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FINAL REGULATION ORDER TO REDUCE EMISSIONS OF 

DIESEL PARTICULATE MATTER, OXIDES OF NITROGEN, AND OTHER 

POLLUTANTS FROM IN-USE HEAVY-DUTY DIESEL-FUELED VEHICLES 

Adopt new section 2025, in title 13, article 4.5, chapter 1, California Code of Regulations 

(Cal. Code Reg.) to read as follows: (Note that the entire text of section 2025 set forth 

below is new language to be added to the California Code of Regulations.) 

Section 2025. Regulation to Reduce Emissions of Diesel Particulate Matter, 

Oxides of Nitrogen and Other Criteria Pollutants, from In-Use 

Heavy-Duty Diesel-Fueled Vehicles 

(a) Purpose. 

The purpose of this regulation is to reduce emissions of diesel particulate matter (PM), 

oxides of nitrogen (NOx) and other criteria pollutants, and greenhouse gases from inuse diesel-fueled vehicles. 

(b) Scope and Applicability. 

(1) Except as provided in subsection (c), this regulation applies to any person, 

business, federal government agency, school district or school transportation 

provider that owns or operates, leases, or rents, affected vehicles that operate in 

California. The regulation also applies to persons that sell affected vehicles in 

California. Affected vehicles are those that operate on diesel-fuel, dual-fuel, or 

alternative diesel-fuel that are registered to be driven on public highways, were 

originally designed to be driven on public highways whether or not they are 

registered, yard trucks with on-road or off-road engines, both engines of two 

engine sweepers, schoolbuses, and have a manufacturer’s gross vehicle weight 

rating (GVWR) greater than 14,000 pounds. Affected vehicles also include shuttle 

vehicles defined in section 2025(d)(68). 

(c) Exemptions 

This regulation does not apply to: 

(1) Vehicles subject to the solid waste collection vehicle rule commencing with title 13, 

CCR, section 2021; 

(2) On-road diesel-fueled heavy-duty vehicles over 14,000 pounds owned or operated 

by a municipality, that comply with the Best Available Control Technology (BACT) 

requirements of title 13, section 2022.1(a)(1); 

(3) Vehicles subject to the fleet rule for transit agencies commencing with title 13, 

CCR, section 2023; 

(4) Vehicles subject to the rule for mobile cargo handling equipment at ports and 

intermodal rail yards commencing with title 13, CCR, section 2479; 

(5) Military tactical support vehicles, as described in title 13, CCR, section 1905; 
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(6) Authorized emergency vehicles as described in California Vehicle Code (Veh. 

Code), section 165; 

(7) Off-road vehicles subject to title 13, CCR, sections 2401, 2411, 2421, 2432, and 

2449; 

(8) Dedicated snow-removal vehicles as defined in section 2025(d)(18); 

(9) Two-engine cranes as defined in title 13, CCR, section 2449(c)(56); 

(10) Historic vehicles as defined in section 2025(d)(41); 

(11) Motor homes for non-commercial private use; 

(12) Vehicles subject to the regulation for drayage trucks commencing with title 13, 

CCR, section 2027 until January 1, 2021; and 

(13) Trucks with a GVWR of 19,500 pounds or less with originally equipped pick-up 

beds used exclusively for personal use, non-commercial, non-governmental use. 

(d) Definitions 

For purposes of this regulation, the following definitions apply: 

(1) “2004 Model Year NOx Emissions Equivalent” means emissions from:

(A) An engine certified to the 2003 or prior model year heavy duty diesel 

engine emission standard that was built to 2004 engine emission 

standards and was not used in any manufacturer’s averaging, banking 

and trading program. 

(B) A pre-2004 model year heavy duty diesel engine that is equipped with a 

verified diesel emissions control strategy (VDECS) that reduces NOx 

exhaust emissions by at least 55 percent. 

(2) “2007 Model Year NOx Emissions Equivalent” means emissions from: 

(A) An engine certified to the 2003 or prior model year heavy-duty diesel 

engine emissions standard that is equipped with a VDECS that reduces 

NOx exhaust emissions by at least 70 percent; or 

(B) An engine certified to the 2004 through 2006 model year heavy-duty 

diesel engine emissions standard that is equipped with a VDECS that 

reduces NOx exhaust emissions by at least 40 percent; or 

(C) A 2004 model year NOx emissions equivalent heavy duty diesel engine, 

as defined in section 2025(d)(1)(A), that is equipped with a VDECS that 

reduces NOx exhaust emissions by at least 40 percent. 

(D) An engine certified to the 2007-2009 model year heavy-duty engine 

emissions standard. 

(3) “2008 Baseline Fleet” means the motor vehicles that were owned by the fleet, 

registered with California’s department of motor vehicles or registered in the home 

jurisdiction of one of the International Registration Plan member jurisdictions on 

July 1, 2008, and were driven at least 1,000 miles in the year 2008 in California. 
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(4) “2010 Model Year NOx Emissions Equivalent” means emissions from: 

(A) An engine certified to the 2004 model year heavy-duty diesel engine 

emissions standard that is equipped with a VDECS that reduces NOx 

exhaust emissions by more than 85 percent; or 

(B) An engine certified to the 2007 model year heavy-duty diesel engine 

emissions standard that is equipped with a VDECS that reduces NOx 

exhaust emissions by more than 70 percent; or 

(C) An engine certified to the 2010 model year or newer heavy-duty diesel 

engine emissions standard; or 

(D) A heavy-duty engine certified to 0.2 g/bhp-hr or less NOx emissions level; 

or 

(E) An off-road engine certified to the Tier 4 Final engine emissions standard. 

(5) “Agricultural Operations” means: 

(A) The activity of growing or harvesting crops for the primary purpose of 

making a profit or providing a livelihood including any horticultural, 

viticultural, aquacultural, forestry, dairy, livestock, poultry, bee or farm 

product. Raising plants at nurseries that sell exclusively retail are not 

included, or 

(B) The cutting or removing of timber, other solid wood products, including 

Christmas trees, and biomass from forestlands for commercial purposes. 

The services also include all the work incidental thereto, including but not 

limited to, construction and maintenance of roads, fuel breaks, firebreaks, 

stream crossings, landings, skid trails, beds for falling trees, fire hazard 

abatement, and site preparation that involves disturbance of soil or 

burning of vegetation following forest removal activities. Forest operations 

include the cutting or removal of trees, tops, limbs and or brush which is 

processed into lumber and other wood products, and or for landscaping 

materials, or biomass for electrical power generation. Forest operations do 

not include conversion of forestlands to other land uses such as 

residential or commercial developments. 

(6) “Agricultural Vehicle” means one of the following types of vehicles; 

(A) A truck, or a truck-tractor and trailer combination, that is required to 

display a hazardous material placard during delivery and exclusively 

delivers fertilizer or crop protection chemicals that require placard 

identification for use in agricultural operations from a distribution center to 

a farm and back, and is owned by a business holding a valid fertilizer or 

pest control license. 

1. Owners of such vehicles must hold; 

a. a valid pest control dealer license issued by the California 

Department of Pesticide Regulation as required under Food & 
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Agricultural Code, Division 6, Chapter 7, Article 6, Section 12101 

or, 

b. a valid fertilizing materials license issued by the California 

Department of Food and Agriculture as required under Food & 

Agricultural Code, Division 7, Chapter 5, Article 4, Section 14591(a) 

and,

2. Such vehicles must exclusively carry products defined under one of 

the following, and be required to display an appropriate placard, as 

required by the United States Department of Transportation: 

a. 49 CFR, CHAPTER 1, PART 173.127 (Division 5.1), or 

b. 49 CFR, CHAPTER 1, PART 173.132 (Division 6.1), or 

c. 49 CFR, CHAPTER 1, PART 173.115 Class 2, (Division 2.1, 2.2, 

and 2.3), 

d. 49 CFR, CHAPTER 1, PART 173.136 Class 8, 

e. 49 CFR, CHAPTER 1, PART 173.140 Class 9.

(B) A vehicle, or truck-tractor and trailer combination, owned by a farming 

business and used exclusively in agricultural operations, or owned by a 

beekeeping business used exclusively to transport their own bees. This 

includes supply trucks, cattle trucks, and other vehicles, but excludes 

vehicles that do not directly support farming operations such as personal 

use vehicles, vehicles rented or leased out, or vehicles used in a 

transportation business. 

(C) A truck, or truck-tractor and trailer combination, designed for in-field 

operations that is exclusively engaged in agricultural operations on the 

farm. Examples include truck configurations designed to spread manure, 

dispense hay, and dispense freestall bedding. It also includes water trucks 

and trucks designed or modified to be used exclusively for the dusting, 

spraying, fertilizing, or seeding of crops. Except as allowed in (A) above, 

trucks, or truck-tractor and trailer combinations that transport any 

products, materials, personnel, or equipment are excluded. 

(D) A truck, or truck-tractor and trailer combination, that exclusively transports 

any horticultural, viticultural, aquacultural, forestry, dairy, livestock, poultry, 

bee or farm products such as raw, unprocessed crops, livestock, fish, or 

fowl from the farm to the first point of processing after harvest. Also 

included are trucks that are used to harvest crops for silage and trucks 

that transport unprocessed agricultural materials from forest or farm to a 

biomass facility. 

(7) “Alternative Diesel Fuel” means any fuel used in diesel engines that is not a

reformulated diesel fuel as defined in sections 2281 and 2282 of title 13, CCR, and 

does not require engine or fuel system modifications for the engine to operate, 

other than minor modifications (e.g., recalibration of the engine fuel control) that 

may enhance performance. Examples of alternative diesel fuels include, but are 

not limited to, biodiesel, Fischer-Tropsch fuels, and emulsions of water in diesel 
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fuel. Natural gas is not an alternative diesel fuel. An emission control strategy 

using a fuel additive will be treated as an alternative diesel fuel based strategy 

unless: 

(A) the additive is supplied to the engine fuel by an on-board dosing 

mechanism, or 

(B) the additive is directly mixed into the base fuel inside the fuel tank of the 

engine, or 

(C) the additive and base fuel are not mixed until engine fueling commences, 

and no more additive plus base fuel combination is mixed than required 

for a single fueling of a single engine or vehicle.

(8) “Alternative Fuel” means natural gas, propane, ethanol, methanol, gasoline (when 

used in hybrid electric vehicles only), hydrogen, electricity, fuel cells, or advanced 

technologies that do not rely on diesel fuel. “Alternative fuel” also means any of 

these fuels used in combination with each other or in combination with other nondiesel fuels. 

(9) “Alternative-Fueled Engine” means an engine that is exclusively fueled with a fuel 

meeting the definition of alternative fuel. 

(10) “Authorized Emergency Vehicle” has the same meaning as California Vehicle 

Code section 165. 

(11) “Best Available Control Technology BACT Standard” (BACT) means the exhaust 

PM and NOx standards that must be met according to the requirements of 

section 2025(f) and 2025(g). 

(12) “California Based Broker” means a person, with operations based in California, 

who, for compensation, arranges or offers to arrange the transportation of property 

by an authorized motor carrier. A motor carrier, or person who is an employee or 

bona fide agent of a carrier, is not a broker when it arranges or offers to arrange 

the transportation of shipments which it is authorized to transport and which it has 

accepted and legally bound itself to transport. 

(13) “Cattle or Calf Feedlot” means a lot or facility where cattle or calves have been, 

are, or will be stabled or confined and fed or maintained for a total of 45 days or 

more in any 12-month period, and where crops, vegetation, forage growth, or postharvest residues are not sustained in the normal growing season over any portion 

of the lot or facility. 

(14) “Commercial Vehicle” means a motor vehicle or combination of motor vehicles as 

defined in California Veh. Code, section 260. 

(15) “Common Ownership or Control” means being owned or managed day to day by 

the same person, corporation, partnership, or association. Vehicles managed by 

the same directors, officers, or managers, or by corporations controlled by the 

same majority stockholders are considered to be under common ownership or 

control even if their title is held by different business entities. Common ownership 

or control of a federal government vehicle shall be the primary responsibility of the 

unit that is directly responsible for its day to day operational control. 
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(16) “Compliance Year” means January 1 through December 31 of a calendar year. 

(17) “Compression Ignition Engine” means an internal combustion engine with 

operating characteristics significantly similar to the theoretical diesel combustion 

cycle. The regulation of power by controlling fuel supply in lieu of a throttle is 

indicative of a compression ignition engine. 

(18) “Dedicated Snow Removal Vehicle” means a vehicle that has permanently affixed 

snow removal equipment such as a snow blower or auger and is operated 

exclusively to remove snow from public roads, private roads, or other paths to 

allow on-road vehicle access. 

(19) “Diesel Fuel” has the same meaning as defined in title 13, CCR, sections 2281 

and 2282. 

(20) “Diesel Particulate Filter” means an emission control technology that reduces

diesel particulate matter emissions by directing the exhaust through a filter that 

physically captures particles but permits gases to flow through. Periodically, the 

collected particles are either physically removed or oxidized (burned off) in a 

process called regeneration. 

(21) “Diesel Particulate Matter (PM)” means the particles found in the exhaust of dieselfueled compression ignition engines. Diesel PM may agglomerate and adsorb 

other species to form structures of complex physical and chemical properties. 

(22) “Diesel PM Index” for the purposes of section 2025(h)(3)(B) means an indicator of 

the overall PM emission rate. 

(23) “Diesel PM Target Rate” means the diesel PM fleet average that a specific fleet 

must meet in a compliance year in order to show compliance with the fleet 

average requirements. 

(24) “Drayage Truck” is the same as defined in title 13, CCR. Section 2027. 

(25) “Dual-Fuel Engine” means any compression ignition engine that is engineered and 

designed to operate on a combination of alternative fuels, such as compressed 

natural gas (CNG) or liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) and diesel fuel or an 

alternative diesel fuel. These engines have two separate fuel systems, which inject 

both fuels simultaneously into the engine combustion chamber. A dual-fuel engine 

is not an alternative-fuel engine. 

(26) “Electronic Tracking System”

(A) The tracking device must acquire date, time, and engine-on data at a 

minimum of 15 minute intervals, with no more than 30 minute data gaps. 

