We all hate to do it, but it’s a fact of life in the Phoenix metropolitan area. Most of us need to get our vehicle emissions tested. Also, it is best to check on the status of your car and if it is running smoothly. If you have a BMW, you are best at going for a BMW service in Houston or somewhere nearer to you to get it seen to.

Hopefully, we can take some of the pain out of that task for you by providing you with up-to-date information. However, if you need more than just information and you’re wanting your engine to be repaired or maintained to keep your car in the best condition possible. You’ll want to look for an auto repair garage local to yourself that can offer the same services to the likes of this Arvada auto repair garage as an example.

What vehicles need to be tested for emissions?
Unless specifically exempted, all 1967 and newer vehicles (including types of diesel) that are registered in the metro Phoenix (Area A) or metro Tucson (Area B) emission test areas must receive an emissions inspection no more than 90 days prior to registration.
Your registration renewal application from the Motor Vehicles Division (MVD) will say “Emission Test Required” when it is time to have your vehicle tested. If your vehicle has not previously required an emission test, to determine if testing is required or if you have questions about requirements for your vehicle, please contact:
(602) 771-3950 or www.myAZcar.com

If you work in the emission test area but are registered outside of the area, Arizona law requires that you have the vehicle inspected in the area to which you commute. Note: On-Board Diagnostics (OBD) tests conducted in Pima County are valid for registration in Maricopa County. All other tests performed in Pima County are valid for Pima County registration only.
The On-Board Diagnostics test in Pima County is now valid for a period of two years. Once tested and passed, testing will not be required for two years. MVD will issue registration renewal notices showing the first year testing is required under this change. Look for “Emissions Testing Required” on your renewal form.

Automobile dealers are responsible for having emissions tested prior to sale. You will be notified by the MVD when you need to re-register your vehicle and if it is due for emission testing.

Vehicles to be tested must enter the inspection station under their own power. They may not be on or pulling a trailer.

Which vehicles are exempt from the testing requirements?
• Most model year 2007 or newer, except reconstructed, vehicles
• Most model year 2009 or newer original equipment alternative fuel vehicles
• Model year 1966 and older vehicles
• Vehicles designated as “collectible” (requires collectible vehicle insurance, reported to Arizona Motor Vehicle Division by insurer)
• Electric powered, golf carts or vehicles with engine displacement of less than 90cc
• Motorcycles registered in the Tucson metropolitan area
• Apportioned vehicles (licensed in more than one state)
• Vehicles leased to a person residing outside the emission control areas
• Vehicles transferred between dealers (wholesale)

?I have a golf cart. Does it need to be tested?
No, electric powered, golf carts or vehicles with engine displacement of less than 90 cc are exempt.

I have a collectible car. Does it need to be tested?
Vehicles designated as “collectible” are exempt (requires collectible vehicle insurance, reported to Arizona Motor Vehicle Division by the insurer). To find collectible vehicle insurance policies you can look around online with sites like Insurance Quotes and others, for the cheapest and most appropriate policies to you and the vehicle in question.

What are the station locations and hours?

LOCATIONS:
? Designated lane with faster service for 1996 and newer, gasoline vehicles, less than 8500 GVWR, excluding bi-fueled vehicles, motorcycles and ATVs
? Not for vehicles 45 feet and longer
? Testing Facility can accommodate heavy duty trucks over 13 feet in height

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

TUCSON AREA
3931 N. Business Center Dr.?Please use W. Ruthrauff Rd. to access this inspection station during the 2011-2013 Interstate 10 construction.
• 1301 S. Stocker Dr. Tucson, AZ 85710 ?
• 3931 N. Business Center Dr., Tucson, AZ 85705 ? ?
• 6661 S. Renaissance Dr., Tucson, AZ 85746

WAIVER STATIONS
Waiver facilities are open Monday – Friday 8 am – 4:30 pm
• 600 North 40th Street, Phoenix, AZ 85008
• 4040 E. 29th Street, Tucson, AZ 85711

HOURS:
All inspection stations are open:
Monday – Friday 8 am – 7 pm / Saturday 8 am – 5 pm

REMEMBER: Testing is faster mid-week, mid-month, weekdays from 5-7 pm and on Saturday afternoons.
Closed: New Year’s Day, Memorial Day, July 4, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day

Waiver facilities are open Monday – Friday 8 am – 4:30 pm
• 600 North 40th Street, Phoenix, AZ 85008
• 4040 E. 29th Street, Tucson, AZ 85711

How long will it take?
Wait times vary from station to station, day to day, hour to hour.
REMEMBER: Testing is faster mid-week, mid-month, weekdays from 5-7 pm and on Saturday afternoons.
Now emissions testing is faster! You can get up-to-the-minute wait times by calling 1-877-myAZcar.

