--- title: "Clean Truck Check Key Facts 2026–2027 (Sourced) | CTC Finder" description: "Clean Truck Check in one page: who must test, deadlines (twice a year; OBD trucks quarterly from October 2027), the $32.13 / $33.12 CARB fee, test prices…" url: "https://ctcfinder.com/facts/" updated: "2026-11-02" publisher: "CTC Finder (independent directory, not affiliated with CARB)" --- # Clean Truck Check key facts (2026–2027) Updated 2026-11-02. CTC Finder is an independent directory, not affiliated with CARB. Each answer links to its source and to the CTC Finder page that explains it. ## Basics ### What is Clean Truck Check? California Air Resources Board's (CARB) emissions inspection program for heavy-duty vehicles, also called HD I/M. Covered vehicles must be reported in CTC-VIS, pay an annual fee and pass periodic tests by a CARB-credentialed tester. Source: https://ww2.arb.ca.gov/clean-truck-check-overview-fact-sheet · Details: https://ctcfinder.com/guide/what-is-clean-truck-check/ ### Which vehicles need Clean Truck Check? Nearly all diesel and alternative-fuel vehicles with a manufacturer GVWR over 14,000 lbs that operate on California roads, including out-of-state, out-of-country, government and personal vehicles. Gasoline vehicles are not covered. Source: https://ww2.arb.ca.gov/clean-truck-check-overview-fact-sheet · Details: https://ctcfinder.com/guide/who-needs-clean-truck-check/ ### Which vehicles are exempt? Zero-emission, emergency, military tactical and historical vehicles; motorhomes registered outside California; vehicles under an experimental permit; new engines certified to the optional 0.01 g/bhp-hr NOx standard (2023–2027 only). There is no low-mileage exemption. Source: https://ww2.arb.ca.gov/clean-truck-check-overview-fact-sheet · Details: https://ctcfinder.com/guide/who-needs-clean-truck-check/ ## Deadlines ### How often must a truck be tested in 2026? Twice a year. For California plates the deadlines are the DMV registration expiration date and six months later; other vehicles follow the last digit of the VIN. Source: https://ww2.arb.ca.gov/clean-truck-check-requirements-vehicles-subject-semi-annual-compliance · Details: https://ctcfinder.com/guide/deadlines-2026-2027/ ### When does quarterly (4 times a year) testing start? October 2027, for OBD-equipped trucks (diesel 2013+ and alternative fuel 2018+). Not January 1, 2027. Non-OBD trucks stay at twice a year. Source: https://ww2.arb.ca.gov/resources/fact-sheets/clean-truck-check-faq-0 · Details: https://ctcfinder.com/guide/clean-truck-check-2027/ ### How early can I test before a deadline? Up to 90 days before the compliance deadline. A test within that window keeps the vehicle compliant through the next deadline. Source: https://ww2.arb.ca.gov/clean-truck-check-requirements-vehicles-subject-semi-annual-compliance · Details: https://ctcfinder.com/guide/deadlines-2026-2027/ ### Which vehicles test only once a year? California-registered motorhomes (not used commercially) and agricultural vehicles used only in farming operations. Source: https://ww2.arb.ca.gov/resources/documents/clean-truck-check-agricultural-vehicles-california-motor-homes-annual · Details: https://ctcfinder.com/guide/who-needs-clean-truck-check/ ### Is there a once-a-year option for low-mileage trucks (SB 1064)? No. SB 1064 would have allowed annual testing for trucks under 1,000 miles a year, but it was vetoed in September 2026. Source: https://calmatters.digitaldemocracy.org/bills/ca_202520260sb1064 · Details: https://ctcfinder.com/guide/deadlines-2026-2027/ ## Cost ### What is the CARB annual compliance fee? $32.13 per vehicle in 2026 and $33.12 per vehicle for deadlines on and after January 1, 2027 (it was $31.18 in 2025). Paid only in CTC-VIS by card or TeleCheck eCheck. Source: https://ww2.arb.ca.gov/annual-vehicle-compliance-fee-update-2027 · Details: https://ctcfinder.com/guide/cost/ ### How much does a Clean Truck Check test cost? Testers set their own prices. Published California prices are usually $50–$135 per truck for an OBD test and $190–$200 for a smoke opacity test; mobile testers may add a trip fee and often discount fleets. Source: https://ctcfinder.com/guide/cost/ · Details: https://ctcfinder.com/guide/cost/ ## Testing ### Which test does my truck need? OBD