The tracking device must also acquire location data for vehicles claiming 

to operate exclusively in NOx-exempt areas and for vehicles that must 

document low use in California when their total miles of operation exceed 

1,000 miles and total hours of operation exceed 100 hours. 

(B) The tracking records must be collected by an independent entity with no 

business relationship to the owners of the vehicles being tracked, other 

than to provide the tracking service. 
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(27) “Emergency Operation” means operation of an authorized emergency vehicle or 

emergency support vehicle to help alleviate an immediate threat to public health or 

safety. Examples of emergency operation include vehicle used at an emergency 

event to repair or prevent damage to roads, buildings, terrain, and infrastructure as 

a result of an earthquake, flood, storm, fire, terrorism, or other infrequent acts of 

nature. Emergency operation includes authorized emergency vehicle and 

emergency support vehicle travel to and from an emergency event when 

dispatched by a local, state, or federal agency. Routine operation to prevent 

public health risks does not constitute emergency operation. 

(28) “Emergency Support Vehicle” means a vehicle, other than an authorized 

emergency vehicle that has been dispatched by a local, state, or federal agency 

that is used to transport services or supplies in connection with an emergency 

operation. 

(29) “Emission Factor” means diesel PM or oxides of nitrogen (NOx) emission rate in 

grams per mile (g/mile) as shown in Appendix A. For engines that have been 

retrofitted with VDECS, the PM Emission Factor is reduced by 50 percent for a 

level 2 VDECS, and 85 percent for a level 3 VDECS; the NOx Emission Factor is 

reduced by the percentage NOx emission reductions that are verified, if any. The 

PM Emission Factor is not reduced for a level 1 VDECS. 

(30) “Executive Officer” means the Executive Officer of the ARB or his or her 

authorized representative. 

(31) “Farm” means a physical location for which the primary purpose is making a profit 

or providing a livelihood from; 

(A) horticultural, viticultural, aquacultural, forestry or crops or plants that are 

grown and harvested at the location, (Nurseries that sell exclusively retail 

are not farms), or 

(B) raising, breeding, grazing, feeding, or milking animals, fish, fowl, or bees. 

(32) “Farming Business” means a business involved in the cultivating, operating, or 

managing a farm for profit, either as owner or tenant. A farming business does not 

include businesses that derive their principal source of income from providing 

agricultural services such as, landscape services, veterinary, farm labor, or 

management for a fee or on a contract basis, or are engaged in the business of 

artificial insemination, raising, and caring for dogs, cats, or other pet animals. 

(33) “First Point of Processing” means the location where harvested crops, bees, fowl, 

fish, livestock, animals, or their products, such as wool, milk, or eggs, are first 

altered from their original state, or the first location where unaltered products are 

packaged and prepared for transportation. First point of processing is not a 

location of the product’s final use and for some crops the location may be in the 

field, such as chipping wood. First point of processing also includes biomass 

facilities that receive agricultural waste in the form of unprocessed agricultural 

materials. A first point of processing may include, but is not limited to, 

packinghouses, slaughterhouses, cotton gins, nut hullers/shellers and processors, 

dehydrators, lumber mills, feed and grain mills, and biomass facilities. First point 
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of processing does not include distribution centers, wholesale retail sales locations 

where the first processing of product does not occur, livestock auction houses, and 

subsequent locations where processing, canning, or similar activities occur after 

departing a first point of processing location. 

(34) “Fleet” means one or more vehicles, owned by a person, business, or government 

agency, traveling in California and subject to this regulation. A fleet may fall into 

one of the following subclassification: 

(A) “Agricultural Fleet” means a fleet utilizing the agricultural fleet provision in 

section 2025(m). A fleet owner utilizing the agricultural fleet provisions 

must include all vehicles under common ownership or control in the 

agricultural fleet including those vehicles that are not agricultural vehicles. 

Fleets not utilizing the agricultural fleet provision must comply with 

section 2025(e). 

(B) “Federal Fleets” means vehicles in fleets owned by a department, agency, 

or instrumentality of the federal government of the United States of 

America and its departments, divisions, public corporations, or public 

agencies including the United States Postal Service. With respect to the 

Department of Defense and its service branches, federal fleets may be 

managed regionally, locally, or a combination of regional and local 

management. There may be multiple federal fleets within a military 

service or an installation. 

(C) “Rental or Leased Fleets” means vehicles that are owned by a person 

(rental or leasing entity) for the purpose of renting or leasing, as defined in 

California Uniform Commercial Code, section 10103(a)(10) such vehicles 

to other persons (renters or lessees) for use or operation. 

(D) “Schoolbus Fleet” means a fleet comprised only of vehicles that meet the 

definition of schoolbus given in section 2025(d)(67). 

(E) “Schoolbus Sub-Fleet” means the schoolbuses in a fleet comprised of 

schoolbuses and vehicles other than schoolbuses. 

(F) “Small Fleet” means a fleet with a fleet size of three or fewer vehicles. 

When determining fleet size, all of the vehicles under common ownership 

and control must be counted. 

(35) “Fleet Owner” means, except as modified below in paragraphs (A) and (B), either 

the person registered as the owner or lessee of a vehicle by the California 

Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV), or its equivalent in another state, province, 

or country; as evidenced on the vehicle registration document carried in the 

vehicle. 

(A) For vehicles that are owned by the federal government and not registered in 

any state or local jurisdiction, the owner shall be the department, agency, 

branch, or other entity of the United States, including the United States Postal 

Service, to which the vehicles in the fleet are assigned or which have 

responsibility for maintenance of the vehicles. 
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(B) For vehicles that are rented or leased: 

1. The owner shall be presumed to be the rental or leasing entity for 

purposes of compliance with section 2025(e), if: 

a. The rental or lease agreement for the vehicle is for a period of less 

than one year; or 

b. The rental or lease agreement for the vehicle is for a period of one 

year or longer, unless the terms of the rental or lease agreement or 

other equally reliable evidence identifies the party responsible for 

compliance with state laws for the vehicle to be the renting operator or 

lessee of the vehicle. 

2. For purpose of enforcement, if at the time that the vehicle is inspected and 

cited for noncompliance with this regulation and the operator of the vehicle 

does not possess evidence of the party responsible for compliance with 

state laws, the owner shall be presumed to be both the rental or leasing 

entity and the renting operator or lessees of the vehicle. 

(36) “Fleet Size” means the total number of vehicles in a fleet, regardless of whether 

the vehicles operate in California, that are under common ownership or control 

even if they are part of different subsidiaries, divisions, or other organizational 

structures of a company or agency. 

(37) “Governmental Agency” means any federal, state, or local governmental agency, 

including, public schools, water districts, or any other public entity with taxing 

authority. 

(38) “Heavy-Duty Pilot Ignition Engine” means an engine designed to operate using an 

alternative fuel, except that diesel fuel is used for pilot ignition at an average ratio 

of no more than one part diesel fuel to ten parts total fuel on an energy equivalent 

basis. An engine that can operate or idle solely on diesel fuel at any time does not 

meet this definition. 

(39) “Heavy Heavy-Duty Diesel Vehicle (HHD)” for the purposes of this regulation, 

means a diesel motor vehicle having a manufacturer's gross vehicle weight rating 

greater than 33,000 pounds or a truck-tractor regardless of GVWR, or a 

motorcoach. 

(40) “Highest Level VDECS” means the highest level VDECS verified by ARB under its 

Verification Procedure, Warranty and In-Use Compliance Requirements for In-Use 

Strategies to Control Emissions from Diesel Engines (Verification Procedure), 

title 13, CCR, sections 2700-2710, for a specific engine as of 10 months prior to 

the compliance date, which the diesel emission-control strategy manufacturer and 

authorized diesel emission-control strategy dealer agree can be used on a specific 

engine and vehicle combination without jeopardizing the original engine warranty 

in effect at the time of application. 

(A) The highest level VDECS is determined solely on verified diesel PM 

reductions. Plus designations do not affect the diesel PM level assigned 

to a VDECS; that is, a level 3 Plus is the same diesel PM level as level 3. 
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(B) A Level 2 VDECS shall not be considered the highest level VDECS as 

long as a level 3 VDECS can be retrofitted on a vehicle in the fleet. 

(C) Level 1 devices are never considered highest level VDECS for the 

purpose of this regulation. 

(41) “Historic Vehicle” means a vehicle that qualifies for a historical vehicle license 

plate pursuant to the California Veh. Code, section 5004, and is operated or 

moved over the highway primarily for the purpose of historical exhibition or other 

historic vehicle club activities. 

(42) “Hybrid Vehicle” means a vehicle that has a combination of an engine and 

onboard energy storage systems that provide for one or more of the following 

processes: motive power for starting the vehicle from a stop, motive power for 

accelerating the vehicle, recapture of energy when the vehicle decelerates. The 

energy storage systems can be electric, hydraulic, pneumatic or of any other type 

that recovers its energy directly or indirectly from the engine. In addition, the 

onboard energy storage systems of the hybrid vehicle can have the capability to 

supplement its energy from an external power source. 

(43) “International Registration Plan (IRP)” is a registration reciprocity agreement 

among states of the United States and provinces of Canada providing for payment 

of license fees on the basis of total distance operated in all jurisdictions. 

(44) “Limited-Mileage Agricultural Vehicle” means until January 1, 2017, an agricultural 

vehicle with a properly functioning odometer installed at all times, that operates 

less than the miles specified below per calendar year, based on the model year of 

the installed engine or any vehicle that replaces a limited-mileage vehicle pursuant 

section 2025(m)(6)(B): 

(A) A pre-1996 model year engine that is operated fewer than 15,000 miles; 

or 

(B) A 1996 through 2005 model year engine that is operated fewer than 

20,000 miles; or 

(C) A 2006 or newer model year engine that is operated fewer than 25,000 

miles. 

(45) “Low-Mileage Agricultural Vehicle” means until January 1, 2023, an agricultural 

vehicle with a properly functioning odometer installed at all times, that operates 

less than 10,000 miles per calendar year each year since January 1, 2010 or a 

vehicle that replaces a low-mileage vehicle per section 2025(m)(7)(B). 

(46) “Low-use Schoolbus” means a schoolbus whose propulsion engine was operated 

in California for fewer than 1,000 miles during the preceding 12 month period from 

January 1 to the end of December. Such vehicles must have a properly 

functioning odometer installed at all times but are not required to have an hourmeter. 

(47) “Low-use Vehicle” means a vehicle whose propulsion engine was operated in 

California for fewer than 1,000 miles and less than 100 hours during the preceding 
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12 month period from January 1 to the end of December. Such vehicles must 

have a properly functioning odometer and hour-meter installed at all times. 

(48) “Medium Heavy-Duty Diesel Vehicle (MHD)” for the purposes of this regulation, 

means a diesel motor vehicle having a manufacturer's gross vehicle weight rating 

less than or equal to 33,000 pounds excluding truck-tractors regardless of GVWR. 

(49) “Motorcoach” (MC) is an on-road motor vehicle having an under floor luggage 

compartment separate from the passenger cabin used for conveying passengers, 

is at least 35 feet in length, and is designed for and has seating capacity for 40 or 

more passengers. 

(50) “Motor Carrier” is the same as defined in California Veh. Code section 408 for 

fleets other than those that are comprised entirely of schoolbuses, which for the 

purposes of this regulation, means the registered owner, lessee, licensee, school 

district superintendent, or bailee of any schoolbus, who operates or directs the 

operation of any such bus on either a for-hire or not-for-hire basis. 

(51) “Motor Home” means a single vehicular unit designed for human habitation for 

recreational or emergency occupancy and built on, or permanently attached to, a 

self-propelled motor vehicle chassis, chassis cab, or van, which becomes an 

integral part of the completed vehicle or a vehicle that exclusively tows a trailer 

that was originally designed for human habitation for recreational or emergency 

occupancy. 

(52) “New Fleet” means a fleet that is acquired or that enters California after 

January 1, 2011. Such fleets may include new businesses or out-of-state 

businesses that bring vehicles into California for the first time after 

January 1, 2011. 

(53) “Non-Commercial Use” means any use or activity where a fee is not charged and 

the purpose is not the sale of a good or service, and the use or activity is not 

intended to produce a profit. 

(54) “NOx BACT” means an on-road engine newly manufactured in 2010 or later or a 

2010 emissions-equivalent engine as defined in section 2025(d)(4). 

(55) “NOx Exempt Areas” are the following counties – Alpine, Colusa, Del Norte, 

Glenn, Humboldt, Lake, Lassen, Mendocino, Modoc, Monterey, Plumas, San 

Benito, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, Santa Cruz, Shasta, Sierra, Siskiyou, 

Trinity, Tehama, and Yuba. 

(56) “NOx Exempt Vehicle” is any vehicle identified in paragraphs (A) through (E) 

below. These vehicles are exempt from meeting the NOx BACT requirements of 

sections 2025(f) or (g), or the NOx fleet average requirements of section 2025(h) 

for the compliance years specified in section 2025(p). 

A NOx exempt vehicle is: 

(A) A schoolbus as defined in section 2025(d)(67); or 

(B) A vehicle that operates exclusively in the NOx exempt areas defined in 

section 2025(d)(55); or 
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(C) A vehicle that is granted a compliance extension under the early action 

provision of section 2025(p)(8); or 

(D) A NOx mileage exempt vehicle, as defined in section 2025(d)(58); or 

(E) A motorcoach as defined in section 2025(d)(49).

(57) “NOx Index” for the purposes of section 2025(h)(2)(B) means an indicator of a 

fleet’s overall NOx emission rate. 

(58) “NOx Mileage Exempt Vehicle” is exempt from meeting NOx BACT in sections 

2025(f) or (g), or the NOx fleet average in section 2025(h) during the compliance 

years specified in section 2025(p)(1), and section 2025(h) regardless of where the 

vehicle is operated and is limited to: 

(A) A heavy heavy-duty diesel vehicle that has a power take off system to 

perform work in a stationary mode, or a diesel yard truck that is operated 

fewer than 7,500 miles and less than 250 hours per year; 

(B) A medium heavy-duty diesel vehicle that has a power take off system to 

perform work in a stationary mode that is operated fewer than 5,000 miles 

and less than 175 hours per year; 

(C) A heavy heavy-duty diesel vehicle that does not have a power take off 

system to perform work in a stationary mode and is operated fewer than 

7,500 miles per year, with no hours limitation; or 

(D) A medium heavy-duty diesel vehicle that does not have a power take off 

system to perform work in a stationary mode and is operated fewer than 

5,000 miles per year, with no hours limitation. 

