California Air Resources Board

What is the Clean Truck Check Parts Unavailability Compliance Time Extension? 

Vehicle Owners who are unable to repair or replace part(s) needed to bring a vehicle into compliance, may be granted an extension of the vehicle’s periodic emissions compliance testing deadline. The extension will allow the vehicle to operate until its next emissions testing deadline. 

Vehicle owners may purchase new or used parts, except for emissions components prohibited by CARB or the State of California. Emissions components not approved by CARB are illegal to operate in the State of California. 

Please see the links below for additional information: 

• CARB Aftermarket, Performance and Add-on Parts 
• How to Find and Install DPFs

How do I apply for the Parts Unavailability Compliance Time Extension? 

A vehicle owner may request a vehicle compliance time extension through the Clean Truck Check Referee program, operated by CARBTest.org, if parts to bring a vehicle back into compliance are not available to complete necessary repairs.  

For appointments, visit Clean Truck Check Referee. Note: Ensure you select, under “action type”, the “Parts Unavailability – Compliance time extension request” on the dropdown at https://carbtest.org/actions/create. 

What information do I need to provide for the application? 

The vehicle owner must ensure vehicle information reported in the Clean Truck Check Visual Inspection System (CTC-VIS) is up to date. The vehicle owner must have the following information ready to submit to Clean Truck Check Referee. 

1. The type of repair(s) needed to repair the non-compliance issue.  
2. Indicate the part(s) needed to correct the non-compliance issue.  
3. List the part(s) that are unavailable with the part name, description, and part number. 
4. Repair facility contacted to complete the needed repair with the business name, address, phone number, and email address.  
5. Part suppliers that you attempted to contact with the business name, address, phone number, and web link. Include sources for new and used parts. 
6. Reason(s) as to why the part(s) are unavailable. 
7. Estimate when the part(s) are expected to become available. Which can be provided by the dealer, repair shop, or parts supplier on the estimate or work/parts order, and note the date the parts are expected to be available. 
8. Evidence of an effort to contact repair facilities after the non-compliance issue was first identified; provide an invoice, email communications and/or diagnostic report.  
9. Information needed to identify vehicle, parts applicability, and ensure subject to Clean Truck Check: 
   • Photo of the registration card or renewal notice 
   • Photo of the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) with the Vehicle Identification (VIN) (typically located on the door jamb). 
   • Photo of the Emission Control Label (ECL) on the engine.  

How will CARB approve the Parts Unavailability Compliance Time Extension? 

The Clean Truck Check Referee will review the submission for completeness and verify the following owner and vehicle requirements.  

• Upon making a compliance time extension request, the vehicle owner shall demonstrate a good-faith effort has been made to submit the above items to CARBTest.org.  
• The vehicle owner has made a good-faith effort seeking timely repair for the vehicle as evidenced with proof of an effort to contact at least one repair facility after the non-compliance issue was first identified.  
• The vehicle’s emissions control systems have not been tampered. 
• The vehicle has no outstanding emissions or OBD-related recalls.  
• The vehicle owner has no unresolved CARB enforcement citations.  
• Vehicle parts are not available to bring the vehicle back to a compliant state.  

Following a recommendation made by the referee, CARB staff may grant a compliance time extension to an owner of an eligible vehicle. If the compliance time extension is approved, the compliance status for the vehicle will be updated in CTC-VIS to reflect the approval, and the vehicle owner will be notified of the extension approval. 

Contact Information

If you have questions, contact hdim@arb.ca.gov or 1-866-634-3735.