Truck and Bus Regulation Reporting
Truck & Bus Regulation Compliance
What is the Truck and Bus Regulation Certificate?
Truck and Bus Regulation Certificate is a certification needed to prove a vehicle is aligned with the Truck and Bus Regulation set by the California Air Resources Board. The regulations have been in place since 2008 and have been updated as recently as 2023. The regulations were put in place in order to improve air quality in the state and ideally help fight in the climate crisis, as it aims to reduce harmful emissions from heavy-duty vehicles.
Purpose
The certificate shows that qualifying vehicles (vehicles with a gross vehicle weight over 14,000 pounds) have a 2010 or newer engine and emission system.
How is it Issued?
For vehicles that qualify to require the Truck and Bus Regulation certification, you must report details of the engine in the TRUCRS, also known as the Truck Regulations, Upload, and Compliance Reporting System. The DMV then verifies this information, and you receive your certificate which allows you to operate the vehicle on California roads.
Our Services
Truck & Bus Regulation Reporting assists Vehicle Owners in obtaining their Truck and Bus Regulation Certificate.
Assistance and guidance through the Truck Regulations, Upload, and Compliance Reporting System.
Fast and secure submission process to ensure emissions compliance with the DMV.
Confirmation of compliance status sent straight to you.
How to Apply
Enter Your Vehicle Information
Confirm Payment Information
Complete Necessary Vehicle Testing
Receive Your Certificate!
Requirements to Obtain the Certificate
In order to obtain your Truck and Bus Regulation Certificate, you must meet certain requirements established by the California Air Resources Board.
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR)
As a general rule, Truck and Bus Regulation certificates are for heavy-duty vehicles that have a GVWR of over 14,000 pounds. The emission standards in the regulation are specific to vehicles of this size.
Engine Model Year Requirement
Per CARB, your vehicle must have an engine that is no older than from 2010. Engines built before 2010 do not meet the emission standards set by CARB and are not permitted to be used in operating heavy-duty vehicles.
Report Via TRUCRS
In order to actually obtain the certificate, the vehicle owner must register the vehicle in the Truck Regulations, Upload, and Compliance Reporting System and report vehicle information such as VIN number, weight, and engine type and age.
Maintenance of Emission Standards
In order to keep an active and valid Truck and Bus Regulation Certificate, the vehicle must maintain its following of emission standards. If something changes in the vehicle that affect its emissions, it must be updated in the TRUCRS.
Who Needs to Apply for a Truck and Bus Regulation Certificate?
Heavy-Duty Diesel Vehicles
Heavy-duty diesel vehicles, largely trucks and buses, in general must follow the Truck and Bus Regulation standards. The vehicles qualify as heavy-duty if they have a gross vehicle weight over 14,000 pounds.
California Heavy-Duty Vehicles
All heavy-duty vehicles that are registered in California and meet the weight qualification requirements must file with the TRUCRS.
Out-of-State Qualifying Vehicles
If you own a heavy-duty vehicle that is registered outside of California, but you operate on California public roads and meet the weight qualification requirements, you must file with the TRUCRS.
Why Does Engine Year Matter?
Per California Air Resources Board, the engine year is important as emission standards have changed over time. This means that as time has gone on, automakers have been required to adjust their engines to comply with emission standards in order to reduce toxic emissions. Engines built in 2010 or more recently are equipped with advanced emissions control systems that reduce particulate matter (PM) and nitrogen oxides (NOX).
Emissions Tests
After reporting your vehicle information, in order to verify your vehicle meets emission standards, your vehicle must undergo emission testing.
OBD-equipped vehicles (vehicles with diesel engines from 2013 or newer OR 2018 and newer alternative fuel engines) must undergo scan tests of the engine’s OBD data. This is done with a CARB certified OBD testing device.
Diesel non-OBD vehicles (vehicles with diesel engines from 2012 or older) must complete smoke opacity testing, as well as a visual inspection of the vehicle’s emissions control equipment. This is known as the Vehicle Emissions Control Equipment Inspection. Alternative fuel non-OBD vehicles (alternative fuel engines from 2017 or older) undergo only the visual inspection.
Pricing
$75 per vehicle
$75 per vehicle — no surprise charges, no extra fees
- Complete regulation reporting for trucks and buses
- Timely and accurate filing
- Expert assistance to ensure full compliance
Who Is Exempt?
