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*The
Emissions Testing Centers have new hours.
WHAT
YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT VEHICLE EMISSIONS TESTING
GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS
 | Take your vehicle to one of the official
vehicle emissions inspection stations, and bring your title and/or
vehicle registration documentation. You can have your vehicle tested at
any testing station regardless of where your vehicle is registered.
 | Fees
 | $10.00 cash, credit and debit cards. |
| No bills larger than $20 accepted |
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| Once your vehicle has satisfied the test
requirements, you can renew your registration by mail or in person. You
can mail or take your renewal form, your emissions compliance
certificate, and the proper fees to the Office of the Rutherford County
Clerk. |
| Emissions tests are valid for 90 days. |
NEW TESTING
REQUIREMENTS--Middle Tennessee Begins Emissions Testing for Diesel and
Heavier Gasoline-Powered Vehicles
Beginning April 1, 2005, two new classes of motor vehicles must pass an
emissions test before they can be registered in Davidson, Rutherford,
Sumner, Williamson or Wilson Counties.
Vehicles subject to testing:
Gasoline-powered vehicles 1975 and
newer with a gross vehicle weight 10,500 pounds or less; previous limit
was 8500 pounds; weight information is located on the vehicle's door
jam.
Diesel-powered vehicles 1975 and newer with a gross vehicle
weight 10,500 pounds or less; diesel vehicles were not previously
inspected.
While
the majority of diesel and gasoline powered vehicles will be subject to
testing, electric cars, motorcycles and antiques are among a limited
group of exempt vehicles. For more information, please call
615-399-8995 or visit the web site:
www.state.tn.us/environment/apc/emissions.php.
Light-duty motor vehicles are major sources of air pollution that leads
to smog, or ozone. Vehicle inspection programs reduce ozone, a
major public health hazard. The Tennessee Air Pollution Control
Board's new rules are designed to improve air quality by expanding the
testing of motor vehicle emissions in Middle Tennessee.
Inspection stations accept cash only for the
$10 test (one of the lowest fees in the nation; the first re-test is free).
Most
motorists have easy access to specially designed, high-volume inspection
stations within five miles of their home, or along their normal daily
commute. The Middle Tennessee vehicle inspection program began in
1985; it eliminated nearly 70,000 tons of pollution from 1996-2002.
INSPECTION EXEMPTIONS
| All vehicles are required to complete Vehicle
Emissions Testing except as follows: |
If vehicle is out of emissions
testing area when tags expire.
In such circumstances, the State offers a temporary exemption for
vehicles that fall into this category. The first step is to fill out
the Application for Vehicle Exemption and return it to the address
shown below. Please do not return this application to the clerk's
office. The Division will review your application for completeness.
If the vehicle qualifies, a Certificate of Exemption will be mailed
approximately 60 days before the tags expire. This certificate will
be a substitution for having the vehicle tested at this time. The
exemption must be submitted to the clerk's office upon renewal of
the vehicle's registration. When the vehicle returns to the
emissions testing area, it must be taken to one of the testing
centers for an emissions test. Mail the testing Certificate of
Compliance to the following address:
Division of Air Pollution Control
Mobile & Air Resources Management Program
401 Church St.
L & C Annex 9th Floor
Nashville, TN 37243
showing that the vehicle has passed an
emissions test. If your time is limited you may fax your application to
(615) 532-6817. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to
call (615) 532-0534 or the testing Hotline (615) 532-TEST.
