Most vehicles registered or operated primarily in the program area are subject to the vehicle emissions inspection program.  Vehicles requiring an emissions inspection must obtain a passing test or waiver every two years in order to register or renew registration with the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). DMV notifies vehicle owners whether or not an emissions inspection will be required in order to renew the vehicle’s registration. Check the middle or bottom left corner of the registration renewal card for the following statement: “Emissions Inspection Required.”

Vehicles requiring an emissions inspection include:

• Gasoline-powered passenger or property carrying vehicles with a model year that is less than 25 model years old before January 1 of the current calendar year and with a manufacturer's designated gross vehicle weight rating of 10,000 pounds or less.
• Diesel-powered passenger or property carrying vehicles with a model year of 1997 or newer and with a manufacturer’s designated gross vehicle weight rating of 8,500 pounds or less.

Virginia law exempts vehicles manufactured and titled for the current model year or any of the three immediately preceding model years from the biennial emissions inspection requirement. For example, both a model year 2017 vehicle titled in 2017 and a model year 2018 vehicle titled in 2017 would first be required to receive an emissions inspection in 2021. However, DMV may require an emissions inspection for newer vehicles that were originally titled in another state.

Other vehicles exempt from the emissions inspection program include:

• motorcycles
• registered antique vehicles
• fire and rescue equipment
• tactical military vehicles
• registered military surplus motor vehicles
• qualified hybrid vehicles (achieving 50+ city mpg; 48+ mpg for model years 2008 and 2009)
• vehicles powered exclusively by clean fuels (i.e. compressed natural gas, liquefied natural gas, liquefied petroleum gas, hydrogen, hythane (a combination of compressed natural gas and hydrogen), and electricity.

Note: Some vehicles exempt from the biennial emissions inspection requirement are still subject to DEQ’s On-Road Emissions Program and may be required to receive an emissions confirmation test if identified as violating applicable emissions standards while traveling through an on-road remote sensing site.

All local, state, and federal government vehicles registered or operated primarily in the program area are subject to the emissions inspection program. In addition, Section 118 of the federal Clean Air Act requires that any employee of the federal government commuting into the program area and operating their vehicle on a federal installation must comply with the emissions inspection program. Federal employees should contact their individual agency about compliance with this federal requirement.

If you are unsure if you need an emissions inspection to renew your Virginia vehicle registration, please use DMV's website to check. Under 'Online Services', click on 'Vehicle Registration Renewal' and follow the instructions. You will need your title number and the last four digits of the Vehicle Identification Number, which are listed on your current registration card. If you had an emissions inspection performed one year ago during your registration renewal, you will only be allowed to renew for one year without a new emissions inspection. If DMV’s website is asking for an inspection date, inspection result and Transaction Identification Number, then a new emissions inspection is required.

You can also review the emissions inspection history for a vehicle by following this link. You will need the complete Vehicle Identification Number to search the inspection records.

Some hybrid vehicles are exempt from the biennial emissions inspection requirement. According to the Code of Virginia, 46.2-1178, a “qualified hybrid motor vehicle” is exempted from the vehicle emissions inspection requirement if it obtains a rating from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency of at least 50 miles per gallon during city fuel economy tests, or 48 miles per gallon during city fuel economy tests for model years 2008 and 2009), unless observations from the On-Road Emissions program indicates that the hybrid vehicle is violating current on-road high emitter emissions standards for on-road testing. 

 Note: All hybrid vehicles are subject to Air Check Virginia’s On-Road Emissions Program.

When applying for a two year vehicle registration, you may have the emissions inspection done up to 90 days prior to your registration expiration date. If the emissions inspection is done any earlier than 90 days prior to your registration expiration date, you may only be eligible for a one year vehicle registration.

The type of emissions inspection performed depends on the type of vehicle being tested. The vehicle’s fuel type and gross vehicle weight rating, designated by the manufacturer as the weight of the vehicle plus the maximum weight the vehicle is designed to carry, determine what type of inspection is required.

Gasoline-powered vehicles receive an emissions control component inspection, where the inspector will check for certain emissions control systems  originally installed on the vehicle by the manufacturer. Gasoline-powered vehicles will also receive a visible smoke inspection.

Three types of tests may be performed on gasoline powered vehicles: the two-speed idle test, acceleration simulation mode (ASM) test and on-board diagnostic (OBD) system test. Typically only one type of test is performed based on the following:

1980 and older model year vehicles receive a two-speed idle test. This test measures hydrocarbons and carbon monoxide at 2,500 rpm and curb idle.

