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California’s Clean Truck Check program isn’t optional anymore. If you’re running a 2013 or newer diesel truck over 14,000 pounds GVWR in this state, you need certified OBD emissions testing twice a year. Miss it, and you’re looking at penalties up to $10,000 per vehicle per day, plus the DMV can freeze your registration.
That’s not a scare tactic. That’s what CARB enforcement actually does. Since January 2023, they’ve been using roadside monitoring devices and automated license plate readers to flag high-emission vehicles. If your truck gets flagged, you have 30 days to submit a passing test or face enforcement action.
We handle CARB compliant testing for heavy-duty vehicles right here in Banning, CA. You get certified results uploaded directly to the CTC-VIS system, a compliance certificate that keeps you legal on California roads, and no surprises when you hit a weigh station or border checkpoint. Your trucks stay moving, your registration stays clean, and you’re not scrambling to find a credentialed tester when CARB sends a Notice to Submit to Testing.
All SMOG Motors operates right off the I-10 corridor in Banning, CA—one of the busiest freight routes in California. We’re positioned in the heart of the Inland Empire logistics hub, where thousands of heavy-duty trucks move through daily. That’s not by accident.
We’re CARB credentialed testers, which means we’ve completed the official training, passed the exam, and use approved OBD testing devices. We know the Clean Truck Check requirements inside and out because this is what we do. Not light-duty smog checks. Not passenger vehicles. Heavy-duty diesel compliance for trucks that actually fall under CARB’s regulations.
If you’re running freight through Riverside County or operating a fleet in Southern California, you’re dealing with some of the strictest emissions enforcement in the country. We’re here because truck operators need a reliable testing location that understands the stakes and doesn’t waste your time.
First, we verify your truck qualifies. This service only applies to model year 2013 or newer diesel trucks with a GVWR over 14,000 pounds. If your truck has an OBD-equipped engine, it falls under California’s Heavy-Duty Inspection and Maintenance program.
We connect a CARB-approved OBD testing device to your truck’s diagnostic port and scan the engine’s emissions data. The test checks for fault codes, monitors emission control system performance, and verifies your truck meets California’s standards. It’s a data scan, not a tailpipe test. Takes less time than you’d expect.
Once the test is complete and your truck passes, we upload the results directly to CARB’s CTC-VIS reporting system. You get a certificate of compliance on the spot. That certificate proves your truck is legal to operate in California and satisfies the semi-annual testing requirement. If you’re responding to a Notice to Submit to Testing, this clears the enforcement action within the 30-day window.
If your truck doesn’t pass, we’ll tell you exactly what flagged and what needs attention. You’ll need to address the issue and retest, but at least you know what you’re dealing with before CARB escalates.
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California’s Clean Truck Check program started enforcement in January 2023, and it’s only getting stricter. Right now, OBD-equipped trucks need testing twice a year. Starting in October 2027, that jumps to four times a year. If you’re operating in California or passing through, this affects you.
Here’s what matters: every diesel truck with a 2013 or newer engine and a GVWR over 14,000 pounds must be registered in the CTC-VIS system and show current compliance before it can legally operate on California roads. That includes out-of-state trucks. CARB doesn’t care where your truck is registered—if it’s on California highways, it needs to comply.
Banning, CA sits right in the middle of the I-10 freight corridor connecting the ports to the rest of the country. The Inland Empire handles massive distribution volume, and CARB knows it. They’re actively monitoring this area with roadside emissions devices. If your truck is flagged, you’re not getting a warning. You’re getting a 30-day notice to test or face penalties.
We’re set up to handle the testing, the reporting, and the compliance documentation so you’re covered. You pay the $31.18 state compliance fee per vehicle through CARB’s portal, we handle the test, and you get proof that keeps your trucks legal and your business running.
Yes. If your truck operates on California roads, it has to comply with CARB’s Clean Truck Check program regardless of where it’s registered.
