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Why Some States Have Mandated Emissions Testing

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If having to schedule an emissions test has ever struck you as an inconvenience, you’ve probably wondered why some states have mandated emissions testing. 33 out of the 50 states require some form of emissions testing for civilians’ vehicles. The frequency may vary, but the reasons for doing so remain roughly the same. There are a few ways your vehicle could fail an emissions test, which may result in expensive repairs or even a ticket—quite the incentives to prepare your vehicle to pass.

The Environmental Protection Agency and Federal Laws

The Clean Air Act was established in 1970, permitting the EPA to establish National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS). These standards encourage the protection of public health and the environment, and they specify the limit of pollutants allowed in the air. Pollutants such as carbon monoxide, lead, and sulfur dioxide is consistently measured to make sure they don’t breach the maximum levels laid out by the Clean Air Act. Though the Act is enforced at a federal level, state governments get to determine how those levels are monitored—one being through emissions testing.


How States Differ

Emissions testing requirements and frequency are up to each state government’s discretion. Some states have mandated emissions testing for the same reason other states impose restrictions on local vehicle manufacturers: pollutant level control. For states that use testing as a means of pollutant control, their approaches to it may differ. For example:

  • Some states demand emissions testing statewide. These states, including Massachusetts, call for every vehicle to pass the emissions test as part of an out-of-pocket safety inspection.
  • Many states have mandated emissions testing that’s only required every two years in densely populated areas.
  • Certain states, such as Florida and Nebraska, don’t require any testing.

How Areas Differ

If you live in an area with a significant population, your chances of having to get an emissions test are higher (if testing is not a statewide demand). The more heavily trafficked and urbanized an area, the greater need to enforce emissions tests for pollutant control.


 

Source: Christina Duron is a freelance writer for multiple online publications where she can showcase her affinity for all things digital. She has focused her career around digital marketing and writes to explore topics that spark her interest.

 

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