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Questions about Vehicle Emissions Testing
- Q. Why does
the vehicle emissions test program exist?
- A. The Illinois EPA's vehicle emissions
test program improves air quality and public health.The federal
Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990 requires emissions testing programs
in large, metropolitan areas which do not meet certain federal
air quality standards. Although Illinois has made significant strides
to clean its air since the Amendments took effect, levels of air
pollution in Chicago and Metro-East St. Louis areas still exceed
these standards.
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- Q. Why is
it important to reduce emissions?
- A. Motor vehicle emissions are a
significant source of pollution, including carbon monoxide, nitrogen
oxides and hydrocarbons. Carbon monoxide is a colorless, odorless
gas that may cause dizziness, difficulty in breathing and death.
Hydrocarbons and nitrogen oxides combine with sunlight to form
ground level ozone (smog). Ozone can aggravate health problems
for people with heart disease and breathing-related diseases such
as asthma and emphysema. It can be especially harmful to children
and the elderly.
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- Q. What vehicles
are subject to vehicle emissions inspection?
- A. Generally, most 1996 and newer
gasoline-powered passenger vehicles are subject to testing after they are four years old. 2007 model year and newer heavy duty trucks,
with a manufacturer's
gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) between 8,501 and 14,000, are also subject to testing.
Diesel powered vehicles, vehicles powered exclusively by electricity,
and certain other vehicles are not required to test. Check the Exempt
Vehicles List for details.
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- Q. What areas
of the state are testable for vehicle emissions?
- A. Vehicles registered in specific
ZIP codes in the Northeastern Illinois and Metro-East St. Louis
areas are subject to testing.
The table below lists these testable areas by county or portions of counties. Exempt areas are identified by specific Zip codes.
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| County |
Zip Codes |
| Cook |
All |
| Dupage |
All |
| Lake |
All |
| Kane |
All except 60109, 60119, 60135,
60140, 60142, 60144, 60147, 60151, 60152, 60178, 60182, 60511,
60520, 60545 and 60554. |
| Kendall |
All except 60447, 60512, 60536,
60537, 60541, those parts of 60543 that are not within the
census defined urbanized area, 60545 and 60560. |
| McHenry |
All except 60001, 60003, 60034,
60071, 60072, 60097, 60098, 60142, 60152, and 60180. |
| Will |
All except 60401, 60407, 60408,
60410, 60416, 60418, 60421, 60442, 60447, 60468, 60481, 60935,
and 69050. |
| Madison |
All except 62001, 62012, 62021,
62026, 62046, 62058, 62061, 62067, 62074, 62088, 62097, 62249,
62275 and 62281. |
| Monroe |
All except 62244, 62248, 62256,
62261, 62276, 62278, 62279, 62295, and 62298. |
| St. Clair |
All except 62224, 62243, 62248,
62254, 62255, 62257, 62258, 62260, 62264, 62265, 62269, 62278,
62282, 62285, 62289 and 62298. |
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- Q. Why is
my vehicle being tested?
- A. Vehicles are tested in this area
to verify that the vehicle's emissions control systems are performing
properly. Vehicle emissions testing programs are designed to identify
vehicles that need to be repaired to meet emissions standards.
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- Q. What kind
of test is used?
- A.An On-Board Diagnostic test (OBD)
is used for 1996 and newer passenger cars and light duty trucks
(including vans, sport utility vehicles and hybrids). An OBD test
is also used for 2007 model year heavy-duty trucks.
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- Q. Where
can I take my vehicle for testing?
- A. You must take your vehicle to
an Air Team test station. Please refer to your test notice or click
on this link for station
locations, maps, and operating hours.
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- Q. How often
will my vehicle need to be tested?
- A. Vehicles begin testing
when the vehicle is four years old. For example, a 2003 car should be
tested in 2007, 2009, 2011, etc. In certain cases, a vehicle may need
to be inspected if it was not in compliance when acquired by a new owner,
or when the vehicle is newly registered in a test area.
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- Q. I've noticed
that my vehicle's test month has changed - why is that?
- A. The Vehicle Emissions Inspection
Law of 2005 provides that beginning in January 2008, vehicles must
pass an emissions test or otherwise comply with the law before
the vehicle's license plates can be renewed. Implementing new provisions
of this law will result in some vehicles being scheduled for testing
a few months earlier or later than its previous test month.
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- Q. Why
doesn't this program test diesel powered vehicles?
- A. The federal Clean Air Act does
not require the inclusion of diesel-powered vehicles in emissions
testing programs. However, the State of Illinois has implemented
a program to inspect certain heavy-duty diesel powered trucks over
16,000 lbs in ozone non-attainment areas. This program is administered
by the Illinois Department of Transportation.
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- Q. Does this
program test heavy-duty vehicles?
- A.Vehicle Emissions testing is required
on all 2007 or newer model year heavy duty vehicles with a manufacturer's
gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) between 8,501 and 14,000.
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- Q. Why
aren't newer vehicles given an exhaust and gas cap test?
- A. OBD testing has replaced exhaust
and gas cap testing on 1996 and newer vehicles equipped with standardized
OBDsystems. Thissystem continually monitors the operation of the
vehicle's emissions control system. The OBD test identifies the
existence of emissions-related problems by retrieving emissions
related fault codes stored on the vehicle's on-board computer.
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- Q. Can
the lane inspector manipulate the test to get a pass instead of
a fail?
- A. No. All emissions tests are performed
utilizing computerized test equipment. Testing procedures and pass/fail
determinations are automated and cannot be manipulated by the lane
inspector.The inspector must follow specific, predetermined test
procedures.
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- Q. What
happens if my vehicle fails the test?
- A. If your vehicle fails, theinspector
will give you a Vehicle Inspection Reportcontaining detailed test
results. The vehicle will need to be repaired and returned for
a re-test. The inspector will also provide a copy of the Repair
Shop Report Card (RSRC) which contains additional information and
lists of repair facilities that have demonstrated success in performing
emissions-related repairs. The Illinois EPA recommends that these
repairs be made by a technician who is trained and experienced
in emissions diagnosis and repair.Click
here for more information.
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- Q. How
can I qualify for a waiver?
- A. A waiver may be issued by a Customer
Service Representative at a full-service test station if all of
the following requirements are met:.
- The vehicle has failed the initial test and at least one
retest;
- The vehicle has received all repairs and adjustments for
which it is eligible under any emission performance warranty
provided under federal law;
- All of the vehicle's emission control devices are present
and appear to be properly connected and operating;
- An expenditure of at least $450 in emissions-related repairs
has been made (exclusive of any repairs related to tampering);
- The repairs were performed by a recognized
repair technician (for 1981 and newer model-year vehicles);and,
- Evidence of repair is presented, consisting of either (i)
signed and dated receipts identifying the vehicle and describing
the work performed and the amount charged for the eligible
emission related repairs or (ii) an affidavit executed by the
person performing the eligible emission related repairs.
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- Q. Why
was my vehicle rejected?
- A. Vehicles can be rejected from
the test lanes for a variety of reasons. Most frequent reasons
for rejection include: the OBD monitors were not ready; the repair
form was not properly completed; the vehicle was exempt from testing;the
wrong vehicle was brought in for testing; and the vehicle was brought
in too early. Rejects do not count as tests. Click here for
a description of these and other reasons why vehicles can be rejected.
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If you have any other questions, please
visit a Customer Service Representative at any full service testing
stations, or call the Illinois EPA at (800) 635-2380,
or check this website for updates.
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