Larry Backstrom

Larry Backstrom
CARB-credentialed tester
Tester ID: E278953

I'm a Clean Truck Check Tester.

Fire Me

Starting October 2027, your truck needs a Clean Truck Check every 3 months. With a tester like me, that’s four calls, four appointments and up to $600 a year. For $199, a CARB-certified device does every test for you. No tester and no fee per test.

Launch price · ends 12/31

Hire my replacement

$199

For the first year. Then $99/year.

Includes the PT40, Cable, SIM, Setup and Provisioned for your truck and your first year of testing.

Meet my replacement.

It plugs into your truck’s diagnostic port, fits in your palm and never needs an appointment.

I know, it’s strange for a tester to tell you to stop calling him. But in October 2027, testers like me will have twice the work. Most of us can’t double our hours. This little box can do my job, and it never runs late.

NEW HIRE

Employee record

NAMEThe PT40 Device
POSITIONClean Truck Check Tester
CREDENTIALSCARB-certified CC-ROBD device
SCHEDULEEvery 3 months, on its own
APPOINTMENTSNone. Results go to CARB on their own.
START DATEThe day of its first automatic test
PAY$199 the first year, then $99 a year
BENEFITSOn time, every time. Plan includes warranty.

Picture your next test day.

It’s the week of your Clean Truck Check deadline. You’re 300 miles up I-5 with a load on.You don’t call a tester. You don’t park the truck or wait around the yard. You don’t even think about it. Why?The PT40 already ran your passing test weeks ago and sent the result to CARB.
That's what you're buying

One less thing to chase, four times a year, for as long as you own the truck.

Keep $1,000 per truck in your pocket.

A visit from a good credentialed tester runs $125 to $150. Four of those a year adds up fast.

Over three years, the PT40 saves you more than $1,000 per truck. That’s money for fuel, tires or your own paycheck. Run ten trucks? That’s over $10,000.

What 4 tests a year cost, per truck
Credentialed tester, every year: $500–600
PT40, first year: $199 (then $99 a year)

Over 3 years — Tester: $1,500–1,800 · PT40: $397

Yes, it really does my job. Here's how:

When I test your truck, I plug my scan tool into the diagnostic port, read the engine computer, and send the result to CARB. That’s the whole job. The PT40 plugs into the same port, reads the same data, and sends it to the same place. The only difference: it does it on its own, every time a test is due, with no phone call to me.

1

It reads what I read

Check engine light, fault codes, permanent codes, self-checks and VIN. It’s the same data my tester tool pulls.

2

It tests early

It runs at the start of each 90-day test window. If there’s a problem, your CTC-VIS account shows the fault codes, with time to fix it before your deadline.

3

It reports straight to CARB

Results go to CARB’s CTC-VIS system over the PT40’s own prepaid cell line. You don’t need Wi-Fi, a phone or an app.

4

It sleeps, but not on the job

When you turn off the engine, your PT40 enters a low-power sleep mode to preserve your vehicle battery.

Four headaches that go away

Here’s what a test year looks like once the PT40 is on the job.

Will I miss a deadline?

No. The PT40 tests inside every 90-day window on its own. Nobody has to remember, and CARB never has a reason to put a hold on your registration.

Can I even get a tester in 2027?

You won’t need one. When testing doubles, the good testers will be booked solid. Your truck tests itself.

How long is my truck down?

Zero. No parking it for a visit, no waiting around the yard. It tests while you work.

What about scales and roadside stops?

Your record shows a passing test in every window. That’s one less reason to get pulled aside.

Will it work on my truck?

Yes, if your truck has full OBD. That means a 2013 or newer diesel, or a 2018 or newer alternative-fuel engine, over 14,000 lbs. GVWR. Out-of-state trucks that run in California count too. Quick check: if your CTC-VIS account asks for an OBD test, the PT40 works on your truck.

Guaranteed fit, or your money back

We check every VIN before we ship. If the PT40 can’t report your truck’s first Clean Truck Check test, you get a full refund. No reset fee.

What it has, what it means for you.

CARB-certified CC-ROBD, Executive Order IM-006-0001

CARB accepts its results the same as a tester’s.

Reads SAE J1939, J1979 and J1979-2

Talks to the engine computers on heavy-duty trucks, including the newest engines.

Pre-activated SIM with prepaid cell service

Works the day you plug it in. No monthly phone bill.

Powered by the diagnostic port, sleeps when parked

No wiring, and it won’t drain your battery.

Tested to the ISO 16750-2 automotive power standard

Handles voltage spikes and a noisy truck electrical system.

Works alongside an ELD

If an ELD is already in the port, a $25 Y-cable lets both share it.

About the size of a deck of cards

Tucks under the dash, out of the way.

PT40 made by Pacific Track, LLC

CARB Executive Order IM-006-0001. CARBtrax is an authorized Pacific Track service provider.

Will Not Fit:

Not due for a while? Order now anyway.

Your plan doesn't start until your first test.

Your plan year doesn’t start the day you buy. It starts the day the PT40 runs its first official test, or 6 months after purchase, whichever comes first. Ordering early costs you nothing, and it locks in the $199 price.

Today

You order at $199

1–3 days

We set it up for your VIN and ship it after payment

First Test or 6 Months

Your plan year starts

January 1, 2027

The price goes up

Why would we sell you the thing that replaces us?

Fair question. Here’s the honest answer.

My brother Phill and I have tested diesel trucks for more than 30 years between us. We’ve run Clean Truck Checks on thousands of owner-operator rigs and motorhomes, and CARBtrax handles testing for about 1,500 fleet vehicles. In October 2027, every one of those trucks with OBD goes from two tests a year to four. We can’t double our hours, and we’re not going to hire our way out of it.