(59) “NOx Target Rate” means the NOx fleet average that a specific fleet must meet in 

a compliance year in order to show compliance with the fleet average 

requirements. 

(60) “Oxides of Nitrogen (NOx)” means compounds of nitric oxide, nitrogen dioxide, 

and other oxides of nitrogen. Nitrogen oxides are typically created during 

combustion processes and are major contributors to smog formation and acid 

deposition, and to the formation of particulate matter. 

(61) “Person” means an individual, corporation, business trust, estate, trust, 

partnership, Limited Liability Company, association, joint venture, government, 

governmental subdivision, agency, or instrumentality, public corporation, or any 

other legal or commercial entity. 

(62) “PM BACT” means the technology employed on the highest level VDECS for PM 

or an engine originally equipped with a diesel particulate filter and certified to meet 

the 0.01 g/bhp-hr certification standard. 

(63) “Registered and Driven Safely On-Road” means a vehicle that meets the 

requirements to be registered for on-road operation in California Veh. Code 

division 3, chap. 1, article 1, section 4000 et seq. (i.e., required to be registered or 

could be registered), and the requirements to be driven safely on-road in 

“Equipment of Vehicles” requirements in Veh. Code division 12, chap. 1, 
13 

sections 24000 et seq. and “Size, Weight, and Load” requirements in Veh. Code 

division 15, sections 35000 et seq, or a vehicle defined as an implement of 

husbandry as defined in California Veh. Code division 16, chap. 1, section 36000 

et seq. 

(64) “Repower” means to replace the engine in a vehicle with a newer engine certified 

to lower emission standards for PM or NOx or both as applicable. 

(65) “Responsible Official” means one of the following: 

(A) For a corporation: A president, secretary, treasurer, or vice president of 

the corporation in charge of a principal business function, their delegate, 

designee, or any other person who performs similar policy or decisionmaking functions for the corporation; 

(B) For a partnership or sole proprietorship: a general partner or the 

proprietor, respectively; 

(C) For a municipality, state, federal, or other governmental agency: either a 

principal executive officer or ranking elected official. For the purposes of 

this part, a principal executive officer of a federal agency includes the chief 

executive officer having responsibility for the overall operations of a 

principal geographic unit of the agency (e.g., a Regional Administrator of 

the U.S. EPA). For the purposes of the Department of Defense Military 

Services, a commanding officer of an installation, base or tenant 

organization. 

(66) “San Joaquin Valley Air Basin” includes the entire counties of San Joaquin, 

Stanislaus, Merced, Madera, Fresno, Tulare, and Kings and western part of Kern 

County as described starting page 23888 of the Federal Register Vol. 69, No. 84. 

(67) “Schoolbus” is a motor vehicle as defined in California Veh. Code, section 545. 

(68) “Shuttle vehicle” means a diesel-powered motor vehicle of any gross vehicle 

weight rating with a capacity of 10 or more passengers, routinely driving an 

average of 10 trips per day to or from airport terminals, marine terminals, and rail 

based stations. 

(69) “Specialty Agricultural Vehicle” means, until January 1, 2023, an agricultural 

vehicle having one of the following body types and that have been approved for 

the exemption under section 2025(m)(8) by the Executive Officer: 

(A) A truck, or a truck-tractor and trailer combination, designed or modified to 

be used exclusively for the fueling, repairing, or loading of an airplane or 

helicopter used for the dusting, spraying, fertilizing, or seeding of crops; 

(B) A truck, or a truck tractor and trailer combination, that is equipped with a 

self-loading bed and is designed and used exclusively to transport field 

manufactured cotton modules to a cotton gin; 

(C) A truck equipped with a water tank owned by a farmer, not operated for 

compensation, and used exclusively in agricultural operations to provide 
14 

dust suppression on dirt roads providing access to agricultural fields and 

for the transportation of water for crop or tree irrigation or for livestock; 

(D) A feed truck or mixer-feed truck, designed for dispensing feed to livestock 

and is used exclusively at a cattle or calf feedlot. It does not include a 

feed truck or mixer-feed truck used at dairies or other locations other than 

cattle and calf feedlots. 

(70) “Three Day Pass” means a once-a-year temporary permit to operate a vehicle in 

California for three consecutive days without meeting the requirements of section 

2025(e) provided that prior to entering California the vehicle owner has reported 

the information required in sections 2025(r)(7) and (r)(8) and the date the vehicle 

will be entering California. No vehicle or fleet will be granted more than one three 

day pass per year. 

(71) “Tier 0 Engine” means an engine not subject to the requirements in title 13, CCR, 

section 2423; Title 40, Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), Part 89; or Title 40, 

CFR, Part 1039. 

(72) “Tier 4 Final Engine” means an engine subject to the final after-treatment-based 

Tier 4 emission standards in title 13, CCR, section 2423(b)(1)(B) and/or Title 40, 

CFR, Part 1039.101. This also includes engines certified under the averaging, 

banking, and trading program with respect to the Tier 4 FEL listed in title 13, CCR, 

section 2423(b)(2)(B) and/or Title 40, CFR, Part 1039.101 

(73) “Truck-Tractor” means a motor vehicle as defined in section 655 of the California 

Motor Veh. Code. 

(74) “Unique Vehicle” means a vehicle for which: 

(A) a used vehicle that performs a similar function with a 2007 NOx equivalent 

emissions engine or cleaner is not available, and 

(B) a used suitable cab and chassis upon which the truck bed could be 

mounted is not available, and 

(C) a verified NOx emissions control device that could reduce the vehicle’s 

exhaust NOx emissions is either installed or not available, and 

(D) the vehicle’s engine is equipped with the highest level VDECS. 

(75) “Utility Vehicle" means a vehicle owned by a privately-owned or publicly held 

company or corporation that provides the same or similar services for water, 

natural gas, and electricity as a public utility operated by a municipality. 

(76) “Verified Diesel Emission Control Strategy” (VDECS) means an emissions control 

strategy, designed primarily for the reduction of diesel PM emissions, which has 

been verified pursuant to the Verification Procedures. VDECS can be verified to 

achieve level 1 diesel PM reductions (25 percent), level 2 diesel PM reductions 

(50 percent), or level 3 diesel PM reductions (85 percent). VDECS may also be 

verified to achieve NOx reductions. See also definition of Highest Level VDECS. 

(77) “VDECS Failure” means the condition of not achieving the emissions reductions to 

which the VDECS is verified. Such condition could be due to inappropriate 
15 

installation, damage, or deterioration during use. If a level 3 VDECS is emitting 

visible smoke, it is assumed to have failed. 

(78) “Yard Truck” means a vehicle, with an on-road or off-road engine that is used in 

moving and spotting trailers and containers at locations or facilities. Yard trucks 

are also known as yard goats, yard dogs, trailer spotters or jockeys. 

(e) General Requirements 

Beginning with the applicable effective dates, a fleet owner must comply with the 

following requirements of this regulation: 

(1) Except for small fleets electing to comply with section 2025(i), the fleet owner must 

comply with the best available control technology (BACT) requirements of 

section 2025(f) or the BACT percentage limits of section 2025(g) or the fleet 

average requirements of section 2025(h). The compliance option need not be the 

same for each pollutant. The fleet owner may also opt to comply with the early 

compliance provision of section 2025(p)(8). 

(2) Schoolbus fleets, as defined in section 2025(d)(34)(D), must comply with the 

requirements of section 2025(j). 

(3) Each fleet that includes schoolbuses and other vehicles must meet the following 

requirements: 

(A) The schoolbus sub-fleet as defined in section 2025(d)(34)(E) must meet 

the requirements of section 2025(j). 

(B) The remaining non-schoolbus vehicles, excluding the schoolbus sub-fleet, 

must comply with the requirements of section 2025(e)(1) above; or the 

owner may include the schoolbus sub-fleet in the determination of 

compliance for the entire fleet with the requirements of section 2025(e)(1). 

Schoolbuses used in this determination remain exempt from meeting NOx 

BACT in sections 2025(f) or (g), or the NOx fleet average in section 

2025(h). However, the owner may not use non-schoolbus vehicles to 

satisfy the schoolbus sub-fleet requirements of section 2025(j). 

(4) Requirements for Drayage Trucks and Utility Vehicles 

Starting in January 1, 2021, all drayage truck and utility vehicle owners must comply 

with the BACT requirements of section 2025(f). 

(5) Although the total number of vehicles under common ownership or control is 

determinative of fleet size, if some of the vehicles within the fleet are under the 

control of different responsible officials because they are part of different 

subsidiaries, divisions, or other organizational structures of a company or agency, 

the fleet owner of a “common ownership of control fleet” may elect to have the 

vehicles under the control of different responsible officials report compliance 

independently of other vehicles in the general fleet if choosing to comply with the 

fleet averaging requirements of section 2025(h) or the BACT percentage limits 

requirements of section 2025(g) for the segment of the fleet under the control of 

the different responsible officials. 
16 

(6) A fleet may meet the requirements of section 2025(e)(1), 2025(e)(2), or 2025(i)(2) 

by applying a VDECS that will achieve PM or NOx reductions or both as required, 

replacing an engine, or replacing a vehicle. 

(7) Except as provided below in (B), one of the following is required for all fleet owners 

who elect to utilize the BACT percent limits option of section 2025(g), the fleet 

averaging option of section 2025(h), the optional requirements for small fleets of 

section 2025(i), the agricultural provisions of section 2025(m), the retired vehicle 

provisions of section 2025(k), or the exemptions or credits of sections 2025(p)(1), 

(2), (9), and (10): 

(A) 

1. a valid California motor carrier of property number, 

2. a valid identification number assigned by the United States Secretary 

of the Department of Transportation, 

3. a valid operating authority number issued by the Public Utilities 

Commission, or 

4. other applicable valid operating authority number approved by the 

Executive Officer. 

(B) this requirement does not apply to personal, non-commercial, unregistered 

motor vehicles, or vehicles otherwise not required to obtain operating 

authority numbers as described in section (e)(7)(A) above. 

(8) A vehicle that is exempt from meeting NOx BACT in sections 2025(f) or the 

percent limits in section 2025(g), or the NOx fleet average in section 2025(h) must 

comply with the requirements of section 2025(p)(1).

(9) All information specified in section 2025(r) must be reported to the Executive 

Officer. 

(10) Records must be kept as specified in section 2025(s). 

(11) Once a vehicle is required to be in compliance with this regulation, it must remain 

in compliance at all times that it is operating in California. 

(f) Best Available Control Technology (BACT) Requirements 

Starting January 1, 2011, vehicles within a fleet in which the fleet owner has elected to 

utilize the provisions of section 2025(f) must comply with the definitions for PM BACT, 

and NOx BACT as set forth in the compliance schedule shown in Table 1. Each year 

the fleet must meet the requirements of all prior years shown in the schedule. If all 

vehicles in the fleet meet the requirements of this section the fleet is exempt from the 

requirements of section 2025(e)(9). 
17 

Table 1: Best Available Control Technology Compliance Schedule 

Compliance Deadline, 

as of January 1 Engine Model Years BACT Requirements 

2011 Pre-1994 PM BACT 

2012 2003 – 2004 PM BACT 

2005 – 2006 PM BACT 2013 1994 – 1999 NOx and PM BACT 

2014 2000 – 2002 NOx and PM BACT 

2007 and later 

that do not meet PM BACT 

PM BACT 

2015 Pre-1994 NOx and PM BACT 

2016 2003 - 2004 NOx and PM BACT 

2017 2005 – 2006 NOx and PM BACT 

2018 All pre-2007 NOx and PM BACT 

2019 All pre-2007 NOx and PM BACT 

2020 All pre-2007 NOx and PM BACT 

2021 2007 or equivalent NOx and PM BACT 

2022 2008 NOx and PM BACT 

2023 2009 NOx and PM BACT 

(g) BACT Percentage Limits. 

A fleet owner who elects to utilize the provisions of this section must comply with the 

applicable requirements below and the reporting requirements of section 2025(r). 

(1) By January 1 of each compliance year, the fleet must meet PM BACT for the 

percentage of propulsion engines in the fleet, including engines installed in 

motorcoaches, as set forth in Table 2. 

(2) By January 1 of each compliance year, the fleet, excluding motorcoaches, must 

meet NOx BACT for the percentage of non-motorcoach propulsion engines in the 

fleet as set forth in Table 2. By January 1 of each compliance year, motorcoaches 

in the fleet must meet MC NOx BACT for the percentage of motorcoach engines in 

the fleet as set forth in Table 2. 

(3) If the calculated number of engines in each model year group required to be 

brought into compliance with the BACT percentage limits is not equal to a whole 

number, the owner shall round up to a whole number when the fractional part of 

the required number of engines is equal to or greater than 0.5, and round down if 

less than 0.5. 
18 

Table 2: Percent of Total Fleet That Must Comply with PM and NOx BACT 

Percent of Total Fleet 

Complying with BACT 

Percent of Total 

Motorcoach Fleet 

Complying with 

BACT 

Compliance 

Deadline 

as of January 1 

PM BACT NOx BACT MC NOx BACT 

2011 25% NA NA 

2012 50% NA NA 

2013 75% 25% NA 

2014 100% 50% NA 

2015 100% 50% NA 

2016 100% 60% NA 

2017 100% 80% 50% 

2018 100% 80% 50% 

2019 100% 80% 50% 

2020 100% 90% 50% 

2021 100% 90% 90% 

2022 100% 90% 90% 

2023 100% 100% 100% 

(h) Fleet Averaging Option 

(1) A fleet owner who elects to be subject to provisions of section 2025(h) for 

compliance with the fleet average requirement for PM, NOx, or both must comply 

with the applicable fleet averaging requirements of sections 2025(h)(2) and (3) 

below and the reporting requirements of section 2025(r). 

(2) NOx Fleet Average.

(A) A fleet owner must demonstrate that on January 1 of each compliance 

year, starting in 2013 and ending on January 1, 2023, the calculated NOx 

Index of the applicable portion of the fleet was less than or equal to the 

calculated NOx Target Rate. 

