CARB’s Clean Truck Check:
What Heavy-Duty Truck Owners Need to Know
WHAT IS THE CARB CLEAN TRUCK CHECK?
Clean Truck Check (CTC) is a program by the California Air Resources Board (CARB) that regulates heavy-duty vehicle inspection and maintenance to reduce nitrogen oxides (NOx) emissions. The regulations apply to heavy-duty trucks over 14,000 pounds (excluding zero-emission vehicles) that operate on public roads and highways in California.
Since this is a relatively new program, you might not be aware of how it applies to you. As of January 1, 2025, if you drive your truck anywhere in the state of California, you’ll need to register and complete the testing process.
The current program requires emissions testing two times per year and will increase to four times per year by 2027.
THE CLEAN TRUCK CHECK (CTC) PROCESS
1. Create a Clean Truck Check-Vehicle Inspection System account if you haven’t already.
2. Schedule a test with a credentialed tester up to 90 days prior to your vehicle’s compliance deadline. A list of credentialed testers is available on the CARB website.
3. During the test, the tester will connect to the vehicle using a Vehicle Communication Interface (VCI) and download an OBD data emissions snapshot. This data will be uploaded in real-time to CARB’s server. For trucks that are not equipped with OBD, a smoke opacity test and visual inspection are required.
4. Access the test results on your CTC-VIS account.
PREPARE YOUR TRUCK FOR CTC TESTING
For tips on how to prepare your heavy-duty truck for CTC testing, check out this video from PACCAR’s Powertrain division. Before your test, you’ll want to take care of any check engine light issues, address any diagnostic codes, and perform warm-up cycles. Follow the steps in the video to put your truck in the best possible condition to receive a passing test result.
Click above to watch the video.
Now that you’re familiar with the Clean Truck Check process, you can drive ahead with confidence, knowing you’re in compliance!