Author: Emissions

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.

Filed under: Arizona, Articles, State Emissions TestingTagged with: ,

Georgia – General Emissions Information

Last updated on April 26th, 2018

The state of Georgia requires its residents to have their vehicles emissions tested.  There are many commonly asked questions concerning the Georgia emissions program.  In this section we will review some of the most frequently asked questions and their answers.

If I buy a new vehicle do I need to have my emissions tested?

If you are buying a new vehicle which was manufactured within the past three years you do not currently need to have its emissions tested.

Does everyone in Georgia need to have their emissions tested on their vehicle?

If you are a resident in one of the following counties you are required to participate in the Georgia emissions program: Cherokee, Clayton, Cobb, Coweta, DeKalb, Douglas, Fayette, Forsyth, Fulton, Gwinnett, Henry, Paulding or Rockdale County.

What if I am buying a used car?

If you are purchasing a used car and you live within one of the counties that is required to participate in the emissions program, the seller is required to have vehicle pass an emissions test at the time of the sale.  The seller is not required to give you a copy of the Vehicle Emissions Inspection report.  The report is on record in electronic format at the tag office.

What I purchased a vehicle from out of state?

If you purchased a vehicle from out of state you must have the emissions tested within thirty days before you will be allowed to register your vehicle in the state of Georgia.  This applies to residents who live in one of the aforementioned counties.

Are there any exemptions?

If you are a senior citizen who is sixty five years old or older and you meet certain requirements concerning how many miles you drive annually and the vehicle you may qualify for an exemption.

If your vehicle is twenty five years old or older it is exempt from emissions testing.

What if I have moved to one of the counties that require emissions testing?

If you moved to one of the counties that requires emissions testing you must have it done within thirty days and you must get your vehicle registered within thirty days also.

 How much does it cost to have an emissions inspection for my vehicle?

The cost for an emissions inspection is between $10 to $25.  When you pull into a station there will be an emissions inspection sign which will have the fee posted on it.

Can I do anything to prepare my vehicle for the emissions inspection?

If your ‘check engine’ light is on it is recommended you have a service center/mechanic take a look at it to determine and fix the cause.

 

 

 

Filed under: Georgia, Articles, State Emissions Testing

Maine – Emissions Testing Hours & Schedule

Last updated on November 15th, 2017

Maine – Emissions Testing Hours Schedule – The state of Maine allows privately owned dealerships, auto repairs shops, and auto tech shops to perform emissions testing on vehicles.  Here is a list of emissions testing locations in Maine.  Because each location is unique there are no set hours or schedule to have your emissions tested in Maine.  It is recommended that you call the location you plan on attending ahead of time to check their hours, schedule, wait times, and if they accept appointments.

Emissions.org will give you a comprehensive information on all the relevant contacts. Browse the States and their Counties to find the information you need.

Filed under: Articles, Maine, State Emissions TestingTagged with: ,

Massachusetts – General Emissions Information

Last updated on March 4th, 2021

Massachusetts – General Emissions Information – The state of Massachusetts requires emissions testing on most vehicles and there are many common questions that vehicles owners in Massachusetts have concerning the emissions testing program.  This section will cover some of the most frequently asked questions about the Massachusetts emissions inspection program and provide the answers to these questions.

Does every vehicle need to be tested for emissions in Massachusetts?

There are certain vehicles which are not intended to be driven on the roads in Massachusetts and these vehicles do not require an emissions test.  These vehicles would be:  ATVs, Loaders & Haulers, Backhoes, Bulldozers, Cranes, Excavators, Platform Lifters, Motor Graders, Pavers, Tractors and farming equipment, and Tracked Vehicles.

How often do I need to have my vehicle’s emissions tested in Massachusetts?

In Massachusetts your must have your vehicle’s emissions tested every year before the current inspection sticker expires.

What if I purchased a new or used car, do I need to have the emissions tested?

Yes, you must get your vehicle’s emissions inspection done within seven calendar days from the date you get the registration.

Is there a customer service number to speak to someone about the Massachusetts emissions inspection program if I cannot find the answer to my question online?

There is a Motorist Hotline 1-866-941-6277 for Massachusetts motorists.  There is also the Auto Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236

Is there a fee to get my emissions tested?

