DMV & Emissions Testing Locations In Oregon

Oregon

Oregon Smog Check / Emissions Test

The State of Oregon requires vehicle owners in the cities of Portland and Medford to get their vehicles to pass a vehicle emissions test before receiving their initial vehicle registrations and before every two-year registration renewal. The Oregon Driver and Motor Vehicle Services Division (DMV) in collaboration with the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) operate the state’s vehicle emissions testing program.

Vehicle owners with vehicles that do not pass their smog check or emissions test can apply for temporary permits in order to remain legal while they get their vehicle repaired or receive financial assistance to complete emissions-related repairs. New residents must also get their vehicle’s Vehicle Identification Number (VIR) inspected to make sure the vehicle is not stolen.

If you know you need an Emissions test done click here to select your county and find the nearest location.

Requirements to Pass the Oregon Smog Check

Vehicles registered in Portland must pass a smog check if manufactured in the 1975 or newer model year, and if the vehicle falls under one of these categories:

  • Gas vehicle
  • Alternative fuel vehicle (AFV)
  • Hybrid vehicle
  • Diesel vehicle weighing less than 8500 lbs

Vehicles registered in Medford must get tested if also manufactured in the last 20 years and if the vehicle falls under one of these categories:

  • Gas vehicles
  • Alternative fuel vehicle
  • Hybrid vehicle
  • Diesel vehicle weighing less than 8500 lbs

Vehicle owners can check to see if their vehicle requires testing by checking the Oregon DEQ’s VIP Boundary Address Matching Tool.

Smog Check Exemptions for Oregon Drivers

If a vehicle registered in Portland or Medford falls under one of the following categories, vehicle owners are not required to get the vehicle to pass a smog check.

  • Motorcycles
  • Mopeds
  • *New vehicles made in the past 4 model years
  • All-terrain vehicles (ATVs)
  • Golf carts
  • Tractors
  • Diesel vehicles weighing more than 8,501 lbs
  • Vehicles made in the 1975 model year or earlier in Portland, or vehicles over 20 years old in Medford

Vehicle owners with exempt vehicles must fill out and submit a Declaration of Exemptions: DEQ’s Vehicle Inspection Program (Form 735-1400). Call the Oregon DEQ at  (971) 673-1630 or toll-free at (877) 476-0583 for further guidance and information.

*Vehicle owners registering new vehicles made in the past 4 model years can go online to register at http://www.oregondmv.com/online.

Smog Check Fees

The fee for a smog check in Portland is $21, and $10 in Medford. Be aware that fees for  Emissions testing and vehicle registration are not combined. The Oregon DEQ will take payment for both.

The Oregon DEQ takes the following forms of payment:

  • Cash
  • Money orders
  • Debt and credit cards (VISA, MasterCard, and Discover)

Performing Emissions Testing in Oregon

The Oregon DMV mails inspection notices stating when a vehicle must have its vehicle emissions test completed. Once a vehicle owner receives a testing notice in the mail, they must drive the vehicle to a testing location before the stated testing due date passes on the testing notice. Bring the following to the testing facility:

  • A registration renewal form signed by the owner. Sections 1 and 2 on the form must both be completed
  • The testing fee

The Oregon DEQ administers the following testing methods during the testing process:

Vehicle owners will receive a valid smog check certificate once their vehicle passes a vehicle emissions test. The emissions test certificate stays valid for 180 days. Once a vehicle owner uses the certificate to obtain their vehicle registration, a vehicle will not require another inspection for 2 years. Vehicles out-of-state during the time of their registration renewal and emissions test must call the Oregon DEQ at (877)476-0583

Failed Smog Inspections – Next Steps

If a vehicle does not pass its smog inspection, the vehicle owner must get the emissions-related repairs needed for the vehicle to pass a reinspection fixed and then get the vehicle reinspected. The first reinspection is free. Vehicle owners will receive a Vehicle Inspection Report (VIR) detailing the issues a certified mechanic must address for the vehicle to pass the reinspection after not passing the first inspection. Vehicle owners may use a repair shop recognized by the Oregon DEQ or choose their own repair shop to take their vehicle to get repaired.

Vehicle owners can apply for a 21-day trip permit to be able to still legally drive the vehicle if they are in the process of getting the vehicle repaired and reinspected, and their registration has expired. The 21-day trip permit is $30.

Low Income? Try Oregon’s Clean Air Partners Program

The State of Oregon does not offer any direct financial assistance to help low-income drivers pay for required emissions-related repairs so their vehicles can comply with Oregon’s emissions test requirements.

