Following action by RVIA and its partners, the California Air Resources Board (CARB) amended its regulatory proposal on the heavy-duty inspection and maintenance program.
The amendment will exempt diesel motorhomes registered in states other than California, as long as they are operating for non-commercial uses.
The new requirements were being developed last month, mandated by 2019’s Senate Bill 210, which would require diesel motorhome owners nationwide to obtain an annual CARB certificate to operate their vehicles on California roads.
“This is a huge victory for diesel motorhome owners in the other 49 states who wish to visit California in their motorhome,” RVIA Director of Government Affairs Mike Ochs said. “The original proposal would have only allowed a three-day pass before out-of-state diesel motorhome owners would have had to get a smog check done on their vehicle once they arrived in California. We were able to successfully explain why a three-day pass would be insufficient and unworkable for motorhome owners visiting California, and CARB agreed.”
The action followed the receipt of a letter from RVIA, the National Association of RV Parks and Campgrounds and the CampCalNOW RV Park and Campground Alliance. The California RV Dealers Association also submitted a letter to support the three association’s comments in voicing “deep concern” over the proposal.
California-registered diesel motorhomes will be required to submit annual periodic emissions testing data, RVIA stated, and must demonstrate compliance by submitting a passing applicable periodic test within 90 days of the vehicle’s compliance year end, likely in conjunction with their registration renewal.
“This should not be burdensome to California motorhome owners, as it will mirror to a great degree the ‘smog check’ they already must pass with their light-duty cars and trucks,” the association stated. “Even this is a small victory, as most diesel trucks and other vehicles besides motorhomes will have to show compliance on a quarterly basis.”