Yes, there is a $29 fee which you need to bring with you (along with your registration) when you bring your vehicle in for emissions testing.

What happens after the emissions test is complete?

After your emissions testing is complete there will be a sticker printed out for your vehicle and you will also get a copy of the vehicle inspection test results.  This report will tell you if your car passed or failed the test, and if your vehicle had issues it will direct you as to what the failing area was.

If I’m required to get a federal DOT inspection do I need to do this and get the vehicle’s emissions tested?

No, if you get your Massachusetts emissions inspection done this will allow you to meet the federal DOT requirement.  The paperwork you receive after you pass the emissions inspection is proof that can be used to signify you met the DOT requirements.

Filed under: Massachusets, Articles, State Emissions TestingTagged with: ,

Florida Car Insurance

Last updated on April 26th, 2018

Florida Car Insurance – The state of Florida is one of only a handful of states to have a no-fault insurance laws whereas most other states are tort states, or states that place blame for a traffic accident on one person or another and it is the at fault driver that is financially responsible for all damages. Tort states typically require liability insurance which serves to protect the policy holder from financial liability in an accident but because Florida is a no-fault state, and Florida Car Insurance laws are a bit unique. Like every other state, Florida still requires its residents to meet minimum liability car insurance requirements in order to legally drive a vehicle. As of 2009 these requirements were set at $10,000 for bodily injury to one person, $20,000 for bodily injury to two or more people and of course $10,000 in property damage coverage. These coverage minimums are established by Florida’s Financial Responsibility Law which states that a drive must have the previous mentioned coverage when one of the following situations arise

 

-The policy holder is involved in a crash that is their fault

-The policy holder’s license is suspended because too many points were accrued

-The policy holder receives a citation for a DUI and their license is suspended

-The policy holder loses their license because they are a habitual traffic offender

-The policy holder has their license revoked for any reason

 

In addition to its financial responsibility law the state of Florida also operates under a no-fault law which requires anyone that has resided in the state at least 90 days during the last year to meet certain insurance requirements. These requirements included a minimum of $10,000 in personal injury protection as well as a minimum of $10,000 in property damage liability coverage.  The personal injury protection insurance is meant to compensate the policy holder if they are in an accident and they sustain injuries and/or miss work due to those injuries. The property damage liability coverage on the other hand is intended to help pay for property damaged sustained in an accident by someone other than the policy holder.  Unlike property damage coverage, which is typically placed on a certain vehicle, personal injury protection in Florida is purchased for individuals and is not limited to a certain vehicle, meaning that even if the policy holder is a passenger in a vehicle they do not own when they are involved in an accident the coverage is still in place and can be used if the other driver does not have the required insurance.

Although underinsured and uninsured motorist coverage is not required by the state of Florida in order for a vehicle to be legally driven it is one of the many forms of coverage that Florida residents have the option to purchase. In fact, any insurance company that does business in Florida is required by law to offer underinsured and uninsured motorist coverage to their customers. If a driver decides not to purchase underinsured and uninsured motorist coverage as a part of their policy the insurance company is required to issue a declaration page with the policy stating that the policy holder willingly opted out of underinsured and uninsured motorist coverage.

If a driver is found to be driving without the minimum required amounts of car insurance  on a vehicle they risk facing a fine and could even have their license and registration suspended for a period of up to three years.  If the registration of a vehicle is suspended the owner must pay a mandatory $150 reinstatement fee and provide proof of insurance to the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles before it can be reinstated.  The $150 reinstatement feel will continue to increase for subsequent offense and can reach s high as $500. In the state of Florida there is very little chance for drivers to skirt the system and avoid purchasing the minimum amounts of coverage as required by state law due to the many different ways the state government has of locating uninsured drivers. In addition to traffic stops and car accidents an uninsured drive can also be found when they are reported by the insurance company. Florida Car Insurance law requires that insurance companies notify the HSMV when a customer cancels a car insurance policy or allows it to lapse. If a driver is reported as having canceled their policy and the state does not receive any updated policy information they will directly request proof of insurance from the driver.  If the driver does not provide this information immediately they are at risk of having their license, registration and tag suspended for a period of up to one year. While the HSMV may allow for a small grace period for the Florida driver to provide proof of insurance legally all three items can be suspended after just one day of a reported lapse in coverage.