scan for diesel 2013+ and alternative fuel 2018+; smoke opacity (SAE J1667) plus visual inspection for diesel 2012 and older; visual inspection only for alternative fuel 2017 and older. Source: https://ww2.arb.ca.gov/clean-truck-check-requirements-vehicles-subject-semi-annual-compliance · Details: https://ctcfinder.com/guide/obd-vs-smoke-opacity-test/ ### Who can perform a Clean Truck Check test? Only a CARB-credentialed tester. Owners may test their own vehicles only if they are credentialed themselves. Source: https://ww2.arb.ca.gov/resources/fact-sheets/clean-truck-check-faq-0 · Details: https://ctcfinder.com/guide/become-a-clean-truck-check-tester/ ### How do I find a Clean Truck Check tester near me? CTC Finder lists 2,867 CARB-credentialed testing businesses in California by county, city and ZIP code, 2,543 of them mobile, built from CARB's public tester list (checked November 1, 2026). Listing on CARB's list is optional, so some testers are missing. Source: https://ww2.arb.ca.gov/findaCTCtester · Details: https://ctcfinder.com/testers/ ### Is mobile Clean Truck Check testing available? Yes. 2,543 of the 2,867 listed California testing businesses say they come to your yard. Source: https://ww2.arb.ca.gov/findaCTCtester · Details: https://ctcfinder.com/mobile-testers/ ### Can a Clean Truck Check be done remotely or with telematics? Yes for OBD trucks, if a CARB-credentialed tester runs it with a CARB-certified device. CARB lists 8 certified continuously connected (telematics) device approvals from Geotab, Samsara, Motive, Zonar, Verizon Connect and Pacific Track; tests upload automatically only for credentialed testers' telematics devices. Smoke opacity tests cannot be done remotely. Source: https://ww2.arb.ca.gov/our-work/programs/inspection-and-maintenance-program/obd-test-devices · Details: https://ctcfinder.com/guide/remote-and-telematics-testing/ ## Registration ### Where do I register a truck for Clean Truck Check? In CARB's CTC-VIS portal at cleantruckcheck.arb.ca.gov. Vehicle changes must be reported within 30 calendar days. Source: https://ww2.arb.ca.gov/clean-truck-check-overview-fact-sheet · Details: https://ctcfinder.com/guide/how-to-register-ctc-vis/ ### How do I get the compliance certificate? Download it from CTC-VIS once the fee has cleared (1–2 business days by card, up to 7 by eCheck) and a passing test is on file. The DMV record can take another 3–5 business days. Source: https://ww2.arb.ca.gov/resources/fact-sheets/clean-truck-check-faq-0 · Details: https://ctcfinder.com/guide/compliance-certificate/ ## Enforcement ### What is the penalty for not complying? DMV registration holds (SB 210 / Q212), notices of violation and civil penalties of up to $10,000 per day per vehicle under Health and Safety Code § 42402. Tampering can cost up to $37,500 per violation. Source: https://ww2.arb.ca.gov/resources/fact-sheets/clean-truck-check-faq-0 · Details: https://ctcfinder.com/guide/fines-and-penalties/ ### How does CARB find non-compliant trucks? Roadside Remote Emissions Monitoring Devices (REMD) and license-plate readers, used since January 2023. A flagged truck gets a Notice to Submit to Testing and has 30 days to pass a test. Source: https://ww2.arb.ca.gov/clean-truck-check-overview-fact-sheet · Details: https://ctcfinder.com/guide/fines-and-penalties/ ## Out of state ### Do out-of-state trucks need Clean Truck Check? Yes, according to CARB, whenever they operate in California. EPA approved the rule into the state plan only for in-state vehicles in January 2026, but CARB says it still enforces it for all vehicles. Source: https://ww2.arb.ca.gov/resources/fact-sheets/clean-truck-check-faq-0 · Details: https://ctcfinder.com/guide/out-of-state-trucks/ ### Can a tester outside California do the test? Yes, if they are CARB-credentialed. CARB's list includes 506 credentialed testing businesses outside California. Source: https://ww2.arb.ca.gov/findaCTCtester · Details: https://ctcfinder.com/testers/outside-california/ ## Contacts ### How do I contact CARB about Clean Truck Check? Hotline (866) 634-3735, email HDIM@arb.ca.gov. CTC Finder is independent and not affiliated with CARB. Source: https://ww2.arb.ca.gov/our-work/programs/CTC · Details: https://ctcfinder.com/guide/how-to-register-ctc-vis/