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 mountain vistas. But more often than not, your view will be limited due to smoggy haze drifting through the valley. According to the National Park Service, this is because the park is downwind of many sources of air pollution, including power plants, factories and vehicles.

With more than 4.1 million registered vehicles and counting in the DMV area, it’s no surprise that pollution is an issue in the area! And all the traffic hotspots in the metro just make 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 Expect from an Emissions Inspection

 

What is an emissions test?

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

How do 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, Manassas or Manassas Park

You should receive a renewal notice from the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) when your vehicle needs to be tested. Haven’t gotten a notice yet? Use the ‘Vehicle Registration Renewal’ portal on the DMV website or view prior test results to see the status of your vehicle.

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

Are any vehicles exempt from getting an emissions inspection?

Some vehicles are exempt, including

• Motorcycles
• Vehicles more than 25 years old
• New vehicles being titled for the first time
• Vehicles that run on clean fuel (ex: electricity or compressed natural gas)

Qualified hybrid vehicles do not have to pass inspection but must pay an annual $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 charge for a retest at the same inspection station if you return within 14 days.

How do I get my emissions tested?

There are two ways to get your emissions tested in Virginia:

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

RAPIDPASS
RAPIDPASS roadside testing equipment checks your emission levels as you drive by. You may have seen the equipment around the metro; the small green metal boxes are typically placed along on-ramps at high-traffic locations. (Click here to see current RAPIDPASS testing locations.)

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

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

Manual Emissions Test

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

Before an inspector can test your emissions, they must conduct a pre-inspection safety check. If your vehicle fails this check, it will be rejected from testing. Any issues identified by the inspector must be fixed before the vehicle can be inspected. (Note: A rejection is not the same as a failed emissions test.)

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

• Acceleration Simulation Mode Test – performed on a dynamometer (like a treadmill for cars) with a tailpipe probe
• Two-Speed Idle Test – performed while the engine is idling at high and low speeds with a tailpipe probe
• On-Board Diagnostic (OBD) System Test – performed by accessing emissions-related data in the vehicle’s computer

Most modern vehicles (manufactured after 1996) only require an OBD system test plus a check for visible smoke.

Once your vehicle is in the testing bay, an emissions test should only take about 15 minutes to complete.

What will cause my vehicle to fail its inspection?

Reasons for failing an emissions inspection include:

• OBD System Failure – This could be caused by an issue with the OBD system itself or the OBD system may be returning diagnostic trouble codes that indicate an issue with emissions-related vehicle components. (If the check engine light is on, the vehicle will likely fail the test.
• Tailpipe Emissions Failure – High levels of emissions, including hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide and nitric oxide, detected in the vehicle exhaust.
• Emissions Control System(s) Failure – If the vehicle’s emissions control systems are not working correctly, it’s an automatic failure.
• Visible Smoke Failure – If there is visible smoke coming from your tailpipe or crankcase, your vehicle will fail the test. Blue smoke indicates that engine oil is burning in the combustion chamber. Black 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 fail my inspection?

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

A failed vehicle must be repaired and retested until it 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 will apply 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 can apply for an emissions inspection waiver.

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

Is my inspection result automatically submitted to the DMV?

After you get an emissions inspection or drive past 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 get your Virginia Safety and Emissions Inspections at the same time, 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 two years.
• Safety inspectors are certified and permitted through the Virginia State Police. Emissions inspectors are certified and permitted through the Virginia DEQ.
• All vehicles in Virginia are required to have an up-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 & Auto locations in Northern Virginia can perform both safety and emissions inspections as well as complete all emissions-related repairs.

We do not schedule visits for emissions or safety inspections. Please call ahead for estimated wait times. For the shortest wait time, we recommend coming in the middle of the day in the middle of the week in the middle of the month.