Filed under: Florida, Articles, Car InsuranceTagged with: , ,

Connecticut – Emissions Testing Hours Schedule

Last updated on April 26th, 2018

Connecticut – Emissions Testing Hours Schedule – The state of Connecticut Vehicle Emissions Testing program has certain testing hours and a testing schedule that you should be aware of prior to to getting your car tested.  The vehicle emissions testing official hours are Monday – Friday from 8:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. and on Saturday from 8:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m.   It is recommended that you call the testing center ahead of driving there to ensure they are open.

Holidays and non working days

The vehicle emissions testing program is closed on certain holidays each year.  These holidays are New Year’s Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day.  You should plan your vehicle emissions testing date accordingly.

Filed under: Connecticut, Articles, State Emissions TestingTagged with: ,

Delaware – General Emissions Information

Last updated on March 4th, 2021

Delaware General Emissions Information – The state of Delaware requires emissions testing on vehicles of Delaware residents.  There are many common questions that residents have about the Delaware emissions testing program and this section will look at some of the most frequently asked questions and their corresponding answers.

Can I apply for a waiver and if so, how?

There are certain criteria that must be met in order for a resident to apply for a waiver in regards to their vehicle’s emissions test.  Waivers are granted not to excuse a vehicle from an initial test, but for vehicles that have failed multiple tests even after repairs have been made on the vehicle to fix the issue found during the emissions inspection period.  In order to receive a waiver the following conditions must be met:

1.  Your vehicle must have failed the emissions inspection at least 2 times or more.

2.  The parameters of your vehicle’s engine are set to the specifications determined by the vehicle’s manufacturer.

3.  You have spent above a set limit in repairs on the vehicle in regards to items repaired specifically for emissions purposes.  If your vehicle is from 1981 or newer the threshold that must be reached is $810 in repairs.  Vehicles manufactured prior to 1981 have a threshold of $75 in repairs.

4.  The reasons for the emissions inspection failure was not due to visible smoke or missions emissions control equipment.

When you present the waiver application to the DMV you must have all the receipts for the repairs you had done along with the vehicle inspection reports from your failed emissions tests.

Who sets the emissions standards for exhaust levels?

This exhaust levels set for the emissions inspection are set by the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control.

How much does emissions testing cost?

In the state of Delaware, residents get their vehicle’s emissions tested for free.

How often do I need to get my vehicle’s emissions tested?

Vehicles are required to get their emissions tested once every two years.  You must get your emissions tested before you are able to renew your vehicle’s registration.

How will I know if I need to get my emissions tested?

The DMV will send you a registration renewal notice about ninety days prior to when your current registration will expire.  At this point you should begin to consider getting your emissions tested.

Filed under: Delaware, Articles, State Emissions TestingTagged with: ,

Maryland – Emissions Testing Hours & Schedule

Last updated on April 26th, 2018

The state of Maryland’s emissions inspection testing hours are as follows:

Monday, Thursday, and Friday from 8:30 a.m. until 5:00 p.m.

Tuesday and Wednesday from 7:00 a.m. until 7:00 p.m.

Saturday from 7:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m.

The VEIP testing locations are closed on holidays.  There are also days each year in addition to holidays that the testing centers will be closed in order to help reduce the state’s budget.  It is recommended you call ahead of time to ensure the testing center you plan on attending is open on the day you plan to attend.  The number to call is 1-800-638-8347.

To see the testing locations in Maryland you can view the list here.

Filed under: Maryland, Articles, State Emissions Testing

Florida Residents Can Earn Rewards for Driving Eco-Friendly

Last updated on November 16th, 2017

Driving Eco-Friendly – The state of Florida set few laws for emissions into place over the years. However it didn’t last very long. It became a huge political issue and thus was abolished as a law. Supposedly, a few counties air supply had tested fairly clean. Clean enough to not have any emissions laws put into place. This made the emissions tests not worth their time. The counties that are suffering with low air quality are fighting to bring the emissions laws back.

There are a few incentives for Florida drivers who practice eco-friendly driving. The state has decided to reward people who purchase vehicles that are EPA-certified. These are classified as Inherently Low Emission Vehicles. Driving Eco-Friendly and Drivers of ILE vehicles are allowed to drive in high-occupancy vehicle whenever they choose, and there is no limit to passengers that are riding in the car.

