Although the issue of CARB compliance for owner-operators and fleet owners has been a challenge for trucking in recent years, it is hard to ignore just how much freight comes in and out of California on an annual basis. Being that truck owners, truck operators, brokers, dispatchers, and fleet managers are all being held accountable for CARB compliance for equipment running in this state, it is imperative that those planning to do so educate themselves on the many facets of what complete compliance actually consists of.
When you begin to scratch the surface of the rules, it starts to become its own language of sorts, which one can easily become overwhelmed by. This is the reason trucking business owners have now come together with the California EPA’s Air Resource Board to put on education workshops on how to comply with different aspects of the rules as they may pertain to individual trucking companies. Although 
locations and dates are subject to change, as more dates are added, I wanted to give a heads up to the pre-registration in effect for one in Vallejo, CA being held on October 27th, 2015 from 9am to 12:00pm. It is being held at Michael’s Transportation Service at 140 Solano Drive, Vallejo, CA, 94589. Pre-registration can be 
completed at https://ssl.arb.ca.gov/training/myarb/login.php. More detailed information about the workshop, as well as registration help, can be attained by contacting the registrar via email at arbtrain@arb.ca.gov or calling (916) 322-3937.
In attending the workshop, trucking industry professionals who attend can expect to learn about Heavy Duty Vehicle Inspections, the Periodic Smoke Inspection Program, the Truck and Bus Regulation, tractor-trailer greenhouse gas (GHG) requirements, and anti-idling initiatives as they relate to CARB rules. The course may also contain information on transport refrigeration unit requirements, public agency and utility 
vehicles, as well as regulations for off-road vehicles. I consider this type of class a must for anyone becoming even a little confused with the language of CARB while trying to research compliance for running in and out of the state of California.
With generally large volumes of freight coming in and out California, it is still hard for me to believe that there are still those drivers so outraged with the regulations on trucks in regards to CARB compliance, that they refuse to do business altogether in the state. If you are like me and can’t ignore the wealth of freight here, then I highly suggest educating yourself in the rapidly changing language of heavy-duty truck regulations in California. Past trends in trucking rules seem to indicate (to me at least) that what happens first in California, usually makes its way east to a certain extent eventually. If this becomes the case in time, early compliance now could be your best defense in ensuring you are not left behind in one of the waves of new adoption by other states of similar rules in an effort to try and improve their air quality. For those that continue to not want to run here, be my guest…more freight for me!