Emission tests are now closer to home

By Ed Nadolski Editor in Chief

State-required vehicle emission tests for vehicle owners will become considerably more convenient as of July 2.

The state Department of Transportation is scrapping its decades-long practice of requiring the tests at a limited number of fixed facilities in favor of a decentralized program that allows the testing to be completed at some local dealerships and repair shops.

That’s a major upgrade in convenience for local residents who were forced to drive considerable distances, often having to wait in line to have their vehicles inspected every other year. Now, they can opt to go to the best auto repair Chantilly VA has to offer if it’s closer!

“The process itself should look very similar to the customer,” said Scott Selbach, supervisor of the inspection program for the DOT. “The biggest plus is convenience for the customers and savings for the state.”

The state requires residents in a seven-county region of Southeast Wisconsin to have their vehicles tested in order to comply with federal clean air standards.

Burlington had a vehicle testing station until 2009 when the state closed it as a cost-saving measure. The contract with the company that currently runs the program, Connecticut-based Envirotest, expires June 30.

The DOT sought new proposals for the coming five years and eventually selected Systech International of Utah to administer the program. Following the trend of other states with vehicle inspection programs, Systech will now subcontract the tests to private shops and dealerships in Wisconsin.

Selbach said 33 states currently have some testing requirement and 24 of them have decentralized or hybrid systems that make use of private repair shops.

Vehicle owners will see little change in the process, according to Selbach. They will be able to stop in at one of the testing sites without an appointment and have their vehicle tested while they wait.

However, the biggest benefit, according to Selbach, is that as of July 2 residents may have their vehicles tested in conjunction with a regular vehicle maintenance appointment as long as they visit a testing site no more than 180 days before their required inspection deadline.

“By having multiple locations in the Burlington area, the convenience factor is huge (compared to the current process),” Selbach said.

There is no fee for the emissions test under the new program and Systech will provide each testing site with required equipment and reimburse them $2 for each test.

If a vehicle fails the test, owners have the option of having it repaired at a testing site or at any of the state-registered repair facilities throughout the area. Thorough maintenance (through a reliable service provider such as a Lynchburg auto repair shop) of the vehicle becomes an important aspect of owning a car, and especially if it is an older vehicle. Emission tests, therefore, could prove to be an integral aspect of an emission test at the repair facilities. However, Selbach stressed there is no requirement to have the vehicle repaired at the testing site.

Once emission system repairs are complete, vehicle owners can have up to two subsequent follow-up tests without charge. It is also important for vehicle owners, especially car owners, to ensure that their cars are in tip-top shape in order to function well. You could take advantage of a car washing service such as those offered by Soap Opera Mobile Detail to accomplish this.

The new program will save the state nearly $600,000 over the centralized program mainly due to the fact there is no longer a cost for fixed facilities and employees to staff them. Envirotest will lay off about 60 employees as a result of losing the testing contract.

For additional information on the state’s vehicle inspection program, including a full listing of testing sites and approved repair facilities, visit www.wisconsinvip.org.

The following is a list of area dealerships and repair shops that will provide emission-testing services under contract with the state. In addition, there are 12 locations in Racine and 14 in Kenosha. If you think that your vehicle needs testing but you don’t live in the area of Kenosha, try and find an emission testing service local to you. For example, if you live in Arvada, search for emissions testing Arvada and get your vehicle booked in. The important thing is that your vehicle is being tested!

Bristol

• Honda of Kenosha, 12180 77th St., (262) 891-6500.

• Girards Service of Franklin, W. Rawson Ave., (414) 421-6202.

Salem Auto

• Hartnell Chevrolet, 7800 Antioch Road, (262) 843-2361;

Salem Auto, 8515 Antioch Road, (262) 843-3636.

Silver Lake

• Silver Lake Auto Service, Inc. 551 N. Cogswell Drive, (262) 89-4912.

Wilmot

• Wilmot Auto, 11307 Fox River Road, 262) 862-6300.

There are four locations in Burlington and 14 in the City of Kenosha. For all locations log on to the Wisconsin Vehicle Inspection Program website, at www.wisconsinvip.org/WivipPublic/Default.aspx.


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