To find out if your vehicle is on the list of approved low emission vehicles, you can click here. If you do find that your vehicle is on the list, you will need to fill out the application for your HOV decal. This decal can be placed on your car.  It will show other residents that you are proud to drive a vehicle that is saving the air quality. There is only a small fee for the decal. $5 for one year, and $10 for a 2 year decal and membership.

Why not help out your fellow Florida residents and the rest of the world by driving a car that is safe for our environment? Everyone should have clean air to breathe, so let’s take a stand.

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Pennsylvania Car Insurance

Last updated on November 20th, 2017

Pennsylvania Car Insurance – The state of Pennsylvania requires vehicle owners to purchase two types of car insurance in order to legally driver their vehicle on a public road. These two types of insurance are liability insurance, which is required by almost every state, and medical benefits coverage, also known as personal injury protection or first party coverage. Liability coverage and medical benefits coverage may function in much the same way and cover the same type of cost but they differ in who they provide financial relief to. Liability coverage protects a policy holder from claims made against them and will typically pay up to a certain amount for injuries or property damage suffered by drivers other than the policy holder. By its very definition liability coverage requires that the fault or an accident be placed on one driver or another. All drivers involved in an accident may have liability coverage but it is only the insurance company of the driver that is at fault that will have to pay for injuries and damages. If a Pennsylvania resident were to only carry liability coverage, a common situation in many states, if they were involved in an accident that was considered to be their fault their policy would cover the injuries and damages to others but not the injuries or property damage incurred by them or the passengers in the insured vehicle. In order to ensure that each resident is able to financially afford medical attention should they need it after a car accident the state of Pennsylvania requires residents to purchase medical benefits coverage with each auto insurance policy. Unlike liability coverage, medical benefits coverage will pay out to the policy holder and any passengers in the insured vehicle regardless of which driver was at fault in an accident.

In the state of Pennsylvania just carrying liability and medical benefits coverage isn’t enough to satisfy state car insurance requirements; each type of coverage must also be carried in a certain amount. The minimum amount of medical benefits required by Pennsylvania auto insurance law for example is $5,000 and in most cases a car insurance company in Pennsylvania will not add medical benefits coverage to a car insurance policy in any amount under $5,000. Liability coverage on the other hand is a bit more complex since it is broke down into three different types of coverage, each of which functions differently. The first type is bodily injury liability coverage for a single person, the minimum required amount of which is $15,000. Bodily injury coverage for a single person is the maximum amount that the insurance company will pay for injuries sustained by a second party in an accident caused by the policy holder. The next is bodily injury coverage per accident, with minimum limits set at $30,000 per insured vehicle. This is the total amount that the insurance company will pay for all accident related injuries sustained by secondary parties. The third type of liability coverage required by the state of Pennsylvania is property damage coverage, $5,000 of which is required in order for a policy to meet state standards. Pennsylvania drivers almost always have the option to purchase more coverage than the state requires so that they can reduce the chance that they will have to cover any costs of an accident not covered by their insurance company.

In an effort to reduce the amount of lawsuits stemming from car accidents in the state of Pennsylvania, as well an attempt to reduce car insurance premiums, Pennsylvania allows residents to choose whether or not they want full tort coverage. Resident that choose full tort coverage will any anywhere from 10%-20% more in insurance premiums every year but they also completely preserve their legal rights if they are involved in an accident. Residents that choose limited tort coverage will receive a significant discount in car insurance premiums but will also forfeit many of their rights, such as the right to file a law suit, if they are involved in an accident.

Unlike some states, which have systems that allow for direct communication between the DMV and insurance companies, Pennsylvania still requires driver to provide proof of insurance the old fashioned way with an insurance ID card. If a Pennsylvania resident is pulled over involved in an accident the law requires them to provide proof of insurance to the officer on the scene; failure to do so can result in a wide range of penalties. For first offenders the penalty for driving without insurance typically consists of a $300 fine and the suspension of the driver’s license and vehicle registration for up to three months. For a driver to have the suspensions lifted after the term is up an additional $100 in fines or reinstatement fees will have to be paid to the Pennsylvania Department of Motor Vehicles.

Filed under: Pennsylvania, Articles, Car InsuranceTagged with: ,