Vehicle Emissions Inspection
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VEIP quick links
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Find a testing locationVEIP stations are open Monday, Thursday and Friday 8:30 a.m. - 5 p.m.; Tuesday and Wednesday, 7 a.m. - 7 p.m.; and Saturday 7 a.m. - 1 p.m. Kiosks are open 24/7.
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Learn how to use a VEIP kioskSelf-service VEIP kiosks work with vehicles model year 2005 or newer (under 8,500 lbs) and model year 2008 or newer (less than 14,000 lbs.). Kiosks only accept credit cards. Watch the tutorial to prepare.
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Get your VEIP noticeView and download the emission test notice that the MVA sent you in the mail.
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Request a VEIP extensionRequest additional time to test. Log in to your myMVA account and have your vehicle title number and the current vehicle tag number ready.
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Request a VEIP waiverA waiver eliminates VEIP test requirements for the rest of your vehicle's current test cycle. Waivers are available for eligible out-of-area military, senior citizens, and people with disabilities.
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Request VEIP ExemptionIf eligible, fill out the Certified Statement (EP-009) to request an exemption to permanently eliminate your vehicle from testing. Submit online with ContactMVA, bt mail, or at a VEIP station.
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Find my emissions test dateUse your tag and title numbers to check your test date, or create an account to check quickly and easily anytime.
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Get VEIP inspection station informationCheck inspection station wait times and view your test results by VIN or plate number.
What is the Vehicle Emissions Inspection Program
The Vehicle Emissions Inspection Program (VEIP) helps reduce our air pollution by ensuring Maryland vehicles are operating efficiently.
State law requires eligible vehicles to pass an emissions inspection when notified by the MVA. If you are unable to complete testing on time, you may qualify for extensions, exemptions, and temporary registration options.
Who needs an emissions inspection
Your vehicle must complete an emissions inspection every two years. Your testing schedule depends on your vehicle:
- Used vehicles: Test every 2 years
- New vehicles (2019 or newer, original owner, titled in Maryland and not previously titled in any other jurisdiction): First test will occur 6 years after titling and registration in Maryland, then every 2 years after that
Vehicles registered in the following counties are required to get VEIP inspections: Anne Arundel, Baltimore City, Baltimore, Calvert, Carroll, Cecil, Charles, Frederick, Harford, Howard, Montgomery, Prince George's and Washington.
VEIP notifications
The MVA will notify you by email 8 weeks before your test is due. If your email address is not on file with the MVA, you will be notified via U.S. mail approximately 6 to 8 weeks before your test due date.
How to get an emissions inspection
Choose the option that works best for you:
- VEIP station
- Available business hours only
- An attendant runs the test for you
- Option to pay with cash, MasterCard, VISA, American Express, checks (made payable to VEIP), money orders and traveler's checks
- Self-service VEIP kiosk
- Available 24/7
- Available for vehicles that are model year 2005 or newer (under 8,500 lbs) or model year 2008 or newer (less than 14,000 lbs.)
- Accepts credit card payments only
What to bring
You should bring your:
- Vehicle
- Registration card
- Emissions test notice - this notice is also located in your myMVA account
- Payment for the test fee
Please do not bring pets, snow removal equipment, towed trailers or an overloaded vehicle to your test.
If you need more time
You may be able to request an extension or exemption if:
- Your vehicle is out of state
- Your vehicle is not operable
- You are waiting for parts or repairs
- You are unable to access an emissions testing station before your deadline
If you miss your deadline
Failure to complete emissions requirements by the deadline may result in:
- Inability to renew registration
- Additional fees or penalties
Contact the MVA before your due date if you need help.
If your vehicle doesn't pass
If your vehicle doesn't pass emissions test
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Repair your vehicle
Bring your Vehicle Emissions Inspection Certificate (VEIC) and diagnostic report to your mechanic.
If your vehicle is under warranty, you may want to visit the dealer for repairs. Otherwise, use any mechanic you choose or make the repairs yourself.
Some repair facilities are certified for emissions work and offer approved emissions analyzers, On-Board Diagnostic (OBD) scan tools and trained personnel.
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If eligible, receive a repair waiver
Keep retesting until your vehicle passes or you receive a repair waiver.
