Periodic Smoke Inspection Program

All California-based fleets of two or more heavy-duty vehicles (gross vehicle rating over 14,000 pounds; except for 1998 and older, the rating is over 6,000 pounds) are required to perform annual smoke and tamper inspections of their fleet.

Fleet owners are not required to inspect vehicles that are powered by diesel engines until after the 4th model year of the engine. (Example: 2010 engines are exempt from being tested for the PSIP until January 1 of 2014. A 2010 model year engine must be tested sometime during 2014 or it will be in violation of PSIP).

To ensure compliance, the Air Resources Board will randomly audit fleets’ maintenance and inspection records, and test a representative sample of vehicles.

All testing must conform to the Society of Automotive Engineers’ (SAE) J1667 snap-acceleration test procedure. All vehicles that do not pass the test must be repaired and retested. All testing must be performed using a SAE J1667 smoke meter. All testing records must be maintained for a period of two years.

For more information go to: http://www.arb.ca.gov/enf/hdvip/hdvip.htm

Heavy Duty Vehicle Inspection Program

All heavy-duty trucks and buses are subject to California’s anti-smoke and tampering inspections. ARB inspectors may conduct unannounced roadside tests at various locales, such as:

• CHP weigh stations

Idling Policy

Idling for more than 5 minutes is prohibited within California’s borders. As of January 1, 2008, this prohibition also applies to sleeper berth trucks during periods of sleep and rest. Idling under the following situations is acceptable:

• You are stuck in traffic

Engine Control Label

The California Code of Regulations, title 13, §2183(c) requires that: “No 1974 or newer diesel powered heavy-duty commercial vehicle shall operate in California without evidence that, at the time of manufacture, the installed engine met emission standards at least as stringent as applicable federal emission standards for the model year of the engine (In the case of Mexican manufactured vehicles, Mexican and US EPA certified engines were equivalent in the 1994-2003 model years). The ARB shall base its determination on whether an engine meets the above requirement by inspecting the ECL affixed to the vehicle’s engine.” The ECL must be legible and maintained in the original location it was installed. The data on the label must correspond to the serial number stamped on the engine block (i.e. must be correct label for engine).

A vehicle owner found in violation of the above requirement is potentially subject to two distinct penalties: a) a tampered (missing) ECL carries a $300 penalty, and b) the regulation presumes that an engine without an ECL (or other documentation from the engine manufacturer) did not meet US EPA standards at the time of manufacture which carries a $500 penalty. If the $300 penalty and proof of corrective action is not provided within 45 days, a late penalty of $500 will be assessed.

Corrective action shall consist of:

• The engine manufacturer issuing a correct replacement ECL to their authorized dealer or distributor based on the engine serial number provided by the dealer or distributor.

Seller's Disclosure Statement

“An on-road heavy duty diesel or alternative-diesel vehicle operated in California may be subject to the California Air Resources Board Regulation to Reduce Particulate Matter and Criteria Pollutant Emissions from In-Use Heavy Duty Diesel Vehicles. It, therefore, could be subject to exhaust retrofit or accelerated turnover requirements to reduce emissions of air pollutants.”

For more information go to: http://www.arb.ca.gov/dieseltruck

Reporting Vehicle

All Off-road vehicles are required to be reported as of 2009. Fleets that have not reported should do so as soon as possible. Fleets that have not reported and are found to be in violation by enforcement personnel before they report themselves will be subject to enforcement action, including fines. Civil penalities are not to exceed one thousand dollars ($1,000) or ten thousand ($10,000) respectively for each day in which the violation occurs, which can be applied to each vehicle that is not reported. For more information, go to: www.arb.ca.gov/ordiesel

Labeling

All vehicles subject to off-road regulation are to be labeled on both sides of the machine within thirty (30) days of receiving the equipment indetification number (EIN). As of January 1, 2013 all machines must be labeled on both sides of the equipment. All captive attainment fleets must be labeled as well but the background is green with white lettering, instead of a red background with white lettering. Where can I buy labels? BeCARBCompliant offers a full range of affordable labeling services. Call us today to get the latest pricing.

Idling Policy

Idling Limit: No vehicles or engines subject to this regulation may idle for more than five (5) consecutive minutes. Idling of a vehicle that is owned by a rental company is the responsibility of the renter or lessee, and the rental agreement should so indicate. The idling limit does not aply to:

• Idling when queuing

Seller's Disclosure

A disclosure statement must be provided by the seller to the buyer at the time of the sale and kept for at least three years. "An off-road heavy equipment or alternative-diesel vehicle operated in California may be subject to the California Air Resources Board Regulation to Reduce Particulate Matter and Criteria Pollutant Emissions from In-Use Heavy Duty Diesel Vehicles. It, therfore, could be subject to exhaust retrofit or accelerated turnover requirements to reduce emissions of air pollutants." For more information, go to: www.arb.ca.gov/msprog/ordiesel/faq/disclosurefaq.pdf

Annual Reporting Deadlines

The annual reporting deadline varies. Agricultural and Low Use Hours must be reported by January 1st of each year. The Responsible Official Affirmation Report (ROAR) is due by March 1st of each year. **Certificates for Off Road annually expire February 28th and a new one can be obtained only after the ROAR is submitted.