CTC - Clean Truck Check

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The Clean Truck Check, formally known as the Heavy-Duty Inspection and Maintenance (HD I/M) regulation, is a program by the California Air Resources Board (CARB) to ensure emissions systems on heavy-duty vehicles are working correctly. It functions similarly to a "smog check" for large trucks and buses. 

Who Must Comply?

The program applies to nearly all non-gasoline (diesel, alternative fuel, or hybrid) vehicles with a Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) over 14,000 pounds that operate on California public roads. 

• Registration Location: Includes vehicles registered in California, other states, or even other countries.
• Vehicle Types: Commercial trucks, buses, motorcoaches, and California-registered motorhomes.
• Exemptions: Zero-emission vehicles, military tactical vehicles, emergency vehicles, and gasoline-powered trucks. 
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Compliance Requirements

To remain legal for operation in California, vehicle owners must:

1. Register in CTC-VIS: Report all affected vehicles in the Clean Truck Check Vehicle Inspection System (CTC-VIS).
2. Pay Annual Fees: An annual compliance fee per vehicle must be paid through the portal. For 2026, this fee is $31.18.
3. Submit Emissions Tests: Starting January 1, 2026, most vehicles must pass periodic emissions tests.
   • Frequency: Most trucks must test twice a year; however, agricultural vehicles and California motorhomes only test once a year.
   • Testers: Tests must be performed by a CARB-credentialed tester. 

Enforcement and Deadlines

• Deadlines: For California vehicles, deadlines align with their DMV registration renewal dates. Out-of-state vehicles have deadlines based on the last digit of their VIN.
• Roadside Monitoring: CARB uses roadside monitoring devices to screen for high-emitting vehicles.
• Penalties: Non-compliance can lead to DMV registration holds, fines ranging from $1,000 to $10,000, or denial of entry into seaports and railyards

Failure to comply with CTC Program regulations can lead to:

• Fines and penalties for motor carrier owner
•  Registration cancelation 
• Legal liabilities for motor carriers
• Business restrictions