Vehicle Emissions Inspection & Maintenance (I/M): General Information for Motorists
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Vehicle inspection and maintenance programs help improve air quality by identifying cars and trucks with high emissions and that may need repairs. Owners or operators of vehicles with high emissions are notified to make any repairs so that emissions are within legal limits. The 1990 Amendments to the Clean Air Act established I/M requirements for several areas across the country. This page contains general information of interest to motorists subject to I/M.
General Information
- Overview of Vehicle Inspection and Maintenance Programs (pdf) (157 KB, October 2021, EPA-420-F-21-067)
This document provides information on I/M programs such as where I/M programs are required and an overview of I/M testing. - Overview of Vehicle Repair and Replacement Assistance Programs (pdf) (225 KB, May 2023, EPA-420-F-23-013)
This document explores how some state and local I/M programs include provisions for vehicle repair or replacement assistance programs for low-income motorists.
Vehicle Warranty and Repair Information
- Fact Sheet: Emission warranties for 1995 and newer light-duty cars and trucks under 8,500 pounds gross vehicle weight rating (pdf) (569 KB, October 2015, EPA-420-F-15-035)
- Fact Sheet: If Your Car Just Failed An Emissions Test... You May Be Entitled To Free Repairs (pdf) (24.8 KB, December 1995, EPA420-F-95-014)
- Parts List for Section 207(a) Emission Design and Defect Warranty (pdf) (24.4 KB, July 1991, EPA420-B-91-001) This document contains a list of vehicle parts that are considered "emission related" for purposes of warranty emission repairs.
State and Local Government I/M Websites
I/M testing is conducted by state and local government agencies. Because I/M programs vary from area to area, please visit the applicable link below for more information on your area’s I/M program including locations of testing sites, testing frequency, vehicles covered, repair waivers, out-of-state vehicles / reciprocity, etc. Note, clicking these links will exit the EPA site.
- Arizona My AZ Car
- California Smog Check Program
- Colorado Motor Vehicle Emissions
- Connecticut Emissions Testing Program
- Delaware Vehicle Inspection and Maintenance
- District of Columbia Vehicle Inspections
- Georgia Clean Air Force
- Illinois Air Team Vehicle Emissions Testing Program
- Indiana Clean Air Car Check
- Louisiana Motor Vehicle Inspection and Maintenance
- Maine Enhanced Vehicle Inspection and Maintenance
- Maryland Vehicle Emissions Inspection Program
- Massachusetts Vehicle Check
- Missouri Gateway Vehicle Inspection Program
- North Carolina I/M Program
- Nevada Clean Air Emission Control Program
- New Hampshire OBD & Safety Testing Program
- New Jersey Inspection and Maintenance
- New Mexico Emission Testing
- New York Motor Vehicle Inspection and Maintenance Programs
- Ohio E-Check
- Oregon Vehicle Inspection
- Pennsylvania Drive Clean
- Rhode Island Vehicle Inspection Program
- Texas Vehicle Inspection and Maintenance Program
- Utah Vehicle Inspections
- Vermont Emissions Inspection and Maintenance
- Virginia Air Check
- Wisconsin Vehicle Inspection Program