California doesn’t give exemptions to out-of-state trucks. The regulation applies to any diesel-powered vehicle over 14,000 pounds GVWR with a 2013 or newer engine that drives on public roads or highways in the state. That includes trucks just passing through on the I-10 or I-15 corridors.
CARB uses automated license plate readers and roadside emissions monitoring to flag non-compliant vehicles. If your truck gets flagged, you’ll receive a Notice to Submit to Testing no matter what state your plates are from. You’ll have 30 days to submit a passing test, or you’re facing penalties and potential restrictions on operating in California.
Right now, trucks with 2013 or newer diesel engines need CARB emissions testing twice a year. That’s the current requirement under California’s Heavy-Duty Inspection and Maintenance program.
Starting in October 2027, the testing frequency increases to four times per year for OBD-equipped vehicles. CARB is phasing in stricter compliance timelines, so if you’re running a fleet, you need to plan for more frequent testing cycles.
Each test gets uploaded to the CTC-VIS system, and you’ll receive a certificate of compliance that’s valid for the required period. Missing a test window can trigger enforcement action, so staying on schedule matters. If you’re operating in California regularly, it’s worth setting reminders or working with a testing location that can keep you on track.
If your truck fails, the test results will show exactly what triggered the failure—usually fault codes or emission control system issues flagged during the OBD scan.
You’ll need to get the problem repaired before you can retest. Common issues include malfunctioning diesel particulate filters, faulty sensors, or emission system components that aren’t performing to spec. The test doesn’t fix anything—it just tells you what’s wrong.
Once repairs are done, you come back for another test. If it passes, the results get uploaded to CTC-VIS and you get your compliance certificate. If you’re under a 30-day notice from CARB enforcement, you need to get this handled quickly. Failing to submit a passing test within that window leads to penalties and possible registration holds from the DMV.
No. This service only applies to trucks with model year 2013 or newer diesel engines. Older trucks fall under different regulations—or in many cases, aren’t allowed to operate in California at all.
CARB’s Truck and Bus Regulation phased out pre-2010 engines starting in January 2023. If your truck has an engine older than 2010, it’s banned from operating in California with very few exceptions. Trucks with 2010-2012 engines have different compliance pathways, but they don’t use the OBD testing system.
The Clean Truck Check program specifically targets OBD-equipped vehicles, which means 2013 and newer diesel engines. If your truck doesn’t meet that criteria, this isn’t the test you need. You’d be looking at different compliance requirements or, depending on the engine year, potentially needing to upgrade your equipment to keep operating in the state.
The actual OBD scan takes about 15 to 30 minutes, depending on your truck’s system and whether any issues come up during the data pull.
We’re not doing a full mechanical inspection or a tailpipe emissions test. This is a diagnostic scan of your engine’s onboard computer. The CARB-approved testing device connects to your truck’s OBD port, pulls emissions data, checks for fault codes, and verifies that your emission control systems are functioning properly.
Once the scan is done and your truck passes, we upload the results to the CTC-VIS system right away. You get your compliance certificate before you leave. Total time from pulling in to driving out is usually under an hour, assuming there are no complications. If you’re on a tight schedule running freight through Banning, CA, this isn’t going to eat up half your day.
CTC-VIS stands for Clean Truck Check Vehicle Information System. It’s CARB’s online database that tracks compliance testing for every heavy-duty truck operating in California.
When you get tested, the results go directly into CTC-VIS. That’s how CARB monitors whether your truck is current on emissions testing and legally allowed to operate in the state. If your truck isn’t registered in the system or doesn’t show a passing test, you’re non-compliant—and that’s what triggers enforcement actions.
Fleet owners also use CTC-VIS to register their vehicles and pay the $31.18 compliance fee per truck. If you’re an owner-operator or running a small fleet, you need to make sure your trucks are in the system and that test results are being uploaded correctly. This isn’t optional paperwork. It’s the backbone of California’s heavy-duty emissions enforcement, and if your trucks aren’t showing compliant status in CTC-VIS, you’re going to have problems at weigh stations and border checkpoints.
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