California Air Resources Board

Please read these instructions to accurately complete the separate vehicle emissions control equipment inspection form. 
Testers MUST use the most current inspection form in order for the test to be applied to a vehicle's emissions testing requirement.

Vehicle Emissions Control Equipment Inspection Results (Opacity & Visual Inspection)

Why is my test result not being processed or rejected?

• Your Subject line in the email contained ANYTHING other than the VIN
• Your VIN has a typo and cannot be applied to the vehicle in the system. This typo can be in your email subject line, or the customer's vehicle account
• You did not attach all required documents
• You attached the wrong file type, it must ONLY be PDF format.
• You sent more than one vehicle's test results in the same email.

Only credentialed Clean Truck Check testers may perform the Vehicle Emissions Control Equipment Inspection and submit this form. Forms associated with standard emissions compliance testing must be submitted to non-obd-test-submission@arb.ca.gov.  

1. The subject line of the email to CARB must contain only the VIN;  Example: JN3MS37A9PW202929  

   • Any typos in the VIN will result in the test not being applied to the vehicle, this includes vehicle owner VIN typos in their CTC-VIS accounts as well as the VIN in the email subject line.

2. Scan the completed and signed Vehicle Emissions Control Equipment Inspection Form(ONLY As a PDF) and include as an attachment to the email.

   • Note that the Form has two pages, and you must scan and submit both pages as a single document to CARB.  

• If applicable, scan, upload, and attach the accompanying smoke test opacity receipt or electronic test results (if the smoke meter has the capability of uploading results directly to your computer) in the same email.  

• CARB will send an autoreply to the HD I/M Tester confirming receipt of the Non-OBD Vehicle Compliance Test email. 

  • If you do NOT receive a reply within 3 business days, please resubmit and check for errors.
     

Notice to Submit to Testing from CARB enforcement associated tests should be sent to hdvehicleenforcement@arb.ca.gov and include the following:  

• Non-OBD Vehicle Compliance Test; VIN; HD I/M Tester ID  

• Example: Non-OBD Vehicle Compliance Test; JN3MS37A9PW202929; IB032459  

Visual Inspection Form Process. 
 
You must use the separate Vehicle Emissions Control Equipment Inspection Form to conduct the Vehicle Emissions Control Equipment Inspection (visual inspection) on heavy-duty vehicles without on-board diagnostic (OBD) systems. 

The Vehicle Emissions Control Equipment Inspection Form is required in section 2198, title 13, California Code of Regulations (CCR), Heavy-Duty Inspection and Maintenance Regulation (HD I/M), also known as Clean Truck Check.1  

General Information: Vehicle Applicability  

The Vehicle Emissions Control Equipment Inspection must be performed on any non-OBD heavy-duty vehicle that receives a Notice to Submit to Testing starting in January 2023 to meet Clean Truck Check requirements. The Clean Truck Check emissions compliance testing requirements are effective on October 1, 2024, and the Vehicle Emissions Control Equipment Inspection must be performed on any non-OBD heavy-duty vehicle subject to Clean Truck Check. Non-OBD vehicles are those with:  

• 2012 and older model year diesel engines or diesel hybrid systems or 2017 model year and older alternative fuel engines or alternative fuel hybrid systems, or 

• The vehicle is an on-road vehicle equipped with an off-road engine.2  

1: The final HD I/M Regulation is contained in sections 2195 through 2199.1, title 13, CCR. 

2: An off-road engine used in an on-road vehicle is a rare situation and must have been previously approved through a CARB issued waiver.  

Instructions for Completing the Vehicle Emissions Control Equipment Inspection Form  

Vehicle Information, Registered Vehicle Owner, and Clean Truck Check Tester Information  

• Fill in all requested information on the registered vehicle owner, the vehicle/engine, and the Clean Truck Check Tester conducting the inspection.  

• Please use your computer or device to submit the information. If you must handwrite, please write legibly as these forms must be reviewed.  

Vehicle Emissions Control Equipment Checklist  

Emission Control Label (ECL):  

• Please check a box for ECL Condition: Clear and Readable, Faded/Not Readable, or Missing  

• For all components listed on the ECL, an inspection must be conducted, with either ‘pass’ or ‘needs repair’ selected. 

• If that component is not present on the vehicle although it is listed on the ECL, check ‘Needs Repair’ and explain in the notes. 

• For all components listed on the ECL, an inspection must be conducted, with either ‘pass’ or ‘needs repair’ selected.  

• If that component is not present on the vehicle although it is listed on the ECL, check ‘Needs Repair’ and explain in the notes.  

• For any components that are not present and are also not listed on the ECL, ‘Not applicable’ may be checked. 

• For any components that are present but NOT listed on the ECL, an inspection must be conducted, and either ‘pass’ or ‘needs repair’ must be checked. 

• Please fill in engine family name, manufacturer, engine model, and year.   

A missing or illegible ECL will result in the vehicle failing the Vehicle Emissions Control Equipment Inspection and the Clean Truck Check compliance test.  

ECL Missing

All heavy-duty vehicles need to have proof that the engine meets appropriate emissions standards by having the manufacturer ECL properly affixed on the engine and fully legible.  If you are unable to obtain the ECL, you must request the manufacturer write you a letter stating the label is unavailable. Engine information must be provided on the manufacturer's letter.  A copy of the letter must be kept in the cab of the vehicle in a place known to the driver.

Visual Inspection of the Emissions Control Components:  

• Perform a visual inspection of all emissions control components listed on the ECL.  

• Refer to reliable sources of engine and vehicle technical specifications, such as service and repair manuals, or other reliable published sources for information on the proper configuration of each emissions control component.  

• The Vehicle Emissions Control Systems Inspection section (page 2 of the Form) includes a detailed components list.   

• Upon completing the inspection of each emissions control component, record the findings in the Vehicle Emissions Control Systems Inspection section (page 2 of the Form) using one of the following designations in the applicable column for each component.  

• Pass  

• Needs Repair  

• Not Applicable  

• For components NOT listed on the ECL, check the Not Applicable boxT.  

• Any vehicle with a missing, modified, defective, or disconnected emissions control component or system will fail the Vehicle Emissions Control Equipment Inspection and the Clean Truck Compliance Test.  

• Please see below for details on the inspection criteria for each component.  

Retrofit DPF – VDECS Family Name  

A diesel vehicle with a 2006 or older model year engine may be equipped with a VDECS, often referred to as a retrofit DPF, that requires the inspection steps in the table above to verify Clean Truck Check compliance. If the vehicle has a retrofit DPF, provide the VDECS family name found on the VDECS label.   

• For vehicles equipped with a VDECS, there should be two VDECS labels: one located on the VDECS itself and the other located on the engine (separate from the ECL).   

• Be advised: It is illegal to use a non-verified diesel retrofit device or install a VDECS on an engine/vehicle for which it is not verified. CARB staff will determine that trucks in these conditions will fail the Vehicle Emissions Control Equipment Inspection, the Clean Truck Check Compliance Test, and may issue a citation for tampering.  

Component that Needs Repair  

• Please provide details of the necessary repair in the box above Credentialed Clean Truck Check Tester Certification  

Credentialed Clean Truck Check Tester Certification  

• Please Sign, print your name, and enter the date of inspection.  

• By signing and submitting this form to CARB, you are attesting that you have fully and accurately performed this inspection in accordance with the requirements of Clean Truck Check.   

• There may be significant penalties for submitting false statements and information or omitting required statements and information.