1. Initial Test: $15.00

2. First Retest: $0.00 (Free)

3. Second+ Retests: $15.00

4. Waivers: $0.00 (Free)

Cash: US currency only. No bills over $50.00 will be accepted.

Credit/Debit: Visa/MasterCard credit and debit cards. ATM cards (cards that may only be processed with the use of a PIN/code) are not accepted.

Local Checks:

• Payable to Applus
  
  
• Drafted on a local bank
  
  
• Name must be printed on the check
  
  
• Photo ID required that matches the name and signature on the check.

• Your vehicle oil and coolant levels should be at manufacturer's recommended levels.
  
  
• The tires should be properly inflated.
  
  
• Present your vehicle at normal operating temperature (generally driven at highway speed for a minimum of 15 minutes). If you have to wait in line, keep your engine running.
  
  
• Ensure the vehicle's emission control equipment is present, connected and operating properly.
  
  
• Make sure you have a properly fitting gas cap with no missing seal or seal cracks and breaks.
  
  
• Make sure your check engine light is not lit while the engine is running or the light does not fail to illuminate briefly, when you first turn on your vehicle.

• Bring the required test fee (cash, check or credit/debit card).
  
  
• Verify your vehicle's exhaust has no holes or obvious leaks.
  
  
• Verify your vehicle is not leaking any gasoline, oil, or coolant.
  
  
• Verify the vehicle's gas cap is present.
  
  
• Verify the tires are not under inflated or badly worn.
  
  
• Verify Check Engine, Brake, Oil, Etc. dash lights are not illuminated.
  
  
• Do NOT bring your pets.
  
  
• Do not tow a trailer to the testing station
  
  

• 1996 and newer gasoline vehicles under 8501 pounds Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW).
  
  These vehicles will receive an On-board diagnostic test (OBD II) where the testing station's computer will easily and safely connect to your vehicle's computer to receive either passing or failing (trouble code) information on your vehicle.
  
  
• 1982 and newer gasoline vehicles under 8501 pounds Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) with two-wheel or part-time four wheel drive. These vehicles will receive an Acceleration Simulation Mode (ASM) test.
  
  The vehicle is tested on a dynamometer. All front wheel drive vehicles will be operated by Inspection personnel. Motorists may operate rear wheel drive vehicles on the dynamometer. These vehicles also receive a gas cap test to verify that the gas cap seal is functional.
  
  
• 1982 and newer gasoline vehicles over 8500 pounds Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) or any vehicle with constant 4x4 (all wheel drive) or traction control.
  
  These vehicles will receive a two-speed idle test. The vehicle will not be driven on a dynamometer. The motorist will be instructed to reach required RPM levels while the vehicle idles in park or neutral (depending on the transmission or model-year type of vehicle). These vehicles also receive a gas cap test to verify that the gas cap seal is functional.
  
  
• 1982 and newer diesel vehicles under 8501 pounds Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) with two-wheel or part-time four wheel drive.
  
  These vehicles will receive an opacity test that measures the density (opacity) of exhaust as it exits the vehicle's tailpipe. The vehicle is tested on a dynamometer. All front wheel drive vehicles will be operated by Inspection personnel. Motorists may operate rear wheel drive vehicles on the dynamometer.
  
  
• 1982 and newer diesel vehicles under 8501 pounds Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) with constant 4x4 (all wheel drive) or traction control.
  
  These vehicles will receive an opacity test that measures the density (opacity) of exhaust as it exits the vehicle's tailpipe. The vehicle will not be driven on a dynamometer. The motorist will be instructed to reach required RPM levels while the vehicle idles in park or neutral (depending on the transmission or model-year type of vehicle).
  
  
• 1982 and newer diesel vehicles over 8500 pounds Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW). These vehicles will receive a snap acceleration test.
  
  The vehicle exhaust's density (opacity) will be measured as it exits the vehicle's tailpipe. The vehicle will not be driven on a dynamometer. The motorist will be instructed to reach required RPM levels while the vehicle idles in park or neutral (depending on the transmission or model-year type of vehicle).tested.
  
  

• Keep your vehicle well maintained.
  
  
• Drive less by combining errands, using mass transit and ride sharing whenever possible.
  
  
• Stay off the road on hot summer days, especially on days when you are alerted to ground-level ozone and air quality problems.

We all have to work together, keep up regular emission inspections, and maintain our vehicles for cleaner air, better public health and improved quality of life in the State of Washington. Help keep Washington's air clean now and for our children's future.

DO NOT have your vehicle emission tested in another state. Other states' tests are NOT valid in Washington.

You will need to fill out Ecology Form No. 020-9 (Application for Temporary Exemption from Emission Testing, or "Out of Area" form). You can get this form by:

• downloading it here and printing it: Out-of-Area Form ;
  
• e-mailing the Department of Ecology to request a copy (please allow five business days for response and mailing time); or
  
• contacting a Department of Licensing agent.
  

