California Postpones Periodic Smog Test Check for Trucks

The California Air Resources Board has delayed the first periodic testing deadline for the Clean Truck Check Program to Jan. 1, 2025.

However, this does not delay requirements to register and pay fees for 2023. The rollout of DMV registration holds for non-compliance is beginning to ramp up, notes the California Trucking Association.

Fleets must also still plan to pay fees for 2024, which will be due in the later half of this year.

Late last year, CARB extended the Clean Truck Check reporting deadline to the end of January 2024.

About Clean Truck Check

Clean Truck Check, previously called the Heavy-Duty Inspection and Maintenance Program, is the commercial truck version of the state’s smog check for light-duty vehicles. It covers nearly all non-gasoline vehicles with a gross vehicle weight rating over 14,000 pounds operating in the state.

As HDT reported previously, the program is being implemented in three phases.

The first phase started Jan. 1, 2023, with the deployment of Remote Emissions Monitoring Devices. These monitor the exhaust emissions of passing heavy-duty vehicles and flag potential high emitters. Vehicles flagged must undergo an additional emissions test to verify their emissions-control equipment is functioning properly.

Phase 2 started Oct. 1 and requires vehicle owners to enter their vehicles in CARB’s Clean Truck Check database. There is an initial annual compliance fee of $30 per vehicle. That deadline originally was Dec. 31 and was extended to Jan. 31, but it is now in effect. All trucks driving in California need proof of compliance to continue operating.

Phase 3 of Clean Truck Check is what’s being delayed in this most recent postponement. It will require heavy-duty vehicle owners to conduct periodic emissions testing.

CARB's Periodic Truck Emissions Testing

Vehicles subject to semi-annual testing under the Clean Truck Check regulations will be required to submit periodic testing every six months.

California-registered vehicles’ compliance deadline will be the vehicles’ DMV registration expiration date. Vehicles registered outside of California have compliance deadlines based on their last VIN digit.

Periodic testing requirements are effective Oct. 1, 2024. For example, a vehicle with a compliance deadline of Feb. 1, 2025, may submit a passing emissions test as early as November 3, 2024, according to CARB. Tests may be submitted no more than 90 days prior to the vehicle’s compliance deadlines.

Compliance testing must be performed by a CARB credentialed tester who has completed CARB’s free online Tester Training Course and scored at least 80% on the accompanying exam. The certification must be renewed every two years.

If you only operate for short periods of time in California, CARB offers a five consecutive day pass for each vehicle, once per calendar year. The 5-day pass must be submitted 7 business days before entering California.

For more information, see CARB’s guidance on how to comply with Clean Truck Check for vehicle owners subject to semi-annual testing.