What is a CARB Certificate?

A CARB Compliance Certificate is a proof-of-compliance document issued after a truck is declared compliant in CARB TRUCRS (Truck Regulation Upload, Compliance and Reporting System). This certificate verifies that your commercial vehicle meets California's emission requirements under the Truck & Bus Regulation. This mandatory certification applies to all diesel-powered commercial vehicles weighing 14,000 pounds or more that operate in California, including heavy-duty commercial trucks that move freight to or from California's port facilities or railway terminals, as well as any refrigerated transport trucks that operate anywhere within California's state boundaries.

Sky Transport Solutions specializes in helping trucking companies obtain and maintain their CARB certificates through the TRUCRS system. With over 7,000 companies trusting us for CARB compliance, we understand the complexities of the certification process and can guide you through every step, ensuring your vehicles meet all requirements and your certificates remain valid.

Pictured - an example of the certificate awarded to compliant companies.

History of CARB Law

Founded in 1967, the California Air Resources Board stands as one of the longest-standing environmental regulatory bodies in the nation. CARB emerged to tackle California's distinctive air quality problems, especially in densely populated urban regions that grappled with intense smog and hazardous air pollution levels.

Throughout the years, CARB has progressively tightened its vehicle emission rules, introducing measures such as the Truck and Bus Regulation along with specific mandates for port and rail yard operations. These regulatory frameworks have continuously adapted to align with emerging emission control technologies and escalating environmental priorities.

Since CARB regulations began in 2012, Sky Transport Solutions has been at the forefront, helping trucking companies understand and achieve compliance. Our California-based team has deep knowledge of how these regulations have evolved and what they mean for your business today.

Do I Need a CARB Certificate?

CARB certification becomes mandatory if you operate any of these vehicle types within California:

• Heavy-duty commercial trucks that move cargo to or from California's port facilities or railway terminals
• Refrigerated transport vehicles that operate anywhere within California, no matter what routes they travel
• Diesel-powered commercial vehicles weighing 14,000 pounds or more that operate in California

Vehicle registration location doesn't matter—if you operate in California, CARB compliance is required. Vehicles lacking CARB certification cannot legally transport freight in California, regardless of their registration state. Not sure if your fleet needs CARB certification? Sky Transport Solutions offers expert consultation to assess your specific situation and help you determine exactly what's required for your operations. We'll guide you through the entire certification process, ensuring you meet all requirements efficiently and cost-effectively.

What are the CARB Compliance Requirements?

All parties engaged in commercial trucking operations within California share responsibility for verifying that vehicles meet CARB certification standards. However, specific obligations differ depending on each party's role. Below, we break down the CARB compliance mandates for motor carriers, commercial drivers, freight brokers and forwarders, and California-based shippers and receivers.

Navigating these complex requirements can be overwhelming. That's where Sky Transport Solutions comes in. Our experienced team helps trucking companies understand their specific obligations and ensures they meet every requirement. We set up your ARB account, handle the paperwork, manage TRUCRS registration, and process annual renewals so you can focus on running your business.

Requirements for Motor Carriers

Motor carriers operating in California must verify that every truck in their fleet satisfies CARB standards and possesses individual compliance certificates. Only vehicles with valid CARB certification may be assigned to routes entering or leaving California.

For non-owner-operator situations, drivers must carry complete contact details for the motor carrier, including a designated contact person's name and phone number, along with contact information for whoever contracted the carrier for that particular shipment (whether that's a shipper, receiver, broker, or other party).

California-based carriers with refrigerated vehicles (reefers) are required to register their vehicle certifications in the Air Resources Board Equipment Registration (ARBER) system. ARBER registration is only required for reefer trailers. While out-of-state carriers aren't mandated to register, doing so streamlines compliance verification for all parties in the supply chain. Sky Transport Solutions assists motor carriers with ARBER registration for their refrigerated vehicles and ensures all your reefers are properly documented in the system. Our California team knows the ins and outs of the registration process and can handle it efficiently for your refrigerated fleet.

Requirements for Truck Drivers

Commercial drivers bear responsibility for ensuring they never operate a non-compliant vehicle anywhere in California. When law enforcement requests documentation, drivers must present their commercial driver's license, registration documents for both the truck and trailer, a fully completed bill of lading or freight bill, and valid proof of CARB compliance.

Requirements for Brokers and Freight Forwarders

Freight brokers and forwarders may only assign California routes to carriers that have achieved CARB compliance. Brokers and forwarders must request and verify compliance documentation. For refrigerated vehicles, the most straightforward approach involves asking carriers to register in the ARBER system and provide either a link to or a printed copy of the certification page for each vehicle.

Additionally, brokers and freight forwarders must supply complete contact information—including a designated contact person's name and phone number—to the carrier. This requirement doesn't apply if the broker or forwarder wasn't involved in arranging the transportation.

Requirements for California-Based Shippers

Shippers located outside California have no CARB compliance obligations, but those based within the state must ensure all trucks they use are CARB-compliant and must obtain proof of compliance from carriers or brokers. When a shipper arranges transportation directly (without using a broker), they must provide complete contact information for both the shipper and receiver, including a contact person at the shipping location who understands the transportation details.

