Car Inspection in Washington

UPDATE: Washington Ends Vehicle Inspection Program

On January 2, 2020, the state of Washington ended its requirement for vehicle emissions inspections prior to registration and/or renewal. The clean air program begun in 1982 had a projected end date of 2020—as the state has confirmed a significant improvement in air quality, the program is no longer needed.

For more information, head over to the Washington Department of Ecology's announcement.

As of January 2020, Washington State no longer requires its residents to perform vehicle emissions inspection before registering a car or renewing a registration. Even if your vehicle tabs were due for renewal prior to the end of the program, if you still haven't renewed (which means you likely owe late fees!), you don't have to take your car in for inspection before submitting your renewal fee.

If you have questions about Washington's emissions standards and this change in process, contact the vehicle emissions check hotline at: (509) 329-3491

Incentives for Eco-Friendly Driving in Washington

Washington values its air quality and closely monitors the environmental impact of vehicles on its ecosystem. As such, the state could bring back the emissions program if it notices a significant drop in these improvements.

To make sure you're doing your part to keep Washington green, adopt eco-friendly driving habits. Doing so could help you benefit from perks specific to eco-friendly driving—such as tax breaks and auto insurance discounts. For more, head over to our guide on green driver incentives in Washington.

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