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Emissions Testing

Take your vehicle to one of the official vehicle emissions inspection stations, and bring your title and/or vehicle registration documentation. You can have your vehicle tested at any testing station regardless of where your vehicle is registered.

Fees are $10.00 cash, credit and debit cards. No bills larger than $20 accepted.

Once your vehicle has satisfied the test requirements, you can renew your registration online or in person. You can mail or take your renewal form, your emissions compliance certificate, and the proper fees to the Office of the Rutherford County Clerk.

Emissions tests are valid for 90 days.

Safety Considerations – Your vehicle may not be tested if:

• It has fuel, oil, or coolant leaks

• It has visible smoke It has excessive exhaust leaks

• The idle is not set to factory specifications

• It doesn't have catalytic converter(s)

• The inspector would have to reach more than elbow's length under the vehicle to insert the sampling probe.

Helpful Tip: Always have the vehicles engine warmed to operating condition prior to testing To avoid potential long wait times, avoid testing at the end of the month and on Tuesdays.

New Testing Requirements

Beginning April 1, 2005, two new classes of motor vehicles must pass an emissions test before they can be registered in Davidson, Rutherford, Sumner, Williamson or Wilson Counties.The vehicles subject to testing are:

• Gasoline-powered vehicles 1975 and newer with a gross vehicle weight 10,500 pounds or less; previous limit was 8500 pounds; weight information is located on the vehicle's door jam.

• Diesel-powered vehicles 1975 and newer with a gross vehicle weight 10,500 pounds or less; diesel vehicles were not previously inspected.

While the majority of diesel and gasoline powered vehicles will be subject to testing, electric cars, motorcycles and antiques are among a limited group of exempt vehicles. For more information, please call (615) 399-8995 or visit the web site: www.state.tn.us/environment/apc/vehicle

Light-duty motor vehicles are major sources of air pollution that leads to smog, or ozone. Vehicle inspection programs reduce ozone, a major public health hazard. The Tennessee Air Pollution Control Board's new rules are designed to improve air quality by expanding the testing of motor vehicle emissions in Middle Tennessee.

Inspection stations accept cash only for the $10 test (one of the lowest fees in the nation; the first re-test is free).

Most motorists have easy access to specially designed, high-volume inspection stations within five miles of their home, or along their normal daily commute. The Middle Tennessee vehicle inspection program began in 1985; it eliminated nearly 70,000 tons of pollution from 1996-2002.

If you have any questions or comments please e-mail mvdcountyclerk@rutherfordcountytn.gov.

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