General emissions inspection requirements and information

Check the registration renewal postcard that your county clerk mails to you about a month before your vehicle’s registration renewal is due.
- If “EMISSIONS TEST REQUIRED” appears on the card, then you'll need to take your vehicle to an Air Care Colorado inspection station.

New vehicles are exempt from inspection for the first seven model years.
- A 2011 vehicle, for example, doesn't need an inspection until 2018.
Vehicles 8 through 11 years old will be inspected using onboard diagnostics (OBD).
- If the “Check Engine” light is turned on, these vehicles will fail the inspection and need repairs.
- Making repairs improves vehicle performance, extends vehicle life and saves money.
- Learn more at EPA or National OBD Clearinghouse.
Vehicles manufactured beginning in 1982 that are at least 12 years old will be inspected using the “I/M 240” dynamometer (treadmill) test.
- In 2016, this requirement applies to model year 1982 through 2005 vehicles and so on.
- A check engine light on a vehicle at least 12 years old may still pass if the I/M 240 test can be run and the car can pass the test. An advisory may be issued.

Vehicles manufactured in 1981 and older will be inspected using a two-speed idle test.
Hybrid vehicles 8 years and older will be inspected using onboard diagnostics (OBD).
- As with all vehicles inspected, hybrids will also have their gas caps checked, and no visible smoke is allowed.
Most inspection stations now have at least two lanes dedicated to inspecting all-wheel-drive vehicles to accommodate the large number of these vehicles.
RapidScreen roadside tests remain an important part of the program,allowing exceptionally clean vehicles to skip a trip to an inspection station.
- Owners of eligible vehicles will see “PASSED ROADSIDE EMISSIONS” on their registration renewal cards, and they won't need to go to an inspection station.
- Current RapidScreen locations are posted on the Air Care Colorado website.

Air Care Colorado inspection stations accept cash, checks, Visa, MasterCard and Discover.
Diesel-powered vehicles are inspected through a different program.
- Diesel emissions information.

For more information,contact Air Care Colorado: