If a vehicle doesn’t pass an emissions test, you’ll get the chance to make repairs and retest—otherwise it cannot be registered with the DMV or legally driven.
If your vehicle fails for a second time, you may qualify for a waiver. This is usually only available in situations where repairs have been attempted, a low-emissions tune-up has been performed, or the cost to repair exceeds a set limit based on the age and zip code of the vehicle.
Sometimes we need a professional to diagnose a mechanical problem. If you find a problem that causes your vehicle to fail the test, just take care of it as soon as possible.