Is Your Truck an 'Agricultural Vehicle'? Your CARB Clean Truck Check Guide
For California’s vital agricultural community, keeping your vehicles compliant shouldn't be a roadblock. The California Air Resources Board (CARB) has specific rules for agricultural vehicles under the new Clean Truck Check program, and the good news is they are simpler than the requirements for other heavy-duty vehicles.
At Norcal CARB Mobile, we work with farmers and ranchers across Northern California. This guide will help you determine if your vehicle qualifies for the agricultural designation and walk you through the exact steps for compliance.
The Big Question: What Does CARB Consider an "Agricultural Vehicle"?
This is the most important step. To qualify for the simpler annual testing schedule, your vehicle must meet a specific definition. It's not just any truck used on a farm.
According to CARB, an "agricultural vehicle" is one that is:
Owned or operated by a farming business.
Used exclusively in agricultural operations. This means it cannot be a personal use vehicle.
Used to transport agricultural products from the field to the first point of processing.
Understanding the "first point of processing" is critical. It is the very first place where a product is altered, packaged, or prepared.
Examples of a First Point of Processing: ✔ Packinghouses ✔ Slaughterhouses ✔ Cotton gins ✔ Nut hullers/shellers ✔ Lumber mills ✔ Dehydrators and grain mills
What is NOT a First Point of Processing: ✘ Distribution centers ✘ Wholesale or retail sales locations ✘ Livestock auction houses ✘ Any location for canning or processing that occurs after the product has already been to its first processing stop.
If your vehicle's use fits this narrow definition, you can proceed with the streamlined compliance path.
Compliance Steps for Agricultural Vehicles
If your vehicle qualifies, your compliance checklist is straightforward.
Report Your Vehicle: All subject vehicles (non-gasoline, GVWR >14,000 lbs) must be reported in CARB's CTC-VIS portal at
cleantruckcheck.arb.ca.gov. (CARB recommends using the Microsoft Edge browser for this.)Pay the Annual Fee: Your annual compliance fee is due by the deadline shown in your CTC-VIS account. Payments must be made online via credit card, debit card, or eCheck. Paper checks are not accepted.
Pass an Annual Emissions Test: This is the key benefit. Agricultural vehicles only require one test per year.
Testing is required for all compliance deadlines on or after January 1, 2025.
You can test up to 90 days before your deadline to allow time for repairs.
The test must be performed by a Clean Truck Check credentialed tester (like the experts at NorcalCARBMobile).
How-To Guide: Designating and Attesting Your Ag Vehicle in CTC-VIS
You must formally report and attest that your vehicle meets the agricultural definition within the CTC-VIS portal. Here’s how:
Part 1: Designating the Vehicle
When you are first adding your vehicle to the CTC-VIS system, the process is simple. In Step 5 of the vehicle reporting form, you will see a checkbox.
Be sure to check the box that states, "This VIN is an Agricultural Vehicle."
Part 2: Uploading the Attestation Form
After designating the vehicle, you must upload a signed form attesting to its use.
Log into your CTC-VIS account. Find the vehicle under "My entity" and "Vehicles".
Click Action next to the correct VIN and choose Edit Vehicle.
Proceed to Step 6 of the vehicle form. You will see highlighted text to download the official attestation form. Click it and save the form to your computer.
Fill out the form completely and accurately, then sign it.
Back in Step 6 of the CTC-VIS form, click where it says Missing to upload your completed and signed form.
Proceed to Step 7, click the checkbox to digitally sign the submission, and click Submit.
Don't Get a DMV Hold!
The California DMV will automatically place a registration hold on any vehicle that is not compliant with Clean Truck Check. To avoid this, ensure your fees are paid, your attestation is submitted, and your annual emissions test is passed on time. Your official deadlines are always the ones listed in your CTC-VIS account.
NorcalCARBMobile is Here for the Agricultural Community
We understand that your focus needs to be on your operations, not on navigating state regulations. The process for agricultural vehicles is clear, and we're here to make it even easier.
As a CARB-credentialed tester, NorcalCARBMobile can perform your required annual emissions test. Contact us today to schedule your appointment or if you have any questions about the attestation process. We're here to help keep NorCal farming operations running smoothly.
