Smog, or ground-level ozone, is a problem throughout the country, including in Indiana. As a way of reducing this harmful pollutant, the state developed the Clean Air Car Check program to help ensure that your vehicle's emission controls are working efficiently. This, in turn, leads to cleaner air.

What Needs to be Tested?

If you're a resident of Clark, Floyd, Lake, or Porter counties, and if you own a passenger vehicle that's at least four years old, you will need to complete an emissions inspection every two years. (However, if your vehicle was made before 1976, you won't need to have it tested.)

Also, light trucks with gross vehicle weights of less than 9,001 pounds need to be tested, too. Recreational vehicles do not need to be tested.

When Does Your Vehicle Need to be Tested?

Your vehicle will need to be tested according to the year it was made. Even-numbered model years will be tested every other even-numbered calendar year; odd-numbered will be tested in odd-numbered years.

Your registration renewal form will also indicate if your vehicle is due to be tested. If your vehicle needs to be tested, you will not be able to renew or receive your registration unless you have proof that your vehicle passed the test, or that it was granted a waiver.

Testing Facilities

You should bring your registration renewal letter with you to a testing facility. There are testing facilities located throughout Indiana. You may take your vehicle to the facility of your choice.

At the facility, your vehicle's hydrocarbon and carbon monoxide emission levels will be measured. The testing is free, and should last about 10 minutes.

Testing Hours

The facilities are open:

• Monday, Wednesday, and Friday: 8 a.m.-5 p.m.

• Tuesday and Thursday: 8 a.m.-7 p.m.

• Saturday: 8 a.m.-1 p.m.

What About Used Cars?

If you've purchased a used car that falls under the testing parameters, you might check to see if it needs to be tested before you attempt to register it. To do so, just call Clean Air Check at (888) 240-1684, or visit a testing facility, and give your vehicle identification number. From that, you will be told if it needs to be tested.

What to Do if Your Vehicle Fails

If your vehicle doesn't pass the test, you will receive a report that details the reason(s) for failure.

You may take your vehicle to any shop make the necessary repairs. However, if you take it to an Indiana Certified Emission Repair Technician (ICERT) facility, it's possible that you will be given a waiver should your vehicle continue to fail the test. You will receive a list of ICERT facilities at the testing facility.

Once you've had your vehicle repaired, make sure to have the inspection report signed and completed by the technician who worked on your vehicle. Then, take it back to the testing facility for retesting.

Waivers

If your vehicle still fails the emission test, more repair work might need to be done. Under certain circumstances, a one-time waiver might be granted, which will allow you to renew or receive your registration.

You should note that the waiver is only good once; the next time your vehicle is due for testing, it will need to pass.

You may apply for a waiver if all of the following apply:

• The vehicle has failed at least two tests.

• All emissions control equipment is intact and visually operational.

• Repairs made to your vehicle are connected with the emissions problems that caused your vehicle to fail the test.

• For vehicles made between 1976 and 1980, at least $75 has been spent on emission-related repairs.

• For vehicles made between 1981 and 1995 that are registered in Clark and Floyd counties, at least $200 has been spent on repairs performed by an Indiana Certified Emissions Repair Technician. The total is at least $450 in Lake and Porter counties.

Make sure to bring all repair receipts to the testing facility.

Vehicles made after 1995 will not be granted a waiver. Instead, they will simply have to pass the test.

Registration Renewals

Motorists may now renew their vehicle registrations at the Crown Point, Griffith, and Valparaiso sites, allowing drivers to take care of their testing and renewal requirements in one location. Site personnel will even attach license plates and stickers upon request.

Eventually, all emission sites are expected to offer this service.

Additional Information

For more information, you might call the Clean Air Car Check at (888) 240-1684. Or visit the emissions testing program Frequently Asked Questions page of the Indiana Department of Environmental Management.

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