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You’re running a business, and every day your truck sits idle costs you money. California’s Clean Truck Check program isn’t optional anymore—it’s the law. And if you’re not compliant, you’re looking at fines up to $10,000 per vehicle per day, plus DMV registration holds that keep your trucks off the road.
Here’s what compliance actually gets you: your trucks stay legal on California roads, your DMV registration goes through without issues, and you avoid enforcement action that shuts down your operation. This applies specifically to 2013 and newer diesel trucks over 14,000 pounds—the exact vehicles that CARB is targeting with roadside monitoring and automated plate readers.
You need testing done by someone who’s actually credentialed by CARB. That’s not every shop. The test has to be submitted correctly, on time, and with the right documentation. Miss any of that and you’re dealing with penalties that add up fast. We make sure your semi truck passes inspection and your compliance paperwork is filed properly so you can keep hauling without interruption.
We serve the South Bay trucking community with CARB credentialed testing you can count on. We’re located in Lomita, CA, right in the heart of one of the busiest freight corridors in the country. That means we see the trucks that move through the Port of Los Angeles, the ones running I-110 and I-405, and the fleets that keep Southern California’s supply chain moving.
We’re not a general repair shop trying to figure out CARB compliance on the side. This is what we do. We stay current on California’s heavy-duty vehicle compliance regulations because they change, and if you’re not paying attention, you’re the one who pays the price.
You’re dealing with a testing facility that understands what’s at stake. Your livelihood depends on keeping those trucks compliant and operational, and we treat that seriously.
You bring your 2013 or newer heavy-duty truck to our Lomita facility. We connect to your truck’s OBD system—that’s the onboard diagnostics that CARB requires for emissions monitoring. The test checks whether your diesel emissions systems are working correctly and meeting California standards.
If everything checks out, we submit your passing results directly to CARB and the DMV. You get documentation showing you’re compliant, and your registration can proceed without any holds. The whole process is designed to be quick so your truck isn’t sitting around.
If something comes back flagged, we tell you exactly what the issue is. You’ve got a 90-day window before your deadline to get repairs done and come back for a retest. That’s built into the program so you’re not scrambling at the last minute.
You need this test done every six months to stay compliant. Starting in 2027, it goes to four times a year. Setting up a regular testing schedule now keeps you ahead of deadlines and avoids the rush when everyone else suddenly remembers they’re overdue.
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You get a full CARB clean truck check performed by a credentialed tester using certified equipment. That’s not just a smog test—it’s a specific compliance inspection that California requires for trucks over 14,000 pounds. We’re checking your emissions systems, verifying your OBD data, and making sure everything meets the state’s diesel compliance standards.
You also get proper documentation and submission to CARB’s system. A lot of shops can run a test, but if it’s not submitted correctly or on time, it doesn’t count. We handle that entire process so you’re actually compliant, not just tested.
In Lomita and the broader South Bay area, you’re operating in a high-enforcement zone. CARB isn’t just waiting for you to show up for registration—they’re using roadside monitoring and plate readers to catch non-compliant trucks in real time. That makes having current, properly filed compliance records even more critical. You’re not flying under the radar here.
The annual compliance fee of $31.18 per vehicle is separate and goes directly to the state, but we can walk you through that process too. Everything about CARB truck regulations is layered, and it helps to have someone who knows how it all fits together.
Only trucks that are model year 2013 or newer with a gross vehicle weight rating over 14,000 pounds need this testing. If your truck is older than 2013 or weighs less than 14,000 pounds, the Clean Truck Check program doesn’t apply to you.
This is specific to heavy-duty diesel trucks with OBD systems. CARB designed the program to target the vehicles responsible for the majority of diesel emissions—even though they’re only 3% of vehicles on the road, they create over 50% of nitrogen oxide pollution in California.
If you’re running a 2013 or newer semi truck or heavy-duty commercial vehicle in California, you’re in scope. That includes both California-registered trucks and out-of-state trucks that operate on California roads. The requirement follows the vehicle, not just the registration.
Right now, you need testing every six months. That’s twice a year, and the deadlines are strict. If you miss your testing window, you’re non-compliant and subject to penalties immediately.
Starting in October 2027, the frequency increases to four times per year for OBD-equipped vehicles. That means you’ll be testing every three months instead of every six. It’s worth getting into a routine now so the transition doesn’t catch you off guard.
You can submit a passing test up to 90 days before your deadline, which gives you some flexibility. If your truck fails, you have time to make repairs and retest without going past your compliance date. Most operators set reminders and schedule tests well in advance to avoid the last-minute rush and potential downtime.
You’ll get a detailed report showing exactly what triggered the failure. Most failures are related to emissions system malfunctions—things like faulty sensors, DPF issues, or problems with your diesel exhaust fluid system.
You’re not immediately penalized for a failed test if you’re within your testing window. You have time to get the repairs done and come back for a retest. The 90-day advance testing window is designed for exactly this situation—it gives you a buffer to fix issues before your compliance deadline hits.
If you don’t fix the problem and your deadline passes, that’s when you’re looking at fines and registration holds. The DMV will block your registration renewal until you submit a passing test. CARB can also issue citations if they catch your non-compliant truck operating on California roads. The penalties stack up fast, so addressing failures quickly is critical.
No. Only CARB credentialed testers can perform Clean Truck Check testing. That requires specific training, passing a CARB exam, and using certified testing equipment. Most regular smog check stations aren’t set up for heavy-duty diesel compliance testing.
You need a facility that’s specifically credentialed for this program. The testing equipment has to connect to your truck’s OBD system and communicate directly with CARB’s database. If the shop isn’t properly certified, the test won’t be recognized by the state, and you’ll still be non-compliant even though you paid for a test.
When you’re choosing where to get tested, verify that they’re actually CARB credentialed for heavy-duty vehicles. Ask to see their credentials if you’re not sure. Using an uncredentialed shop wastes your time and money, and you’ll have to get tested again at a legitimate facility to actually meet the requirement.
Testing prices in the market typically range from $50 to $199 per vehicle depending on the facility and service level. Mobile testing services that come to your location usually charge more for the convenience, but they save you the time of bringing your truck in.
There’s also an annual compliance fee of $31.18 per vehicle that goes directly to the state of California. That’s separate from the testing fee and covers your participation in the Clean Truck Check program. You pay that fee once per year regardless of how many times you test.
The cost of testing is minimal compared to the penalties for non-compliance. A single day of fines can run $10,000 per vehicle, and registration holds can keep your trucks off the road entirely. When you factor in lost revenue from downtime and the cost of enforcement action, staying compliant is the cheapest option by far.
Yes. If your truck operates on California public roads, it needs to be CARB compliant regardless of where it’s registered. The law applies to any heavy-duty vehicle that meets the weight and model year requirements, not just California-plated trucks.
CARB uses automated license plate readers and roadside emissions monitoring to identify non-compliant vehicles. They’re not just checking at weigh stations—they’re actively scanning traffic. If your out-of-state truck gets flagged, you’re subject to the same penalties as a California-registered vehicle.
A lot of interstate operators don’t realize this until they get pulled over or cited. If you’re running freight into or through California with a 2013 or newer heavy-duty truck, you need to be in the Clean Truck Check system. Get tested before you cross the state line, not after you’ve already been flagged for non-compliance.
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