Emissions and Smog Tests
The Clean Air Act of 1990 required states to conduct vehicle emissions testing in areas where the air quality was bad. The requirements vary from state to state. Emissions testing is often conducted as part of the vehicle inspection process that is required in many states. The testing is sometimes conducted at state facilities and other times … Keep Reading → at private locations. Most states will also conduct smog tests. These tests determine what pollutants are being produced by the vehicle. Testing equipment is attached to the tailpipe to measure the output. The frequency of smog tests varies by state with some states requiring more than one test per year. Typically very old and very new vehicles are not required to be tested. Both smog and emissions testing are not only important for the environment, but they can indicate a problem with the vehicle that may need to be fixed.
