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Starting January 1, 2025, CHP J-truck enforcement will take effect in California. The California Highway Patrol (CHP) recently issued a bulletin to clarify how these changes impact commercial motor carriers.
What Are J-Trucks?
J-trucks are defined under California Vehicle Code Section 34500(j). These are two-axle commercial motor vehicles with a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of 26,000 pounds or less. Previously, they were part of the CHP’s 90-day Basic Inspection of Terminals (BIT) Program.
That changed with Assembly Bill 3278, signed by Governor Newsom in 2023. The bill removed J-trucks from the 90-day BIT inspection requirement.
New Inspection Rules in 2025
Although no longer included in the BIT Program, J-trucks are not exempt from inspections. Beginning January 1, 2025, these vehicles must undergo and pass an inspection every 12 months under 49 CFR 396.17(c).
CHP Clarifies Enforcement Approach
CHP recently released an Information Bulletin outlining what carriers can expect:
- CHP will continue inspecting terminals where J-trucks are operated.
- These inspections ensure compliance with maintenance, driver safety, and records.
- If J-trucks are based at the terminal, CHP may conduct a separate non-BIT inspection.
- A separate safety compliance rating will be issued for the J-truck operation.
What Does the Inspection Involve?
CHP will select a representative sample of J-trucks based on fleet size. The sample size follows the same calculation method used in BIT inspections.
How to Stay Ahead of CHP J-Truck Enforcement
Keeping up with inspection schedules, maintenance records, and compliance documents can be challenging. That’s where technology helps.
VLC’s GW Connect is a powerful digital compliance platform. It helps motor carriers manage driver files(replace with Fleet credentials, vehicle inspections, maintenance records, and more—all in one place. With J-truck inspections going annual, now is the time to get organized.
Need Help Preparing?
Vehicle Licensing Consultants (VLC) is here to support your compliance journey. We’ll help you prepare for J-truck enforcement, simplify your recordkeeping, and set you up with GW Connect.
📞 Contact us today to review your J-truck operation or schedule a consultation:
👉 Get in touch with VLC or call 530-637-1696.
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The future of the trucking industry has arrived with the new Tesla semi truck being released this year. Tesla semis were first revealed by Elon Musk in 2017 and experienced quite a few delays getting to the market. The brand new electric truck has finally arrived however, and the Pepsi Company (PepsiCo) is the first carrier company to use it.
PepsiCo originally ordered 100 Tesla semi trucks, and 15 of the vehicles will be launched first in the Modesto area. Following Modesto, PepsiCo will launch 21 more of the Tesla semis in Sacramento. The Pepsi Company owns one of the largest private semi fleets in all of North America and hopes to reduce their carbon footprint with these new energy efficient vehicles. The trucks can supposedly run for up to 425 miles using a single charge, making them the most sustainable semi on the market today.
The Pepsi company will begin transporting its famous Frito-Lay products from their Modesto California facility and will also send trucks on 100 mile daily routes, delivering Pepsi cola from the Sacramento warehouse. It also plans to test out the new trucks’ long range capabilities using the Sacramento facility, driving Pepsi from the Sacramento branch to other stores and warehouses located between 300 and 400 miles away.
The California Air Resources Board is working with PepsiCo to transition the facility in Modesto to be able to demonstrate all of the benefits of zero, and near zero emission technologies on both current and future sustainability. According to a CNBC interview with Mike O’Connell, the vice president of the supply chain for PepsiCo., the Tesla semi project has already delivered a 91% reduction in greenhouse gasses. This energy savings is an excellent first step which the company then plans to filter down into their other operations.
Transitioning to Electric Semis Means Updated Trucking Fleet Management
As more and more companies start transitioning to sustainable models such as the Tesla semi, they will need trucking fleet management services more than ever. What fleet management means is the ability to maintain accurate records and licensing documentation for an entire fleet of vehicles. Trucking fleet management can be overwhelming for a company to manage in-house since many companies are already at capacity with their staff and resources.
What fleet management means when you choose to hire a company like VLC, is less stress and more streamlined trucking fleet management from an entire team of professionals. At VLC we want to take the headache and hassle of trucking fleet management off of your plate so that you can focus on your routes, employees, maintenance, and all of the other day-to-day things that come with running a successful carrier company.
We also believe what fleet management means is more than just driver compliance. We have been serving customers for more than 50 years and are experienced at providing solutions to the entire trucking industry not only for driver compliance, but also for fleet optimization and vehicle compliance as well.
Choose VLC to Provide Optimum Trucking Fleet Management and Customer Service
At VLC we have an entire team of experts who have dedicated their careers to understanding the challenges of the trucking industry and are always working to both improve trucking fleet management and provide innovative and comprehensive solutions to each carrier company’s fleet of vehicles.
Along with basic trucking fleet management we also can assist businesses with driver safety and compliance, permitting and reporting, IRP registration, licensing, and operations’ costs. Whether your company is thinking about transitioning to electric fleets in the near future, or whether that is way out on the horizon, we will be ready to assist you in optimizing your trucking fleet management whenever you’re ready. This way, you can rest assured knowing an entire team of professionals is providing a foundation of safety, security, and optimum customer service for your business. Give us a call VLC today by dialing 530-637-1696 or emailing us at info@im4trux.com
