Category: Arizona

Arizona – General Emissions Information

Last updated on April 26th, 2018

There are general questions concerning the Arizona emissions testing program that people have.  This section will attempt to answer some of the most frequently asked questions and provide tips on Arizona emissions policies.

Can I have a passenger or pet in the car during emissions testing?

No, you should not bring any passenger or pet in your vehicle when you bring your vehicle for emissions testing.  You will be required to exit the vehicle during emissions testing or you will need to move to the passenger seat.  No other person and no pet is allowed in the car during emissions testing.

What if my car is not running?

All vehicles must be able to enter the emissions inspection station on their own power.  If you have any trailers or attachments on the back of your vehicle you will need to remove them prior to testing.

Can I get my emissions tested if my check engine light is on?

If your vehicle is from 1996 or is newer and has OBD equipment you will not pass the emissions testing procedure if your check engine light is on.  You should have your vehicle repaired prior to testing.

How much are the fees for emissions testing in Arizona?

The fees vary depending on location and type of vehicle.  In the Tuscon area all vehicles are $12.25 to get the emissions testing done.  In the Phoenix area if your vehicle is 1981 or newer and under 8,500 pounds the fee is $27.75.  Heavy duty diesel vehicles which weight more than 8,500 pounds are assessed a $28 fee for emissions testing, and most other vehicles are $19.

What happens if I live outside of the emissions test area but I received an Emissions Required notice?

You can print out an emissions exemption form found here and submit it.

 

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Arizona – Emissions Testing Locations

Last updated on November 20th, 2017

Arizona Emissions Testing Locations – There are emissions testing facilities in Arizona in the Phoenix and Tuscon areas.  The station locations are as follows:

10210 N. 23rd Ave., Phoenix, AZ 85021
1301 S. Stocker Dr., Tucson, AZ 85710
13425 W. Westgate Dr., Surprise, AZ 85374
1520 E. Riverview Dr., Phoenix, AZ 85036
16140 W. Eddie Albert Way in Goodyear
1851 W. 1st Ave., Mesa, AZ 85202
20 N. Beck Ave., Chandler, AZ 85226
2360 S. Airport Blvd., Chandler, AZ 85286
3931 N. Business Center Dr., Tucson, AZ 85705
4442 E. Ivy St., Mesa, AZ 85205
4949 E. Madison, Phoenix, AZ 85034
501 W. Deer Valley Road in Phoenix
5302 W. Roosevelt, Phoenix, AZ 85043
565 E. 38th Avenue in Apache Junction
5850 W. Beverly Ln., Glendale, AZ 85306
6661 S. Renaissance Dr., Tucson, AZ 85746
7140 N. 110th Ave., Glendale, AZ 85307
8448 E. Evans, Scottsdale, AZ 85260

All Arizona emissions testing stations follow the testing hours and schedule listed on the hours page found here.

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Arizona – Emissions Failure and Retests

Last updated on April 26th, 2018

In the event that your vehicles fails the Arizona emissions test you will need to follow the following procedure.  You will need to bring the original emissions inspection report for your vehicle along with the repair information completed on the back.  The emissions testing employees are prohibited from retesting your vehicle without the completed information.

Filed under: Arizona, Articles, State Emissions Testing

Arizona Car Insurance

Last updated on April 26th, 2018

In the state of Arizona there are a variety of different rules and regulations concerning car insurance. Like every other state Arizona has legally established minimum amounts of coverage that must be maintained on a vehicle in order for it to be legally drivable. Fortunately for those that have a vehicle registered in Arizona the state’s minimum insurance requirements are some of the lowest in the country. Drivers in Arizona are required only to have $15,000 in bodily injury coverage for a single individual and $30,000 for two or more people while also only requiring $10,000 in property damage coverage for a vehicle. In some cases these amounts are as little as 10% of the minimum coverage required by other states. Additionally, Arizona law allows for the purchase of uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage which protects against financial loss if a driver is involved in an accident caused by someone without insurance or someone that does not have enough coverage to pay for the damages. Because the minimum coverage requirements in Arizona are so low, and the unlicensed immigrant population is so high, both uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage have proven to be good investments for Arizona drivers

While the minimum coverage requirements in Arizona may be below the National average the penalties that are incurred for failing to meet those requirements are just as severe as in most other states. If an Arizona driver is pulled over and is found to be driving a vehicle that is uninsured, or underinsured, the penalty is a mandatory $500 fine in addition to the suspension of the driver’s license, registration and license plates for a minimum of three months. A second violation within three years will result in a $750 fine and a six month suspension of the license, registration and plates. A third violation within 36 months will be met with a $1,000 fine as well as a suspension of the license, registration and plates for a period of at least one year. In order to get the license and registration reinstated after the suspension period has been lifted the owner of the uninsured vehicle must pay any required fines and possibly submit future proof of financial responsibility to the Arizona MVD. Future proof of financial responsibility in Arizona will most often come in the form of an SR-22 that is issued by the insurance company. An SR-22 is basically a form that states that a driver meets and is maintain the minimum coverage requirements as established by the state of Arizona, or whichever state the driver was in when the requirement to have an SR-22 was handed down. In Arizona a driver that is required to have an SR-22 as a proof of maintaining car insurance is required to keep the form on them for a period of three years. When a driver with an SR-22 is pulled over or involved in an accident they will be required by law to present both the SR-22 and proof of insurance to a law enforcement officer.

Unlike some other states, Arizona has no grace period when it comes to purchasing car insurance for a new vehicle. Even if the vehicle is newly acquired it must be registered with the state and it must have insurance immediately. Drivers that just purchased a new vehicle and have not yet purchased car insurance will be subject to the same fines and penalties as those that have been driving without insurance for months or even years. On the other hand, while most states require proof of insurance at the time a vehicle is registered Arizona car insurance laws allow give the owner of the vehicle 30 days to provide proof of insurance to the DMV. This particular law is often interpreted as allowing Arizona drivers a 30 day grace period to obtain insurance but in reality it is just a grace period to actually provide proof of insurance to the DMV. If a driver is pulled over or is involved in any sort of accident within that 30 day period he or she will still be required to provide proof of insurance to the police officer.  The only types of vehicles that do not have to meet the minimum car insurance requirements in the state of Arizona are vehicles that were not designed for travel on the highway, such as dirt bikes and four wheelers, and vehicles that are not currently drivable.  Additionally, Arizona is one of a handful of states that will allow the owner of a vehicle to obtain a De-Insured Certificate. This certificate can be obtained for vehicles that a resident of Arizona owns but is not currently driving, allowing the owner to keep registration of the vehicle active while avoiding having to pay costly insurance premiums for a vehicle that is not being driven.

Filed under: Arizona, Articles, Car Insurance

Exemptions for Arizona Residents

Last updated on April 26th, 2018

If you are active in the military, stationed outside of Arizona, you could qualify for an exemption from emissions testing. If the vehicle is going to be used by someone else, you will need to use the original Out of State Exemption.

In order to apply for the exemption, you need to complete and sign the application form and have your commanding officer sign it as well. The application must be made within 90 days before the expiration of your vehicles current registration.

Arizona will exempt emissions testing on vehicles that are of the newest model in the last five years. In 2014, the majority of 2010 and models newer will be exempt from emissions testing.

Most vehicles registered outside of the vehicle emissions control area, Phoenix and Tucson, will be exempt from testing, based on the person’s area code. The list of zip codes below are considered partial, this means that some are exempt and others are not.

*Partial Zip Codes in the Vehicle Emissions Control Areas (effective July 2009):

 

Phoenix Metro Area – Area A:

85218/85118, 85226, 85232/85132, 85239/85139, 85242/85142, 85243/85143, 85244, 85262, 85263, 85290/85190, 85322, 85326, 85332, 85337, 85339, 85342, 85354, 85390

(Zip Codes separated by a slash (/) are in the process of being changed by the U.S. Postal Service)

Tucson Metro Area – Area B:

85629, 85641, 85653, 85654, 85658, 85735, 85736, 85739, 85743, 85746, 85747

Vehicle owners who reside in a partial zip code will be identified as “emissions test required” on their vehicle registration renewal form.

Vehicles may be granted an Out of Area exemption if the vehicle is registered in a partial zip code and out of the emission control area boundary. If the vehicle is going to be used to travel into the emissions testing boundary areas for employment or school, the vehicle will have to go through emissions testing.

 

 

Filed under: Arizona, Articles, State Emissions Testing

Arizona – Emissions Testing Hours & Schedule

Last updated on April 26th, 2018

Emissions testing hours in Arizona are as follows: Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. until 7:00 p.m. and Saturday from 8:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m.   The best times to get your emissions tested (when the lines are the shortest) are Monday through Friday from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. and Saturday from 2:00 p.m. until 5:00 p.m.

The emissions testing facilities are closed on Memorial Day, the Fourth of July, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, and New Year’s Day.

Filed under: Arizona, Articles, State Emissions Testing