See the News and Updates to the right for current full service station volume. This information will be updated hourly.

E-Check Requirement Deadline has Arrived

Please read below for details

All COVID-19 extensions for the renewal of vehicle registrations and the vehicle emission testing requirements have ended. This has resulted in a higher test volume than normal, which may result in longer lines for testing.  The motorists with multi-year vehicle registrations that recently received a 10-day suspension letter from the Ohio BMV, the BMV is in the process of mailing in the next few days a follow-up letter to provide more time for E-Check requirements. This applies ONLY to motorists with multi-year registrations who were required to get the test by July 1, 2021 or Aug. 1, 2021. Please see the content of that letter to the right in the News and Updates section.

The full service stations are open Monday through Friday 8 a.m.-6 p.m., Saturday 8 a.m.-1 p.m. All service E-Check stations have implemented safety procedures to minimize the risk concerning COVID-19. The inspectors will be wearing masks and gloves. The inspection process has been modified to allow for social distancing and enhanced sanitation. Customers are requested to follow the inspector’s instructions as the motorist will drive the vehicle through the testing lane and will exit the vehicle briefly during the test. You may view the modified procedure and the PPE the inspectors are wearing at:

To view an outline of the modified procedures please Click Here.

For Motorists

Ohio BMV provided an automatic six-month extension for the emission test for motorists with registrations with expiration dates of February through July so that motorists can renew their vehicle’s registration without a passing E-Check certificate. If motorists obtain their vehicle registration with this extension, the vehicle will still need to be tested within 6 months or the vehicle’s registration will be blocked next year for annual registrations and registration suspensions will be initiated for multi-year registrations.

For Motorists Visiting the Test Station

 In light of the COVID-19 pandemic and to minimize the number of people in the facility, motorists should come alone if possible. If you feel ill, please do not come in for the E-Check test. You can ask or have a relative, or friend, to bring your vehicle in to have it tested.

IMPORTANT! IT IS NOT NECESSARY TO TEST YOUR VEHICLE IN THE SAME COUNTY THAT IT IS REGISTERED.

How Do Self-Service Kiosks Work?

Get an E-Check at your convenience with one of our 16 self-service kiosks. These easy-to-use kiosks walk you through the simple step-by-step process of testing your own vehicle. Once testing is complete, the kiosk will print a vehicle inspection report that can be used for vehicle registration or plate transfer. Learn more and to see a list of kiosk locations that are open. 

How Does RapidScreen Work?

The new RapidScreen vans travel throughout Northeast Ohio and can scan your car as you drive by to diagnose your exhaust system. If your vehicle is really clean and has passed RapidScreen’s emissions qualifications, you’ll receive a notification in the mail. This is available for about 5% of vehicles that are really clean. For the few vehicles that pass this, they will not be required to go to an emissions testing facility.

Did you know that you can get your vehicle tested up to 365 days prior to the registration renewal date? Vehicles that should test well ahead of their registration expiration date are:

  • Those who winter outside of Ohio. Test before leaving for the winter season.
  • College students attending a school in Ohio that is not located in a testing county.
  • Vehicles that may need repairs or have a Service Engine Soon light on. Test early to allow plenty of time for repairs before your registration is due.
 

Find a Vehicle’s Emissions Testing History

Motorists can now check a vehicle’s history of all E-Check tests for which there is electronic data available. To retrieve your vehicle’s history, you will need your VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) located on your registration or title.

This feature will allow you to check a vehicle’s test history. If you are thinking of purchasing a vehicle, this can be valuable information.

In the case of failed tests, you may see the diagnostic trouble codes for which it failed. Do not call Ohio EPA or Ohio E-Check and ask for an explanation of the codes because we do not have the staff and are not trained to provide that information. You can go to a mechanic and/or try these links:

OBD Frequently Asked Questions 

OBD DTC Reference List for Emission Repairs  

 

My Vehicle History

View Vehicle Test History  

You must have the VIN to access this data.

For further information contact 1-800-CAR-TEST.

E-Check at a Glance

E-Check is a vital part of Ohio’s comprehensive air quality plan to reduce motor vehicle pollutants and enrich the quality of life for the region’s residents.

Why E-Check Works:

Motor vehicles are the single greatest source of smog-causing pollution in Northeast Ohio—greater than all of Ohio’s steel mills, chemical and power plants combined.
E-Check removes more than 74 tons of harmful vehicle emissions from the region’s air every single day—helping improve air quality, protect public health, safeguard the environment and support economic growth.
Air pollutants from motor vehicles are linked to serious health problems including asthma, cancer and heart and lung disease. Children, seniors and pregnant women are particularly vulnerable.
Changing the current E-Check system to dilute or eliminate its effectiveness would jeopardize the health of our environment, citizens and economy. Without the air quality benefits of E-Check, the harm to our air would be the equivalent of adding 400,000 cars to our roadways, or 15 new factories.
If Ohio does not comply with increasingly demanding federal Clean Air Act mandates, we risk severe penalties including limits on construction grants, industrial expansion, job growth and the elimination of millions in federal highway funds.