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Vehicle Emissions Inspection Failure/Waiver

Vehicles that fail the initial inspection (or Confirmation Test) are eligible for one free retest at the original station within 14 calendar days of the initial inspection (or initial Confirmation Test).

A vehicle that fails the emissions inspection (or Confirmation Test) must be repaired and reinspected until it passes or a waiver is obtained. If your vehicle fails, the Vehicle Emissions Inspection Report, which indicates the failed item(s) and a second page, the Emissions Repair Data Form will be given to you by the inspector. Emissions related repair and diagnostic work performed and/or approved by a Certified Emissions Repair Technician employed at a Certified Emissions Repair Facility can be applied toward an emissions inspection waiver. If repairs are done by someone other than a Certified Emissions Repair Technician at a Certified Emissions Repair Facility, the cost of the repairs will not apply towards an emissions inspection waiver. In order to qualify  for an emissions inspection waiver, the emissions related diagnostic and repair charges must meet or exceed the waiver amount printed on the Vehicle Emissions Inspection Report, and the vehicle must have failed an initial emissions inspection and completed a retest indicating continued failure.

As of January 1, 2008, the waiver amount is $695

IN ORDER TO QUALIFY TOWARDS AN EMISSIONS INSPECTION WAIVER, THE EMISSIONS RELATED REPAIRS MUST MEET BOTH OF THE FOLLOWING CONDITIONS:

1. THE WORK MUST HAVE BEEN PERFORMED AT A DEQ CERTIFIED EMISSIONS REPAIR FACILITY.

2. THE WORK MUST HAVE BEEN PERFORMED BY, OR SUPERVISED AND APPROVED BY, A DEQ CERTIFIED EMISSIONS REPAIR TECHNICIAN EMPLOYED AT THAT FACILITY.

AN EMISSIONS INSPECTION WAIVER WILL NOT BE GRANTED FOR:

  • An emissions inspection failure for any vehicle with less than 24,000 miles and is less than two years old and is covered by an emissions warranty.
  • An emissions control systems visual inspection failure.
  • A visible smoke failure for any vehicle.
  • Any situation in which the vehicle is not able to complete the full emissions inspection procedure, i.e. any “rejection from testing.”

If the vehicle is taken to a Virginia Certified Emissions Repair Facility, the Vehicle Emissions Inspection Report and the Emissions Repair Data Form must be given to that repair facility. Once the repairs have been performed, the Certified Emissions Repair Technician employed at the Certified Emissions Repair Facility will indicate on the Emissions Repair Data Form what types of repairs were performed and any item(s) that may have been suggested to be repaired and/or serviced. The Vehicle Emissions Inspection Report, Emissions Repair Data Form and business receipts from the Certified Emissions Repair Facility must then be taken back to the inspection station for data entry during the retest of the vehicle.

Although DEQ suggests that the vehicle be taken to a Certified Emissions Repair Facility for repairs, anyone can work on the vehicle. It is acceptable if other than a Certified Emissions Repair Facility works on the vehicle and it then passes the reinspection. However, if money is paid for emission related repairs to a facility or person who is not a Certified Emissions Repair Facility or a Certified Emissions Repair Technician, and the vehicle fails the reinspection, the money CANNOT be applied towards an emissions inspection waiver.

Every Certified Emissions Repair Facility has a poster with a white background and red lettering on the outside of the building indicating "Certified Emissions Repair Facility." (View the poster) Those facilities also have a green certificate issued by the Department of Environmental Quality mounted inside the building. If you are unsure if a repair facility is certified by DEQ, ask to see the green DEQ certificate, or contact DEQ.

You can find Certified Emissions Repair Facilities in your area by clicking one of the following links:

Note:  Each link will open in a new window.

For more detailed information, click on the link below that describes your type of failure:

Note:  In order for a waiver to be issued, the inspection must be completed.  To complete the OBDII inspection, OBDII monitor requirements must be met.  Click here to learn more about OBDII monitors.

Vehicles that fail the emissions inspection may be eligible for warranty coverage for the required repairs. Vehicle manufacturers are required by federal law to provide an emissions warranty. 1995 and newer model year vehicles are covered for at least eight years or 80,000 miles. 1994 and older model year vehicles are covered for at least five years or 50,000 miles. Warranty coverage may vary depending upon vehicle make and model year. For further information, refer to the emissions warranty section of the vehicle owner's manual.

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