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Vehicle inspection for cars in Arizona

Unlike other states, an actual physical inspection of your vehicle is not required by the state of Arizona as long as the owner can provide proof of ownership in the form of a title and/or registration.

Emissions testing may still be required.

The make of the vehicle, and vehicle identification number (VIN), body style, and some other general vehicle information will need to be provided to the Motor Vehicle Division (MVD).

It should be noted that if there are obvious mechanical or safety problems the registration may be denied until those items are fixed.

The Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) provides a section on its web site about vehicle inspections.

Emissions Testing Locations in Phoenix – Frequently asked questions

So, you’re looking for the best place to get your vehicle inspected for emissions? This little FAQ has been produced by a Phoenix resident who has done it before.

Q: What happens if my car fails?
A: You simply need to take your car to a mechanic, or fix it yourself, and then return for a complimentary test. In most cases, you can ask the attendant to explain why your car failed and they’ll be able to point you in the right direction. If you have to take a third test, you will be required to pay again.

Q: How long does it take?
A: Getting your car emissions tested usually takes less than 10 minutes, not including wait times. You can check webcams of locations online to get a sense for how many cars are ahead of you.

Q: How can I get the best result?
A: While waiting in line, if you leave your vehicle running it can heat up and cause a failure. Less from the heat, and more from the emissions build up due to lack of motion. We recommend revving the engine To avoid over-heating while waiting. Keep the engine running and, while in neutral or park, rev the engine for 15 seconds at a time. Turn off your air conditioner. This is the recommended practice.

Q: Cold engine or hot engine?
A: I have personally experienced taking a car that I just started over to the emissions testing facility… and failed. So, take my advice and drive around for 15 minutes to warm up your vehicle. It will run better and be more likely to pass.

Q: Can I bring a trailer?
A: No, leave your trailer at home.

Q: Can I bring a passenger?
A: They say no, but you can… you are even able to bring your child. The driver will be required to step out of the vehicle for a few minutes, however.

Q: My check engine light is on, will my car still pass?
A: ADEQ recommends that you have your vehicle inspected by a mechanic to determine the reason. They state that “1996 and newer vehicles with on-board diagnostic (OBD) equipment will not pass emissions testing if the check engine light is on.”

Do you have a question? If so, get in touch!

AZ Emissions Testing Cost

Metro Phoenix:

  • 1981 and newer cars and most light trucks (under 8501 lbs.): $27.75
  • Most other vehicles (except heavy duty diesels): $19.00
  • Heavy-duty diesel vehicles (greater than 8,500 pounds gross vehicle weight): $28.00

Metro Tucson:

  • All vehicles: $12.25

Payment Method:

  • Credit/Debit cards (Visa or MasterCard only) may now be used for vehicle emission inspection.
  • Cash and personal checks are accepted at inspection stations.

Checks must be:

  • Drawn on an Arizona bank or branch
  • Imprinted with customer’s name and physical Arizona address (no P.O. Boxes)
  • Payable to Arizona Department of Environmental Quality
  • No third party checks
  • Provide valid driver’s license, bank guarantee card or other photo ID when paying with check
  • No refunds

You should always ensure you actually need to get your vehicle tested before actually going. If your registration renewal notice included the words “Emissions Test Required”, then you are required to get your emissions tested.

AZ Emissions Testing Locations and Hours

You should know that all AZ emission testing locations have the same hours, and are open all week excluding Sunday.

All inspection stations are open:
Monday – Saturday 8am – 5pm

Tip: Testing is faster mid-week, mid-month, weekdays from 5-7pm and on Saturday afternoons.

CLOSED: New Year’s Day, Memorial Day, July 4, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, and Christmas Day.

You can see a webcam of the location you are considering to help you determine if there is a long wait.

Motorcycle Emissions Testing in Phoenix

Emissions testing of motorcycles is not required in Arizona. This is fantastic news for motorcycle riders! As of June 21, 2013 motorcycles are no longer required to receive emissions testing (in Metro Phoenix). Tucson residents haven’t needed to get emissions testing since 2007. That means motorcycles statewide are exempt from emissions tests. Hooray!

If you want to verify this yourself, or want further information you can contact the motor vehicle division at 602-255-0072 or ADEQ at 602-771-3954 or read it here yourself.

