Heavy-Duty Vehicle Inspection Programs

This page last reviewed January 25, 2010

The ARB's Heavy-Duty Vehicle Inspection Program and Periodic Smoke Inspection Program were adopted into law in 1988 (Senate Bill 1997) and 1990 (Senate Bill 2330), respectively to control excessive smoke emissions and tampering from heavy-duty diesel trucks and buses. The regulations, CCR Title 13, Sections 2180-2189 for HDVIP, and CCR Title 13, Sections 2190-2194 for PSIP, governing these programs were last amended in 2007.

The HDVIP program requires heavy-duty trucks and buses to be inspected for excessive smoke and tampering, and engine certification label compliance. Any heavy-duty vehicle traveling in California, including vehicles registered in other states and foreign countries, may be tested. Tests are performed by ARB inspection teams at border crossings, CHP weigh stations, fleet facilities, and randomly selected roadside locations. Owners of trucks and buses found in violation are subject to minimum penalties starting at $300 per violation.

Video: Heavy-Duty Vehicle Inspection Program - Ports of Entry (Download recommended - 14 minutes - 10MB)

The PSIP program requires that diesel and bus fleet owners conduct annual smoke opacity inspections of their vehicles and repair those with excessive smoke emissions to ensure compliance. The ARB randomly audits fleets, maintenance and inspection records and tests a representative sample of vehicles. All vehicles that do not pass the test must be repaired and retested. A fleet owner that neglects to perform the annual smoke opacity inspection on applicable vehicles is subject to a penalty of $500.00 per vehicle, per year.

Each vehicle operating in California - including those in transit from Mexico, Canada, or any other state - must be equipped with engines that meet California emission standards. “Emission Control Label” or “ECL” means the label required by the “California Motor Vehicle Emission Control Label Specifications”, incorporated by reference in 13 CCR, section 1965, or Title 40, Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), Part 86, Subpart A.

To assist in collecting and reporting PSIP and ECL information, the ARB Enforcement Division has provided an electronic audit table for your use. You may use this form to complete your annual PSIP inspections.

Download the audit table at: http://arb.ca.gov/enf/hdvip/psip_audit_table.xls.

CCDET provides Heavy Duty Vehicle Inspection Program and Periodic Smoke Inspection Program training for fleet and other heavy duty diesel maintenance personnel, and to personnel of smoke testing services and facilities. This program offers training courses on California's Heavy-Duty Vehicle Inspection Program and Periodic Smoke Inspection Program. Fees for CCDET classes are $175.00 per class.

An Informational Package for the Heavy-Duty Vehicle Inspection Program and Periodic Smoke Inspection Program is available for download.

Notices sent regarding Enforcement of the Fleet Periodic Smoke Inspection Program include:

• July 2007 Mail-Out
• October 2006 Mail-Out
• June 1999 Mail-Out

The following is a listing of approved exempted heavy-duty engines pursuant to section 2182(e) of Title 13 California Code of Regulations: Engines Exempted to Higher Opacity Cutpoints.

• Litigation Summary of HDVIP Cases
• Case Law: Harris Transportation et al, v. ARB

A list of manufacturers and distributors of smoke opacity meters may be viewed at our Smoke Meter Manufacturers page. Please note that this posting does not constitute an endorsement or certification that this equipment complies with SAE J1667 specifications.

The snap acceleration smoke test procedure for heavy-duty vehicles from the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) is available at SAE J1667 (pdf 259K). The document may be viewed on screen, or downloaded and printed. Please read the copyright notice on the first page, regarding printing only a single (one) copy.

Please refer to "Diesel Fuel Injection Service" or "Truck Repairing and Service" in the yellow pages on SmartPages.com. You may also contact Hortencia Mora who maintains the Certified Smoke Opacity Testing Facilities list at (626) 450-6161. Please see our current list of cerrified smoke testing facilities list (Updated:01/19/10).

For general information:
   In Northern California, please contact Renae Hankins at (916) 322-8275;
   In Southern California, please contact Hortencia Mora at (626) 350-6590, or Gretchen Ratliff at (626) 350-6561.
• For the Certified Smoke Opacity Testing Facilities List updates, please contact Hortencia Mora at (626) 450-6161.
• For the Engine Certification Label Inspection Program contact list.
• For PSIP case information, please contact Charles Ross at (626) 350-6438.

Diesel Enforcement Programs