Emissions testing

Some counties in Washington State require emissions testing every 2 years. If you live in the following counties, you may need to have your vehicle tested:

• Clark County
• King County
• Pierce County
• Snohomish County
• Spokane County

How to tell if your vehicle needs an emissions test

To see if your vehicle needs an emissions test, check your tab renewal notice or email reminder. If it says “This vehicle must pass a Washington emission inspection,” the vehicle must be tested before you can renew your tabs.

Exempt vehicles

The following types of vehicles are exempt from emission testing requirements:

• Certain hybrid vehicles that have an efficiency rating of at least 50 miles per gallon for city driving.
• 2009 and newer passenger cars, SUVs, vans, and pickup trucks that are certified to California emission standards.

How to get an emissions test

To learn how to get an emissions test, including testing hours and locations, see the Department of Ecology website. You don’t need your renewal notice to get an emissions test.

How to renew your tabs after the test

When your emissions test is complete, the testing station will send us your results electronically. In most cases, our records should show your vehicle passed the emissions test within 2 hours of its completion.

• If you renew your tabs online, you should be able to renew your tabs as soon as the emission results are updated in our records. Please allow a few hours after your vehicle passes the emissions test before renewing your tabs online.
• If you renew at an office, our records should show your vehicle passed the emission test by the time you arrive. However, we recommend bringing along a copy of your test results just in case you arrive at the office before this automated update is complete.

To learn more about renewing your tabs, see How to renew.

Temporary permits for driving to an emissions test

If your tabs expire before you can get an emissions test, either of the following permits will allow you to legally drive your vehicle to a testing station:

• A 2-day transit permit. A transit permit allows you to drive the vehicle from your home to an emissions test station and then to a local vehicle licensing office. There is no fee for a transit permit, but some vehicle licensing offices charge a service fee.
• A 3-day trip permit. Trip permits may be purchased at any vehicle licensing office, and cannot be used for off-road vehicles.