All the stations can accomodate large vehicles, but the following stations are recommended for vehicles over 30 feet long (Click on the name for directions):

King County:

South Seattle

Pierce County:

Lakewood

Snohomish County

Marysville

Spokane County

East Spokane

West Spokane

If your hybrid vehicle has an Environmental Protection Agency city fuel economy rating of at least 50 miles per gallon, it does not need to be tested. This exemption is the result of a law passed by the 2002 Washington State Legislature.

Hybrid vehicles that do not need tests include the Honda Insight and the Toyota Prius. Currently, the city fuel economy of the Honda Civic Hybrid falls just short of qualifying for this exemption.

Hybrid vehicles (vehicles powered by both electricity and gasoline) have exceptional fuel mileage. They are also more environmentally friendly than traditionally fueled vehicles, emitting far fewer air pollutants that cause health effects and have global warming impacts. More information on hybrid vehicles is available in the annual Fuel Economy Guide at www.fueleconomy.gov

You may perform the repairs yourself, or you may hire someone to do the repairs. However, only diagnosis and repairs performed by an Authorized Emission Specialist can count toward a repair waiver* (see below). An Authorized Emission Specialist (AES) is a professional automotive repair technician who has been specially trained to diagnose and repair vehicles that fail any part of the emission testing process. Shops that employ these emission specialists are familiar with the repair requirements of the Emission Check Program and are equipped to perform repairs on vehicles that fail an emission test.

*Repair waivers: Certain repairs may be too costly for some motorists. In this case, your vehicle could be eligible for a waiver from meeting emission standards. See the back of your emission test report, under "First Test." You MAY be eligible for a waiver if your car has failed a retest and you have spent at least $150 on diagnosis and/or appropriate repairs by an Authorized Emission Specialist .

Click here to find an AES shop in your area

• Get recommendations from friends and family members. Word-of-mouth is often the best advertising for a good technician.

• Try to shop around. Be sure the repair shop is capable of performing the repairs needed.

• Ask if the technician or repair shop has experience working on the make and model of your vehicle.

• Look for certifications like an Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) seal or a shop that is American Automobile Association (AAA) Certified, as well as an Ecology Authorized Emission Specialist. However, remember that certification is not an absolute guarantee of good or honest work.

• Once you have selected a specialist, make sure they show proof of good tanding. Some are no longer with the program, but their names may still be on the list until it is updated.

It might. Find out what is covered under your vehicle warranty or extended service contract. Compare warranties on repair work when shopping around for the best repair shop. Many shops offer a 90-day or 4,000 mile warranty. Get it in writing!

Also, consult the owner's manual. Regularly scheduled maintenance that is done according to the owner's manual helps prevent problems.

What if the repair shop recommends repairs that I don't think are needed?

Get a second diagnosis at another one of Ecology's authorized shops. The costs of the first and second diagnosis can be applied toward a waiver.

Be sure you receive the signed, written cost estimate for the work to be performed. Compare the estimate to the invoice when you pick up the vehicle. Keep both the estimate and the invoice with the vehicle to establish service history. Verify that the parts were replaced and save the old parts for reference.

Keep records of all transactions. If there is a dispute over a repair or charge, try to obtain a fair settlement with the shop manager or owner. They do care about their business.

If you have questions on consumer protection laws related to repair shops, call the Attorney General's Consumer Resource Center: 1-800-551-4636. You may want to request the Attorney General's brochure, "Automotive Repair."

If you have a complaint or want to know the complaint history of a specific business, call your local Better Business Bureau listed in your phone book.

Odometer readings are no longer collected at the test stations or available on our website.

If a vehicle information website has an incorrect odometer reading posted, you will need to contact that website directly and request a correction. For example, requests for a correction on CARFAX should be directed to CARFAX at: http://www.carfax.com/cfm/helpcenter.cfm You may also contact CARFAX via e-mail at carfaxwebsupport@carfax.com, or FAX them at 866-728-6455.

Be sure to go directly to the vehicle information website to correct the odometer reading.

For questions or comments about:

• repairs to your vehicle

• repair shop disputes

• current status of repair shops/mechanics

• waiver information

• engine/emission non-stock issues

• test procedures

• test results

• exhaust systems

• fleet testing -- federal and local agencies

• test tips

. . . please contact the regional office for the county you are inquiring about.

Clark and Pierce Counties

1-800-453-4951 or
e-mail: Southwest Region

King and Snohomish counties

1-800-272-3780 or
e-mail: Northwest Region

Spokane county

509-329-3491 or
e-mail: Eastern Region

For questions or comments about:

• whether you need an emission test

• license number or VIN errors

• inability to receive vehicle tabs on-line

. . . please e-mail: Ecology Headquarters

For questions or comments about:

• emission test station service/personnel

• test station hours or locations

• test fees

. . . please e-mail: Applus+ Technologies

Note: Please allow up to five business days for responses to inquiries.

If you are a person with a speech or hearing impairment,
please call 711 or 1-800-833-6388 for TTY.

Contact The Department Of Ecology