However, a partnership between the Oregon DEQ, The United Way, and The Ron Tonkin Family of Dealerships called the Clean Air Partners Program provides financial assistance to eligible low-income residents in the Portland area in order to meet Oregon’s vehicle emissions requirements. Vehicles must fall into all 3 categories to qualify for the program:

  • Have a 1996 model year or newer
  • Have failed an On-Board Diagnostic (OBDII) Test
  • Only need a minor repair to pass a retest

Moved to Oregon – Smog Check Requirements

New residents moving to Oregon have 30 days to register their vehicle. If a new resident registers a vehicle in the cities of either Portland or Medford, then they must get their vehicle to pass a smog check, and also get a Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) inspection. The cost of the VIN inspection is $7. The inspection can be administered at a DMV location if:

  • The vehicle owner resides outside of either the Portland or Medford areas
  • The vehicles do not have to pass an emissions test
  • The vehicle has a salvaged titled, deemed a reconstructed vehicle, or if the vehicle is out of the country

Or, the inspection can be administered at an Oregon DEQ testing station.

Do Sellers Give Buyers a Valid Smog Certificate?

Dealerships must get all non-exempt used vehicles tested before they can be purchased. The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality administers a Mobile On-Site Testing (M.O.S.T.) program for all vehicles made in the 1996 model year or later getting sold by dealers.

Special Tips to Pass the Oregon Emissions Test

Oregon vehicle owners may want to get their vehicles tested as soon as they receive their first testing notice. Allow extra time to get any needed repairs done before the vehicle’s registration expires. Also, if a vehicle owner plans to be out of town during the date when their registration expires, planning early will give owners time to meet the deadline. Here are some tips to keep in mind to ensure passing an Oregon vehicle emissions test:

  • Make sure the vehicle does not have its “Check Engine” light on; If it does, it will not pass the test. To fix, check to make sure the gas cap is on tight and is not broken. Keep the sealing surfaces in the cap clean so it can make a good seal.  If it is not, tighten it and drive around to see if the light goes off.  
  • Follow the vehicle’s recommended maintenance schedule. Many of the mechanical issues that cause vehicles to fail their tests can be addressed during a routine check-up
  • If your vehicle is a make and model year when catalytic converters came standard on the vehicle, make sure your vehicle has one and is not malfunctioning; If it does not have one or it is not working, it will not pass the test
  • Allow your vehicle to run for at least 10 minutes before it takes a test to ensure an accurate reading
  • Research your vehicle manufacturer’s recalls Technical Service Bulletins (TSBs), and warranties before getting any repairs done. The cost of their repair may be covered by the manufacturer.
  • If your vehicle’s On-Board Diagnostic (OBDII) system is showing trouble codes, make sure to get them fixed by a certified emissions mechanic. Do not just try to clear the codes.Test personnel will know and the vehicle will not pass inspection.
  • If your vehicle is misfiring when it is idling, make sure to get this addressed before taking the test
  • If a vehicle’s battery is brand new, drive the vehicle for a couple of days before taking it to get an On-Board Diagnostics test so as to allow the OBD system to reset
  • Make sure the vehicle’s oil is not dirty. Get the oil changed on a routine basis
  • Maintain the recommended air pressure in your vehicle’s tires
  • Inspect your vehicle’s hoses and belts for wear. Get them replaced if necessary
  • Get any mechanical issues with your vehicle’s transmission address and fixed. Transmissions problems can affect your vehicle’s emissions and cause your vehicle to fail its test.
  • If your motor vehicle’s emissions system has a mechanical issue, check your manufacturer’s warranty. Federal law states emissions systems on vehicles made in the 1995 and newer model years must have their emissions systems warrantied for two years or 24,000 miles. 
  • If the OBDII diagnostic system or catalytic converter on your vehicle made in the 1995 model year or newer has a mechanical issue, check your vehicle’s manufacturer’s warranty also. Federal regulation states these vehicles must have a warranty on their OBDII and catalytic converters for eight years or 80,000 miles.

Find Smog Check Stations Near Me

To stay in compliance with the State of Oregon’s smog check requirements, Oregon-registered drivers must get their vehicles to pass a vehicle emissions test if they live in the Portland or Medford areas. Check out our DMV & Emissions Testing Locations in Oregon pages below to find a DMV office or testing location in your area.

Smog Check Stations in Portland, Oregon

The City of Portland, in Multnomah County, Oregon, has a population of 640,000. Oregon-registered drivers with vehicles that require testing and living in Portland must get their vehicles to pass a smog check. Check out our DMV & Emissions Testing Locations in Portland, Oregon page to find a DMV office or testing location in your area.

Smog Check Stations in Medford, Oregon

The City of Medford, in Jackson County, Oregon, has a population of 82,000. Oregon-registered drivers with vehicles that require testing and living in Medford must get their vehicles to pass a smog check. Check out our DMV & Emissions Testing Location in Medford, Oregon page to find a DMV office or testing location in your area.

Auto Insurance

Getting car insurance is one of the requirements that vehicle owners need to fulfill in order to register and claim the title for their vehicles in the Department of Motor Vehicles. Vehicle insurance companies in the United States offer full auto insurance and liability coverage that protects the drivers in case of a traffic accident.

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