SAFETY CONSIDERATIONS
| Your vehicle may not be tested if:
| It has fuel, oil, or coolant leaks |
| It has visible smoke |
| It has excessive exhaust leaks |
| The idle is not set to factory
specifications |
| It doesn't have catalytic converter(s) |
| The inspector would have to reach more
than elbow's length under the vehicle to insert the sampling probe |
|
HELPFUL TIP
| Always have the vehicles engine warmed to
operating condition prior to testing |
| To avoid potential long wait times, avoid
testing at the end of the month and on Tuesdays |
FAILED EMISSIONS
TESTING
THIRTY-DAY GRACE PERIOD
| Tennessee Code Annotated 55-4-128 states…The
owner of any motor vehicle who resides in any county in which the
issuance or renewal of the certificate of registration, or any
registration plates issued pursuant to chapters 1-6 of this title or a
city or county vehicle inspection sticker, for such motor vehicle
depends upon the successful completion of a motor vehicle emissions
test, shall be:
| Given a grace period of thirty (30) days
from the date fixed for issuance or renewal in which to effect
necessary repairs and successfully complete the emissions test
administered prior to the date fixed for issuance or renewal, and
repairs necessary to pass such test cannot be effected prior to such
date; |
| Issued an inspection certificate by the
motor vehicle emissions testing authority which shall state on its
face the date the emissions test was administered and failed, and
that a thirty-day grace period shall apply to such motor vehicle;
and |
| The owner of any motor vehicle which did
not successfully complete an emissions test administered prior to
the date fixed for issuance or renewal and, after attempting the
repairs necessary to successfully complete the emissions test fails
the emissions testing again, shall be eligible to apply for a waiver
from further emissions testing for that year; provided, that the
owner has attempted repairs to the vehicle in an amount of six
hundred and fifty dollars ($650.00) or more for model year 1996 and
newer, two
hundred dollars ($200) or more for model years 1981 - 1995, or seventy-five dollars ($75.00) or more, if the
vehicle is of a model year 1980 or older, or has attempted repairs
in such amount as established by the environmental protection agency
to make the owner of a motor vehicle eligible for a waiver,
whichever is less. The waiver shall be granted according to
guidelines and procedures established by the air pollution control
board. |
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| Possession of a duly authorized inspection
certificate issued pursuant to subsection (a) shall be deemed possession
of a valid certificate of registration, registration plate, and
inspection sticker for the duration of the authorized grace period
provided by subsection (a). |
DIAGNOSTIC INFORMATION
| The owner of any motor vehicle who resides in
any county in which the issuance or renewal of the certificate of
registration, or any registration plates issued pursuant to chapters 1-6
of this title, or a city or county vehicle inspection sticker, for such
motor vehicle depends upon the successful completion of a motor vehicle
emissions test, shall Diagnostic Information |
| Most vehicles can pass with minor, inexpensive
repairs. Listed below are some helpful hints:
| Commission causes for high hydrocarbons
(HC) include: Vacuum leaks, ignition system malfunction, faulty
computer controls, air injection system failure, incorrect engine
timing, incorrect engine idle speed, improper fuel injector
operation, and low compression in one or more cylinders, incorrect
carburetor setting/adjustment, and inoperative/missing catalytic
converter(s). |
| Commission causes for high carbon monoxide
(CO) include: Dirty/clogged air cleaner, choke or carburetor
malfunction, fuel injector operation, air injection system failure,
carburetor float level maladjusted, incorrect carburetor
settings/adjustment, inoperative/missing catalytic converter,
defective evaporative system, and faulty computer controls. |
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| Note: Most 1981 and newer vehicles have
computer-controlled systems utilizing an oxygen sensor in the exhaust. A
qualified technician should determine the cause of any failure.
Diagnosis and troubleshooting of your vehicle's computer systems by
anyone other than a qualified technician could result in damage to the
system. |
| When returning for a retest, drive the vehicle
for 15 to 20 minutes before arriving at the test station to ensure the
engine is at normal operating temperature. If there is a line at the
station, do not turn the engine off while waiting. |
EMISSIONS EQUIPMENT
| During the emission inspection just conducted
on your vehicle, one or more factory installed emission control items
were found missing, disabled or altered. Listed below is information,
which may help you or your mechanic understand the required repairs:
| Catalytic converter(s) is missing. A
catalytic converter(s) of the correct type and configuration must be
installed. You or the person returning the vehicle to the inspection
station must present the converter(s) WARRANTY CERTIFICATE and the
failed inspection report to the vehicle inspector. If the
replacement converter is a manufacturer's original equipment model,
only an invoice or receipt is needed. |
| Catalytic converter(s) is disabled or
altered. The catalytic converter(s) must be replaced or repaired to
the correct type and configuration and be welded or professionally
clamped in place. |
| Fuel filler restrictor exceeds allowable
diameter. A USEPA approved filler restrictor must be installed.
Additionally, the catalytic converter(s) may have to be replaced as
described in #1 above. |
| The fuel cap is missing or does not seal
properly. To prevent fuel or vapor leakage, the correct type fuel
cap must be installed. |
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QUESTIONS HOTLINE
| 615-532-TEST
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