Frequently Asked Questions

Self-service kiosks can be found at 18 of the 23 full-service E-Check locations. Click here for more information and locations.

All gasoline and diesel-fueled vehicles, including flexible fuel and hybrid vehicles, equal to or less than 10,000 pounds gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR), 25 years old or newer from the current testing year, and registered within an E-Check county must comply with the E-Check requirement. All even model year vehicles must test in even-numbered years. All odd model year vehicles must test in odd-numbered years.

New vehicles are exempt for the first four model years. For more information, please visit our Need a Test? Website.

Automobiles are a major contributor to ground level ozone. In Ohio, the E-Check program is the most cost-effective method of reducing volatile organic compounds, and maintaining the required air quality. High pollution levels not only affect the future health of Ohioans, but also make it more difficult to draw new business and create jobs in our communities. The E-Check program will help provide a healthy future and a strong economy for Ohioans and their families.

Click here for more information.

The seven Ohio counties currently participating in the program include: Cuyahoga, Geauga, Lake, Lorain, Medina, Portage and Summit.

New Ohio residents to Cuyahoga, Geauga, Lake, Lorain, Medina, Portage or Summit counties:

If moving into an E-Check county, one of the following processes must be followed to register a vehicle in the State of Ohio:

• The owner of the vehicle must go to the title bureau and request the VIN verification inspection only. The owner will pay $6.50 for the inspection.
• After the VIN inspection has been completed, the owner will take the vehicle to an E-Check station for testing. The owner will need to present the VIN Inspection Certificate to receive a free test. If the VIN Inspection Certificate is not presented, one of the following must be presented:
  • Ohio title
  • Ohio memorandum of title
  • Ohio lease agreement with the VIN and your Ohio address listed on it
  • Ohio temporary registration
• After passing the emissions test, the owner of the vehicle should return to the title bureau and obtain an Ohio title. The owner can also obtain the required registration from the registrar.
• Purchase a voucher for $18.00 at the station or from Envirotest Systems. After completing the registration process, the motorist will be eligible for a refund. For more information on the voucher process, click here.
• The owner of the vehicle must obtain a new Ohio driver's license with the updated address. After obtaining the license, take the license, current vehicle registration, and the vehicle to the testing station. After passing the emissions test, the owner of the vehicle will be able to obtain an Ohio title and registration.

Ohio residents moving into an E-Check county must bring one of the following:

• Purchase a voucher from Envirotest for $18. Vouchers may be purchased at the stations or via phone at 1-800-CAR-TEST
• Proceed to the E-Check station and have the vehicle tested. The voucher must be presented at the time of the test.
• After passing the emissions test, the owner can obtain the required registration from the registrar.
• After passing the emissions test, a reimbursement for the cost of the test can be obtained from Envirotest. For refund information, call 1-800-CAR-TEST.
  New temporary registration showing your new address (30-day temporary tag)
• The owner of the vehicle must update their Ohio driver's license with the updated address. After obtaining a new license or postcard from the Ohio BMV with the updated information, take the license or postcard, current vehicle registration, and the vehicle to the testing station. After passing the emissions test, the owner of the vehicle will be able to obtain the required registration.

*Please note that Ohio residents are only required to test if the current year corresponds with your vehicle's normal testing year. The paragraph below will help you determine if your vehicle needs a test.

Testing is required for even year vehicle models in even years and odd year vehicle models in odd years (i.e., a 2002 model year vehicle is required to test in 2012, a 2001 vehicle is not required to test in 2012). If the vehicle is not required to test for registration purposes, proceed to the registration bureau and register as usual.

All diesel-fueled vehicles equaling 10,000 pounds gross vehicle weight rating or less must be tested through the E-Check program if they are registered in one of the seven E-Check counties. Model year 1996 diesel-fueled vehicles are given an idle Snap Opacity test. Any model year 1997 and newer diesel-fueled vehicles will undergo the OBD II test. For more information on OBD II, please see the OBD II FAQ.

An E-Check compliance certificate is good for 365 days, so it is possible to have your vehicle tested up to one year in advance of your registration date. It is often helpful to test early when you know that you will not be in Ohio when it is time to renew. The certificate must be valid through the vehicle registration expiration date.

Any motorist may take a vehicle requiring an emissions test to the testing station. Ohio EPA recommends that the motorist take the vehicle title or registration to ensure a smooth testing process.

Vehicles are required to be tested every two years. Vehicles with an even-number model year will be inspected in even years. For example, a 2000 vehicle will be tested in 2018, 2020, etc. Vehicles with an odd-number model year will be inspected in odd years. For example, a 1993 vehicle will be tested in 2017, 2019, etc. Since the compliance certificate is good for 365 days, we recommend that you have your vehicle tested far in advance of the registration expiration date.

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. Click here to find your vehicle’s emissions testing history.

You will be notified by mail approximately 90 days before your registration expires. The mailer will provide you with station hours, and a phone number to call for more information.

If your car is a 1997 diesel fueled model year, it must be tested at one of the original 23, Full-Service Ohio E-Check testing sites. Only these facilities have the proper equipment to test older cars.  All other new vehicles such as hybrid, gas fueled (1996 and newer) or diesel fueled (1998 and newer) vehicles may test at any of the emissions testing locations. For a complete list of emissions testing stations, and the types of cars that can be tested at each, click below.

