Navigating CARB’s Clean Truck Check: What fleets need to know

The California Air Resources Board (CARB) plays a crucial role in regulating emissions and promoting clean air initiatives throughout the state. CARB often sets trends across the nation and 17 states currently follow its HGV and LCV standards. 

The new CARB program – the Clean Truck Check program, also known as the Heavy-Duty Inspection and Maintenance Program – specifically targets reducing emissions from heavy-duty vehicles. 

Looking for information about the BAR program for California government light to medium vehicles? Check out this article.

What is the Clean Truck Check program? 

The Clean Truck Check program aims to significantly decrease harmful pollutants like nitrogen oxides (NOx) and particulate matter (PM) by confirming proper maintenance and timely repair of heavy-duty trucks. Fleets will need to regularly test emissions and submit the results to CARB to comply. 

Verizon Connect is an approved telematics provider with CARB. This means our customers can use their OBD port to submit test results moving forward.

What vehicles are affected

The Clean Truck Check program applies to nearly all diesel and alternative fuel heavy-duty vehicles with a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) exceeding 14,000 pounds operating on California public roads, regardless of whether they are registered in-state or out-of-state. This includes vehicles like:

• Tank trucks
• Tow trucks
• Tractor-trailer rigs
• Bucket trucks
• Delivery trucks
• Dump trucks
• Tour buses
• Large motor homes
• Refuse haulers
• School buses
• Stake trucks
• Step vans

Is your fleet affected?

A simple checklist can help you determine if your fleet falls under the program’s requirements:

• Do your heavy-duty vehicles use diesel or alternative fuels?
• Do your vehicles weigh over 14,000 pounds?
• Are your vehicles newer than 2013?
• Are your vehicles operating in California? (This applies even if you are not based in the state and vehicles are registered outside CA.)

If you answered yes to all these questions, your fleet is subject to the Clean Truck Check program. See the full requirements for more information. 

How does the Clean Truck Check program impact fleet operations?

The Clean Truck Check program aims to confirm trucks operate cleanly, improving air quality in communities where HGVs are common. Additionally, the program is designed to hold all HGVs in California to the same standards and will help keep trucks operating at peak efficiency, saving fuel and reducing other costs. 

Key program requirements to know

Current requirements include registration of vehicles in CARB’s Clean Truck Check database, payment of annual compliance fees and periodic compliance testing. Your fleet should develop a compliance testing plan, including:

• An audit of your fleet to identify applicable vehicles.
• A schedule outlining your fleet's testing deadlines.
• Choosing a testing method, which can involve utilizing a CARB-authorized tester, visiting a smog check facility, or using approved telematics solutions.

Please see the full requirements for more information. 

Make sure your drivers and staff are aware of any changes and are ready for any new tasks needed to implement compliance and check the CARB website for updated guidance regularly. It may be worth considering having a team member become a CARB credentialed tester to simplify testing and reporting.

Set up your telematics solution to send compliance data to CARB. If you choose not to use telematics data, you can utilize a CARB-authorized tester. Remember, you must submit compliance data within the deadlines required by CARB. Your vehicles will not be eligible for tag renewal until compliance data is verified by CARB.

Testing deadlines are determined by: 

• California registered vehicles: Based on DMV registration expiration dates.
• Non-California registered vehicles: Based on the last digit of the vehicle identification number (VIN). 

Find the full CARB schedule for periodic testing here. For the latest information and resources, visit the CARB website.

Source: California Air Resources Board, Clean Truck Check