About the Program: Changes & Updates
How the Program Changed on October 1, 2008
Most motorists barely noticed any change other than the program’s new name and look. The inspection fee of $29 remains unchanged. Motorists will still be able to take their vehicles to a neighborhood inspection station.
However, starting on October 1, 2008, the Program was updated in some significant ways:
Most vehicles receive both emissions and safety inspections every year.
The safety inspection has been strengthened. In order to pass a safety inspection:
Aftermarket lights will be rejected if they do not meet U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) or Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) standards.
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Air bags will be checked. If they are missing, have been deployed, or the air bag malfunction indicator light is illuminated, the vehicle will not pass its safety inspection.
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Rear view mirrors originally equipped on the vehicle must be in good working order. For example, a vehicle manufactured with mirrors on both sides will not pass its safety inspection if one of those mirrors is damaged or missing.
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All windows and glass originally equipped on the vehicle must be in place. Repairs using plastic sheeting will no longer be acceptable.
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License plates must be readable from 60 feet away. If they are damaged, worn or faded, the vehicle will fail inspection.
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Vehicles made in model years 1995 and older no longer receive a tailpipe emissions test, but are checked for visible smoke during their safety inspection.
Emissions testing started for 1997 and newer light-duty diesel vehicles (weighing 8,500 pounds or less) and 2007 and newer medium-duty diesel vehicles (weighing 8,501 to 14,000 pounds), using on-board diagnostics (OBD) computers in these vehicles.
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Beginning again in October 2009, heavy duty diesel trucks, buses and other vehicles weighing 10,000 pounds or more will receive opacity tests that measure the density of the smoke from their tailpipes. These vehicles began to receive opacity tests in 2002, but this testing was suspended during the transition to the new program in October 2008.
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Qualifications for waivers of the emissions standards (available for personal passenger vehicles that cannot pass an emissions re-test) have been adjusted. Waivers may be granted if repair costs exceed $790, $690 or $590, depending on the age of the vehicle. These expense thresholds will be adjusted annually based on changes in the Consumer Price Index. For more information, see the Waivers section. Waivers are not available for safety defects or for commercial vehicles.
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A new economic hardship failure extension is available for motorists facing major repairs of private passenger vehicles that fail their emissions test - such as a transmission replacement or an engine overhaul. The extension will give the motorist a one-time, one-year sticker to continue operating the vehicle while deciding whether to fix or replace it. There are no extensions for safety defects or for commercial vehicles.
Inspections of commercial vehicles are now equivalent to the annual Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) “DOT” inspection. Commercial vehicles receive all required inspections at one time.
Conveniently located Motorist Assistance Centers (MACs) have opened across the state to provide emissions repair guidance to motorists, technical assistance to repair technicians, help with getting vehicles “ready” for testing after emissions repairs, vehicle evaluations for repair waivers and economic hardship extensions, and vehicle testing quality assurance.
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A new toll-free Massachusetts Vehicle Check Motorist Hotline (866-941-6277) can help you find an inspection station and registered emissions repair shop, and can provide advice and referrals when vehicles fail their inspections, as well as other inspection-related information. Hours of operation are 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Saturday, with extended hours (until 8:00 p.m.) on Tuesdays and Thursdays.