NOx exempt vehicles, as defined in section 2025(d)(56), need not be 

included in the calculation of the NOx Index or the NOx fleet average for 

those years that the vehicle is exempt. 

(B) NOx Index: The following equation is to be used to calculate the 

 NOx Index. 

Total number of vehicles subject to the NOx requirements

Sum of EF Sum of EF Sum of EF

NOx Index (HHD) + (MHD) + (MC)=
19 

Where: 

EF(HHD) = The NOx emission factor as specified in Appendix A for each heavy 

heavy-duty (HHD) vehicle subject to the NOx requirements, including 

motorcoaches, or adjusted as applicable according to paragraphs 1. 

and 2. below. 

EF(MHD) = The NOx emission factor as defined in Appendix A for each medium 

heavy duty (MHD) vehicle subject to the NOx requirements, or 

adjusted as applicable, according to paragraphs 1. and 2. below. 

1. Except for 2010 model year NOx emissions equivalent engines, for 

propulsion engines that have been retrofitted with VDECS, the NOx 

emission factor is reduced by the percentage NOx emission 

reductions that are verified. 2010 model year NOx emissions 

equivalent engines shall use the emissions factor for 2010 and newer 

engines in Table A-2 in Appendix A. 

2. The fleet owner may exclude 2010 model year engines equipped with 

a diesel particulate filter (DPF) from the fleet average calculation for 

any compliance year, and may exclude 2007 model year engines 

equipped with a DPF from the fleet average calculation until 

January 1, 2017. 

(C) NOx Target Rate: The following equation is to be used to calculate the 

 NOx Target Rate. 

 Where: 

 Target(HHD) = The NOx target from Table 3 for each HHD vehicle subject to the 

NOx requirements. 

 Target(MHD) = The NOx target from Table 3 for each MHD vehicle subject to the 

NOx requirements. 

Target(MC) = The NOx target from Table 3 for each MC vehicle subject to the 

NOx requirements. 

Total number of vehicles subject to the NOx requirements

Sum of Target

NOx Target Rate 

+ +

=

Sum of Target (HHD) (MHD) (MC) Sum of Target
20 

Table 3: Fleet NOx Targets 

to be Used to Calculate NOx Target Rates (g/mile) 

Fleet NOx Targets 

for each compliance deadline Compliance Deadline, 

as of January1 

MHD HHD MC 

2013 8.5 14.4 N/A 

2014 5.8 9.8 N/A 

2015 5.8 9.8 N/A 

2016 4.6 7.8 N/A 

2017 4.0 6.0 9.8 

2018 4.0 6.0 9.8 

2019 4.0 6.0 9.8 

2020 3.2 4.4 9.8 

2021 3.2 4.4 4.4 

2022 1.6 3.0 3.0 

2023 0.8 1.6 1.6 

(3) PM Fleet Average. 

(A) A fleet owner must demonstrate that on January 1 of each year, starting in 

2011 and ending on January 1, 2023, the PM Index of the applicable 

portion of the fleet was less than or equal to the calculated PM Target 

Rate. 

(B) PM Index. The following equation is to be used to calculate the PM Index: 

Total number of vehicles subject to the PM fleet averaging requirement

Sum of PMEF Sum of PMEF

PM Index (HHD) + (MHD)=

 Where: 

 PMEF(HHD) = The PM emission factor (g/mile) as specified in Appendix A for 

each heavy heavy-duty (HHD) vehicle, including motorcoaches, 

or adjusted according to paragraph 1. below, as applicable. 

 PMEF(MHD) = The PM emission factor (g/mile) as specified in Appendix A for 

each medium heavy-duty (MHD) vehicle or adjusted as

applicable according to paragraph 1. below. 

1. For a propulsion engine that has been retrofitted with a VDECS, the 

PM Emission Factor is reduced 50 percent for a level 2 VDECS, and 

85 percent for a level 3 VDECS; the PM Emission Factor is not 

reduced for a level 1 VDECS 
21 

(C) PM Target Rate: The following equation is to be used to calculate the 

 PM Target Rate 

Total number of vehicles subject to the PM fleet averaging requirement

Sum of PM T et Sum of PM T et

PM T et Rate (HHD) (MHD)

arg arg

arg

+

=

 Where: 

PMTarget(HHD) = The PM target (g/mile) from Table 4 for each HHD vehicle subject 

to the PM fleet averaging requirements. 

PMTarget(MHD) = The PM target (g/mile) from Table 4 for each MHD vehicle 

subject to the PM fleet averaging requirements. 

Table 4: Fleet PM Targets 

to be Used to Calculate PM Target Rates (g/mile) 

Fleet PM Targets for each compliance 

deadline Compliance Deadline, 

as of January 1 

MHD HHD 

2011 0.38 0.710 

2012 0.29 0.530 

2013 0.17 0.320 

2014 0.06 0.110 

2015 0.06 0.110 

2016 0.06 0.110 

2017 0.06 0.110 

2018 0.06 0.110 

2019 0.06 0.110 

2020 0.06 0.110 

2021 0.06 0.110 

2022 0.06 0.110 

2023 0.06 0.110 

(i) Optional Requirements for Small Fleets 

(1) For any compliance deadline, small fleet owners may comply with the 

requirements of section 2025(e)(1), which includes the requirement to comply with 

BACT in section 2025(f), the BACT percentage limits of 2025(g), or the fleet 

averaging option of 2025(h), or by complying with following optional compliance 

requirements. 

(2) Small fleets must comply with the general requirements of section 2025(e) except 

that in lieu of the requirements of sections 2025(e)(1), the owner of a small fleet 

may comply by having the following: 
22 

(A) Fleets with One Vehicle

Beginning January 1, 2014, a fleet consisting of one vehicle must have that 

vehicle equipped with a 2004-2006 model year NOx emissions equivalent or 

newer engine that has the highest level VDECS for reducing PM emissions 

installed. By January 1, 2019, the vehicle must meet the requirements of 

BACT in section 2025(f). 

(B) Fleets with Two Vehicles 

Fleets with two vehicles may meet the requirements of 1. or 2. below. 

1. a. Beginning January 1, 2014, the fleet must have one vehicle 

equipped with a 2004-2006 model year NOx emissions equivalent 

or newer engine that has the highest level VDECS for reducing 

PM emissions installed and the second vehicle in the fleet must 

meet the requirements of BACT in section 2025(f); and 

b. By January 1, 2019, the 2004-2006 model year vehicle identified 

in a. above must meet the requirements of BACT in section 

2025(f). 

2. a. Beginning January 1, 2014, the fleet must have one vehicle 

equipped with a 2010 NOx emissions equivalent or newer engine 

and the second vehicle equipped with the highest level VDECS for 

reducing PM emissions; and 

b. By January 1, 2017, the second vehicle must meet the 

requirements of BACT in section 2025(f). 

(C) Fleets with Three Vehicles 

Fleets with three vehicles may meet the requirements of 1., 2., or 3. below. 

1. a. Beginning January 1, 2014, the fleet must have one vehicle 

equipped with a 2004-2006 model year NOx emissions equivalent 

or newer engine that has the highest level VDECS for reducing 

PM emissions installed and the other two vehicles in the fleet 

must meet the requirements of BACT in section 2025(f); 

b. Beginning January 1, 2019, all three vehicles in the fleet must be 

in compliance with the requirements of section 2025(e). 

2. a. Beginning January 1, 2014, the fleet must have one vehicle 

equipped with a 2010 model year emissions equivalent or newer 

engine, and a second vehicle equipped with a 2004-2006 model 

year NOx emissions equivalent or newer engine that has the 

highest level VDECS for reducing PM emissions; the third vehicle 

is exempt the requirements of sections 2025(f), (g), or (h) until 

January 1, 2016 when it must meet the requirements of BACT in 

section 2025(f).from the PM and NOx requirements. 

b. Beginning January 1, 2019, all three vehicles in the fleet must be 

in compliance with the requirements of section 2025(e). 
23 

(j) Requirements for Schoolbuses 

Beginning with the applicable effective dates set forth below, a schoolbus fleet, as 

defined in section 2025(d)(34)(D), and a schoolbus sub-fleet as defined in 

section 2025(d)(34)(E) must comply with the following requirements of this regulation. 

Schoolbuses within a schoolbus fleet or a schoolbus sub-fleet are exempt from meeting 

NOx BACT in section 2025(f), (g) and NOx fleet averaging in section 2025(h). 

(1) Any schoolbus manufactured before April 1, 1977, must be retired from service no 

later than January 1, 2012. 

(2) Each schoolbus fleet or schoolbus sub-fleet must comply with the best available 

control technology (BACT) requirements of section 2025(j)(4) or the PM BACT 

percentage limit requirements of 2025(g) or the PM fleet averaging option of 

2025(h)(3). 

(3) By January 1, 2014, all diesel-fueled schoolbuses shall be retrofitted with the 

highest level VDECS available. Engines equipped with a diesel particulate filter by 

the engine manufacturer as original equipment are considered in compliance with 

this requirement. 

(4) Each schoolbus fleet or schoolbus sub-fleet owner who chooses the BACT option 

must meet the PM BACT as defined in section 2025(d)(62) according to the 

compliance schedule shown in Table 5. 

(5) If a schoolbus engine cannot be retrofitted with highest level VDECS for PM then 

the engine shall be replaced with an engine that can be retrofitted with the highest 

level VDECS by January 1, 2018, subject to meeting the annual extension 

requirements of section 2025(p)(11). The schoolbus must be included in the 

compliance method calculation described in section 2025(j)(2) and the reporting 

and record requirements in section 2025(j)(9). 

(6) After a schoolbus has been retrofitted with a VDECS, it must receive a safety 

inspection from an authorized employee of the department of the California 

Highway Patrol, as required by title 13, California Code of Regulations (CCR) 

section 1272(c), prior to its return to service. 

Table 5: Best Available Control Technology Compliance Schedule for Schoolbus Fleets 

Compliance Deadline, 

as of January 1 Engine Model Years 

2011 2000 and newer 

2012 1994 – 1999 

2013 1987 – 1993 

2014 Pre-1987 
24 

(7) Special Provisions for Schoolbuses 

(A) An owner of a schoolbus fleet or schoolbus sub-fleet may be granted 

credit for hybrid schoolbuses or alternative fuel schoolbuses according to 

the provisions of sections 2025(p)(8) and (9), respectively. 

(B) Low-use Schoolbuses 

1. Schoolbuses that meet the definition of a low-use schoolbus are 

exempt from the requirements of section 2025(j)(2) but the owner 

must keep records and meet the reporting requirements in accordance 

with sections 2025(j)(9) and 2025(s)(4). 

2. Low-use schoolbuses need not be included when determining 

compliance with the BACT percent limits of section 2025(g) or when 

calculating PM fleet average indices or target rates for the fleet 

averaging option of section 2025(h)(3). 

3. Schoolbuses that formerly met the low-use schoolbus definition, but 

for which mileage subsequently increases to 1,000 miles or greater, 

must immediately meet the requirements of Table 5 above or 

section 2025 (g) or (h) as required for the immediately preceding 

compliance deadline. 

(C) Schoolbuses that were retrofitted on or before December 31, 2005 with a 

level 2 VDECS, which was highest level VDECS at the time of installation, 

are considered in compliance with PM BACT. 

(8) Schoolbuses registered as historic vehicles, as defined in section 2025(d)(41) are 

not subject to the regulation. 

(9) Reporting Requirements for Schoolbus Fleets and Schoolbus Sub-Fleets 

The owner of a schoolbus fleet or a schoolbus sub-fleet is subject to the 

reporting requirements in section 2025(r)(14) if complying with the 

PM BACT percentage limit requirements of 2025(g) or the PM fleet 

averaging option of 2025(h)(3) or any of the special provisions in 

section 2025(p). 

(10) Schoolbus fleets and schoolbus sub-fleets are subject to the applicable 

requirements of sections 2025(t) through (z). 

(k) Retired Vehicle Credit 

(1) Until January 1, 2014, a fleet may obtain credit equivalent to one 2010 engine for 

purposes of determining BACT in section 2025(g) or for calculating the PM and 

NOx indices and target rates in 2025(h). Any fleet utilizing the retirement credit 

provision must comply with the reporting requirements of section 2025(r) 

beginning March 31, 2010, and report information for all vehicles in the 2008 

baseline fleet. 

(2) For purposes of calculating the BACT percentage limits in section 2025(g) credit 

will be given equal to a 2010 model year engine for each vehicle retired that 
25 

reduces the number of vehicles in the fleet compared to the 2008 baseline fleet as 

defined in section 2025(d)(3). 

(3) For purposes of calculating the PM and NOx indices and target rates in fleet 

averaging 2025(h) the fleet shall use the following approach: 

(A) If the number of MHD vehicles in the fleet has declined then the emissions 

factor used shall be the same as a 2010 model year engine emissions 

factor for each MHD vehicle retired up to the total number of vehicles 

reduced from the 2008 baseline fleet. 

(B) If the number of HHD vehicles in the fleet has declined then the emissions 

factor used shall be the same as a 2010 model year engine emissions 

factor for each HHD vehicle retired up to the total number of vehicles 

reduced from the 2008 baseline fleet. 

(4) Retirement credits will be retained upon appropriate documentation of a change of 

business form such as sole proprietorship to partnership or partnership to 

corporation, but not for mergers, acquisitions, sales or purchases. 

(l) Requirements for Motorcoaches 

Motorcoaches are exempt from meeting NOx BACT in sections 2025(f) or (g), or the 

NOx fleet averaging in section 2025(h) until January 1, 2017. Beginning 

January 1, 2017, fleets with motorcoaches complying with the BACT percentage limits 

of section 2025(g) or the fleet averaging requirements of section 2025(h), would include 

the MC NOx BACT emissions factor from Table 2 and the MC NOx target value from 

Table 3 when calculating the NOx target rate and fleet average NOx emissions for the 

fleet. 

(m) Requirements for Agricultural Fleets 

(1) Beginning January 1, 2011, vehicles meeting the definitions of limited-mileage 

agricultural vehicles, or low-mileage agricultural vehicles, shall be exempt from the 

requirements of sections 2025(f), (g), and (h) for the periods specified in the 

definitions, provided that such vehicles meet the conditions set forth below. 

