By Russ and Tiña De Maris
Got a big diesel motorhome? What’s big? A motorhome that tips the gross vehicle weight scale of 14,000 pounds or more. The diesel pusher in our photo easily tips over the scale. If you do, you may be in for a rude awakening. California is readying a rollout of mandatory motorhome emissions testing requirements. They’ll go into effect in July 2023.
Not a California resident? Don’t sigh in relief just yet. As it stands, even folks visiting the Golden State with a “heavy duty vehicle” are subject to some rigorous testing. All of it could slow your entry into the state.
Tailpipe intrusion courtesy of CARB
The genesis of this new tailpipe intrusion comes from a 2016 law. Created under Senate Bill 210, its purpose was to cut air pollution. The aim is to reduce the amount of nitrous oxide and particulate emissions “from non-gasoline heavy duty vehicles … that operate in California, including out-of-state vehicles.”
We initially thought the application of the law was to commercial rigs. Sorry, privately owned recreational vehicles fall under the law and the new rules. The rules come straight from the state’s Air Resources Board (CARB). It’s the same agency that has caused more than one gas can owner to hurl naughty words when dealing with eco-conscious fuel containers.
CARB recently released a 52-page draft of their regulatory concepts. We sifted through the legalese and technotalk and put together a synopsis of what we thought would apply to mandatory motorhome emissions testing. What will it mean for both California owners and those who’d like to visit the state? We ran our thoughts under CARB’s nose.
Summary of the new system
Here’s a summary of how the new system will work. That is, at least in terms of how CARB staff envision the matter at this point. Heavy-duty vehicles, including 14,000-pound-plus motorhomes that run on anything other than gasoline will have to submit to mandatory inspections. You did note that little detail, right? Even if your motorhome runs on, say, “alternative fuel,” if it runs on anything other than gasoline you’re in for the testing. Well, there are a couple of exceptions here. If you’re so advanced that you’re running strictly on electricity or hydrogen fuel cells, you’re off the hook.
OBD-based
The testing system is based on the use of a rig’s OBD (on-board diagnostics). That’s the computer diagnostics port that whiz-bang technicians can plug into and tell you just how expensive your repair visit will cost. An authorized test facility employee would plug into your OBD.
The system will test to make sure your emission control system is operating correctly. If everything checks out, you’ll get a note on your electronic record stating you’re good to go. However, if you flunk the test, you’ll be required to get the problem fixed and re-tested within 45 days. Skip out on the repairs or the re-test, you can be subject to citations. Keep repeating this behavior, you could find your motorhome in the impound yard. Incidentally, the state envisions a network of test stations across the state. Most likely they’ll be at truck stops and other heavy-duty rig repair shops.
But don’t show up for the mandatory motorhome emissions test with a fault-showing OBD. You’ll be automatically flagged as being out of compliance. What if your motorhome doesn’t have an OBD port that the test gear can hook up to? Then your rig is subject to an opacity test and a “visual inspection.” The opacity test means your tailpipe emissions are analyzed. Essentially, how smoky is the stuff coming out of your tail pipe? If it’s too smoky, you lose. Time for a repair.
Or a visual inspection
A visual inspection means the technician peers under the hood, as it were. They’ll be looking at emissions-related components. They’ll take a hawk-eyed look at the emissions control label. You’d best not have removed it or defaced it.
And the inspector will also be looking closely at your dash panel. So if he sees that your “malfunction indicator light,” otherwise known as the “check engine” light, is lit, you’ll get a correction-required notice. Got any “aftermarket parts” installed? If they could affect emissions, they’ll need to bear the stamp of approval of CARB. Does that affect aftermarket power chips? We’re not clear on that yet.
The nitty-gritty
In practice, how does this testing work out? For RVs registered in California, this mandatory motorhome emissions testing will be an annual requirement. That doesn’t necessarily mean hunting down an approved emissions test site, getting an appointment, and waiting in line. “Telematics” systems that connect to your OBD port can remotely transmit the data to the state.
What about non-residents? As the draft is currently written, non-residents aren’t cut any breaks. Your motorhome would require a test on entry to the state. However, CARB tells us, “Staff is considering an exemption from heavy-duty I/M [inspection and maintenance] for motor homes registered outside of CA when used only for personal use.” The keyword here is “considering.” Just when and if staff will write in the exemption remains to be seen.
Non-resident inspections
If non-residents do draw this exemption, they’ll be free from some other issues that California RVers will be stuck with. What’s that include? If you own a motorhome that meets the specifications of the law, you’ll also have to obtain an electronic account with the state, and register any rigs you own that meet the specs.
