesel or non-gasoline fuel, and includes any of these fuels used in combination with each other. “Alternative fuel” does not mean electricity, hydrogen, or other zero tailpipe emissions fuel or technology 

 The Clean Truck Check Program does not apply to:

• 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) -This applies only during the first four years of Clean Truck Check implementation (2023-2027) Please contact HDIM@arb.ca.gov if you believe your vehicle meets this standard.
• Motorhomes registered outside of California
• Vehicles operating under an experimental permit (authorized by California Health and Safety Code section 4301)

 For vehicles subject to Clean Truck Check, you must pay your annual compliance fee before the due date to remain compliant. The annual fee increases in accordance with California's Consumer Price Index. For example, the compliance fee for 2025 will be $31.18.

In 2024, the annual compliance fee deadline is due based on the vehicle’s compliance deadline that falls between July 1 and December 31, 2024. Check your CTC-VIS account for your vehicle’s specific deadline.

Payments made through any other CARB portals or paper check mailing will NOT be accepted. CTC-VIS will ONLY allow use of the following payment methods:

• Credit/Debit Card
• Credit cards accepted: Visa, MasterCard, American Express, and Discover
• Debit cards accepted: Visa and MasterCard
• TeleCheck (eCheck) 
• You will need your bank routing number and account number.
• Please allow 5-7 business days for processing the TeleCheck payment

Payments made in any other system or by any other method do not comply with the Clean Truck Check requirement and affected vehicles may be subject to registration holds. For guidance on how to report owner and vehicle information and pay your annual compliance fee, please go to: Reporting Database.

 Once a vehicle is stopped by CARB or CHP, the vehicle's Clean Truck Check compliance status will be evaluated, which includes reporting in CTC-VIS, payment of annual compliance fees and, soon, passing emissions compliance tests submission when applicable. 

•  For used vehicles, the buyer is responsible for ensuring vehicle compliance within the last 90 days transfer of ownership in advance of the transfer date.
• For brand new vehicles, the ultimate purchaser must demonstrate compliance within 30 days of purchase except for the testing requirement. The test will be due on the vehicles next testing requirement date. If the vehicle is reported after 30 days of purchase it will be required to demonstrate compliance including a Clean Truck Check emissions test. 

    Will the vehicle's compliance status transfer to a new owner?

Yes, but only if the vehicle met the compliance requirements within 90 days of the transfer of ownership. 

 Yes, there are two options for transferring title to a vehicle out of state that has an SB 210 (Clean Truck Check) registration hold at DMV:  

• The seller can endorse the CA title to the new owner. The new owner can take the endorsed title to an out of state DMV and surrender the CA title to register the vehicle in that state. 
• If the new owner intends to register the vehicle out of state prior to the vehicle leaving California, they can request a transfer only to obtain the CA title in their name. The new owner would need to provide CA DMV with the CA title signed by the seller and all properly endorsed documents for a transfer of ownership. The new owner would pay applicable transfer fees and request for the vehicle to be registered as “non-operable with the intention of registering the vehicle out of state.”  

If the vehicle is still in California but is now registered in another state, it will need a temporary operating permit from DMV to leave the state. More information can be found here: Vehicle Registration Permits - California DMV 

Additionally, the vehicle will need to be compliant with Clean Truck Check during this period. Clean Truck Check offers a five consecutive day pass per vehicle, once per calendar year. The 5-Day pass allows for operation in California. However, the vehicle will not be considered compliant after the 5-day pass expires and must be brought into compliance to register the vehicle and operate in California. Additional information about requesting a 5-day pass is available at: Overview Fact Sheet-Clean Truck Check 

 Vehicle owners are responsible for maintaining accurate account information and must update vehicle information within 30 calendar days of a transaction to purchase or sell a vehicle. 

 The lessor (leasing entity) is responsible for reporting, paying the annual compliance fee, and ensuring the vehicle is tested according to the periodic testing schedule unless the lease period is longer than 1 year and the responsibility for vehicle compliance is designated as the lessee in the lessor/lessee contract.  

 Yes, if you have SE plates you still must meet the Clean Truck Check reporting, annual compliance fee and emissions testing requirements. SE plated vehicles will follow a compliance deadline schedule according to the DMV registration expiration date. Please contact DMV for your official registration expiration date.
If your vehicle is subject to annual compliance (motor home/Agricultural) please see Annual Compliance Requirements for more details.
If you are a semi-annual subject vehicle please see please see Semi-Annual Compliance Requirements.
For example a vehicle with the expiration date of 12/31 will have an compliance deadline of 12/31

 Any vehicle in need of a Clean Truck Check will need to register, prior to the test, on the government website for the Clean Truck Check- Vehicle Information System (CTC-VIS). This requirement applies to nearly all diesel and alternative fuel heavy-duty vehicles with a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) over 14,000 pounds that operate on California public roads and highways, even if they are not registered in California. This includes public vehicles (federal, state, and local government); motorcoaches; transit, shuttle and school buses; hybrid vehicles; commercial vehicles; personal vehicles; California registered motorhomes; single vehicle fleets; and vehicles registered outside of California (not including motorhomes). 

San Diego Clean Truck Check services all types of vehicles including cars, trucks, SUVs, and vans. We also offer specialized services for hybrid and electric vehicles.

We recommend getting an oil change every 5,000 miles or every six months, whichever comes first. However, this may vary depending on your vehicle's make and model. Consult your owner's manual or ask one of our technicians for more information.