Do out-of-state trucks need CARB Clean Truck Check?

Yes. Most diesel and alternative-fuel trucks over 14,000 lb GVWR that operate in California need Clean Truck Check, no matter which state they are registered in.

Do Mexican trucks need Clean Truck Check?

Yes. Mexico-registered trucks over 14,000 lb GVWR that operate in California are covered and must be reported, pay CARB's fee and pass testing on schedule.

Do Canadian trucks need Clean Truck Check?

Yes. Canadian trucks that operate in California follow the same Clean Truck Check rules as other covered out-of-state and international trucks.

Do IRP apportioned-plate trucks need Clean Truck Check?

Yes, if the truck is covered and operates in California. Apportioned plates do not change the requirement to report in CTC-VIS, pay the fee and pass testing.

Can an out-of-state truck get a DMV registration hold for Clean Truck Check?

The DMV registration hold applies to California-registered vehicles. Out-of-state trucks that operate while non-compliant can still face CARB citations and penalties.

Where can an out-of-state truck get a Clean Truck Check test in San Diego?

Diesel Dynamix tests on site in San Diego, Otay Mesa and the Imperial Valley, so the truck can be tested where it is parked. Call or WhatsApp (858) 342-8328 to schedule.

Clean Truck Check for Out-of-State Trucks: What to Know

What out-of-state carriers need to do

Report each truck that operates in California in CARB’s CTC-VIS system and pay the annual compliance fee.

Pass the required emissions tests on schedule: an OBD test for newer engines, or a smoke opacity test plus visual inspection for older non-OBD diesels.

Keep proof of compliance current, because CARB enforces the program at the roadside and at facilities like ports.

Getting tested in Southern California

Long-haul drivers don’t have time for a detour to a test site. Diesel Dynamix tests trucks on-site anywhere in Southern California: at a yard, a customer’s dock or near the Port of Long Beach and the Port of Los Angeles.

Call or WhatsApp (858) 342-8328 to arrange a test on your next California run.

Arizona, Texas, Mexico or Canada: the same rules apply

Where a truck is registered does not change Clean Truck Check. A covered truck from Arizona, Nevada, Texas, Mexico or Canada follows the same rules as a California truck once it operates in California.

That includes:

Interstate carriers with trucks that run in and out of California
IRP trucks on apportioned plates
Mexico-registered trucks that cross the border into California
Canadian trucks on California runs

Every one of these trucks needs to be reported in CTC-VIS, have CARB's annual compliance fee paid and pass the right test before its deadline. Out-of-state truck CTC-VIS registration works the same as for a California truck, and each truck's deadline is listed there.

The consequences differ a little. The DMV registration hold applies to California-registered vehicles. A non-California registered truck will not get a California DMV hold, but it can still face CARB citations and penalties if it operates while non-compliant.

If you are unsure whether your truck is covered, check CARB's rules for your vehicle or call us with your CTC-VIS questions.

Where out-of-state trucks can test in Southern California

The easiest place to test is wherever the truck already stops. We come to it, so there is no detour to a test site.

Common spots for out-of-state and cross-border trucks:

San Diego and Otay Mesa: cross-border trucks at yards and lots near the border. See San Diego.
Imperial Valley: trucks coming through El Centro and Calexico. See El Centro.
Ontario and the Inland Empire: warehouse and distribution stops. See Ontario.
Near the Port of Los Angeles and Port of Long Beach: drayage and container trucks. See the Port of Los Angeles page.
Riverside County: including trucks stopped out toward Blythe on the I-10 corridor. See Riverside.

Tell us where the truck will be parked and when, and we will try to schedule around the delivery. Early-morning visits are available. Call, text or WhatsApp (858) 342-8328.

Does Clean Truck Check apply to out-of-state trucks?

What out-of-state carriers need to do

Getting tested in Southern California

Arizona, Texas, Mexico or Canada: the same rules apply

Where out-of-state trucks can test in Southern California

Frequently asked questions

Need your trucks tested?