Pennsylvania Emissions

Last updated on March 16th, 2021

Pennsylvania Emissions

The state of Pennsylvania requires emissions test for many vehicle owners who are looking to obtain their original registration or to renew their annual registration. Annual notices are sent to owners and will indicate whether they are required to complete the inspection and when it must be completed by. Testing may not be completed more than two months before the renewal process.

Requirements

Many vehicles including cars, vans, trucks, or light-duty trucks that are 9000 pounds are lighter will require an emission testing to be completed. Below are the requirements when a vehicle needs to be tested:

• If it is newer than 1975
• If it is registered in the following counties: Allegheny, Beaver, Berks, Blair, Bucks, Cambria, Centre, Chester, Cumberland, Dauphin, Delaware, Erie, Lackawanna, Lancaster, Lebanon, Lehigh, Luzerne, Lycoming, Mercer, Montgomery, Northampton, Philadelphia, Washington, Westmoreland and York

These emissions test are valid for one year after they had been completed.

Exemptions

There also exemptions when it comes to having a testing completed and you will not need to have one if your vehicle is in the following categories:

• If is a motorcycle
• If you only drive your vehicle less than 5000 miles and you have owned it for more than year
• If it is a new vehicle that has under 5000 miles
• If it is registered as an antique, collectible or classic vehicle
• Is registered as a street rod

There are many inspection stations located throughout the state and you will need to choose one that has been authorized by a PennDot. It is a good idea to have both the safety inspection an emission testing completed on the same day in order to save you time. Fees vary depending on the station and is also a good idea to call ahead to learn what fees will be involved when you bring your vehicle in for testing.

Failures

If your vehicle fails one of the tests, you will be required to repair the vehicle and you will be responsible for all the costs related to preparing it. Your vehicle must be retested after it has been repaired and that this retesting must be completed within 30 days of the original test. If so, you will not be charged an additional fee for the retesting. It is possible for you to receive a one-year waiver if you can prove that you spent $150 in repairs. However, this can only be done by an authorize emissions inspection station.

Conclusion

If you find that you’re out of the state for over 30 days after your vehicles emission sticker expires, you will be required to have it tested within 10 days of your return into the state. Is a good idea to carry proof with you that you have been out of the state for this period of time.

Is important that we maintain a healthy vehicle so that the air quality around us is healthy and we are safe on the roads as we travel down them. If you live in the state of Pennsylvania, you’re required to have both the safety and an emissions test and you should maintain the health of your vehicle so that you will be compliant with these tests.