Do California Motorhomes Need a Clean Truck Check? Here's What RV Owners Need to Know

I get this question more often than you might expect.

A fleet operator calls to book testing for his trucks and mentions almost as an afterthought that he also has a diesel Class A motorhome sitting in his yard. Does it need to be tested

too? The short answer surprised him. It surprised a lot of people.

Yes — in many cases, it does.

What the regulation actually says

California's SB 210 Clean Truck Check program applies to heavy-duty vehicles — specifically diesel and alternative fuel vehicles with a Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) over 14,000 pounds operating on California public roads. The regulation doesn't make a special exemption for motorhomes just because they're used for recreation rather than commerce.

If your diesel motorhome weighs more than 14,000 pounds GVWR and is registered in California, there's a good chance you're subject to Clean Truck Check requirements.

How motorhome testing differs from commercial trucks

Here's the part that's actually good news for motorhome owners: the testing frequency is different.

Commercial trucks subject to SB 210 are required to test twice per year — semi-annually — in 2025 and 2026, with quarterly testing coming for OBD vehicles starting in October 2027.

California-registered motorhomes used for recreational purposes test only once per year. That's a significantly lighter compliance burden.

The test itself works the same way as any other Clean Truck Check. For diesel motorhomes with 2013 and newer engines, that's an OBD test — I connect a CARB-certified diagnostic device to the motorhome's OBD port and scan for fault codes and readiness monitor completion. For 2012 and older diesel engines, it's an OVI opacity and visual inspection test.

Which motorhomes are exempt?

Not every motorhome is subject to the program. Here's how to know where yours falls:

Gasoline-powered motorhomes are exempt — the Clean Truck Check program specifically targets diesel and alternative fuel engines. If your motorhome runs on gasoline, you don't need to worry about this.

Travel trailers and fifth wheels are exempt because they have no engine. The regulation applies to the vehicle with the engine, not the vehicle being towed.

Class A, B, and C diesel motorhomes over 14,000 lbs GVWR registered in California are generally subject to the program once per year.

The GVWR threshold is important. Your motorhome's GVWR is on a label inside the driver's door jamb. If it's under 14,000 pounds you're below the threshold and exempt.

What happens if you miss your deadline?

The consequences are the same as for commercial trucks — CARB places a DMV registration hold on your vehicle. That means you can't renew your motorhome's registration until the hold is cleared with a passing Clean Truck Check test. For an RV owner planning a trip, discovering a registration hold right before hitting the road is about the worst timing imaginable.

The 90-day testing window works the same way it does for trucks. Your deadline is based on your California DMV registration expiration date. You can test up to 90 days before that date. I'd strongly recommend testing at the start of your 90-day window rather than waiting — it gives time to address any issues before the deadline.

How to check if your motorhome is in the system

If your diesel motorhome has been registered in California, CARB may already have it in the CTC-VIS system. Log into your account at cleantruckcheck.arb.ca.gov to check your vehicle's compliance status and deadline. If your motorhome shows up there with a testing requirement, that's your confirmation.

Not sure if your account includes the motorhome? Call me directly at (916) 847-3811 and I'll help you figure it out before we schedule anything. Getting the answer wrong in either direction — testing a vehicle that doesn't need it or missing a deadline on one that does — wastes time and money.

Fleet Rescue tests diesel motorhomes

I'm fully credentialed to perform Clean Truck Check testing on diesel motorhomes — CARB Tester ID E237783. Same mobile service, same process. I come to your location with all required equipment. You don't need to drive your motorhome to a testing facility.

If your motorhome is due for a Clean Truck Check — or if you're not sure and want to find out — call me at (916) 847-3811 or book online at fleetrescueca.com/book. I'll confirm your vehicle's requirements before we schedule anything, and we'll take care of it from there.

— Jeff LeMaster, Owner · Fleet Rescue, LLC · CARB Tester ID E237783