🚛 IMPORTANT NOTICE FOR TRUCK OWNERS & FLEET OPERATORS – California Clean Truck Check (CTC): Avoid DMV Registration Delays!

🚛 IMPORTANT NOTICE FOR TRUCK OWNERS & FLEET OPERATORS – California Clean Truck Check (CTC): Avoid DMV Registration Delays!

by | Nov 4, 2026 | News

Is your truck registration on hold? Are you unable to complete your California DMV registration or renewal?

You may have an outstanding Clean Truck Check (CTC) requirement—even if your vehicle currently shows COMPLIANT in your CTC-VIS account.

The California Air Resources Board (CARB) requires applicable heavy-duty vehicles to meet their Clean Truck Check compliance requirements, including upcoming fees and emissions testing deadlines, before most California DMV transactions can be completed.

IMPORTANT: Your vehicle must meet its upcoming compliance requirements within the 90-day window before its compliance deadline to qualify for most DMV transactions.

Please follow the instructions below to avoid unnecessary registration delays.

STEP 1: LOG IN AND CHECK YOUR VEHICLE STATUS

Visit the official Clean Truck Check Vehicle Inspection System:

👉 CLICK HERE TO LOG IN TO YOUR CTC-VIS ACCOUNT

Once logged in:

    1. Select MY ENTITY.
    2. Scroll down to the VEHICLES section.
    3. Locate your vehicle and review its compliance status.

IF YOUR VEHICLE SHOWS NON-COMPLIANT:

    • Click on the NON-COMPLIANT status.
    • Review the reason your vehicle is showing as non-compliant.
    • Follow the instructions provided to resolve the outstanding issue.

IF YOUR VEHICLE SHOWS COMPLIANT BUT YOU CANNOT COMPLETE YOUR DMV TRANSACTION:

Your vehicle may have an upcoming emissions test or annual compliance fee due within the 90-day period preceding its compliance deadline.

You must address applicable upcoming requirements before most California DMV registration transactions can be completed.

Remember: Showing COMPLIANT today does not necessarily mean your vehicle is eligible for a DMV transaction.

STEP 2: CHECK FOR UPCOMING FEES AND EMISSIONS TESTS

Depending on your vehicle’s requirements, you may need to complete one or both of the following:

1. Clean Truck Check Emissions Compliance Testing

    • Check your vehicle’s upcoming testing deadline.
    • Have the required emissions test performed by a CARB-credentialed tester.
    • Make sure a passing test result is submitted to CARB.

2. Annual Clean Truck Check Compliance Fee

    • Review your account for outstanding or upcoming annual fees.
    • Pay any applicable fees through your CTC-VIS account.
    • Allow sufficient time for payment processing.

You can find additional testing information here:

👉 CARB – Clean Truck Check Emissions Testing Requirements

STEP 3: ALLOW TIME FOR PAYMENT PROCESSING

Please plan ahead when making your Clean Truck Check payments.

CARB provides the following estimated payment processing times:

Payment Method Processing Time
Credit/Debit Card Approximately 1–2 business days
E-Check Approximately 5–7 business days

IMPORTANT: Do not wait until the day of your DMV appointment to make your payment. Processing delays can affect your registration timeline.

👉 CARB – Clean Truck Check Program Information

STEP 4: HOW TO FIND YOUR VEHICLE CERTIFICATES

To review your vehicle’s compliance documentation:

    1. Log in to your CTC-VIS account.
    2. Scroll to the VEHICLES section.
    3. Click on your vehicle’s VIN.
    4. Review the available compliance certificates and vehicle records.

For additional assistance with your account, certificates, and reporting requirements, visit:

👉 CARB – CTC-VIS Online User Guide

STEP 5: WHEN WILL YOUR DMV REGISTRATION HOLD BE RELEASED?

Once your vehicle has satisfied ALL applicable Clean Truck Check requirements, CARB will transmit updated compliance information to the California DMV.

According to CARB, please allow approximately 1–3 business days after all compliance requirements have been met for your vehicle’s status to update with DMV.

CARB transmits compliant VIN information to DMV nightly.

Your vehicle must also have:

    • No outstanding Clean Truck Check compliance fees.
    • No emissions tests due within the applicable 90-day period before the compliance deadline.
    • No outstanding CARB enforcement actions.

If your vehicle shows COMPLIANT in CTC-VIS but DMV still indicates that your vehicle has a CARB registration hold, allow the processing time above before following up.

For additional information, see:

👉 CARB – Clean Truck Check DMV Registration Holds

STEP 6: VISIT THE DMV TO COMPLETE YOUR REGISTRATION

IMPORTANT: Your registration tags will NOT automatically be mailed to you just because your Clean Truck Check hold has been removed.

Once your vehicle is compliant and the DMV has updated its records, you must follow up with your third party registration service or DMV to complete your registration and obtain your registration tags.

🚨 DON’T WAIT UNTIL YOUR DMV APPOINTMENT!

We strongly encourage all truck owners and fleet operators to log in to their Clean Truck Check accounts and review their vehicle compliance status, upcoming emissions testing deadlines, and outstanding fees.

Taking care of these requirements ahead of time can help prevent registration delays, additional trips to DMV, and unnecessary interruptions to your business operations.

PLEASE SHARE THIS INFORMATION WITH OTHER TRUCK OWNERS AND FLEET OPERATORS WHO MAY BENEFIT FROM THIS NOTICE.

This notice is intended as a customer information resource. Clean Truck Check requirements and compliance deadlines vary by vehicle. Always refer to your individual CTC-VIS account and official CARB guidance for your vehicle’s specific requirements.