Click here for Station Listings

No. Vehicles are tested on a first-come, first-served basis. No appointments are necessary.

If the seller of the vehicle supplies you with a valid E-Check compliance certificate, the vehicle does not need to be tested again. If the vehicle does not have a valid E-Check compliance certificate, you must have the vehicle tested prior to registering the vehicle. If the buyer is unsure whether the vehicle has a valid certificate, please contact 1-800-CAR-TEST with the vehicle identification number. Please note that if the vehicle is within the first four model year exemption period, no test is required.

Yes. Simply mail the emissions test certificate with your renewal notice and registration fee.

The 23 Full-Service stations do not make repairs, but some of the independent stations that conduct emissions testing also offer repairs. However, not all do – so please make sure you inquire at the station. NOTE: If your testing site does offer repairs, you are under no obligation to use their repair services. You may take your vehicle to an automotive service facility of your choice to have necessary repairs made.

In accordance with House Bill (H.B.) 119, a motorist may receive up to 3 free tests within a 365-day period. The fourth test, and all thereafter, the motorist will be charged $18 for the test. Only one free passing test is permitted per 365-day period.

Ohio EPA licenses repair shops and certifies repair technicians within the seven E-Check counties. Technicians are trained and certified in areas of emissions diagnosis and repairs. The technicians must complete a high-quality training program developed by the Training Repair Industry Advisory Group (TRIAG) and Ohio EPA to become Ohio certified E-Check repair technicians. Licensed E-Check repair facilities must employ at least one certified E-Check repair technician and maintain the following equipment:

• Reference Materials
• DVOM or Digital Multi-Meter
• Vacuum Gauge
• Fuel Pressure Test Kit
• Carbon Cleaner System
• 3.5 or 5 Gas Analyzer
• Scan Tool
• Basic Ignition Scope with DIS capabilities

If a vehicle fails the test, the motorist will be given a complete list of all licensed repair stations in the area.

Motorists are eligible to receive a waiver if $300 in emissions repairs are performed on the failing vehicles. For information on the waiver process, please go to our page on​ Waivers, Extensions and Exemptions​​.

Automobile emissions testing is required in all or part of 33 states to help maintain the federal air quality standard. Areas that were in moderate non-attainment or worse for ozone in 1990 are included in Ohio's E-Check program. These areas include the metropolitan statistical areas of Cleveland/Akron. These areas need to reduce ozone air pollution in order to maintain healthy air quality and to accommodate economic growth. E-Check complements industrial controls in these areas to maintain healthy air quality. Without E-Check, additional requirements could be imposed on industry, limiting the area's ability to attract new jobs and broaden the tax base.

Ohio EPA does not have the authority to implement or require testing of vehicles registered outside the seven counties. Ohio's legislators did not give Ohio EPA the authority to implement an automobile emissions testing program in all Ohio counties.

It is true, an automobile manufactured in 2000 runs more cleanly than the new vehicles of 1970. Automobile manufacturers have complied with more stringent emissions standards set by the federal government each year. New emissions devices combined with unleaded fuel have improved auto emissions during the past 27 years; however, manufacturers still have no control over routine maintenance of a vehicle once it leaves a showroom.

From 1970 to 2000, U.S. population increased 35 percent and vehicle miles traveled increased 127 percent. Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles records indicate there were 5,201,307 registrations in 1970 compared to 11,740,513 registrations in 2000. Transportation sources are the most prevalent cause of volatile organic compound emissions which combine with sunlight to create ground level ozone. Auto emissions can have adverse health effects on Ohio citizens.

When the title of a vehicle is transferred and the new owner wishes to register that vehicle, a passing E-Check test may be required for registration. The vehicle then begins being tested biennially based on model year. In some cases, when a motorist purchases a used vehicle, an emissions test may be required in two successive years. For example, if a 2005 vehicle was purchased in 2012, the motorist would be required to provide a passing test certificate to register the vehicle. In 2013, the vehicle would be required to test again based on the odd model year testing schedule. If the passing test certificate from the 2012 test is more than 365 days old at the time of registration, the vehicle will be required to test again. If the test certificate from 2012 is still valid at the time of registration, the vehicle will not have to be tested in 2013.

Many motorists believe that a vehicle which does not emit smoke and has an immaculate paint job is a well-maintained vehicle. Outward appearance of a vehicle is not an accurate indication of how well the vehicle's engine has been or is maintained. The pollutants detected by the E-Check test are odorless, nearly colorless and therefore, undetectable by the naked eye. If a vehicle does not pass the E-Check test, the vehicle is not operating "cleanly" with regard to the harmful emissions. If all emissions repairs are made to a vehicle to bring that vehicle into compliance, the motorist generally experiences an improvement in gas mileage. Proper emissions repairs also lengthen vehicle life.

Regardless of age or mileage, vehicles that are maintained in accordance with manufacturers’ recommendations have a better chance of passing the emissions test. Passing the E-Check test indicates that your vehicle's emissions control system is operating well, polluting less and consuming less gas.