What is the cost and what forms of payment are accepted?
PHOENIX AREA
• 1981 and newer cars, plus most light trucks (under 8,501 lbs.): $27.75
• Most other vehicles (except heavy duty diesels): $19.00
• Heavy-duty diesel vehicles (greater than 8,500 lbs. GVWR): $28.00
TUCSON AREA
• All vehicles: $12.25
PAYMENT METHOD
• Cash, personal checks, AMEX, Visa and MasterCard credit/debit cards are accepted at inspection stations.
• Checks must be from an Arizona bank, have an imprinted name and physical state address (no post office boxes) of the customer.
• Make checks payable to Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ). No third party checks, please.
• A valid driver’s license, other official photo identification or a bank guarantee card is required when paying by check.

?What do I need to bring with me to the testing station?
When getting your vehicle tested, be sure to bring the appropriate information to the test station. Please Note: Check your renewal application notice for “Emissions Test Required.” If that sentence is not there, you don’t need to have your vehicle tested this year.
• The previous year vehicle registration, title, bill of sale, or
• Registration renewal application received in the mail; or
• Registration renewal application received through your email. (Print and bring the email to the test station.)
• The required test fee (see above);
• For a retest after an initial failure, bring the original vehicle inspection report with repair information completed on the back (inspection station personnel are prohibited from retesting a vehicle without the completed information);
• Key for locking gas tank.
• No refunds.

?What if my vehicle fails the test?
If your vehicle fails the test, you must have it repaired and reinspected. The reinspection is free if you return within 60 days of your original or subsequent paid test with the repair information completed on the back of the vehicle inspection report.

Extended Warranty Coverage
Many vehicles have specific warranty provisions for emissions related repairs. Consult your Owner’s Manual, Emissions Control Warranty Information pamphlet or your dealer for information on whether your vehicle has warranty coverage before making necessary repairs.

Waivers
A waiver is an official document that allows qualified owners of failing vehicles to register their vehicle without further expenditures for repair, once receipts for qualifying repairs are presented (see below). Vehicles may receive only one repair waiver, which is valid for the current vehicle registration. Once a waiver has been granted, the vehicle can never be granted another. Failing vehicles that have already received a waiver must be repaired and pass inspection before being registered in the Phoenix or Tucson metro areas. If your vehicle fails, consider carefully that it may be better for you to repair the vehicle than to seek a waiver. In order to request a waiver, the vehicle owner must meet the following qualifications:
1. The vehicle must fail the state emissions test at least two times.
2. The malfunction must be diagnosed and a low emissions tune-up performed following the initial failure (low emissions tune-up is defined under “A” on the back of the vehicle inspection report).
3. The vehicle must be presented to one of the waiver facilities listed above, along with the vehicle’s last failing test report, detailed repair receipts or estimates.
4. A waiver will be issued if it is determined that additional repairs to reduce the vehicle’s emissions level cannot be made within the appropriate maximum repair cost limits. Maximum repair requirements for emission failures depend on the age and location of your vehicle. Due to the severity of the air quality problem in metro Phoenix, repair cost limits in Phoenix are higher than in Tucson.
5. Waivers cannot be issued to vehicles emitting more than two times the applicable emission standard, or that have a faulty catalytic converter.
6. If a waiver is granted, or a compliance document is issued, a fee of $15.00 will be charged at the Waiver Facility.

Waiver facilities are open 8:00 am to 4:30 pm, Monday through Friday, except for all major state holidays.
• 600 North 40th Street, Phoenix, Arizona 85008
• 4040 East 29th Street, Tucson, Arizona 85711

?What are the best (fastest) times to go to a testing facility?
Wait times vary from station to station, day to day, hour to hour.
REMEMBER: Testing is faster mid-week, mid-month, weekdays from 5-7 pm and on Saturday afternoons.

Now emissions testing is faster! You can get up-to-the-minute wait times by calling 1-877-myAZcar.??Testing Tips
1. Shortest wait times are generally mid-month, mid-week and weekdays from 5-7 pm or Saturday afternoons. Call 1-877-myAZcar for up-to-the-minute wait times.
2. Do you need an emissions test? Does it say “Emissions Test Required” on your registration renewal application? If not, you don’t need to have your vehicle tested this year.
3. To avoid over-heating while waiting, keep your engine running and, while in either neutral or park, occasionally rev the engine for 15 minutes at a time. Turn off your air conditioner.
4. Do not bring passengers or animals. Vehicles will be driven by station personnel and you will be required to either move to the passenger seat or exit the vehicle.
5. Vehicles must enter the station on their own power. Trailers must be removed from vehicles in order to be tested.
6. Pima County Inspections, except for On-Board Diagnostic (OBD) test, are not valid for registration in Maricopa County.
7. 1996 and newer vehicles with on-board diagnostic (OBD) equipment will not pass emissions testing if the check engine light is on. It is advisable to have a vehicle tested to determine the reason for the light being illuminated. Repair costs prior to initial failure will not be considered when applying for a waiver.
8. Don’t forget the key if you have a locking gas tank.

For further information regarding emissions testing, go to http://www.azdeq.gov/environ/air/vei/index.html or http://www.myazcar.com/. You can contact any of our Desert Title Locations for more information!