So we’re doing what we’re asking you to do. We’re moving our own fleet customers to the PT40 first. We’d rather set you up with the box and keep you as a customer than have you waiting weeks for an appointment. And yes, we still make a living. The yearly plan is how.

Buy from the people who’ll still be testing trucks in 2027 and beyond.

Larry Backstrom

Larry Backstrom

Credentialed Tester ID: E278953

Phill Backstrom

Phill Backstrom

Credentialed Tester ID: E149143

The truth is, our testing customers keep asking for the PT40. Once they see the numbers, they don’t want to book another test.

Everything you get for $199

Your price

$199

first year, then $99 a year

Shipping: $9.99 flat per order. Every box is insured, tracked and signed for on delivery. We ship to U.S. addresses only.

Paying: No extra cost by Zelle, check, money order or debit card. Credit cards add a 3% fee. You’ll choose on the next page. Sales tax is added where required.

Lock in today’s price: Plan prices will go up over time. On the next page, you can prepay 2 or 3 years at today’s price.

Guaranteed fit
If it can’t report your truck’s first Clean Truck Check test, you get a full refund.

Changed your mind? 30 days to send it back
If it works but you don’t want it, return it within 30 days of delivery and we refund 80%. The 20% reset fee covers unlinking the device from your truck’s VIN and resetting it. Shipping is not refundable.

Questions drivers ask me

Most drivers do. It takes five steps and about 15 minutes, with no tools and no mechanic. Find the port, plug in the cable, start the engine, tuck it under the dash and wait for our “you’re reporting” email. Have 2 or more trucks? We install them for free in Southern California. Larger fleets in Northern California, call us and we’ll work it out.

Your CTC-VIS account shows why it failed. It lists the fault codes (DTCs), so your mechanic knows exactly what to fix. Because the PT40 tests early in the window, you have time to get it repaired before your deadline.

You renew the Annual Compliance Plan for $99 a year. There’s no monthly bill. Plan prices will go up over time, so you can prepay 2 or 3 years when you order and lock in today’s price. If you don’t renew, the device stops testing and you’d need a tester again.

Yes. Every truck owner pays CARB’s Annual Compliance Fee, whether you use a tester or a device. It’s $33.12 per truck in 2027. You pay it to CARB, not to us.

We set up each PT40 for one truck by its VIN, so it reports to CARB under the right vehicle. We use only the VIN, plate number and expiration date. If you send a photo of the registration, we delete it once your device is set up.

Two cases. If the PT40 can’t report your truck’s first Clean Truck Check, you get a full refund, period. That’s the guaranteed fit. If it works but you change your mind, send it back within 30 days of delivery and we refund 80%. The 20% reset fee covers unlinking the device from your truck’s VIN and resetting it. Shipping isn’t refunded Call me first and I’ll walk you through it.

Yes. If your truck runs in California, it needs a Clean Truck Check test, and the PT40 covers it. We ship to any U.S. address.

Fair question. Your cell service is prepaid for the whole plan, and the device reports to CARB under your VIN, not under us. If we closed tomorrow, your PT40 would keep testing.

The PT40 is linked to the truck by its VIN. It stays with the truck and keeps reporting as long as the plan is current. The new owner just picks up the plan.

The last Clean Truck Check tester you'll ever need to talk to.

Fire me, keep the savings and let the PT40 handle your compliance. Questions first? Call me. I answer my own phone.

The $199 price is locked in through December 31, 2026, so order today! Your plan won’t kick off until your PT40 runs its first test, or after 6 months, whichever comes first.

EEO & DEI Policy

CARBtrax is an Equal Opportunity Employer

CARBtrax is committed to equal opportunity and non-discrimination for all employees, applicants, and subcontractors. We believe in fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace, free from discrimination.

What this means in practice:

  • Merit-based decisions: We assess everyone based on their qualifications and abilities, without considering factors like race, religion, gender, or age.
  • Reasonable accommodations: We recognize that people work differently and may need adjustments, like technology or flexible processes, to perform their best.
  • Equal treatment: This policy applies throughout your time at CARBtrax, from recruitment and hiring to promotions, benefits, training, and even termination.

Fairness throughout the employment journey:

At CARBtrax, you can expect fair and objective decisions throughout your employment journey, from the initial application to promotions, compensation, and training opportunities.

Welcome to the "Unofficial" CARB Help Desk

Struggling to Reach CARB by Phone? We Can Help!

We understand how frustrating it can be to get help by phone. CARB often prefers email inquiries. Here’s the good news: While we’re not directly affiliated with CARB, we work closely with them and can likely assist you with your issue. Give us a call, and we’ll be happy to guide you through the process.

Clean Truck Check "On Demand"

We will dispatche a CTC mobile
unit to your location.

In affiliation with Mobile Smoke Check and their network of CARB credentialed CTC testers, we can have a CTC tester dispatched to your location, sometimes in as little as 5 minutes.

Stuck on hold with the DMV? We've helped countless Truckers get released fast!
1 (800) 530-7367

2024 CTC Due Date Calculator

CTC-VIS Deadline was January 31st

If you are not in the CTC-VIS database, We can help.

The deadline for getting your truck information into CARB’s Clean Truck Check and Visual Inspection System (CTC-VIS) database was January 31st, 2024. CARBtrax can get you and your truck entered right away. We can do everything over the phone in just a few minute:

Call us at 1-800-530-7367

Alternatively, navigate over to CARB’s 42 minute DIY video for instructions:  “How to Report for Clean Truck Check.“

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Monday, October 19, 2026, 2:39 PM Local time

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