Illinois law requires emissions testing every two years in its most populous counties. With some exceptions, vehicles that are more than four years old but built after 1996 must pass emissions testing to have their registration renewed.
Whether your vehicle is required to get an emissions inspection in Illinois depends heavily on your zip code.
Most passenger vehicles that are a 1996 model year or newer and at least four years old require an emissions inspection every two years.
If your vehicle requires an emissions test, it will need to pass before you can renew your vehicle registration.
Illinois emissions testing regulations
Not all states have laws governing emissions testing, but Illinois does. To meet the
throughout the state, the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) sets emissions test requirements for vehicles in counties that fail to meet these standards.
Most counties are exempt from smog testing requirements as the required zip codes tend to be in metropolitan areas
Certain types of vehicles are also exempt from testing
Which Illinois counties require emissions testing?
Since the Illinois vehicle emissions testing program focuses on counties that fail to meet Clean Air Act air quality standards, the list gets a little complicated. Let’s start with the counties in which every zip code requires smog testing.
If you live in one of these counties, your vehicle will require emissions testing:
Cook
Dupage
Lake
There are a handful of counties where most vehicles require emissions testing unless they are registered under certain zip codes.
If you live in one of the following counties, you can check the list of exempted zip codes
If you’re an Illinois resident in one of the counties not mentioned: Your vehicle does not need to be tested.
Which cars need emissions testing in Illinois?
If you live in one of the areas that’s subject to Illinois vehicle emissions testing requirements, your vehicle most likely requires testing.
In general, all gasoline-powered passenger vehicles require emissions testing every two years if they are:
A 1996 or newer model year
More than four years old
A passed emissions test is also necessary if you’re transferring ownership: If you buy your car from a dealer, the dealership is required to provide a valid emissions check. If you are buying from a private seller, though, you will have 20 days to register your vehicle, and once it is registered you will receive a test notice in the mail.
Exemptions from Illinois emissions testing
There is a pretty hefty list of vehicles that are exempt from Illinois’ emissions testing requirements.
If your vehicle falls into one of the categories below, you won’t need to get it tested:
Motorcycles, mopeds, and motorized bicycles
Vehicles made in 1995 or earlier that are compliant with the February 1, 2007 Illinois Vehicle Emissions Inspection Law.
Street rods
Diesel-powered vehicles
Fully electric vehicles
Vehicles only used in parades or other ceremonies
Designated farm equipment
Vehicles registered in another state that have already passed their state’s emissions check
Vehicles used in amateur or professional sports
Antique vehicles
Vehicles with a junk title issued by the Illinois Secretary of State
Vehicles made in the 2006 model year weighing between 8,501 and 14,000 lbs
Vehicles weighing more than 14,000 lbs
How does Illinois emissions testing work?
If you have received a test notice, or if you are within four months of renewing your registration, here’s what you’ll need to do to get tested:
Locate a testing station: There are emissions testing locations all over the state. You can use this
Bring your car in for an inspection: Inspections are usually pretty quick, typically only taking a few minutes (though, of course, wait times can affect this).
Pay the fee at the testing center: It typically costs $20 for an emissions check in Illinois.
Types of emissions tests in Illinois
The 2007 update to the Illinois emission inspection laws simplified the emissions testing procedure.
Most testing sites now use an on-board diagnostics (OBD) inspection
Smog checks usually start with a basic inspection to ensure that your car is safe to inspect and a quick check of your dashboard lights and gas cap
The tester will use an OBD-II reader to see if there are any flagged issues with emissions-related components
Here are the main components that undergo testing:
Catalytic converter
Exhaust gas recirculation valve
Positive crankcase ventilation system
Air injection system
Evaporative emissions control
Fuel inlet restrictor
Thermostatic air cleaner
For any vehicles older than 1995 that are getting tested, Illinois law also requires that the inspection includes a check to ensure the gas cap seals properly.
What happens if you fail emissions testing in Illinois?
If any issues are discovered, your car will fail the emissions test. You will then need to make all required repairs to pass another test.
You can be fined up to $250 if you are caught driving with a car that hasn’t passed emissions testing
You won’t be able to renew your registration without a passed smog test
If you complete a bunch of repairs and your car still fails, then you might be eligible for a repair waiver. To apply for a repair waiver, the vehicle must have had the maximum number of repairs allowed under the vehicle’s emissions performance warranty.
Illinois Hardship Waivers are available for individuals who cannot afford the repairs needed for cars to pass the emissions test. This is a waiver designed to help low-income residents by giving them a one-year waiver to extend the due date for their smog test. You can apply for the hardship extension through the
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