CTC cheat sheet

• GVWR > 14,000 lbs (manufacturer-rated)
• Fuel = diesel, alt-fuel, or hybrid
• Operates on CA public road (even if out-of-state registered)

Gasoline-only HD and ZEV are NOT in scope.

• Semi-annual (every 6 mo) — default
• Annual — non-commercial motorhomes, ag vehicles
• Four times per year starting Oct 2027 for most OBD-equipped vehicles

Deadline anchor: CA-reg → DMV expiration. Out-of-state → last digit of VIN.

Passing test may be submitted up to 90 days before deadline.

• Zero-emission (BEV, FCEV)
• Military tactical (13 CCR § 1905)
• Emergency vehicles (CVC § 165)
• Historical / Horseless Carriage plate
• Experimental permit (HSC § 43014)
• Out-of-state-registered motorhomes
• Engines certified to ULN ≤ 0.010 g/bhp-hr (through 12/31/2026)

No low-use, no small-fleet, no mileage exemptions.

• Annual compliance fee: $32.13 (2026), CPI-adjusted
• Non-compliance can lead to CARB enforcement, DMV registration issues, or a Notice to Submit Testing
• Tampering or removed emissions equipment can create additional enforcement risk
• For penalty amounts and deadlines, verify current CARB guidance before advising a customer

Owner reports each vehicle in CTC-VIS within 30 days of acquisition/disposition.

• Report: cleantruckcheck.arb.ca.gov
• VDECS retrofit list: ww2.arb.ca.gov/diesel/verdev/vt/cvt.htm
• CARB CTC help: (866) 634-3735 · hdim@arb.ca.gov

CARB provides limited temporary operating options for some out-of-state vehicles. Verify current eligibility and timing directly with CARB before advising a customer.

• OBD: readiness monitors complete
• OBD: no obvious active/permanent faults
• OBD: VIN/eVIN match and report is not blank
• OBD: note recently cleared DTCs, incomplete monitors, or missing aftertreatment data
• If retrofit: verify CARB VDECS listing and customer documentation