How long do emissions tests take

Vehicle owners must complete smog testing in Idaho if their vehicles meet the following conditions:. Note: When you visit an emissions testing center, you must bring payment for testing fees. The state sends vehicle owners a notice before testing is due, but drivers do not need to submit this notice when completing the inspection. Safety and emissions test exemptions vary depending on whether motorist lives in Ada County or Canyon County. The following vehicles are exempt from a testing in Ada County:.

Additional safety and smog test exemptions in Canyon County are made for classic automobiles, vehicles less than 5 years old and vehicles manufactured before Military personnel and out-of-state college students may complete the Idaho smog testing process from out-of-state if they visit a participating testing facility. To complete a vehicle inspection in compliance with Ada County testing requirements, vehicle owners may complete the test while out-of-state by visiting a testing center in the area and forwarding a copy of the test to the AQB by mail, fax or email.

If the state where the ID resident is does not perform emissions testing, drivers must contact the AQB to request an extension. To complete a smog inspection from out-of-state to meet Canyon County or City of Kuna requirements, drivers must obtain a Reciprocity Agreement Form and bring it to a local testing facility to complete the inspection. In Arizona, gas-fueled vehicles from and older need an emissions test every year.

Vehicles from and newer need a test every two years. In Colorado, new vehicles do not need an emissions inspection their first seven years, but vehicles from and newer need a test every two years. Illinois requires testing of cars and newer. There, even model-year vehicles are tested during even years and odd model-year vehicles are tested in odd years. States may only require regular testing in counties that have more traffic congestion and higher rates of air pollution.

Missouri, for example, only requires emissions testing in five counties that include and surround St. In those counties, car owners must do an emissions test every two years. Most states also have their own exemptions for vehicles that do not need emissions testing. These may include alternative fuel vehicles, motorcycles, vehicles that are 25 years or older and farm vehicles. In most states, an emissions test is valid for 90 days. In Georgia, the emissions test is valid for 12 months.

If you fail to register your vehicle before the emissions test expires, you must retake the test. An emissions test itself does not take long. To fix, check to make sure the gas cap is on tight and is not broken. There is an extremely small chance you can pass an emissions test by resetting the check engine light. However, this is not advised as masking a potentially serious issue poses a risk to not only you, but other drivers and passengers on the road.

The end result is a failed emissions test. Modern cars have an array of emissions equipment onboard. Part 1 of 1: Getting your vehicle ready for an emissions test.