Provisions for specialty agricultural vehicles, as defined in section 2025(d)(69), are 

provided below. To qualify for any of these provisions, such vehicles must be 

operational and functional, including being able to start without assistance and 

able to move under its own power. Vehicles that are being used for parts are not 

included in these provisions. 

(2) For all other vehicles in the agricultural fleet, beginning January 1, 2011, the fleet 

owner must comply with the best available control technology (BACT) 

requirements of section 2025(f), the BACT percentage limits of section 2025(g) or 

the fleet average requirements of section 2025(h). 

(3) Agricultural fleet owners utilizing the agricultural provisions of section 2025(m) 

must report and comply with the requirements of section 2025(r) and 2025(s) for 

all vehicles subject to this regulation for each compliance year, regardless of 

whether the vehicle is an agricultural vehicle or not. 
26 

(4) Within 30 days of replacing a low-mileage, limited-mileage, or specialty agricultural 

vehicle, the agricultural fleet owner must report the required information in section 

2025(r)(15)(J). 

(5) All vehicles must comply with the requirements of section 2025(e) for the next 

compliance date upon it being discovered that any vehicle in the agricultural fleet 

does not comply with any of the requirements of this agricultural fleet provision. 

(6) Requirements for limited-mileage agricultural vehicles 

(A) The maximum number of limited-mileage agricultural vehicles in any 

agricultural fleet shall be established by the number of limited-mileage 

vehicles in the agricultural fleet as of January 1, 2009, as reported in 

section 2025(r)(15). This number shall not increase. 

(B) A limited-mileage agricultural vehicle may be replaced by another vehicle 

so long as the replacement vehicle is equipped with an engine that is at 

least one model year newer than the engine in the vehicle it replaced, and 

provided the original vehicle is scrapped, rendered inoperable, replaces a 

low-mileage agricultural vehicle according to section 2025(m)(7)(C), or is 

sold out of the agricultural fleet. This requirement does not apply to 

engine replacements. 

(C) When a limited-mileage agricultural vehicle is replaced, the sum of the 

miles accrued on the original vehicle in that calendar year, up to the time 

of replacement, plus the mileage accrued on the replacement vehicle for 

the remainder of the calendar year (beginning with the date of 

replacement) must remain below the mileage thresholds established in 

section 2025(d)(44) based on the model year of the engine in the 

replacement vehicle. 

(D) Beginning January 1, 2017, all limited-mileage agricultural vehicles that do 

not meet the definition of a low-mileage agricultural vehicle as defined in 

section 2025(d)(45) must comply with the best available control 

technology (BACT) requirements of section 2025(f) or the fleet average 

requirements of section 2025(h). 

(E) A vehicle that formerly met the limited-mileage agricultural vehicle 

definition, but whose use increases above the mileage thresholds 

established in section 2025(d)(44) based on the model year of the engine, 

must immediately meet the requirements of section 2025(f) or (h) for the 

immediately preceding compliance deadline. 

1. In addition, the vehicle may not be replaced and the number of limitedmileage agricultural vehicles in the agricultural fleet, as established in 

section 2025(m)(6)(A) above, shall be reduced by one. 

(F) A merger of two or more agricultural fleets having designated limited 

mileage vehicles may not result in more designated limited mileage 

vehicles after the merger occurs than the sum of the total limited mileage 

vehicles from each individual agricultural fleet included in the merger. 
27 

(7) Requirements for low-mileage agricultural vehicles 

(A) The maximum number of low-mileage agricultural vehicles in each 

agricultural fleet shall be established by the number of low-mileage 

vehicles in the agricultural fleet as of January 1, 2009, as reported in 

section 2025(r)(15). This number shall not increase. 

(B) A low-mileage agricultural vehicle may be replaced with another vehicle if 

the replacement vehicle is equipped with an engine that is at least one 

model year newer than the engine in the vehicle being replaced, and 

provided the original vehicle is scrapped, rendered inoperable, or sold out 

of the agricultural fleet. This requirement does apply to engine 

replacements. 

(C) When a low-mileage agricultural vehicle is replaced, the sum of the miles 

accrued on the original vehicle in that calendar year, up to the time of 

replacement, plus the mileage accrued on the replacement vehicle for the 

remainder of the calendar year (beginning with the date of replacement) 

must remain below the mileage threshold established in section 

2025(d)(45). 

(D) Beginning January 1, 2023, all low-mileage agricultural vehicles must 

comply with the best available control technology (BACT) requirements of 

section 2025(f). 

(E) Irrespective of section 2025(m)(7)(A) a vehicle that formerly met the lowmileage agricultural vehicle definition, but whose use increases above the 

mileage thresholds established in section 2025(d)(45), must immediately 

meet the requirements of section 2025(f) or (h) for the immediately 

preceding compliance deadline. The vehicle may not be replaced in the 

future with a substitute low-mileage agricultural vehicle, and the number of 

low-mileage agricultural vehicles in the agricultural fleet, as established in 

section 2025(m)(7)(A) above, shall be reduced by one. 

(F) A merger of two or more agricultural fleets having designated low-mileage 

vehicles may not result in more designated low-mileage vehicles after the 

merger occurs than the sum of the total low-mileage vehicles from each 

individual agricultural fleet included in the merger. 

(G) Until January 1, 2017, an agricultural fleet owner may change the status of 

a low-mileage vehicle to a limited-mileage vehicle provided the vehicle 

continues to meet the definition of a limited-mileage vehicle. The lowmileage vehicle may not be replaced and the number of low-mileage 

agricultural vehicles in the agricultural fleet, as established in section 

2025(m)(7)(A) above, shall be reduced by one 

(8) Requirements for specialty agricultural vehicles 

(A) Specialty agricultural vehicles, as defined in section 2025(d)(69), are 

exempt from the requirements of sections 2025(f), (g), and (h) until 

January 1, 2023. 
28 

(B) The Executive Officer will approve a vehicle as qualifying as a specialty 

agricultural vehicle under the following conditions: 

1. The total number of specialty agricultural vehicles operating in the San 

Joaquin Valley Air Basin does not exceed 1,100, and

2. The total number of specialty agricultural vehicles in the state does not 

exceed 2,200. 

(C) If more vehicles are reported than allowed by the limits, the Executive 

Officer will randomly approve one vehicle per eligible fleet until all fleets 

have one approved vehicle, then randomly approve another vehicle for the 

remaining eligible fleets until they all have one more vehicle approved. 

Vehicles will continue to be approved in this manner until the limits have 

been met. 

(D) All vehicles with the body types described in section 2025(d)(69) that have 

not been approved must meet the requirements of section 2025(e) or the 

agricultural provisions of section 2025(m). 

1. In such an instance, the agricultural fleet operator shall be notified in 

writing by the Executive Officer that the reported vehicle is not eligible 

as a specialty agricultural vehicle. 

(E) A fleet that replaces an agricultural specialty vehicle will not affect the 

number of approved specialty vehicles in the fleet so long as the 

replacement vehicle meets the specialty vehicle body type and use 

requirements. 

(9) Labeling Requirements for Agricultural Vehicles

(A) Within 30 days of the reporting date, fleet owners must permanently affix 

or paint an AG identification label on each low-mileage, limited-mileage, 

and specialty agricultural vehicle in the fleet according to the following 

specification: 

1. The letters AG shall be white block lettering on a black background. 

Both letters shall be at least three inches high on a five by eight inch 

background, 

2. The label shall be located in clear view on the left and right door of the 

vehicle and be in clear view at all times. 

(n) Requirements for Two-Engine Sweepers 

(1) Two-engine sweepers must comply with section 2025(e) and must meet PM BACT 

on the auxiliary engine, 50 hp or greater, when the propulsion engine is required to 

meet PM BACT according to the compliance option chosen under section 2025(f), 

2025(g) or 2025(h). 

(2) Regardless of fleet size, two-engine sweepers may not operate any Tier 0 auxiliary 

engine, 50 hp or greater, more than 450 hours per year starting January 1, 2010 

until January 1, 2014 and no more than100 hours per year thereafter. 
29 

(3) Labeling Requirements for Two-Engine Sweepers with Tier 0 Auxiliary Engines 

(A) Within 30 days of the reporting date, fleet owners must permanently affix 

or paint an SW identification label on each two engine sweeper in the fleet 

if using BACT percentage limits or fleet averaging upon reporting 

according to the following specification: 

1. The letters SW shall be white block lettering on a black background. 

Both letters shall be at least three inches high on a five by eight inch 

background. 

2. The label shall be located on the left and right door of the vehicle and 

be in clear view at all times. 

(o) Requirements for a New Fleet and Adding Vehicles to a Fleet.

(1) New Fleet Requirements. Owners of new fleets must meet the requirements of 

section 2025(e) immediately upon purchasing vehicles subject to the regulation or 

bringing such vehicles into the State of California for the first time after 

January 1, 2011. New fleets meeting the requirements of sections 2025(g) or (h) 

must report vehicles subject to the regulation to ARB within 30 days of purchasing 

or bringing such vehicles into the State, in accordance with the requirements in 

section 2025(r). 

(2) Adding Vehicles to a Fleet. If a fleet does not meet the BACT requirements of

section 2025(f), before the fleet may operate a newly added vehicle in California, it 

must within 30 days of adding the vehicle file a report with the Executive Officer 

that it has added a new vehicle, and demonstrate that the fleet, as newly 

constituted, complies with the requirements of sections 2025(o)(2)(A), (B), and (C) 

below. 

(A) A fleet owner who elects to utilize the BACT percentage limits option of 

section 2025(g) may not add vehicles that cause the percentage 

calculated for the fleet to fall below the percentage required for the 

previous compliance date. 

(B) A fleet owner who elects to utilize the fleet averaging requirements of 

section 2025(h) may not add vehicles that cause the fleet to exceed the 

fleet average target rates for the immediately preceding compliance 

deadline. 

(C) Until January 1, 2017, the addition of vehicles with 2007 through 2009 

model year engines need not be reported until the next compliance date 

unless; 

1. a fleet with three or fewer vehicles changes to a fleet with four or more 

or, 

2. a fleet is utilizing the retired vehicle credit of section 2025(k). 

(D) The addition of vehicles with 2010 model year or newer engines that meet 

PM BACT need not be reported until the next compliance date. 
30 

(p) Exemptions, Compliance Extensions, and Credits 

A fleet owner may be granted an extension to a compliance deadline if: 

(1) Exemption from Meeting NOx BACT. Upon providing documentation 

demonstrating compliance with the conditions listed below in paragraphs (A) 

through (D), the Executive Officer will exempt the vehicles identified in those 

paragraphs from meeting NOx BACT in sections 2025(f) or (g), or the NOx fleet 

average in section 2025(h). If an exemption is granted, all such vehicles affected 

will continue to be subject to meeting PM BACT in sections 2025(f) or (g), or the 

PM fleet average in section 2025(h) and the record keeping and reporting 

requirements of this regulation. 

(A) A vehicle that meets the definition of NOx mileage exempt vehicle, as 

defined in section 2025(d)(58), prior to January 1, 2021. 

If an emergency support vehicle is used both for emergency operation as 

defined in section 2025(d)(27) , and for other purposes, the owner does 

not need to consider the hours of operation or the mileage the vehicle 

accrues when used for emergency operations in a compliance year, in 

determining whether the vehicle meets the definition of a NOx mileage 

exempt vehicle for that compliance year. 

(B) A vehicle that operates solely in the NOx exempt areas defined in section 

(d)(55) prior to January 1, 2021. A NOx-exempt vehicle is allowed to 

travel outside of the NOx-exempt area only for repairs or other service to 

the vehicle. The vehicle owner must obtain a work order from the facility 

that describes the service and shows the date of the service and location 

of the facility. 

(C) Schoolbuses as defined in section 2025(d)(67). 

(D) Motorcoaches as defined in section 2025(d)(49) prior to January 1, 2017. 

(E) Early compliance action. If a fleet owner installs the highest level VDECS 

for PM on one or more vehicles before January 1, 2010, the owner is 

exempt from the NOx BACT requirements of sections 2025(f), the NOx 

BACT percent limits of section 2025(g) and the NOx fleet averaging 

requirements of section 2025(h) until January 1, 2014 for each vehicle that 

has been retrofitted early. 

(2) Exemption for Cab-Over-Engine Truck Tractors. Upon providing documentation 

demonstrating compliance with the conditions listed below in paragraphs (A) 

through (E), the Executive Officer will not require the type of vehicle listed in 

paragraph (A) to be replaced in order to meet the fleet’s NOx BACT prior to 

January 1, 2018, but the fleet owner will still be required to include the vehicle in 

the fleet if complying using the BACT percentage limits of section 2025(g) or the 

fleet averaging option of section 2025(h): 

(A) The vehicle is a truck-tractor where the cab sits over the engine on the 

chassis and it is used exclusively to pull 57 foot trailers 
31 

(B) The PM performance requirement for the vehicle has been met and, 

(C) The engine installed in the vehicle is at least a 2004 model year NOx 

emissions equivalent and, 

(D) On the compliance date, all vehicles in the fleet that do not qualify for the 

exemption under this section have met the requirements of section 

2025(e) and, 

(E) The law limiting the total length of a combination vehicle to 65 feet as 

described in section 35401(a) of the California Vehicle Code has not been 

amended prior to January 1, 2010 to increase the length restriction. 

(3) Provisions for Unique Vehicles. Upon providing documentation demonstrating that 

a vehicle meets the definition of a unique vehicle as defined in section 

2025(d)(74), the Executive Officer will not require the vehicle to be replaced in 

order to meet NOx BACT prior to January 1, 2021, but the fleet will still be required 

to include the vehicle in the fleet if complying using the BACT percentage limits of 

section 2025(g) or the fleet averaging option of section 2025(h). 

(4) Exemption for Low-Use Vehicles. 

(A) Low-use vehicles are exempt from the requirements of section 2025(e)(1) 

but the owner must keep records and meet the reporting requirements in 

accordance with sections 2025(r) and (s). To be considered a low-use 

vehicle, the fleet owner must submit engine operation data from a properly 

functioning odometer and non-resettable hour meter unless they have a 

three day pass. Low-use vehicles need not be included when determining 

compliance with the BACT percent limits of section 2025(g) or when 

calculating fleet average indices and target rates for the fleet averaging 

option of section 2025(h). 