Once inspected, you’ll get a certificate for your motorhome, provided it passes inspection. You’ll have the privilege of paying for this certificate. And the cost? CARB tells us, “Staff expects to have pinned down the cost of the compliance certificate by the end of 2021.” If non-residents don’t get the potential exemption, they’ll be expected to pay for the certificate, but the state assured us they’ll pay the same as a California resident.
Are there any other surprises in this mandatory motorhome emissions boogaloo? Paying to dance is bad enough. We hope we’ve covered all the bases. The big issue for non-residents will be – will they/won’t they get an “exemption.” Already the RV industry is pushing for it to happen. And if California’s economy wants tourist dollars, odds would seem likely it will happen. But as with anything other than death and taxes, nothing is certain.
Photo: thormotorcoach.com
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##RVT990b
Guess any trip to California I was thinking of just got canceled. How do they want a pre 2007 diesel motor home to comply with 2021 emission standards? Wave a magic wand at it?
You got till 2023 so you cancelled for naught.
By 2023 you won’t be able to afford fuel to go to CA!
Why support a city that obviously, doesn’t want you and your rv there?
I read the whole article and I didn’t see where it said you would have to comply with current emissions standards, unless I missed it?
Then what standard will they use to fail a coach? My 04 has no emissions equipment to be checked. Yet I’ll be required to have it “tested”
Seems more like another tax than anything else.
If California grants exemptions to out-of-state diesel motor homes, I’d expect lawsuits from California owners claiming unfair discrimination. And if all coaches regardless of state of registry are flagged to exit for mandatory stops & inspections (at commercial truck weigh stations, the most logical existing sites) then one might expect a huge migration of California-registered coaches to Nevada for re-registration and storage. Nevada, seeing a good thing, should grant instant registration for out-of-state coach owners. California owners registered in Nevada can drive their toad to their stored coach and go north, east, or south for their RV adventure. West? Forget it! California has made itself out of bounds.
Bureaucrats tend to forget that angry folks can move and vehicles have wheels. People tend to be like grapes: squeeze ’em too hard and they might squirt out of reach.
My Nevada USED to be a great state to live in, but no more. Our illustrious Governor is a rubber stamp of California’s Governor. What Newsome does, so does Sisolak. Lately we’ve been looking at Texas as a possible move. Too many Californians have moved to Nevada and brought their California thinking with them – thus turning Nevada into California East. I am heartbroken by what our state has turned into. At 75, I really don’t relish the idea of moving – anywhere, but the way things are going, I’m almost ready to sign up for the first flight to Mars . . . 😢 😠 😩
I agree Tommy. My DIL lives in Gardnerville
C*****fornia has been off our radar for quite some time already. Why would anyone support a State with their tourism dollars, that freely allows illegals to infest their state and reward them with tax payer dollars. C*****fornia has already seen a huge exodus from their State. As far as those running the state, you just can’t fix stupid! I feel sorry for those that do not live in the large cities there. They have to endure all of these ridiculous regulations.
You get what you vote for.
While that is true, you have to understand that C*****fornia has the vote harvesting and gives Drivers licenses to illegals. That is why they are brought into the larger cities like L.A., S.F. and S.D. I would bet that the majority of “Legal” Californians (outside of the largest cities), are not voting for these socialist individuals. So they are forced to put up with all of it! Not by their own choosing.
Agree, so very true.
Spot on, Ed. We stay out of CA every chance we get, which is ALWAYS!
Good thinking Tom!
Agree!!!
Just another reason to not enter that State and give them my tourism dollars.
Amen!
Exactly. We already avoid CA, so not a big deal. There is plenty to see in North America. If we get the urge to go to Disneyland, we will just drive from NV.
When the enforce the emissions inspection on non residents. Just boycott traveling and vacation there. Residents should just vote environmental politicians out of office.
Vote em out of office, so we can continue to destroy the earth. Great plan!
Joe, nobody is “destroying” the earth.
If you believe that you should sell all of your motor vehicles today.
Do you seriously think that the Ca. politicians are going to save the Earth? One state in one country on the entire planet? 🤔
We have been trying for years but there are too many of those who believe this is good living along the coast. JMO
A lot of California residents will possibly sell their motorhomes rather than comply!
Or just park and register them in another state. They will use their toad to get to RV.
The article states OBD2 based testing. If true, that excludes my 2005 Cummins ISB 300. As most of you know, the EEC system is accessed from a J1939 7 pin port under the dash or in the rear access door.
I guess I’ll have to ask my SIL to visit with us in Reno NV after 2023. CA keeps this up, I’ll not cross Donner Summit.
