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Clean Truck Check

Helping You Navigate California’s Clean Truck Check at ABCO Diesel

If your work involves driving or managing heavy-duty trucks in California, you’ve probably heard about the Clean Truck Check. It’s not just another regulation—it’s an essential part of keeping your vehicles compliant and road-ready. At ABCO Diesel, we make that process easier by handling the technical details and giving you straightforward support every step of the way.

What Is the Clean Truck Check?

The Clean Truck Check is California’s way of keeping emissions from large trucks in check. Overseen by the California Air Resources Board (CARB), this program targets vehicles over 14,000 pounds and makes sure their emissions stay within legal limits. Whether your truck is based in California or just crosses state lines occasionally, the rules still apply. Staying compliant isn’t optional—it’s a must if you want to avoid penalties or delays.

What We Offer

We’ve built our services around helping truck owners stay in compliance without all the confusion. Here’s how we can support you:

  • Smog & Emissions Testing
    Our technicians test your vehicle to confirm that everything is working properly and within CARB standards.
  • Filing Assistance
    The CARB online system (CTC-VIS) can be overwhelming. We help you get your vehicle info submitted accurately and on time.
  • Fee Payment Help
    Every year, trucks must pay a compliance fee. We walk you through that process—or handle it for you—so nothing slips through the cracks.
  • Certification Support
    Once your vehicle passes, we help make sure you receive your official certificate and know exactly where to find it.

Q&A

  • My truck is registered in another state—do I still need to do this?
    Yes. If your vehicle operates in California at all, even temporarily, it has to follow the same rules as in-state vehicles.

 

  • What if my truck has exempt plates?
    Even with exempt status from the DMV, your truck is still required to meet emissions testing and reporting deadlines. These are usually tied to the last digit of your VIN.

 

  • I lease my vehicle. Who’s responsible—me or the leasing company?
    In most cases, the company that owns the truck handles compliance, but lease terms vary. It’s worth checking your agreement to be sure.

 

  • What if I recently bought or sold a truck?
    New owners have up to 90 days to get the vehicle compliant. If it’s a brand-new truck, the deadline shortens to 30 days.

 

  • My truck barely gets used—do I still need to comply?
    Yes, even vehicles with light or seasonal use still fall under the Clean Truck Check rules. There are no exemptions for low mileage.

 

  • Can I get a short-term pass if I’m just driving through California?
    You can apply for a one-time, five-day pass per year. Just make sure to send the request at least a week ahead of time.

 

  • Where do I get the compliance certificate?
    Once you’ve met all the requirements, you can log in to your CTC-VIS account and download your certificate from the vehicle’s profile page.

 

  • How do I pay the compliance fee?
    You can use a credit card, debit card, or eCheck. CARB recommends using Microsoft Edge when submitting payments to avoid browser issues.

The California clean truck check was introduced to address high emissions from heavy-duty diesel trucks. Since 2023, trucks over 14,000 lbs must pass regular OBD data reporting and emissions compliance tests. This clean truck check regulation impacts fleets across the state, requiring owners to register in CARB’s HD I/M database. Staying ahead avoids penalties and downtime.