If you’re a fleet manager, truck or motorhome owner in California, you might find yourself in a situation where the DMV is holding your vehicle registration stickers. This can happen when your trucks are flagged for non-compliance with CARB regulations. If you’ve received such a notification, it’s crucial to take immediate action to avoid further complications. Here’s what you need to do.
Step 1: Understand Why Your Stickers Are Being Held
The DMV may hold your registration stickers if your vehicle is not compliant with the California Air Resources Board (CARB) regulations. This often happens when:
- Your vehicle has outstanding compliance fees.
- Your vehicle requires an emissions test, and CARB has not received a passing result.
- Your vehicle has a registration block due to non-compliance with CARB’s enforcement actions.
Step 2: Create an Account in the CTC-VIS Database
The first step toward resolving this issue is creating an account in the California Trucking Compliance Vehicle Information System (CTC-VIS) database. This database is essential for managing your fleet’s compliance with CARB regulations.
Step 3: Upload Your Vehicles
Once your account is set up, you’ll need to upload information for each vehicle in your fleet. This includes details such as the vehicle’s make, model, year, and emissions control systems. Accurate data entry is crucial to ensure that your fleet is correctly registered and monitored for compliance.
Step 4: Pay Any Outstanding Compliance Fees
After your vehicles are uploaded, check if there are any outstanding compliance fees. These fees must be paid to lift any registration holds and to ensure your vehicles are compliant. This step is critical, as unresolved fees can lead to further delays and potential fines.
Step 5: Monitor Your Compliance Status
Once your account is active and your vehicles are registered, CARB will send you monthly email summaries. These emails will include:
- The status of your vehicles’ compliance, including the number of vehicles whose certificates will expire within the next 90 days.
- Notifications of any vehicles that owe compliance fees, are past due, or have expired fees.
- Information about vehicles that have an upcoming Clean Truck Check emissions test due.
- Alerts about any vehicles with a DMV registration block due to outstanding CARB enforcement actions.
These updates are essential for staying on top of your fleet’s compliance and ensuring that no further issues arise with the DMV.
Step 6: Schedule Any Required Testing
If your vehicles require emissions testing, either OBD testing for newer vehicles or smoke opacity testing for older ones, it’s important to schedule these tests promptly.
- For trucks 2012 or older: Smoke Opacity Testing and Visual Inspection are required
- For trucks 2013 or newer: OBD Testing and Inspection are required
AIRLIMITS offers comprehensive testing services and can help you schedule these tests to ensure that your vehicles meet all CARB requirements.
Need Help? AIRLIMITS Is Here for You
If you’re unsure about how to navigate these requirements or need assistance with compliance management, AIRLIMITS is here to help. We offer a full suite of services to:
- Create and manage your CTC-VIS database account
- Upload and monitor your fleet’s compliance status
- Pay outstanding compliance fees
- Schedule and perform required emissions testing
By partnering with AIRLIMITS, you’ll have a dedicated team that’s ready to ensure your fleet remains compliant and that any DMV holds are promptly addressed.
Conclusion
If the DMV is holding your registration stickers due to CARB compliance issues, it’s important to act quickly. By setting up your CTC-VIS account, uploading your vehicles, paying any outstanding fees, and scheduling necessary tests, you can resolve the issue and get your fleet back on the road. AIRLIMITS is here to support you every step of the way.
For more information or to get started with our compliance services, contact AIRLIMITS today. We’re committed to helping you navigate CARB regulations and keep your fleet compliant.