Phil: As the article points out, those without OBD ports to read will be sent to a visual smoke test.
Cars and light trucks (including pickups and smaller motorhomes) already have required emissions testing in California and a number of other states as part of the registration process. I have to take my Sprinter based MH to get smog checks every other year when the registration is due. It isn’t a big deal. It costs $35 and takes 10 minutes at a shop down the street from my house. I’m not sure why anyone thinks bigger motorhomes should get a pass. Because they’re bigger and pollute more?
Forcing out of state vehicles to be tested seems weird, though.
We live in Silicon Valley, and our short class-A gas RV cost $120.00 to smog, at a shop in Campbell. Very few smog stations can handle a 30′ long RV, nor do they care too.
Must be the one unicorn shop in CA that only charges $35.00. What’s the name of the shop? There is a mandatory fee from the state of $8.25 just for the certificate. $60 is about the minimum I’ve found for my visual only check on my 07 Duramax.
In the same vein, there is a proposed law in oregon to ban the sale of diesel fuel in the 3 counties surrounding portland from 2023. It’s not expected to go anywhere, but this is the thinking of the progressives in the large cities on the west coast.
Being born, raised, worked, retired in CA, I sold out last fall. They have the most oppressive State government in America, totally run by one party ideologs. The Gov is a perfect example of the elitist who say ‘do as I say, not as I do’. Being on the opposite political side, I moved to a State that believes in a government that represents its people.
Californians will comply rather than vote these clowns out of office. Others will register Class A’s in AZ, NV, OR. One commenter here says the smog testing costs $35 and no big deal. First, I never got away less than $60. Second, my new State has $0 testing and unlike CA, the air is clear. Last, she tells us it is unfair to exempt diesel rigs, but fails to say CA exempts beater, poorly maintained vehicles that can not pass the test, so long as it belongs to a lower economic class. Guess that is fair and ‘follows the science’??
Not!🤣🤣
I 100% agree!!!!!!!
Guess there is yet another reason to never darken California’s borders.
That means fewer RVs jamming up the mountain roads and belching diesel. RV tourists don’t bring in as much in terms of tourist $ (no hotel rooms, fewer meals in restaurants) so it’s not a big loss for California. Also, if your RV can’t pass emissions testing, you should really be concerned about your own health, as this will affect you and your loved ones more than anyone else. Take care of yourself !
Another tax, another reason NOT to visit California.
Definitely
When the carmaker gives you a lifetime warranty on poorly designed DEF systems then I’ll put that crap back on the truck…maybe. There’s nothing like being stuck 500 miles out in the boonies and have a CEL come on and then limiting your speed to 5mph due to crappy emissions systems, all while pulling a 40′ fifth wheel.
Well I thought about visiting California for the desert races or the dunes, but out of all the 50 States, California basically saying an F U to tourist I’ll avoid that state completely!!! I’m personally from Florida and don’t give a damn about emissions I’d rather have a fully deleted truck than an electric car that pollutes more in the manufacturing process of lithium ion batteries!!!!!!!! Even a deleted diesel is cleaner than a electric car, that is if you don’t run a smoke tune. California and the EPA want to take away our trucks and our motor sports I’ll never visit CA count me out!!!!!!!
I and my business associates have held business meetings in CA many times and have spent thousands of dollars over the last 25 years. Our last meeting was three years ago. We are not going back….
Im not sure inspecting out of sats pullers is leagle as all 50 states have for years had reserprosity for free travel with your st reg AND COMPLIANCE WITH FEDERAL EMISSIONS STANDARDS
Not to change the subject bot a former trip to az and south after coming back across the border about 10-25 miles we hit a road block check THEY WERE STICKING OUR TANKS FOR WRONG COLOR FARM FUEL🤣 i was ok sll my 100 gal of farm fuel was in bed aux tank🤣🤣🤣
Just read the regulation and it says personal use motorhomes are exempt. Did you find that info on follow up?
Hi, Phil. That post was written in March 2021, so maybe the wording has been changed since then? I don’t have time to double-check, however. Have a great day. 😀 –Diane at RVtravel.com
If you mean all motorhomes, not so. Don’t know about visiting. We are residents & got notice 1st of the year. Needs to have done by end of 2024. Filled out form & paid fee. Emailed questions about where we go & they sent a link w/providers. Must have used software from the 50’s, impossible to navigate or understand. Searching the internet was my friend. Found a mobile tech testing company doing fleets, company trucks, etc. He said he would help. Kicker, can only do test no sooner than 90 days before registration expires. Ours is Feb, won’t get registration until just before Christmas. Leave for 3 month trip in mid January! Tech says he will pencil us in.