---
title: "Clean Truck Check Guides for Truck Owners | CTC Finder"
description: "Guides to California Clean Truck Check: who needs it, deadlines and the 2027 changes, cost, test types, CTC-VIS registration, certificates, out-of-state trucks…"
url: "https://ctcfinder.com/guide/"
updated: "2026-11-01"
publisher: "CTC Finder (independent directory, not affiliated with CARB)"
---

# Clean Truck Check guides

- [What is Clean Truck Check?](https://ctcfinder.com/guide/what-is-clean-truck-check/) — Clean Truck Check is California's emissions testing program for diesel and alternative-fuel trucks over 14,000 lbs GVWR. Who must test, which test you need and how to comply.
- [Who needs Clean Truck Check, and who is exempt](https://ctcfinder.com/guide/who-needs-clean-truck-check/) — Clean Truck Check covers nearly all diesel and alternative-fuel vehicles over 14,000 lbs GVWR on California roads, including out-of-state trucks. Full list of exemptions: zero-emission, emergency, military, historical and more.
- [Clean Truck Check deadlines for 2026 and 2027](https://ctcfinder.com/guide/deadlines-2026-2027/) — When is my Clean Truck Check test due? Deadlines follow your DMV registration date, every six months, with a 90-day testing window. OBD trucks move to quarterly testing in October 2027.
- [Clean Truck Check in 2027: what changes for truck owners](https://ctcfinder.com/guide/clean-truck-check-2027/) — Two Clean Truck Check changes in 2027: the annual fee rises to $33.12 per vehicle for deadlines from January 1, 2027, and OBD trucks move from two to four tests a year beginning October 2027.
- [Clean Truck Check for out-of-state trucks](https://ctcfinder.com/guide/out-of-state-trucks/) — Out-of-state and cross-border trucks that drive in California must still comply with Clean Truck Check, according to CARB. How to register, when to test and where to find testers outside California.
- [OBD test or smoke opacity test: which Clean Truck Check test your truck needs](https://ctcfinder.com/guide/obd-vs-smoke-opacity-test/) — Diesel trucks 2013 and newer and alternative-fuel trucks 2018 and newer get an OBD scan; diesel 2012 and older get a smoke opacity (SAE J1667) test plus visual inspection. What happens during each test and what to bring.
- [Remote, telematics and "test from your phone" Clean Truck Check: how it works](https://ctcfinder.com/guide/remote-and-telematics-testing/) — Can you do a Clean Truck Check without a shop visit? Yes for OBD trucks: a credentialed tester can use a CARB-certified telematics device or come to you. Certified devices, who submits the test, and what to ask before you pay.
- [How much does a Clean Truck Check cost?](https://ctcfinder.com/guide/cost/) — Clean Truck Check test prices in California for 2026: published OBD test prices are mostly $50–$135 per truck, smoke opacity about $190–$200, plus CARB's $32.13 annual fee. Mobile and fleet pricing explained.
- [How to register your truck in CTC-VIS](https://ctcfinder.com/guide/how-to-register-ctc-vis/) — Step-by-step guide to reporting a truck in CARB's CTC-VIS, paying the 2026 Clean Truck Check compliance fee ($32.13) and downloading your compliance certificate.
- [How to get your Clean Truck Check compliance certificate](https://ctcfinder.com/guide/compliance-certificate/) — Your Clean Truck Check compliance certificate is downloaded from CTC-VIS once the vehicle is reported, the annual fee has cleared and a passing test is on file. Timing, DMV updates and how to clear a Q212 hold.
- [Clean Truck Check fines and penalties](https://ctcfinder.com/guide/fines-and-penalties/) — Missing a Clean Truck Check deadline can bring a DMV registration hold, citations and civil penalties of up to $10,000 per day per vehicle. How enforcement works and how to fix non-compliance.
- [How to become a CARB-credentialed Clean Truck Check tester](https://ctcfinder.com/guide/become-a-clean-truck-check-tester/) — CARB's Clean Truck Check tester training and exam are free and online. Five steps to get credentialed, what equipment you need, how long the credential lasts and how to get listed.