Avoiding CARB Penalties in California
Stay compliant with Clean Truck Check by avoiding the most common mistakes that lead to costly fines.
Common Non-Compliance Mistakes
Most CARB penalties happen because of paperwork, deadlines, or missed testing. Knowing the pitfalls helps you avoid unnecessary costs.
Missing your testing deadline (compliance tests are due twice per year).
Ignoring a Notice to Submit to Testing (NST) — must respond within 30 days.
Failing a smoke opacity or OBD test and not retesting promptly.
Not repairing emissions equipment flagged during a visual inspection.
Not paying your annual Clean Truck Check compliance fee.
CARB Penalty Structure
CARB issues penalties per vehicle for non-compliance. Fines escalate if problems aren’t corrected quickly.
| Violation | Potential Penalty |
|---|---|
Missed test deadline | Up to $1,000 per vehicle |
Ignoring Notice to Submit to Testing (NST) | $500–$1,000 per vehicle |
Failure to pay annual Clean Truck Check fee | $300–$800 per vehicle |
Operating a vehicle with tampered or missing emissions equipment | Up to $10,000 depending on severity |
Penalties vary by violation history, vehicle size, and whether corrective action is taken quickly.
How to Stay Penalty-Free
Most fines are avoidable with proactive scheduling and clear communication.
Mark your testing deadlines on your calendar twice a year.
Call immediately if you receive an NST — don’t wait until the last week.
Fix emissions equipment quickly to prevent repeat violations.
Book at a shop that can submit results directly to CARB’s CTC-VIS system.