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California started placing registration holds in August 2024 on trucks that haven’t passed their clean truck check. If your semi truck or commercial vehicle is model year 2013 or newer with a GVWR over 14,000 pounds, you’re required to submit passing test results to CARB—and the state isn’t playing around.
Non-compliance means fines up to $10,000 per vehicle per day. In 2022 alone, CARB collected $21.5 million in penalties. That’s not a scare tactic—it’s what’s happening right now across California.
You need a CARB certified smog check from a credentialed tester who knows the regulations, uses approved equipment, and submits results electronically. That’s what keeps your trucks registered, your business moving, and your exposure to penalties at zero.
We serve truck owners and fleet operators in Burbank, CA with certified CARB compliance testing for heavy-duty vehicles. Our technicians are CARB credentialed, meaning they’ve completed the state’s required training and passed the exam that authorizes them to perform clean truck check inspections.
We focus specifically on 2013 and newer diesel trucks over 14,000 pounds GVWR. That’s not a side service—it’s what we do. We use CARB-certified equipment, transmit results directly to the state, and help you stay ahead of testing deadlines so you’re never scrambling after a Notice to Submit letter shows up.
Burbank sits in the heart of Southern California’s logistics corridor, where thousands of commercial trucks move through daily. If you’re running trucks in this area, you already know compliance isn’t optional. We’re here to make it straightforward.
First, we confirm your truck qualifies—model year 2013 or newer, diesel engine, GVWR over 14,000 pounds. If it does, we perform an OBD test using CARB-certified diagnostic equipment. For newer trucks, this process is fast. We’re pulling data directly from your truck’s onboard system to verify emissions compliance.
Once the test is complete, we transmit the results electronically to CARB through the CTC-VIS system. You don’t have to mail anything or log into a state portal. It’s handled. If your truck passes, you’re good for the next testing cycle—typically semi-annual, though some vehicles will eventually move to quarterly.
If there’s an issue, we’ll tell you what it is and what needs to happen before you can pass. No runaround. For fleets or owner-operators who can’t afford downtime, we also offer mobile truck testing. We come to your yard or facility in Burbank, run the inspection on-site, and submit results the same day.
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You get a full OBD emissions test performed by a CARB credentialed tester using state-approved equipment. Results are transmitted directly to the California Air Resources Board, and you receive documentation showing your truck’s compliance status. If your vehicle passes, that data goes into the CTC-VIS database and counts toward your TRUCRS certificate requirement.
We also help with the registration side. If your truck isn’t already in the CTC-VIS system, we can walk you through that process. It’s required before you can submit test results, and it’s one of those steps that trips people up if they’re doing it for the first time.
In Burbank and across Los Angeles County, enforcement is active. CARB has ramped up inspections, and the DMV is now holding registrations on non-compliant vehicles. That means if you miss a testing deadline or ignore a Notice to Submit letter, your truck could be grounded until you’re back in compliance. Our service keeps that from happening. You stay on schedule, your records stay clean, and your trucks stay on the road.
Yes, if your truck operates in California. CARB regulations apply to any heavy-duty vehicle with a GVWR over 14,000 pounds operating in the state, regardless of where it’s registered. That includes out-of-state trucks, even if they’re just passing through or making occasional deliveries.
CARB estimated that as many as 192,400 out-of-state trucks are affected by California’s heavy-duty inspection and maintenance program. If your truck is model year 2013 or newer and you’re driving it in California, you need to be registered in the CTC-VIS system and submit passing test results on the required schedule.
Enforcement doesn’t stop at the border. Roadside inspections, weigh station checks, and DMV registration audits all apply. If you’re caught operating a non-compliant truck in California, you’re looking at the same penalties as a California-registered vehicle—up to $10,000 per day.
Most trucks with a GVWR over 14,000 pounds need testing twice a year—semi-annually. That’s the current standard for vehicles in the heavy-duty inspection and maintenance program. However, CARB has indicated that some vehicles will eventually move to a quarterly testing schedule, meaning four times per year.
The frequency depends on your truck’s model year, engine type, and compliance history. If you receive a Notice to Submit letter from CARB, you have 30 days to provide a passing test result. Missing that deadline can trigger penalties and registration holds.
The best approach is to stay ahead of the schedule. Don’t wait for a letter. If you’re running 2013 or newer diesel trucks in Burbank, CA, plan for testing every six months at minimum. That keeps you compliant, avoids last-minute scrambling, and ensures your registration stays active.
If your truck fails, you’ll need to address the issue before you can get a passing result submitted to CARB. The OBD test will flag specific fault codes or emissions system problems. We’ll tell you exactly what’s wrong—whether it’s a sensor issue, a DPF problem, or something else in the emissions control system.
You’ll need to get the repair done by a qualified technician. Once the issue is fixed, you come back for a retest. There’s no penalty for failing the test itself—the penalty comes if you don’t submit a passing result within the required timeframe after receiving a Notice to Submit letter.
For trucks operating in Burbank and the greater LA area, downtime is expensive. That’s why it’s worth staying on top of maintenance and testing before problems show up. If your truck is throwing codes or the check engine light is on, get it looked at before your compliance test is due. It’ll save you time and keep you from being stuck off the road.
Yes. We offer mobile clean truck check services for fleets and owner-operators in Burbank, CA. If you’re running multiple trucks or you can’t afford to take vehicles out of service to drive them to a testing location, we bring the equipment to you.
Mobile testing works for 2013 and newer trucks because the OBD test is fast and doesn’t require a stationary facility. We show up at your yard, warehouse, or job site with CARB-certified diagnostic tools, run the inspections on-site, and submit results electronically the same day.
This is especially useful if you’re managing a fleet with staggered testing schedules or if you’ve received multiple Notice to Submit letters at once. We can knock out several trucks in one visit, keep your operations moving, and make sure every vehicle in your fleet stays compliant without the hassle of coordinating individual appointments.
A regular smog test is for light-duty vehicles—cars, SUVs, and smaller trucks under 14,000 pounds GVWR. Those tests are done at brick-and-mortar smog check stations and focus on tailpipe emissions. CARB compliance testing for heavy-duty vehicles is completely different.
For trucks model year 2013 and newer with a GVWR over 14,000 pounds, the test is an OBD inspection. We’re not measuring tailpipe emissions—we’re pulling data from your truck’s onboard diagnostic system to verify that emissions controls are working properly. The test can be done remotely, results are transmitted directly to CARB, and the whole process is managed through the CTC-VIS database.
Heavy-duty vehicles represent only 3% of California’s vehicles but account for over 50% of NOx pollution. That’s why CARB has separate, stricter regulations for semi trucks, commercial fleets, buses, and other large vehicles. If your truck is 2013 or newer and over 14,000 pounds, you’re in the heavy-duty category—and that means CARB compliance testing, not a standard smog check.
Yes. In addition to the testing itself, heavy-duty vehicles subject to CARB’s inspection and maintenance program are required to pay an annual compliance fee. This fee supports the administration of the CTC-VIS system and the enforcement of California’s clean truck regulations.
The fee is separate from the cost of the actual emissions test. You’ll need to register your vehicle in the CTC-VIS database, pay the annual fee, and then submit passing test results on the required schedule. If you don’t pay the fee or submit results, your vehicle can be flagged for a registration hold.
We handle the testing and result submission. We can also help you understand the registration and fee requirements if you’re new to the program or if you’ve recently brought an out-of-state truck into California. The goal is to keep everything current so you’re never dealing with penalties, holds, or surprise enforcement actions.
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