Does My Car Need To Be Registed In Virginia To Have The State Emissions Check Done

Maintenance Feb 1, 2022

Getting a Vehicle Emissions Inspection in Virginia

When the hustle and bustle of the city get to be too much, many Northern Virginians escape to Shenandoah National Park to enjoy nature hikes and mount vistas. Merely more oftentimes than non, your view volition be limited due to smoggy haze drifting through the valley. Co-ordinate to the National Park Service, this is because the park is downwind of many sources of air pollution, including ability plants, factories and vehicles.

With more than 4.i 1000000 registered vehicles and counting in the DMV area, information technology'southward no surprise that pollution is an effect in the area! And all the traffic hotspots in the metro just brand things worse.

In fact, the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) says, "Vehicle emissions are the largest single source of toxic and smog-forming air pollution in Northern Virginia."

The Virginia emissions inspection program is a key piece in reducing vehicle emissions and improving air quality for the region.

What to Look from an Emissions Inspection

What is an emissions test?

A vehicle emissions exam, or smog check, measures the levels of emissions released by your vehicle. Emissions tests make certain vehicles are in compliance with state and federal regulations.

How practise I know whether I need an emissions inspection?

Vehicles garaged in the below areas are required to get an inspection every two years to renew their Virginia vehicle registration.

Counties: Arlington, Fairfax, Loudoun, Prince William, or Stafford
Cities: Alexandria, Fairfax, Falls Church building, Manassas or Manassas Park

You should receive a renewal find from the Virginia Section of Motor Vehicles (DMV) when your vehicle needs to be tested. Haven't gotten a notice yet? Apply the 'Vehicle Registration Renewal' portal on the DMV website or view prior test results to come across the condition of your vehicle.

If you lot are a new resident of the state of Virginia, you may not have to get an inspection immediately if you take a valid, recent emissions document from your quondam state.

Are any vehicles exempt from getting an emissions inspection?

Some vehicles are exempt, including

Motorcycles
Vehicles more 25 years old
New vehicles beingness titled for the kickoff fourth dimension
Vehicles that run on clean fuel (ex: electricity or compressed natural gas)

Qualified hybrid vehicles practise not have to laissez passer inspection but must pay an almanac $2 emissions fee. (For a full list of exempt vehicles, visit the DMV's website.)

How much does an emissions inspection cost?

An emissions inspection costs $28 per vehicle. If your vehicle requires re-inspection, there is no accuse for a retest at the same inspection station if you return inside xiv days.

How do I get my emissions tested?

There are ii means to go your emissions tested in Virginia:

Driving past a RAPIDPASS on-road emissions testing site.
Getting a manual emissions test at a certified emissions inspection station.

RAPIDPASS
RAPIDPASS roadside testing equipment checks your emission levels every bit you drive by. Yous may have seen the equipment around the metro; the small green metal boxes are typically placed along on-ramps at high-traffic locations. (Click hither to come across current RAPIDPASS testing locations.)

As you drive by the equipment, emissions sensors measure your vehicle'due south emissions levels and a camera photographs your license plate. You will receive a notice by mail or e-mail with your results and instructions on how to complete your inspection online.

While convenient, RAPIDPASS is not an pick for all drivers—simply up to 30% of vehicles are eligible for RAPIDPASS. If RAPIDPASS is not an selection for you or your vehicle has failed a RAPIDPASS examination, yous'll need to visit a certified emissions inspection station for a manual test.

Manual Emissions Test

Vehicle emissions tests must exist performed by certified emissions inspectors working in certified emissions inspection stations. (All Virginia Tire & Auto locations in Northern Virginia are certified emissions inspection stations.)

Earlier an inspector can test your emissions, they must conduct a pre-inspection safety bank check. If your vehicle fails this cheque, information technology will be rejected from testing. Any issues identified by the inspector must be fixed before the vehicle can be inspected. (Annotation: A rejection is not the same every bit a failed emissions test.)

There are three types of tests that an inspector can use, depending on what type of vehicle is beingness tested:

Acceleration Simulation Mode Test – performed on a dynamometer (like a treadmill for cars) with a tailpipe probe
Ii-Speed Idle Test – performed while the engine is idling at high and low speeds with a tailpipe probe
On-Board Diagnostic (OBD) System Exam – performed by accessing emissions-related information in the vehicle'due south estimator

Well-nigh modern vehicles (manufactured after 1996) just crave an OBD system test plus a check for visible fume.

In one case your vehicle is in the testing bay, an emissions test should but take about 15 minutes to consummate.

What volition cause my vehicle to fail its inspection?

Reasons for declining an emissions inspection include:

OBD System Failure – This could be caused by an outcome with the OBD arrangement itself or the OBD organization may be returning diagnostic trouble codes that point an upshot with emissions-related vehicle components. (If the check engine light is on, the vehicle volition probable fail the test.
Tailpipe Emissions Failure – High levels of emissions, including hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide and nitric oxide, detected in the vehicle frazzle.
Emissions Control System(s) Failure – If the vehicle's emissions command systems are non working correctly, it'southward an automatic failure.
Visible Fume Failure – If in that location is visible smoke coming from your tailpipe or crankcase, your vehicle volition fail the test. Blue smoke indicates that engine oil is burning in the combustion bedroom. Blackness smoke indicates an overly rich fuel mixture (too much fuel, too little air).
Failed/Invalid Result – This happens when a vehicle problem encountered during the test prevents the inspector from being able to complete the test.

What happens if I neglect my inspection?

If your vehicle fails inspection, the inspector will provide you lot with a Vehicle Emissions Inspection Study and an Emissions Repair Data Form detailing the required repairs. Yous will have 14 agenda days to repair any problems and get the vehicle retested.

A failed vehicle must be repaired and retested until information technology a) passes inspection or b) qualifies for a waiver.

Repairs can be performed by anyone anywhere. However, only repairs performed at a Certified Emissions Repair Facility by or under the approval of a Certified Emissions Repair Technician volition utilize toward a waiver.

If your vehicle has failed multiple inspections and the required repairs meet or exceed the waiver threshold ($850 as of 2019), you tin apply for an emissions inspection waiver.

All Virginia Tire & Auto locations are Certified Emissions Repair Facilities, so you tin get your auto repaired and retested without it ever leaving the parking lot!

Is my inspection result automatically submitted to the DMV?

After yous go an emissions inspection or drive by a RAPIDPASS testing site, your inspection results should be transmitted directly to the DMV within 24-72 hours.

Virginia State Inspections vs. Emissions Inspections

It's easy to become your Virginia Condom and Emissions Inspections at the same fourth dimension, but they are not the same. Here are a few key differences:

A safety inspection is required annually, while an emissions inspection is required every 2 years.
Safety inspectors are certified and permitted through the Virginia Country Law. Emissions inspectors are certified and permitted through the Virginia DEQ.
All vehicles in Virginia are required to take an upwardly-to-date safety inspection, but emissions inspections are only required for vehicles in the Northern Virginia metro area.
A safety inspection assesses the safety equipment of your vehicle, including brakes, wipers, lights and tires. An emissions inspection only tests your vehicle's emissions levels to make sure they comply with local and federal regulations.

Needing an emissions inspection? All 16 Virginia Tire & Automobile locations in Northern Virginia tin perform both safe and emissions inspections also as complete all emissions-related repairs.

We do non accept appointments for emissions or safe inspections. Please phone call ahead for estimated wait times. For the shortest wait time, nosotros recommend coming in the center of the day in the eye of the week in the centre of the month.