Like every permit, there are a few exceptions to the rule that leave some vehicles exempt from requiring a Truck and Bus Regulation Certificate. The following vehicle types are exempt.
Non-Diesel Operated Vehicles:Zero-Emission Vehicles (ZEVs) that run on electric charge or vehicles that are fueled exclusively with gasoline do not have to obtain a Truck and Bus Regulation Certification.
Public Agency and Utility Vehicles (Non Federal):Public agency and utility vehicles that are not federally owned and operated do not have to follow the Truck and Bus Regulation as they have a separate emissions practice to follow using the Best Available Control Technology.
Transit/Urban Buses:CARB is working with California on separate incentives to reduce emissions for transit and urban buses, making them exempt from the Truck and Bus Regulation.
Personal Use Motor Homes/Recreational Vehicles (RVs):Even if a personal use motor home/recreational vehicle meets the weight requirements, it is exempt from the Truck and Bus Regulation as they do not have to follow the same permitting protocols as commercial vehicles.
Emergency Vehicles:Vehicles such as ambulances and fire trucks that operate solely for emergency services are exempt from Truck and Bus Regulation.
Consequences of Non-Compliance
If you operate a qualifying vehicle on public California roads and are found to operate outside of the Truck and Bus Regulation or have not properly registered your vehicle, you could face significant consequences.
DMV Registration Holds or Denials
If you fail to comply with Truck and Bus Regulation, the California Department of Motor Vehicles could withhold or deny registrations. This could prevent the vehicle from operating.
Operational Disruptions:
If a qualifying vehicle is found to be non-compliant, actions could be taken against it that would interfere with business operations. These actions include out-of-service orders or increased roadside checks.
Fines and Penalties:
Depending on the case of non-compliance, registered vehicle owners could face financial penalties in the form of fines. The fines can add up with a per-vehicle, per-day basis for each day a vehicle(s) is found to be non-compliant.
Legal Action
Vehicles that are repeatedly found to be non-compliant could face legal action. This includes liens being placed on the vehicle and could potentially lead to criminal charges as well.
Summary
Truck and Bus Regulation Certificate
In order to show your compliance with the Truck and Bus Regulation, after all information is verified and your vehicle has been tested, you receive a certificate allowing you to operate legally on California public roads.
Requirements
All heavy-duty diesel fueled vehicles (with a GVWR of 14,000 pounds or more) must follow the Truck and Bus Regulation and report their vehicle information in the TRUCRS. These vehicles must have an engine no older than from 2010.
Exemptions
Vehicles that operate on non-diesel power (regular gasoline or electric) do not have to report to the TRUCRS. Emergency vehicles, public agency/utility vehicles that are non-federally operated, and personal use motor homes/RVs are also exempt.
Consequences of Non-Compliance
If vehicles are found to be non-compliant with the Truck and Bus Regulation set forth by the California Air Resources Board, they could face fines, registration issues, operational disruptions, and even legal action.
Frequently Asked Questions
(FAQs)
To start, you provide us with your required vehicle information, such as your VIN number, engine year, etc; and we register you in the TRUCRS. We set your vehicle up for the necessary testing. Then, as long as your vehicle passes the tests, you will receive your certification.
There are two different test types: 1. OBD-equipped vehicles (2013 and newer diesel engines or 2018 and newer alternative fuel engines) undergo a scan of the engine’s OBD data. This is done by a CARB certified OBD testing device. 2. Diesel non-OBD vehicles (engines from 2012 or older) must complete a smoke opacity test and visual inspection of the vehicle’s emissions control equipment.
OBD stands for on-board diagnostics.
If you have a vehicle that qualifies for the Truck and Bus Regulation but your engine is from before 2010, you will need to get a newer engine. If you do not, you will be considered non-compliant and could face interruptions in your registration process and business operations.
If your vehicle meets the requirements for the Truck and Bus Regulation but your vehicle is neither registered in the state of California nor do you ever operate on California public roads, then you do not need a Truck and Bus Regulation certificate.
Even if your business is based in a different state, if you operate on public California roads, you have to follow the Truck and Bus Regulation set by CARB.
Contact Us!
If you have any further questions about the Truck and Bus regulations, registering with the TRUCRS, or any other truck permitting questions, contact us today!