(B) Vehicles used both as an emergency support vehicle as defined in section 

2025(d)(27), and for other purposes, do not need to consider the hours of 

operation or mileage the vehicle accrues when used for emergency 

operations in determining whether the vehicle meets the definition of a 

low-use vehicle. If the vehicle meets the low-use definition of section 

2025(d)(47), it is exempt from the requirements of section 2025(e)(1), but 

it is subject to the requirements of section 2025(p)(4) for low-use vehicles. 

(C) Vehicles that formerly met the low-use vehicle definition, but whose use 

increases to 100 hours per year or greater or whose mileage increases to 

1,000 miles or greater, must immediately meet the requirements of 

section 2025(f), (g) or (h) for the immediately preceding compliance 

deadline unless it takes advantage of one of the exemptions listed in 

section 2025(p). 

(5) Exemption for Vehicles Operating with a Three Day Pass 

(A) Until January 1, 2021, a fleet that obtains a three-day pass will be allowed 

to operate one vehicle in California without complying with section 2025(e) 

for the specified three day period per calendar year. 
32 

(B) To obtain a three-day pass, a request to the Executive Officer, identifying 

the date that an out-of-state vehicle will be making a one-time annual visit 

to the state, the vehicle owner, company name, and vehicle identification 

number and must obtain written approval, which must be carried within the 

vehicle, prior to operating in the state. 

(C) A three-day pass must be obtained from the Executive Officer either 

online, email, or by fax. The Executive Officer will have three business 

days to respond from receipt of the request. 

(6) Exemption for Vehicles Awaiting Sale – Vehicles in the possession of dealers, 

financing companies, or other entities that do not intend to operate the vehicle in 

California or offer the vehicle for hire for operation in California, and that are 

operated only to demonstrate functionality to potential buyers or to move short 

distances while awaiting sale for purposes such as maintenance or storage, are 

exempt from all requirements in section 2025. 

(7) Exemption for Vehicles Used Solely on San Nicolas or San Clemente Islands - 

Vehicles used solely on San Nicolas or San Clemente Islands are exempt from all 

requirements in section 2025. If the land use plans for the islands are changed to 

allow use by the general public of the islands, this exemption shall no longer be 

applicable. 

(8) Credit for Hybrid Vehicles 

(A) Prior to January 1, 2018, upon presentation of proper documentation, the 

Executive Officer shall grant an owner credit, as set forth in (B) below, 

towards compliance with the fleet average for using hybrid vehicles 

defined in section 2025(d)(42) if the owner can demonstrate that the 

manufacturer has improved the fuel economy of the hybrid vehicle by at 

least 20 percent compared to a diesel vehicle of the same model year that 

performs a similar function and has a similar configuration to that of the 

hybrid vehicle. 

(B) Upon approval by the Executive Officer, the fleet shall receive for each 

compliance year prior to 2018, a credit that double counts the number of 

hybrid vehicles in the fleet that may be used to calculate the PM and NOx 

indices and target rates for the percent limits requirements of 

section 2025(g) and for the fleet averaging option of section 2025(h). The 

emissions factor from Appendix A will be based on the engine model year 

or standard to which the engine was certified.

(9) Credit for Alternative Fuel Vehicles - Upon presentation of proper documentation, 

the Executive Officer will grant a fleet credit for using vehicles equipped with 

alternative fuel or heavy-duty pilot ignition engines, in calculating the NOx and PM 

fleet averages under section 2025(h). Upon approval, the fleet is allowed to use 

the NOx emission factor for the engine model year to which the alternative or 

heavy-duty pilot ignition engines have been certified in calculating the NOx index 

and zero for the PM index. 
33 

(10) Compliance Extension for Emissions Control Device Manufacturer Delays: An 

owner who has purchased, but has not received, a VDECS, a replacement 

engine, or vehicle in order to comply with this regulation will be excused from 

immediate compliance if the VDECS or vehicles have not been received due to 

manufacturing delays as long as all the conditions below are met: 

(A) Except for VDECS purchased to replace a failed or damaged VDECS, the 

fleet owner who has purchased the VEDCS or vehicle or has entered into 

contractual agreement with the seller for the purchase, at least 4 months 

prior to the required compliance date; in the case of VDECS replace a 

failed or damaged VDECS, the fleet owner has purchased, or has entered 

into contractual agreement with the seller for the purchase within 60 days 

of the VDECS failure. 

(B) The owner has identified the vehicle to be equipped with the VDECS or 

replaced upon receipt of the replacement VEDCS or vehicle. 

(C) Proof of purchase, such as a purchase order, down payment, or signed 

contract for the sale, including specifications for each VDECS, must be 

maintained by the owner and provided to an agent or employee of ARB 

upon request. 

(D) The new or retrofitted vehicles are immediately placed into operation upon 

receipt and any replaced vehicles are removed from service within 30 

days. 

(E) Proof of the date that the new or retrofitted vehicles were placed into 

service and proof of the date that any replaced vehicles were removed 

from service. 

(11) Extension of the PM BACT Compliance Deadline Based on Unavailability of 

Highest Level VDECS If an engine cannot be equipped with the highest level 

VDECS for PM, the Executive Officer may grant a one-year extension of the 

compliance deadline, which may be extended annually through January 1, 2017, 

based on an evaluation of information submitted pursuant to section 2025(r)(11) 

that the engine cannot be equipped with the highest level VDECS for PM provided 

that all other engines in the fleet are in compliance with the PM BACT 

requirements for the compliance year. By January 1, 2018, any vehicle that is not 

equipped with the highest level VDECS for PM must be replaced or have its 

engine replaced with one that is equipped with the highest level VDECS for PM. 

This includes auxiliary engines in two engine sweepers. 

(12) Change in Exemption Status. A fleet owner of a vehicle that formerly qualified for 

any of the compliance extensions or exemptions granted in section 2025(n) or 

2025(p) but whose status has changed so that it no longer meets the applicable 

definition, must immediately bring the fleet into compliance with requirements of 

section 2025(f), (g), or (h) for the immediately preceding compliance deadline, and 

must notify the Executive Officer of the change in status within 30 days from the 

date of the change.
34 

(q) Special Provisions for VDECS and Experimental Diesel Emission Control 

Strategies 

(1) VDECS Requirements

(A) VDECS Installation. Before installing a VDECS on a vehicle, the owner 

must ensure that: 

1. The VDECS is verified for use with the engine and vehicle, as 

described in the Executive Order for the VDECS. 

2. Use of the vehicle is consistent with the conditions of the Executive 

Order for the VDECS. 

3. The VDECS is installed in a verified configuration. 

4. The engine to be retrofitted meets engine manufacturer’s 

specifications for installation of the VDECS. 

5. The VDECS label will be visible after installation. 

(B) VDECS Maintenance. If a fleet owner installs a VDECS to meet the 

requirements of section 2025(e), the VDECS must remain installed until 

the VDECS fails or is damaged or is replaced with a similar or higher level 

VDECS. Requirements for VDECS failure or damage are in 

section 2025(q)(2). The owner of a vehicle retrofitted with a VDECS must 

ensure that the VDECS and engine are properly maintained as 

recommended by the respective manufacturers. 

(2) Failure or Damage of a VDECS. 

In the event of a failure or damage of a diesel emission control strategy, the 

following conditions apply: 

(A) Failure or Damage During the Warranty Period. If a VDECS fails or is 

damaged within its warranty period, and the VDECS manufacturer or 

authorized dealer determines that it cannot be repaired, the owner must 

replace the VDECS with the same level or higher level VDECS for the 

vehicle within 90 days of the failure. 

(B) Failure or Damage Outside of Warranty Period. If a VDECS fails or is 

damaged outside of its warranty period and cannot be repaired, and if the 

fleet could not meet an applicable target for the most recent compliance 

date without the failed VDECS, then within 90 days of the failure, the 

owner must replace the failed VDECS with the highest level VDECS 

available for the engine at time of failure. 

(3) Fuel-Based Strategy VDECS. 

(A) If a fleet owner determines that the highest level VDECS for a large 

percentage of the fleet would be a level 2 fuel verified as a diesel emission 

control strategy, and implementation of this VDECS would require 

installation of a dedicated storage tank, then the owner shall request prior 

approval from the Executive Officer to allow use of the level 2 fuel-based 

strategy across its fleet. 
35 

(B) Waiver for Discontinuation of Fuel Verified as a Diesel Emission Control 

Strategy. If a fleet owner has relied upon a fuel verified as a diesel 

emission control strategy to meet an applicable requirement and has to 

discontinue use of the fuel due to circumstances beyond the fleet owner’s 

control, the fleet owner shall apply to the Executive Officer no later than 

30 days after discontinuing use of the fuel for a compliance waiver of up to 

two years to provide the fleet owner time to return to compliance with the 

applicable requirements. The Executive Officer shall respond to the 

request within 30 days and grant the request upon finding that the 

application is complete, outlines the compliance strategy to be used, and 

that all reporting requirements have been met. 

(4) Use of Experimental Diesel Emission Control Strategies. 

(A) If a fleet owner wishes to use an experimental or non-verified diesel 

emission control strategy to support the verification of a non-verified diesel 

emission control strategy, the owner must first obtain approval from the 

Executive Officer for a compliance extension. To obtain approval, the 

owner must demonstrate either that (1) a VDECS is not available or not 

feasible for their vehicle or application, or (2) that use of the non-verified 

strategy is needed to generate data to support verification of the strategy. 

1. The application must include the following: emissions data and a 

detailed description of the control technology that demonstrates that 

the experimental control strategy achieves at least a level 2 diesel PM 

emission reduction, vehicle and engine data, and odometer readings 

as described in sections 2025(r)(8), 2025(r)(9), and 2025(r)(12)(B). 

2. The Executive Officer will treat the strategy as a: 

a. Level 2 VDECS if the application demonstrates that the strategy 

achieves at least 50 percent reduction in diesel PM. 

b. Level 3 VDECS if the application demonstrates that the strategy 

achieves at least 85 percent reductions in diesel PM. 

3. If the application demonstrates that the strategy achieves a NOx 

reduction of over 15 percent, the NOx reduction will be counted. 

(B) Upon approval by the Executive Officer, each vehicle engine retrofitted 

with the experimental strategy will be allowed to operate for a specified 

time period necessary to make a determination that the experimental 

strategy can achieve the projected emissions reductions. The vehicle 

equipped with the experimental strategy will be considered to be in 

compliance under section 2025(f), (g), or (h) during the specified time 

period. The fleet owner shall keep documentation of this use in records 

as specified by the Executive Officer. 

(C) The fleet owner must bring the fleet into compliance under section 2025(f), 

(g), or (h) prior to the expiration of the experimental diesel emission 

control strategy extension. 
36 

(5) VDECS That Impairs Safe Operation of Vehicle - A fleet owner may request that 

the Executive Officer find that a VDECS should not be considered the highest level 

VDECS available because (A) it cannot be safely installed or operated in a 

particular vehicle application, or (B) its use would make compliance with 

occupational safety and health requirements, or an ongoing local air district permit 

condition impossible. 

If a VDECS manufacturer states that there is no safe or appropriate method of mounting 

its VDECS on the requesting party’s vehicle, then the VDECS will not be considered 

safe. In the absence of such a declaration by the VDECS manufacturer, the requesting 

party shall provide other documentation to support its claims. 

Documentation may include published reports and other findings of federal, state or 

local government agencies, independent testing laboratories, engine manufacturers, or 

other equally reliable sources. The request will only be approved if the requesting party 

has made a thorough effort to find a safe method for installing and operating the 

VDECS, including various locations for VDECS mounting, and use of an actively 

regenerated VDECS. The Executive Officer shall review the documentation submitted 

and any other reliable information that he or she wishes to consider and shall make his 

or her determination based upon the totality of the evidence. 

Upon finding that a VDECS cannot be installed without violating the safety standards 

prescribed under title 8, CCR by the California Department of Industrial Relations, 

Division of Occupational Safety and Health, or comparable federal or state law where 

the vehicle operates, the Executive Officer shall issue a determination that there is no 

highest level VDECS available. The Executive Officer shall inform the requesting party, 

in writing, of his or her determination, within 60 days of receipt of the request. 

Parties may appeal the Executive Officer’s determination as described in (A) and (B) 

below. During the appeal process described in (A) and (B) below, the requesting party 

may request the administrative law judge to stay compliance until a final decision is 

issued. If the stay is granted and the Executive Officer denies the requesting party’s 

request, the requesting party has six months from the date of the Executive Officer’s 

final written decision to bring his or her fleet back into compliance. 

(A) Appeals – Hearing Procedures

1. Any party whose request has been denied may request a hearing for 

the Executive Officer to reconsider the action taken by sending a 

request in writing to the Executive Officer. A request for hearing shall 

include, at a minimum, the following: 

a. name of the requesting party; 

b. copy of the Executive Officer’s written notification of denial; 

c. a concise statement of the issues to be raised, with supporting 

facts, setting forth the basis for challenging the denial (conclusory 

allegations will not suffice); 

d. a brief summary of evidence in support of the statement of facts 

required in c. above; and 
37 

e. the signature of an authorized person requesting the hearing 

2. A request for a hearing shall be filed within 30 days from the date of 

issuance of the notice of the denial. 

3. A hearing requested pursuant to this section shall be heard by a 

qualified and impartial hearing officer appointed by the Executive 

Officer. The hearing officer may be an employee of the ARB, but may 

not be any employee who was involved with the denial at issue. In a 

request for reconsideration, the hearing officer, after reviewing the 

request for hearing and supporting documentation provided under 

paragraph 1.d. above, shall grant the request for a hearing if he or she 

finds that the request raises a genuine and substantial question of law 

or fact. 

4. If a hearing is granted, the hearing officer shall schedule and hold, as 

soon as practicable, a hearing at a time and place determined by the 

hearing officer. 