• Most 1981 to 1995 model year vehicles with a Gross Vehicle Weight Rating up to 8,500 pounds receive an ASM test. The ASM test is performed on a dynamometer which allows the inspector to run the vehicle at only 15 mph and 25 mph. This test measures hydrocarbons and carbon monoxide, as well as nitric oxides. Some 1981-1995 vehicles may not be able to receive the dynamometer test due to mechanical features such as all-wheel drive, full-time four-wheel drive, or traction control that cannot be turned off. These vehicles will be tested using the two-speed idle test. 
• Most 1996 and newer model year vehicles will receive a test of the vehicle's OBD system instead of a tailpipe emissions test. However, some 1996 and newer vehicles may still require a tailpipe test instead of or in addition to the OBD test.

1997 and newer model year diesel vehicles with a manufacturer’s designated gross vehicle weight rating of 8,500 pounds or less will receive an OBD system test. Diesel vehicles will not receive a tailpipe test, visual component inspection, or visible smoke inspection.

Note: There may be some confusion between the emissions inspection and the state safety inspection. The safety inspection is required once a year. The month and year on the windshield sticker indicate when the vehicle needs the safety inspection performed. For more information on the Virginia Motor Vehicle Safety Inspection Program, visit the Virginia State Police's web site.

To ensure the safety of your vehicle, the inspector, and other people around the inspection bay, the inspector is required by regulations to perform a 'Pre-Inspection Safety Check.' Items that could result in a rejection from testing can include tires in an unsafe condition, fluid leaks, exhaust leaks, visible smoke, missing gas cap, or mechanical problems with the engine and/or drive train. A Pre-Test Evaluation - Rejection from Vehicle Emissions Testing' form will be filled out by the inspector to identify the vehicle and the reason it is being rejected from testing. The items that are indicated on the form must be corrected/fixed before the emissions inspection can be safely performed.

Diesel powered vehicles will not be rejected from testing due to tire condition, visible smoke or a missing fuel cap. Diesel vehicles with a manufacturer’s designated gross vehicle weight rating of 8,501 pounds or more may receive a Rejection from Testing Form from the inspection station with instructions to contact DEQ.

If you received an ‘OBD Rejection from Testing Report’ it means that the inspector was unable to complete the emissions inspection due to the reasons noted on the form. Certain conditions must be met before the inspection process can continue.

Note: You will not be charged an emissions inspection fee if your vehicle is rejected from testing and a rejection is not the same as a failed emissions test.

The program is funded by a $2 administrative fee annually assessed on subject vehicles by the DMV at the time of vehicle registration and renewal.

You do not need to provide any paperwork to receive a regular biennial emissions inspection.

If you are submitting your vehicle for testing as a result of a Notice of Violation through the On-Road Emissions Program, you will need to take the Notice you received to provide to the inspector.

There are more than 500 permitted emissions inspection stations in and around the program area, which include service stations, repair shops, and motor vehicle dealerships. Every emissions inspection station is required to display the DEQ-approved sign identifying it as an official emissions inspection station in a conspicuous location viewable by the public. Click here to search for an inspection station near you.

Once the vehicle has received a pass or waiver, the inspection results are electronically submitted from the emissions inspection station directly to the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). Once DMV receives the pass or waiver result, the registration for that vehicle may be renewed.  If the inspection is completed within 90 days of the registration’s expiration the vehicle registration may be renewed for up to two years, if completed earlier the registration may be renewed for one year.

For questions or more information about vehicle registration and renewal, please contact DMV at (804) 497-7100 or visit their website.

Vehicles that fail the initial emissions inspection (or On-Road EmissionsConfirmation Test) are eligible for one free retest at the station where the original inspection was performed within 14 calendar days of the initial inspection (or initial On-Road Emissions Confirmation Test). A failing vehicle must be repaired and re-inspected until it passes or a waiver is obtained. If the vehicle fails, the Vehicle Emissions Inspection Report indicating the failed item(s) and an Emissions Repair Data Form will be provided by the inspector after the inspection.

Emissions-related repair and diagnostic work performed by or under the supervision or approval of a Certified Emissions Repair Technician (CRT) at a Certified Emissions Repair Facility (CRF) can be applied toward an emissions inspection waiver. Vehicle owners are not required to have repairs performed by a CRT or at a CRF. However, if repairs are done by someone other than a CRT at a CRF, the cost of the repairs will not apply towards an emissions inspection waiver. In order to qualify for an emissions inspection waiver, the emissions-related diagnostic and repair costs must meet or exceed the current waiver threshold ($850 in 2019), and the vehicle must have failed an initial emissions inspection and completed a retest indicating continued failure. DEQ reviews the waiver rate annually and makes adjustments, if necessary, based on the Consumer Price Index in accordance with state law.

Under certain circumstances, DMV may offer an extension for vehicles in the program area required to receive an emissions inspection. Typically, you must request the extension from DMV BEFORE the registration expiration date. However, DMV has offered additional extensions to registrations due to the COVID-19 pandemic, so check the DMV website for the current status of the expiration dates.