California Air Resources Board

What is the Non-Repairable Vehicle Exemption?

A fleet owner that needs to temporarily replace an existing vehicle due to an accident or other onetime event due to circumstances beyond the fleet owner’s control, such as fire or catastrophic failure, that damages both the engine and vehicle such that the vehicle is not repairable, may request and obtain an exemption. The exemption allows the fleet owner to temporarily replace the existing non-repairable vehicle in the California fleet with another used internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicle without affecting the compliance schedule to upgrade to a ZEV. Vehicles in the California fleet must already be reported in the Truck Regulation Upload, Compliance, and Reporting System (TRUCRS).

What replacement vehicle can be purchased under the Non-Repairable Vehicle Exemption?

The replacement ICE vehicle must be a used vehicle purchased no later than 180-calendar days from the date the original vehicle became non-repairable. The used replacement vehicle must have:

• The same configuration as the non-repairable vehicle, unless it is a drayage truck.
• An engine with the same or newer model year than the engine in the non-repairable vehicle.
• A 2010 through 2023 model year engine or a 2024 model year or newer engine certified to applicable California emissions standards and emissions related requirements.

How do I apply for the Non-Repairable Vehicle Exemption?

The owner will need to email TRUCRS@arb.ca.gov requesting the exemption and provide the TRUCRS ID of the fleet owner and the following information about the non-repairable vehicle:

• The vehicle identification number (VIN)
• A copy of a police report, statement from the insurance company, or signed attestation from a federal fleet owner’s governing board indicating the vehicle is not repairable. State and local government fleets must submit a signed attestation from their governing boards that indicates the vehicle is non-repairable due to a catastrophic one-time event beyond the fleet owner’s control.
• High Priority Fleet owners that comply with the Model Year Schedule must also acknowledge that they knowingly and voluntarily waive the provisions of Health and Safety Code section 43021(a), specific to the replacement vehicle.

How do I report that I purchased a replacement ICE vehicle under the Non-Repairable Vehicle Exemption?

After purchasing the replacement ICE vehicle, the owner must report the replacement vehicle in TRUCRS within 30 calendar days of adding it to the California fleet and must send an email to TRUCRS@arb.ca.gov identifying that the vehicle was purchased under the Non-Repairable Vehicle Exemption along with photographs of the following for the used replacement ICE vehicle:

• The VIN/gross vehicle weight rating label (typically located on the driver side door or door jamb), and
• License plate with driver side of the vehicle visible, and
• Entire left side of the vehicle with doors closed showing the vehicle’s body configuration, and
• Entire right side of the vehicle with doors closed showing the vehicle’s body configuration.

CARB staff will update the vehicle compliance status in TRUCRS to reflect the replacement vehicle is recognized as an eligible replacement for the Non-Repairable Vehicle Exemption and the fleet owner will be notified of the update by email.

How do I determine how long I can operate the replacement vehicle under the Non-Repairable Vehicle Exemption?

For drayage trucks and fleets following the Model Year Schedule, the useful life of replacement vehicle approved for the Non-Repairable Vehicle Exemption will be based on the engine model year of the non-repairable vehicle being replaced and the mileage accrued on the non-repairable vehicle plus the mileage accrued on the replacement vehicle.

For State and local government fleets meeting the ZEV Purchase Schedule requirements, a vehicle purchased under the Non-Repairable Vehicle Exemption is not counted as a vehicle purchase.

Do I need to use the Non-Repairable Vehicle Exemption when I replace an engine?

No, if the vehicle is not damaged and the engine is rebuilt or replaced the vehicle does not qualify for the Non-Repairable Vehicle Exemption. This is a maintenance related decision and may be done without affecting compliance. Repairing or replacing an engine does not change the compliance date for when the vehicle needs to be upgraded to a ZEV. If the vehicle is not damaged beyond repair and the engine is, the exemption does not apply.

How long should I retain records used to claim the Non-Repairable Vehicle Exemption?

The regulation requires fleet owners to keep copies of keep records of the police report, insurance statement, or signed attestation, photographs, and information submitted for the Non-Repairable Vehicle Exemption for a period of at least five years. Fleet owners must make such records available in an electronic or paper format to CARB staff within 72 hours of a written or verbal request for audit.

This document is provided to assist regulated entities in complying with the Advanced Clean Fleets regulation. In the event any discrepancy exists between this document and the Advanced Clean Fleets regulation, the regulatory text of the Advanced Clean Fleets regulation applies.