How To Prepare
Save the Headache : Test Early!
Did you know your vehicle's emission inspection can be performed early? Early testing provides benefits to you and your schedule, as well as to ensuring your vehicle passes its inspection before the registration expires.
You are allowed to have your vehicle inspected two months before your vehicle registration renewal comes due. For example, if your vehicle comes due in December, you may take your vehicle to a Certified Emissions Testing or Repair Station and Safety Inspection Station as early as October 1st.
This two-month window permits a cushion for you to have any necessary repairs performed on your vehicle. This prevents the end of the month stress that occurs if your vehicle is tested at the last minute and fails. Suddenly, you have repairs to make and to pay for, and to top it off — your vehicle registration is about to expire. Avoid that end of the month rush and all the stress that accompanies it. Get your vehicle tested early!
Basic Vehicle Preparation Tips (All Vehicles)
- Have your vehicle registration document available
- Make sure there are no excessive fluid leaks; and
- Make sure the gas cap is present and securely fastened (where applicable).
OBDII Vehicle Preparation Tips
To verify that your vehicle should receive an OBDII inspection, see About the Program - What We Test. The most common reasons for a vehicle to fail an OBDII inspection are:
- OBDII diagnostic connector is missing, damaged or inaccessible;
- OBDII communication fails;
- Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) remains illuminated while the engine is running; and
- OBDII readiness monitors are unset/not ready.
- To prepare your vehicle for an OBDII inspection, perform the following:
- Perform all tasks defined in Basic Vehicle Preparation Tips;
- Make sure your OBDII diagnostic port is present, undamaged, and accessible;
- Make sure your MIL (Check Engine Light) is not illuminated (examples below); and
- If your MIL has been illuminated recently, make sure the vehicle has been driven regularly for at least a week without the MIL illuminating to ensure its diagnostic readiness monitors are ready for evaluation.
Your vehicle's MIL may be represented by one of these symbols or a variation of them:
For more information on OBDII, including MIL and readiness monitors, see Inspection Process.
Diesel Vehicle Preparation Tips
To verify that your vehicle should receive a visual anti-tampering inspection, see What We Test. The most common reasons for a vehicle to fail an anti-tampering inspection are:
- Exhaust system tampering, such as removal of exhaust treatment components or systems originally installed as part of the vehicle certified configuration; or
- Engine emissions control system modification, such as removal or rendering inoperable an engine emission control device or system such as the exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) system.
- To prepare your vehicle for the visual anti-tampering inspection, complete the following:
- Perform all tasks defined in Basic Vehicle Preparation Tips;
- Reconnect or reinstall any disconnected or removed engine emissions control components, such as the EGR valve and related control solenoids; and
- Ensure the vehicle's exhaust system meets the original certified configuration, and if the vehicle is equipped with a Diesel Oxidation Catalyst (DOC) that the installed DOC is certified for on-road use.
- If the vehicle was originally equipped with a Selective Catalyst Reduction (SCR) system, make sure the Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF) system is functioning as originally designed.