To be eligible for the repair waiver, you must have spent at least $450 on emissions-related repairs to your vehicle. Eligible costs include repairs made:
- During the 30 days before your initial test
- On the day of the initial test
- 120 days after the initial test and before your last failed test.
To apply for the repair waiver, complete the repair waiver request on the back side of your vehicle emissions inspection certificate and bring your original invoices, receipts and/or repair orders for the emissions-related repairs to a VEIP station. A station representative will visually inspect your vehicle to verify that all emissions equipment is present and that the repairs you paid for were completed.
Federal and state laws may not allow the costs of repairs to the exhaust system, beyond the catalytic converter, to count toward the expenditure requirement for a repair waiver. Repair waivers are not issued if any emission control devices are disconnected or removed.
If you have not spent at least $450 on repairs at the time of re-testing, your vehicle will need to be repaired again and undergo another test. You will be charged for each additional re-test, after the first re-test which is free.
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Retest at any VEIP station
After your vehicle is repaired you can have it retested at any of the emissions stations located throughout Maryland. The first retest of your vehicle is free.
Vehicle emissions inspection program fees
$30
$30
*Assessed the day after the due date and every four weeks (28 days) thereafter
$26
Frequently asked questions
Vehicle Emissions Inspections FAQ
To prep your vehicle for emissions testing, make sure the oil and coolant levels are at the manufacturer’s recommended levels and the tires are properly inflated.
If the vehicle requires an idle tailpipe test, the vehicle should be driven at normal highway speeds for at least 20 minutes before the test to warm it up. Once you arrive for the test, leave the engine running until instructed by the inspector.
Make sure you have a gas cap that it properly fits.
The following vehicles are exempt from testing:
- 1995 or older under 8500 Gross Vehicle Weight
- Vehicles weighing more than 26,000 pounds gross vehicle weight
- Vehicles powered solely by diesel or electric
- Motorcycle
- Vehicles registered as a farm truck, farm truck tractor or farm area vehicle
- Historic or Antique vehicles
- New vehicles and qualified hybrids for the first 72 months after titling and registration with original ownership
- New vehicles with lease buy out having original lessee are exempt for first 72 months
- Fire apparatus owned or leased by the State of Maryland, a county, municipality, volunteer fire department or rescue squad
- Ambulances currently exempted will remain exempt
- Vehicles registered as a Class N street rod vehicle
- A military vehicle owned by the federal government and used for tactical, combat, or relief operations, or for training for these operations
- Vehicles registered as a Class H school vehicle or Class P passenger bus
Visit the Emissions Inspection Extensions, Exemptions & Waivers page for more information.
All hybrid vehicles (part gasoline and part electric or propane) are required to be inspected.
When you pull into the lane for the test, put the vehicle in "park," and keep the engine running.
- A certified emissions inspector will check the vehicle for leaking fluids, excessive smoke, signs of tampering with the exhaust system, a gas cap, dashboard warning lights, and badly worn tires.
- The test fee of $30 is collected. You can pay cash, VISA, Apple Pay, American Express, and MasterCard, traveler's check, money order, or a personal check made payable to "VEIP".
- At the end of the test the inspector will present you with a vehicle emissions certificate that shows whether your vehicle passed or failed the test and the date of your next test.
- If you do not pass the test, you will be referred to the station representative. The station representative will discuss the results of the testing with you and point out the area(s) on your vehicle's engine or emission control system that should be checked and/or repaired.
There are many reasons why your vehicle may have not passed the test(s). The most common are:
- Hydrocarbon (HC) failure
- Carbon monoxide (CO) failure
- Sample dilution failure
- On-board diagnostic (OBD) failure - PDF - 354.95 KB
- Emission control equipment was removed or altered
- Gas cap failure
You can go to the test station with your vehicle registration card in lieu of the notice.
Your vehicle emission was NOT tested as a part of the Maryland Safety Inspection. Anyone who purchases a used vehicle will receive a VEIP test notice four months after the date of the vehicle's registration. If you have the VEIP certificate from the previous owner you can submit a copy to VEIP to update your record.
Questions? We can help.
Contact us if you have questions or need more information.