When to Test
Emission inspections are required
for many original vehicle registrations and for each annual renewal. Your mailed renewal notice will indicate
whether a test is required. Emissions inspections stations in Nevada are
privately owned and decentralized.
Vehicles
Requiring a Test
NOTICE: Diesel vehicles up to 14,000 pounds require testing as of July 1, 2009. This applies to all initial registrations and renewals regardless of any expiration date.
Passenger cars, trucks, RVs and motor homes need an emissions test if they are:
- Based in the urban areas of Clark or Washoe county;
- Gasoline powered (regardless of weight or size)
- Diesel powered with a manufacturer's gross vehicle
weight rating up to and including 14,000 pounds; and
- 1968 model year or newer
(new vehicles on their first and second registration are exempted; a test
is required upon a vehicle's third registration)
Emissions tests are valid for 90 days.
You must have a valid test to complete any original registration or renewal if
the vehicle requires a test as listed above. This includes reinstatement
of a suspended registration.
Nevada requires used car dealers to issue a valid emissions
test, when required, on any vehicle they sell. In private transactions, the test is the buyer's responsibility.
Exempt Vehicles
The following vehicles are exempt from emission testing:
- New motor vehicles on their first and second registration;
- New hybrid-electric vehicles for the first 5 model years;
- 1967 or older;
- Motorcycle or moped;
- Vehicles based in remote areas of Clark and Washoe
counties and all other Nevada counties (call us if
you are not sure whether a check is required in your area);
- Alternative fuel vehicles;
- Diesel vehicles with a gross vehicle weight of 14,001 pounds or greater;
- Transfer of ownership/registration if the last test was
conducted within 90 days before the
transfer;
- Transfer of ownership/registration between husband and wife;
- Transfer of ownership/registration between companies whose principal business
is leasing vehicles if there is no change in the lessee or operator
of the vehicle;
- Vehicles registered as a Classic Rod or Classic Vehicle and driven 2,500
miles or less per year.
- Vehicles registered as a Replica Vehicle.
Test Locations
You can take your vehicle to any Authorized Emission
Inspection Station licensed by the State of Nevada. Authorized stations can be
identified by the official sign issued by the Department of Motor Vehicles.
Stations are also required to post signs listing test standards and maximum
fees. There are only a limited number of stations which test light-duty diesel
vehicles. Call the DMV Emissions Lab in your area for
locations.
Test Fees
A maximum fee is established by the Department based on an
annual survey of shop labor rates. Each station is required to display the
total fees charged and the station's hours of operation. See Emissions
Fees.
Types of Tests
Nevada uses On-Board Diagnostics (OBDII)
Testing for 1996 and
newer vehicles. The operator will connect an analyzer to the OBD computer in
your vehicle. Data from your vehicle will indicate whether its emissions
systems are operating properly and within emissions limits.
Older vehicles are tested with a Two-Speed Idle Test. The
operator will test your vehicle once at idle speed, then test it again with the
engine running at approximately 2500 rpm.
Diesel vehicles are tested on a dynamometer.
You Passed!
Once your vehicle has passed the emission inspection and you
have received your Vehicle Inspection Report from the inspection station, you
may renew your existing vehicle registration at participating
stations, on the
Internet, by telephone, by mail or in person at a DMV Full-Service or Express
office. Inspection results on gasoline vehicles are transmitted to DMV electronically.
If you renew at the Emissions Inspection Station or by
Internet or telephone, your registration is updated instantly. The decal
and registration slip are printed and placed in the mail within two business
days. Emissions test results are submitted to the DMV electronically.
First-time Nevada registrations and license plates can be
obtained only at Full-Service DMV
offices.
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