Preparing for CARB’s Clean Truck Check Regulations

In recent years, the California Air Resources Board, otherwise known as “CARB,” has implemented emissions-focused regulations that impact fleet operations within the state of California (and beyond). These efforts have culminated in the Clean Truck Check regulation, which requires fleets to submit emissions reports for their vehicles and repair vehicles that do not meet minimum standards or risk fines and legal action. 

Below, we’ll explain CARB’s regulations, what you need to know about the Clean Truck Check regulation and how your fleet can adapt.

What Are CARB Regulations?

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has reported that the transportation industry is one of the largest contributors to Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions across the United States at 28% of the total, with more than 80% of that amount generated by light-, medium- and heavy-duty trucks. 

In response, the EPA has taken numerous steps over the years to regulate the transportation industry’s GHG emissions and encourage more sustainable business practices. In addition to these efforts, state governments have also started to develop their own regulations and best practices. Chief among those taking the lead is the California Air Resources Board (CARB), which is focused on cutting carbon emissions, improving public health via air quality and protecting the environment in California. 

In recent years, CARB has deployed numerous new regulations and industry guidance, all of which are geared toward cutting emissions and increasing the number of zero emissions vehicles (ZEVs) on the road.  However, the agency’s new Clean Truck Check (CTC) regulation is of critical importance over the coming months and will directly impact fleet operations.  As such, it’s important for fleets to be aware of and understand, as the CTC regulation will apply to any qualifying trucking company that does business within or across the state. 

What Is the Clean Truck Check?

Formerly known as the “Heavy Duty Inspection and Maintenance Regulation,” the CTC is essentially a reporting program that helps ensure fleets operating heavy-duty trucks are complying with CARB’s emissions regulations. Fleets are required by California law to measure their vehicles’ emissions via a general purpose electronic logging device (ELD) or on-board diagnostic (OBD) system installed on the truck specifically to monitor emissions. 

There are numerous details required by CARB as part of a fleet’s CTC report, which must be submitted via the agency’s online portal. It costs $30 per year for each heavy-duty vehicle designated by the agency to require monitoring and filed reports are automatically collected in the CARB’s CTC Reporting Database to track compliance. Emissions performance will be tracked every year and the timeframe in which a fleet must report on a vehicle is specified by its VIN. This requirement applies to almost all diesel-powered, heavy-duty vehicles with a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) over 14,000 pounds operating within the state on public roads. 

Check the CTC Reporting Database overview page for additional details.

Fleets that fail to comply with CARB regulations while operating in California are subject to numerous enforcement actions primarily resulting in fines for violations and/or inability to renew the vehicle’s registration. But CARB outlines in its enforcement policy that actions could include civil litigation, administrative actions and criminal prosecution for flagrant and repeat offenses. 

“The Clean Truck Check will ensure heavy-duty vehicles operating in California are well-maintained and repaired rapidly when needed, and promote a level playing field for the businesses that operate them,” CARB says of the CTC reporting program. “When fully implemented, the regulation is projected to cut statewide NOx emissions by over 81 tons per day and PM emissions by 0.7 tons per day in 2037. Together, these emissions reductions will result in over 7,500 avoided premature deaths.”

How Should Fleets Prepare?

Starting in January 2025, fleets with vehicles that meet the criteria and which travel within California will be required to submit a passing CTC report 90 days prior to that vehicle’s expected compliance date. This is intended to give the fleet time to repair a vehicle before it is out of compliance.

Past January 2025, fleets must regularly check the CTC Reporting Database for each of their vehicles’ impending inspection dates and file a clean report ahead of the due date. From then on, reports must be filed on a rolling basis and vehicles will only be authorized to operate in the state if they have passed. In addition, CARB has indicated that it will implement a randomized inspection program.

Please note, at this point in time, fleets operating in California should have already received notification from CARB that one or more of their vehicles meets the high-emissions screening criteria. Reporting was required to be completed by January 2024. From July 1 of this year onward, fleets are expected to resolve all issues the screening and reporting flagged and resubmit their CTC report for evaluation and approval. Fleets that fail to meet this first wave of expected compliance actions will be subject to Department of Motor Vehicle (DMV) registration holds and fines. 

Looking to the Future

To stay compliant, it will be critical for fleets—especially those with numerous heavy-duty vehicles—to maintain their own data regarding their vehicles’ emissions, CTC reporting status and more. Compliance can be assured by visiting a CARB reporting location or by submitting a report confirmed via an authorized ELD or OBD system provider.  Trust in Trimble to help you navigate the new CTC regulations and ensure your fleet remains compliant on the road as we work toward delivering a CARB-certified inspection solution for impacted carriers. More details to follow.  

To learn more about CARB’s regulations and the CTC reporting, we encourage you to visit the CARB agency website, where they go into greater detail and offer numerous resources for additional support. Should you have additional questions about how this might impact your fleet, please check out the video below or contact our team.