Requirements for California-Based Receivers

Similar to shippers, receivers outside California have no CARB compliance responsibilities, but California-based receivers must follow the same rules as California-based shippers, including demanding proof of compliance. When a receiver arranges transportation directly (not through a broker), they must also supply complete contact details for both the receiver and shipper, including a designated contact person at the receiving location who is familiar with the shipping arrangements.

Truck and Bus Regulations

The Truck and Bus Regulation applies to every diesel-powered commercial vehicle weighing 14,000 pounds or more that operates in California and isn't already subject to a different CARB regulation.

Effective January 1, 2023, all diesel-powered commercial trucks must be equipped with engines from model year 2010 or newer. Limited exceptions exist for vehicles that accumulate fewer than 1,000 miles annually within California. Additionally, vehicles equipped with particulate matter (PM) filters that operate solely within designated NOx-exempt zones in California may qualify for exemption from the engine model year mandate. Fleet operators must also comply with vehicle labeling standards and submit annual reports. Understanding these evolving regulations and ensuring your fleet meets all requirements can be challenging. Sky Transport Solutions stays current with all CARB regulation changes and helps trucking companies adapt their fleets accordingly. We manage your ARB account and handle annual renewals to keep your fleet compliant.

CARB Compliance Certificate and TRUCRS System

The CARB Compliance Certificate is a proof-of-compliance document issued after a truck is declared compliant in CARB TRUCRS (Truck Regulation Upload, Compliance and Reporting System). This certificate verifies that a truck meets California's emission requirements under the Truck & Bus Regulation.

What the Certificate Contains

A CARB Truck Compliance Certificate includes:

• Truck Information: VIN, plate number, vehicle weight class (GVWR), make & model, engine model year, and engine family number
• Compliance Status: Such as "Compliant – PM Filter Installed," "Compliant – 2010 or Newer Engine," "Compliant – Low-Use Exemption," "Compliant – Agricultural Exemption," or "Compliant – NOx Exempt Area"
• Certificate Details: TRUCRS ID, certificate/confirmation number, date issued, and expiration date (if applicable)

Why This Certificate Is Required

The CARB Compliance Certificate is MANDATORY for:

• Driving in California
• Passing CHP inspections
• Highway weigh stations
• Ports & warehouses
• DOT roadside checks
• Insurance audits
• Fleet compliance audits

The certificate proves that: (1) The truck engine meets California emission standards (2010+ engines OR approved retrofit DPF), (2) The vehicle is declared in the CARB TRUCRS system (every truck must be registered in TRUCRS—even out-of-state trucks), and (3) The truck is not banned from operating in California.

Compliance Categories

The most common compliance categories include:

• Fully Compliant (2010+ engine): No special documents required
• DPF Installed (retrofit filter): Requires DPF serial number information
• Low-Use Exemption: For trucks that drive 1,000–5,000 miles per year in California
• Agricultural Exemption: For farming operations
• NOx Exempt Area: For trucks operating ONLY in low-NOx zones

Sky Transport Solutions helps you determine the appropriate compliance category for each vehicle in your fleet and ensures all trucks are properly registered in the TRUCRS system. We manage your ARB account and handle the administrative aspects of compliance, including adding and removing trucks as needed. Simply let us know when your fleet changes, and we'll update your account accordingly.

Non-Compliance Penalties

CARB penalties for non-compliance are extremely high:

• Fines up to $10,000 per day
• Truck can be impounded
• DMV registration blocked
• Port access revoked
• Insurance complications

Many out-of-state carriers get cited at weigh stations for not having this certificate. When a non-compliant vehicle is identified, CARB may issue citations to the commercial driver, motor carrier, freight broker or forwarder, and California-based shippers or receivers.

The cost of non-compliance can be devastating to your business. Sky Transport Solutions helps you avoid these costly penalties by ensuring your fleet maintains full compliance at all times. We set up your TRUCRS account, register all your vehicles, and handle annual renewals to keep your fleet compliant.

Why CARB Certification Matters for Carriers

Motor carriers must make obtaining CARB compliance certificates a top priority and ensure their entire fleet consists exclusively of CARB-compliant vehicles when operating in or passing through California. Maintaining proper certification keeps your vehicles legal and enables you to continue accepting loads that drive your business forward.

Even for carriers that don't currently operate in California, increasingly strict emission standards are spreading across the country. CARB compliance has evolved beyond a California-only issue—it's now a strategic investment to future-proof your fleet. By making the transition to CARB-compliant vehicles, you position your business to adapt smoothly as other states implement similar compliance regulations.

At Sky Transport Solutions, we understand the critical importance of CARB certification for your business operations. Since 2012, we've helped over 7,000 trucking companies achieve and maintain CARB compliance. Our expert team sets up your ARB account and manages your fleet's compliance—we can add or remove trucks as needed, and we handle annual account renewals at the end of each year. We offer the best prices in the market, guaranteed, and our California-based team works directly with you to ensure your fleet meets all requirements. Let us handle the complexities of CARB compliance so you can focus on what you do best—running your trucking business.

Frequently Asked Questions About CARB Certification