5. Upon appointment, the hearing officer shall establish a hearing file. 

The file shall consist of the following: 

a. the determination issued by the Executive Officer which is the 

subject of the request for hearing; 

b. the request for hearing and the supporting documents that are 

submitted with it; 

c. all documents relating to and relied upon by the Executive Officer 

in making the initial determination to deny the requesting party’s 

original claim; and 

d. correspondence and other documents material to the hearing. 

6. The hearing file shall be available for inspection by the applicant at the 

office of the hearing officer. 

7. An applicant may appear in person or be represented by counsel or by 

any other duly-authorized representative. 

8. The ARB may be represented by staff or counsel familiar with the 

regulation and may present rebuttal evidence. 

9. Technical rules of evidence shall not apply to the hearing, except that 

relevant evidence may be admitted and given probative effect only if it 

is the kind of evidence upon which reasonable persons are 

accustomed to relying in the conduct of serious affairs. No action 

shall be overturned based solely on hearsay evidence, unless the 

hearsay evidence would be admissible in a court of law under a legally 

recognized exception to the hearsay rule. 

10. Declarations may be used upon stipulation by the parties. 

11. The hearing shall be recorded either electronically or by a certified 

shorthand reporter. 
38 

12. The hearing officer shall consider the totality of the circumstances of 

the denial, including but not limited to, credibility of witnesses, 

authenticity and reliability of documents, and qualifications of experts. 

The hearing officer may also consider relevant past conduct of the 

applicant including any prior incidents involving other ARB programs. 

13. The hearing officer’s written decision shall set forth findings of fact and 

conclusions of law as necessary. 

14. Within 30 days of the conclusion of a hearing, the hearing officer shall 

submit a written proposed decision, including proposed finding as well 

as a copy of any material submitted by the hearing participants as part 

of that hearing and relied on by the hearing officer, to the Executive 

Officer. The hearing officer may recommend to the Executive Officer 

any of the following: 

a. uphold the denial as issued; 

b. modify the denial; or 

c. overturn the denial in its entirety. 

15. The Executive Officer shall render a final written decision within 60 

working days of the last day of hearing. The Executive Officer may do 

any of the following based on substantial evidence in the record: 

a. adopt the hearing officer’s proposed decision; 

b. modify the hearing officer’s proposed decision; or 

c. render a decision without regard to the hearing officer’s proposed 

decision. 

(B) Appeals – Hearing Conducted by Written Submission. 

In lieu of the hearing procedure set forth in A above, an applicant may 

request that the hearing be conducted solely by written submission. In 

such case the requestor must submit a written explanation of the basis for 

the appeal and provide supporting documents within 20 days of making 

the request. Subsequent to such a submission the following shall 

transpire: 

1. ARB staff shall submit a written response to the requestor’s 

submission and documents in support of the Executive Officer’s action 

no later than 10 days after receipt of the requestor’s submission; 

2. The applicant may submit one rebuttal statement which may include 

supporting information, as attachment(s), but limited to the issues 

previously raised; 

3. If the applicant submits a rebuttal, ARB staff may submit one rebuttal 

statement which may include supporting information, as 

attachment(s), but limited to the issues previously raised; and 

4. The hearing officer shall be designated in the same manner as set 

forth in section 2025(q)(5)(A)(3) above. The hearing officer shall 

receive all statements and documents and submit a proposed written 

decision and such other documents as described in 
39 

section 2025(q)(5)(A)(13) above to the Executive Officer no later than 

30 working days after the final deadline for submission of papers. The 

Executive Officer’s final decision shall be mailed to the applicant no 

later than 60 days after the final deadline for submission of papers. 

5. The Executive Officer shall render a final written decision within 60 

working days of the last day of hearing. The Executive Officer may do 

any of the following: 

a. adopt the hearing officer’s proposed decision; 

b. modify the hearing officer’s proposed decision; or 

c. render a decision without regard to the hearing officer’s proposed 

decision. 

(r) Reporting 

(1) The owner of a fleet is subject to the reporting requirements of section 2025(r) for 

the vehicles in the fleet as defined in section 2025(d)(34) if the owner has elected 

to utilize the BACT percent limits option of section 2025(g), the fleet averaging 

option of section 2025(h), the optional requirements for small fleets of section 

2025(i), the retired vehicle credit provision of section 2025(k), the special 

provisions and compliance extensions of section 2025(p), or the agricultural 

provisions of section 2025(m). 

(2) All fleet owners utilizing any of the exemptions, compliance extensions, or credit in 

section 2025(p) must report and comply with the requirements of section 2025(r) 

and 2025(s) for all of their vehicles in the fleet as defined in section 2025(d)(34), 

regardless of whether the vehicle is utilizing of the special provisions or not. 

(3) The owner of a fleet that has elected to comply using the BACT compliance 

schedule set forth in section 2025(f) is not subject to the reporting requirements of 

2025(r). 

(4) Fleet owners may submit reporting information using forms (paper or electronic) 

approved by the Executive Officer. 

(5) The fleet owner must notify the Executive Officer in writing by the first applicable 

reporting date and by January 31 of every subsequent compliance year, if 

applicable, with the name of the responsible official and the location where the 

records will be kept. If the records will be kept outside California, the owner must 

also comply with section 2025(t). If a fleet owner opts to comply with fleet 

averaging requirements of section 2025(h) separately for different divisions or 

subsidiaries according to section 2025(e)(5), then the company or agency may 

report separately for the different portions of the fleet. 

(6) Each year, fleet owners subject to the reporting requirement must report on their 

fleet as it was on January 1 of the current compliance year. They must submit the 

applicable information set forth in sections 2025(r)(5) through (14) by January 31 

following each compliance date. Owners must report annually until the reporting 

requirement expires or fleets may stop reporting the year after the BACT 
40 

requirements of section 2025(f) have been met. Fleets may submit information by 

mail or electronically. 

(7) Owner Contact Information: Compliance reports must include the information in 

(A) through (M) below. 

(A) Fleet owner’s name, 

(B) Name of company or agency, 

(C) Motor carrier identification number, 

(D) Corporate parent name (if applicable), 

(E) Corporate parent taxpayer identification number (if applicable), 

(F) Company taxpayer identification number, 

(G) Street address and mailing address, 

(H) Name of responsible person, 

(I) Title of responsible person, 

(J) Contact name, 

(K) Contact telephone number, 

(L) Contact email address (if available),.

(M) License number issued by the Public Utilities Commission (if applicable). 

(8) Vehicle Information. 

Fleet owners must provide to the Executive Officer a list of all vehicles subject to 

the reporting requirements along with the information listed in (A) through (P) 

below for each vehicle: 

(A) Vehicle type, 

(B) Whether the vehicle is a schoolbus as defined in section 2025(d)(67) that 

transports pupils, a motorcoach, truck-tractor, shuttle vehicle, two-engine 

sweeper, or yard truck. 

(C) Date the vehicle was added, first reported, or retired, 

(D) Vehicle identification number, 

(E) Vehicle manufacturer, 

(F) Vehicle model; 

(G) Gross vehicle weight rating 

(H) Vehicle model year, 

(I) License plate number, 

(J) Where the vehicle is registered and type of registration plate; 

(K) Whether the vehicle will be designated as a low-use vehicle; 

1. For vehicles designated as low-use, fleet owners must report the 

information listed in section 2025(r)(12). 

2. Report whether the low-use status is based on mileage or hours of 

operation. 
41 

3. Whether the vehicle has PTO for performing work in stationary mode. 

(L) Whether the vehicle is used as an emergency support vehicle; 

1. For low-use or mileage exempt vehicles used in emergency 

operations, fleet owners must report the information listed in 

section 2025(r)(16). 

(M) Whether the vehicle is a sweeper, specialty agricultural vehicle, cab-overengine truck tractor, or unique vehicle as defined in sections 2025(n) and 

2025(p); 

(N) Whether the vehicle is a hybrid vehicle as defined in section 2025(d)(42). 

(O) Whether the vehicle is propelled by an alternative-fueled engine as 

defined in section 2025(d)(9). 

(P) Fuel type. 

(9) Engine Information. 

The following information for each engine that propels a vehicle reported per 

section 2025(r)(8) and for each sweeper engine that operates auxiliary equipment 

must be reported to the Executive Officer: 

(A) Engine manufacturer, 

(B) Engine model, 

(C) Engine family, 

(D) Engine serial number, and 

(E) Engine model year, 

(F) Whether the engine meets an on-road or off-road emissions standard, 

(G) Whether the engine is used to propel the vehicle or to operate auxiliary 

equipment, 

(H) The emissions standard to which the engine was certified if lower than 

required for the engine model year. 

(10) Verified Diesel Emission Control Strategies. 

For each VDECS that is installed on an engine listed per section 2025(r)(9), the 

fleet owner must report the following information to the Executive Officer. 

(A) Type of VDECS installed, 

(B) VDECS manufacturer, 

(C) VDECS family name, 

(D) Serial number, or experimental part number, or aftermarket part number, 

(E) Date installed. 

(11) Availability of Highest Level VDECS 

If appropriate, the following information must be submitted to the Executive Officer with 

a request for an extension based on the unavailability of highest level VDECS: 
42 

(A) Owner contact information, vehicle, and engine information listed in 

sections 2025 (r)(7), (8), and (9). 

(B) Description of the reason for the compliance extension request for each 

engine or engine-vehicle combination. 

(C) If the VDECS would void the engine warranty, provide a statement from 

the engine manufacturer or authorized dealer. 

(D) If no verified VDECS is commercially available, provide a list of 

manufacturers that have been contacted and the manufacturers’ 

responses to a request to purchase. 

(E) Documentation must be submitted on January 31 following the compliance 

deadline for each year that the owner is claiming non-availability of the 

highest VDECS. 

(12) Low-Use Vehicles. 

For vehicles that are designated as low-use, the fleet owner must report the following 

information to the Executive Officer annually for as long as the fleet owns or operates 

the vehicle: 

(A) Owner, vehicle, and engine information identified in sections 

2025 (r)(5) through (9); 

(B) Mileage from odometer readings from a properly functioning odometer 

taken on January 1 and December 31 of the compliance year. 

(C) Hour-meter readings from a properly functioning hour-meter taken on 

January 1 and December 31 of the compliance year. 

(D) The dates of the odometer and hour-meter readings. In the event that the 

odometer meter is replaced, the original odometer reading and the new 

odometer reading and the date of replacement must be reported. 

(E) The owner of a vehicle operating both inside and outside of California 

must provide records from a electronic tracking system as defined in 

section(d)(26) that can acquire date, time, engine-on, and location data. 

The owner may use other documentation of operation and location, such 

as IRP records. 

(13) Fleets Claiming Vehicle Retirement Credit 

(A) By March 31, 2010, fleets requesting vehicle retirement credits must 

report the information required in sections 2025(r)(5) through (9) for all 

vehicles in the fleet that were registered on July 1, 2008. Beginning 2011 

and every year thereafter until 2014, the reporting date shall be 

January 31. 

(14) Schoolbus Fleets or Sub-Fleets

(A) For schoolbus fleet or sub-fleets that comply using the PM BACT 

percentage limits of section 2025(g) or the PM fleet averaging of section 

2025(h)(3) or any of the special provisions in section 2025(p), the 
43 

schoolbus fleet owner must report the information required in section 

2025(r), except for the information required under subsections 

2025(r)(12)(C), (r)(12)(E) or (r)(16)(C). 

(15) Vehicles in Agricultural Fleets.

For all vehicles owned as of January 1, 2009, an agricultural fleet owner must 

report the information in this section to the Executive Officer for all vehicles 

(including vehicles that do not qualify as agricultural vehicles) by March 31, 2010. 

For subsequent years, the reporting date shall be January 31. For each vehicle in 

an agricultural fleet, the agricultural fleet owner must report the following 

information until January 1, 2023: 

(A) Information required in sections 2025(r)(5) through(9). 

(B) Whether the vehicle is a low-mileage, limited-mileage, or specialty 

agricultural vehicle, or is none of these. 

(C) Whether the vehicle will operate as a low-mileage or limited-mileage 

vehicle should it not qualify as a specialty agricultural vehicle. 

(D) Whether the vehicle is being added or deleted to the fleet and the date of 

that the addition or deletion occurred. 

(E) The vehicle body type if one of the four body types described in section 

2025(d)(69). 

(F) If eligible to be considered for the specialty vehicle exemption, the priority 

status of the vehicle in case not all specialty vehicles in the fleet can be 

approved. 

(G) Whether the specialty vehicle will operate exclusively outside the San 

Joaquin Valley Air Basin. 

(H) Whether the vehicle is operated for compensation outside a farming 

business owner’s farm. 

(I) Mileage from a properly functioning odometer taken on January 1, 2010 

and every January 1 thereafter. In the event that the odometer is 

replaced, the original odometer reading, the new odometer reading, and 

the date the odometer was replaced. 

(J) For a low, limited, or specialty agricultural vehicle being replaced the 

owner, vehicle, and engine information set forth in sections 2025(r)(5) 

through (10), the mileage of both the vehicle being replaced and added, 

and the date the mileage readings were taken. 

(16) Vehicles used as emergency support vehicles in emergency operations. 

A fleet owner must provide the following information to the Executive Officer to 

qualify a vehicle’s usage as emergency operation: 

(A) Owner, vehicle, and engine information identified in sections 

2025 (r)(5) through (10); 
44 

(B) Odometer readings from a properly functioning odometer to document use 

at an emergency event and to document travel to and from the emergency 

event. In the event that the odometer meter is replaced the original 

odometer reading and the new odometer reading and the date of 

replacement must be reported. Vehicles used exclusively for emergency 

use that are not authorized emergency vehicles do not need to have an 

hour meter and do not need to report hours. Authorized emergency 

vehicles are exempt per section 2025(c); and 

(C) Records to document dispatch by the local, state, or federal agency or 

other responsible emergency management entity as approved by the 

Executive Officer. 

(17) Vehicles Exempt from NOx BACT. 

(A) Exemption Based on Early Action. 

The owner must provide the following information to the Executive Officer 

by March 31, 2010. 

1. Owner, vehicle, and engine information listed in

sections 2025(r)(5) through (9). 

2. Information listed in section 2025(r)(10) for the VDECS. 

(B) NOx Mileage Exempt Vehicles. 