Motorcycle Exemption Law: Arizona Revised Statutes (ARS) 49-542(J)(2)(l) exempts motorcycles from the emissions test. The law became effective in Tucson in 2007 and in Phoenix on June 21, 2013.

Did you know that you can see any vehicles test history? To do so, you’ll need the VIN for any car that has previously been tested. Enter that code on this web page and you’ll be shown the test history. Did you know, the state also has a web site where you can enter a VIN to see if that car is reported stolen.

Find out wait times: Lastly, if you are still needing to get a vehicle emissions tested. You can find the wait times at emissions testing locations online. You can even see webcams from each location to get an idea of the number of cars ahead of you.

Apache Junction now has its own vehicle emission testing facility

This location performs smog emissions inspections on eligible vehicles registered in Maricopa County. It is located just north of Baseline Rd. and just east of Winchester Rd.

Vehicle Emissions Inspection Station – Apache Junction
565 E 38th Ave
Apache Junction, AZ 85119-7305

(Click here for a map)

This location is not as large as some of the car emission testing locations in Phoenix, but it does have three dedicated lanes. For this reason, you should avoid busy times (see our other pages on this web site for additional details). Wait times can be long.

Officials estimate this location can handle 80,000 vehicle inspections per year.

If you are in Mesa, Gilbert, Queen Creek, San Tan Valley, Gold Canyon, or Eloy this emissions testing location might be the closest to your home. The opening was on January 2, 2009.

Are you looking for a more complete list of locations? Check out this list of Phoenix Emissions Testing Locations to begin.

Scottsdale Emissions Testing Locations

The best location in Scottsdale is in the Scottsdale Airpark on Evans.

8448 E. Evans
Scottsdale, AZ 85260

This location has the same hours as the other locations, which are Monday – Friday from 8am – 5pm, and Saturday from 8am – 5pm.

Emission testing is often faster mid-week, and in the middle-of-the-month, as well as weekdays after work from 5-7pm. Believe it or not, you can also usually get in and out quickly on Saturday afternoons.

Closed: New Year’s Day, Memorial Day, July 4, Labor Day, Thanksgiving,
Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Pretty much what you would expect.

Phoenix Emissions Testing Locations

Metro Phoenix Area Emissions Testing Locations

(click on an address for map)

1520 E. Riverview Dr.
Phoenix, AZ 85036

5850 W. Beverly Ln.
Glendale, AZ 85306

4949 E. Madison
Phoenix, AZ 85034

7140 N. 110th Ave.
Glendale, AZ 85307

1851 W. 1st Ave.
Mesa, AZ 85202

10210 N. 23rd Ave.
Phoenix, AZ 85021

4442 E. Ivy St.
Mesa, AZ 85205

5302 W. Roosevelt
Phoenix, AZ 85043

20 N. Beck Ave.
Chandler, AZ 85226

8448 E. Evans
Scottsdale, AZ 85260

13425 W. Westgate Dr.
Surprise, AZ 85374

2360 S. Airport Blvd.
Chandler, AZ 85286

501 W Deer Valley Rd
Phoenix, AZ 85027

16140 W Eddie Albert Way
Goodyear, AZ 85338

565 E 38th Ave
Apache Junction, AZ 85119

Arizona Emissions

Believe it or not, one of the best times to get your vehicle emissions tested is on Saturday afternoons. You’d think that Saturday afternoon would be when everybody is crossing off items from their to-do list, but you’d be mistaken. Take our advice and get your emissions test done on a Saturday.

The fees for emissions testing in Phoenix vary depending on when your car was made, and the type. For most vehicles 1981 or newer the fee is $27.75 and for most other vehicles (except for heavy-duty-diesels) is $19.00. The exception is that heavy-duty diesel vehicle emissions testing is $28.00 (for 8,500 lbs or more). Vehicles in the Tucson area have it easy! For you, the emissions testing is only $12.25.

You’re in luck! You can pay with any credit card, including American Express. So you can take that Costco card you always use.

Concerned about waiting in line? These are the recommended times to go:

  • Monday-Friday from 5-7pm
  • Saturday 2-5pm
  • Mid-month

All locations have the same hours, which are:

  • Monday-Friday from 8am-7pm
  • Saturday from 8am-5pm
  • Closed on New Year’s Day, Memorial Day, July 4, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, and Christmas Day

This web site is not affiliated with ADEQ or MyAZCar.com.