The owner must provide the following information to the Executive Officer 

by January 31 of the compliance year to demonstrate compliance with the 

requirements of section 2025(p)(1). 

1. Owner, vehicle, and engine information listed in sections 2025(r)(5) 

through (11). 

2. Mileage and hours of use readings on January 1 and December 31 of 

the compliance year taken from a properly functioning odometer and 

hour-meter for vehicles meeting the definition of sections 

2025(d)(58)(A) or (B) and mileage only readings for vehicles meeting 

the definitions of 2025(d)(58)(C) or (D). The owner must keep on 

record the mileage and usage records to meet the record keeping 

requirements of section 2025(s). 

(C) Vehicles operating exclusively in NOx-exempt areas. 

The owner must provide the following information to the Executive Officer 

by January 31 of each compliance year to demonstrate compliance with 

the requirements of section 2025(p)(1): 

1. Owner, vehicle, engine information, and VDECS listed in 

sections 2025(r)(5) through (11); 

2. Records from an electronic tracking system that tracks usage and 

location in a monthly report format approved by ARB. The system 

must at a minimum meet the requirements as defined in 

section 2025(d)(26) and provide the information listed therein. A fleet 
45 

may use an alternative method to demonstrate compliance if approved 

by the Executive Officer. 

(D) Unique Vehicles.

The owner must provide the following information to the Executive Officer 

by January 31 of each compliance year to demonstrate compliance 

with the requirements of section 2025(p)(3). 

1. Owner, vehicle, and engine information listed in sections 2025(r)(5) 

through (11). 

2. Photos and a complete description of the vehicle and its function. 

3. A complete explanation of why the vehicle qualifies as a unique 

vehicle. 

4. Names and phone numbers of sources contacted during the search 

for a replacement vehicle. 

5. Letters from contacted VDECS vendors stating that retrofit technology 

is unavailable for the unique vehicle. 

(E) Two Engine Sweepers 

The owner must provide the following information for both the propulsion 

and auxiliary engine to the Executive Officer by March 31, 2010 to 

demonstrate compliance with the requirements of section 2025(n). 

1. Owner, vehicle, and engine information listed in sections 2025(r)(5) 

through (11). 

2. Engine tier level of the auxiliary engine, model year, and engine family 

number. 

3. For Tier 0 auxiliary engines, the hours of use readings taken 

January 1 and December 31 of each year staring 2010. 

(18) Compliance Certification. All reports submitted to ARB, must be accompanied 

with a certification signed by a responsible official or a designee thereof that the 

information reported is accurate and that the fleet is in compliance with the 

regulation. If a designee signs the compliance certification, a written statement 

signed by the responsible official designating the designee must be attached to the 

compliance certification and submitted to the Executive Officer. 

(19) Changes Since Last Reporting – The fleet owner or responsible person must 

report to the Executive Officer any additions, deletions, or changes to the fleet 

since the last annual report filed. Such changes shall include, among other things, 

changes in the fleet’s compliance option, vehicles removed from the fleet, vehicles 

added to the fleet through purchase or by bringing into California, and vehicles 

newly defined as low-use, or recently repowered or retrofitted. If there are no 

changes, the fleet owner shall indicate there have been no changes. 

(20) New Fleet Reporting. New fleets that elect to utilize the BACT percent limits 

option of section 2025(g) or the fleet averaging option of section 2025(h) must 

submit the information in section 2025(r)(5) through (9) to the Executive Officer 
46 

within 30 days of purchasing or bringing such vehicles into the State. Beginning 

the first January 1 that is more than 30 days after the date of purchase or bringing 

a vehicle into the State, new fleets must comply with the reporting requirements in 

section 2025(r). 

(21) Claiming Compliance Extension for Manufacturer Delays

The fleet owner must provide the following information to the Executive Officer by 

January 31, each year to demonstrate compliance with the requirements of 

section 2025(p)(10): 

(A) The date of purchase or the date the contractual agreement for purchase 

of VDECS, replacement engine, or vehicle was entered, 

(B) The date the VDECS or vehicle was placed into service, 

(C) The date the existing vehicle was removed from service. 

(D) Identification of the vehicle that was replaced. 

(s) Record Keeping. 

(1) The owner of a fleet shall maintain the following records specified in 

sections 2025(s)(5) through (14) as applicable. The owner shall provide these 

records to an agent or employee of the ARB within five business days upon 

request. 

(2) The owner of a fleet subject to the reporting requirements of section 2025(r) shall 

maintain copies of the information reported under section 2025(r), as well as the 

records described in sections 2025(s)(5) through (14) below. 

(3) Motor Carrier or Broker

(A) Bills of lading and other documentation identifying the motor carrier or broker 

who hired or dispatched the vehicle and the vehicle dispatched. 

(4) Schoolbus Fleets and Sub-Fleets

(A) The owner of a schoolbus fleet or a schoolbus sub-fleet shall maintain copies 

of the information reported under section 2025(r)(14) and the records 

specified in section 2025(s) as applicable. 

(5) Agricultural Fleets

(A) Fleets utilizing the agricultural fleet provision must keep and make available 

upon request proof that all agricultural vehicles were used exclusively in 

agricultural operations. This may include records used to support proof to 

other governmental agencies that the primary business function was 

agricultural. Such documentation may include IRS or Board of Equalization 

tax forms or bills of lading. 

(B) Records must be maintained for each agricultural vehicle demonstrating that 

the vehicle was operational, functional and capable of performing the duty for 

which it was designed. This could include maintenance records, mileage 
47 

records, or licensing records, emissions testing records, or any other source of 

data approved by the Executive Officer. 

(C) The agricultural fleet owner must keep bills of lading for delivery of fertilizer or 

crop protection products by an agricultural vehicle to a farm. Such records 

must demonstrate that the operation of the vehicle for the preceding calendar 

year was used exclusively to deliver such products to farms. 

(D) Proof of transference of ownership of any low or limited-mileage agricultural 

vehicles that is added to or removed from the fleet. 

(E) Proof of ownership of the vehicles including title, registration, or bills of sale. 

(6) Proof of Operation – Owners of fleets must keep records showing that any vehicle 

used to demonstrate compliance under section 2025(g) or section 2025(h) 

operated in California for that applicable compliance year. Records could include 

IRP records, GPS tracking records, or DMV or law enforcement permits. 

(7) Fleets Claiming Retirement Credit – Fleets claiming retirement credit as defined in 

2025(k) must keep the following records at the business office or terminal location 

identified in the reports filed with the Executive Officer: 

(A) Copy of the retired vehicle’s registration 

(B) Copy of the vehicle’s ownership documentation 

(C) Copy of the bill of sale showing the date the transaction occurred of the 

retired vehicle or any form of vehicle transference approved by the 

Executive Officer 

(D) All documentation related to any change in business form such as a 

change from a sole proprietorship to partnership, partnership to 

corporation, etc. 

(8) Changes Since Last Reporting Period – Document any additions, deletions, or 

changes to the fleet since the last reporting. Documentation may include bills of 

sale, purchase orders, or other documentation. 

(9) Electronic Tracking – For fleets using electronic tracking systems as defined in 

section 2025(d)(26), summary and detailed records must be kept at the business 

office or terminal location for the fleet. The records must provide; 

(A) Vehicle identification number of the vehicle being tracked; 

(B) Monthly and annual mileage accrued in California; 

(C) Monthly and annual mileage accrued in the NOx Exempt Areas if claiming 

the vehicle operates exclusively in NOx-exempt areas, and 

(D) Monthly and annual hours of engine operation accrued in California except 

for vehicles that do not use PTO to perform work in a stationary mode. 

(10) VDECS Failure – Maintain records of any VDECS failure and replacement. 
48 

(11) Fuel-based Strategy – Documentation of any approval from ARB Executive Officer 

to use a fuel strategy as in section 2025(q)(3) and the most recent two years’ 

worth of records of purchase that demonstrate usage. 

(12) Experimental Diesel Emission Control Strategy – For fleets using an experimental 

diesel PM control strategy, record of approval from the Executive Officer for use of 

the experimental diesel control strategy, the test plan and test data used in the 

experimental diesel control strategy application, and other records as specified in 

the approval. 

(13) Manufacturer Delay – For any vehicle or VDECS for which the fleet owner is 

utilizing the equipment manufacturer delay provision in section 2025(p)(10), proof 

of purchase, such as a purchase order or signed contract for the sale, including 

engine specifications for each applicable piece of equipment or vehicle. 

(14) Maintenance of VDECS Records 

(A) VDECS Documentation. For each engine requiring a VDECS to comply 

with the regulation, the owner shall keep the following documentation in 

the vehicle and provide it upon request to an agent or employee of the 

ARB. 

1. A statement signed by the installer at the time of installation of the 

VDECS affirming that the VDECS was installed by an authorized 

installer, and providing the following information for each engine: 

a. The name of the person installing the device, 

b. The date the device was installed, 

c. Type of VDECS installed, 

d. Manufacturer 

e. VDECS family name, 

f. Serial number, 

g. Its verification level and year of verification. 

(t) Audit of Records 

The vehicle owner must make records available to ARB at its request for audit to verify 

the accuracy of the records. In the event the records are not made available within 

30 days of the request, the ARB may assess penalties for non-compliance. 

(u) Record Retention 

The fleet owner or responsible person shall maintain the records for each vehicle 

subject to the reporting and record keeping requirements of sections 2025(r) and (s) for 

3 years after it is retired, and for the overall fleet, for as long as the owner has a fleet, or 

January 1, 2025, whichever is earlier. If fleet ownership is transferred, the seller shall 

transfer the fleet records to the buyer. Dealers must maintain records of the disclosure 

of regulation applicability required by section 2025(w) for three years after the sale. 
49 

(v) Right of Entry 

For the purpose of inspecting vehicles subject to this regulation and their records to 

determine compliance with this regulation, an agent or employee of ARB, upon 

presentation of proper credentials, has the right to enter any facility (with any necessary 

safety clearances) where vehicles are located or vehicle records are kept. 

(w) Disclosure of Regulation Applicability 

Any person residing in California selling a vehicle with an engine subject to this 

regulation must provide the following disclosure in writing to the buyer on the bill of sale, 

“An on-road heavy-duty diesel or alternative-diesel vehicle operated in California may 

be subject to the California Air Resources Board Regulation to Reduce Particulate 

Matter and Criteria Pollutant Emissions from In-Use Heavy-Duty Diesel Vehicles. It 

therefore could be subject to exhaust retrofit or accelerated turnover requirements to 

reduce emissions of air pollutants. For more information, please visit the California Air 

Resources Board website at http://www.arb.ca.gov/dieseltruck.” 

(x) Compliance Requirement. 

(1) The vehicle owner shall comply with all applicable requirements and compliance 

schedules set forth in this regulation. 

(2) Any in-state or out-of-state motor carrier, California broker, or any California 

resident who operates or directs the operation of any vehicle subject to this 

regulation shall verify that each hired or dispatched vehicle is in compliance with 

the regulation. 

(3) Compliance may be accomplished by keeping on site a copy of the Certificate of 

Reported Compliance with the In-Use On-Road Diesel Vehicle Regulation for each 

fleet. 

(4) Any contract that a lessor and lessee enter into that has an effective date of 

January 1, 2010 or later shall clearly specify whether or not the leased vehicle is to 

be excluded from the lessor’s fleet for the duration of the lease, or the 

responsibility will be that of the lessee. 

(y) ARB Certificate of Reported Compliance 

After the required reporting and compliance certification are received by ARB staff, ARB 

will provide the fleet with a Certificate of Reported Compliance with the In-Use On-road 

Diesel Vehicle Regulation. ARB staff will also post on the website for this regulation the 

name and motor carrier number for fleets that have reported compliance. 

(z) Non-Compliance. 

Any person who fails to comply with the general requirements of this regulation, who 

fails to submit any information, report, or statement required by this regulation, or who 

knowingly submits any false statement or representation in any application, report, 

statement, or other document filed, maintained, or used for the purposes of compliance 

with this regulation may be subject to civil or criminal penalties under sections 39674, 
50 

39675, 42400, 42400.1, 42400.2, 42402.2, and 43016, of the Health and Safety Code. 

In assessing penalties, the Executive Officer will consider factors, including but not 

limited to the willfulness of the violation, the length of time of noncompliance, whether 

the fleet made an attempt to comply, and the magnitude of noncompliance. 

(aa) Severability 

Any subsection, paragraph, subparagraph, sentence, clause, phrase, or portion of this 

regulation is, for any reason, held invalid, unconstitutional, or unenforceable by any 

court of competent jurisdiction, such portion shall be deemed as a separate, distinct, 

and independent provision, and such holding shall not affect the validity of the 

remaining portions of the regulation. 

Note: Authority Cited: Sections 39600, 39601, 39650, 39658, 39659, 39667, 39674, 

39675, 42400, 42400.1, 42400.2, 42402.2, 42410, 43013, 43016, 43018, 43023, 43600, 

California Health and Safety Code. Reference: Sections 39650, 39658, 39659, 39667, 

39674, 39675, 40717.9, 42400, 42400.1, 42400.2, 42402.2, 42410, 43013, 43016, 

43018, 43023, 43600, and 43701(b), California Health and Safety Code. 
51 

APPENDIX A 

Table A-1 

PM Emissions Factors by Engine Model Year 

(g/mile) 

Engine Certification 

Standard Model Year 

Medium Heavy-Duty 

Diesel Vehicle (MHD) 

Heavy Heavy-Duty 

Diesel Vehicle (HHD) 

Pre-1991 1.65 3.36 

1991-1993 0.84 1.25 

1994-2006 0.43 0.81 

2007-2009* 0.06 0.11 

2010 and newer* 0.06 0.11 

* If the engine is not equipped by the manufacturer with a diesel particulate filter, use 

the emission factor for the 1994-2006 model years 

Table A-2 

NOx Emissions Factors by Engine Model Year 

(g/mile) 

Engine Certification 

Standard Model Year 

Medium Heavy-Duty 

Diesel Vehicle (MHD) 

Heavy Heavy-Duty 

Diesel Vehicle (HHD) 

2003 and older 14.2 22.0 

2004-2006 6.7 12.0 

2007-2009 4.0 7.0 

2010 and newer 0.8 1.6 
52