Unless exempt, all model year 1967 and newer vehicles registered in Metro Phoenix or Metro Tucson are subject to an emissions test (annually or biennially, depending on the vehicle type, model year, fuel type, and gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR).

• Vehicles requiring an emissions test must pass the test or receive a waiver to ensure their registration is not suspended
• Vehicles registered outside of Metro Phoenix or Metro Tucson that are used to commute to the driver’s principle place of employment within the metro areas are required to pass an emissions test or receive a waiver
• Vehicles owned by the United States (U.S.) government, state, or political subdivision that are domiciled in Arizona for more than 90 consecutive days must comply with emissions test requirements. ADEQ will issue a government entity compliance sticker to qualifying vehicles
• Vehicles can be tested for registration purposes no more than 90 days before their registration expiration date. Motorists can voluntarily have their vehicles tested at any time; however, a test or waiver dated more than 90 days before the registration expiration cannot be used to register the vehicle

Alternative Fuel Vehicle

Alternative Fuel Vehicles (AFV) that are subject to emissions testing must undergo a test in the sixth year of registration and each subsequent year. Original Equipment Manufactured (OEM) vehicles that are alternatively fuel powered may choose to have an emissions test on the fourth and fifth registration years due to warranty limitations on emissions components of the vehicle.

View the Vehicle Fuel Types topic for information on requirements for Alternative Fuel Vehicles.

A list of emissions testing facilities is located on www.myazcar.com/locations-wait-times.

Information regarding fees that are collected by ADEQ at the time of an emissions test is available online at the ADEQ website at www.myazcar.com/testing-info-and-fees.

Once a vehicle has an emissions test performed, ADEQ sends an electronic notification regarding the emissions test results to MAX (MVD's processing system).

When a vehicle is tested at an ADEQ emissions station, a Vehicle Inspection Report (VIR) is given to the customer. This document describes the vehicle, type of emissions test ('Test Type'), and the test results.

A VIR issued in Metro Tucson is NOT acceptable for meeting the emissions test requirements in Metro Phoenix, except for On-Board Diagnostic (OBD) tests. OBD tests are acceptable in Metro Phoenix or Tucson regardless of the test location.

Emissions Test Types

The information entered will determine the length of how long an emissions test is valid.

Test Types

Test Type	How many years is it valid for?
Basic	One
Idle	One
Load	One
Diesel	One
IM147	Two
OBD On Board Diagnostic	Two
Administrative Director's Certificate	Duration of the registration period
Administrative Reason	Duration of the registration period
Early	Duration of the registration period
AZ Vehicle Out of State	Duration of the registration period
Military Exemption	Duration of the registration period
Technical Difficulties	Duration of the registration period
Code 52 Exemption	Exempt from emissions requirements

Test Results

Test Result

Pass

Fail

Referee Pass

Referee Fail

Certificate Type

Certificate Type

Certificate of Inspection

Director's Certificate

Vehicle Inspection Report (VIR)

Waiver

An Air Quality Compliance Sticker can be issued to:

• A person who uses a motor vehicle to commute to their principle place of employment to a non-attainment area
• Students who are paying non-resident tuition fees, and who are taking seven or more semester hours, are required to have an Emissions Compliance Sticker for vehicles used in a non-attainment area
• Some military bases in Arizona also require an Emissions Compliance Sticker for vehicles used in a non-attainment area

The customer will need to provide proof the vehicle has met the minimum emissions standards.

The sticker is valid for one year from date of issuance.

The customer will place the sticker on their vehicle as proof the vehicle has passed emissions.

Example of Air Quality Compliance Sticker

A licensed motor vehicle dealer whose place of business is located in a non-attainment area cannot deliver motor vehicles to the retail purchaser (regardless whether the purchaser lives in an attainment or non-attainment area), until the vehicle complies with emissions standards (unless the vehicle is exempt e.g., vehicles that are five model years or newer, model year 1966 and older vehicles, etc.).

An emissions inspection must be completed by the dealer in a non-attainment area that is selling the vehicle to a retail purchaser, but is not required when the vehicle is sold between licensed dealers.

During the dealer reassignment process, emissions inspections completed by any dealer prior to the last dealer selling the vehicle to the retail purchaser will not be accepted. The sale date on the title of record will be reviewed to determine if the emissions inspection is from the last selling dealer (or a subsidiary, if a Certificate of Inspection (COI) is used) to the retail purchaser.

• The COI is valid for an annual registration cycle only
• May be used to transfer title as long as the transfer takes place prior to the COI Expiration Date
• Is transferable between the dealer who obtained the COI and its subsidiaries

Example of COI

If the vehicle is being sold between licensed dealers or the customer obtains collectible vehicle insurance before delivery (proof of collectible vehicle insurance is required) an emission test is NOT required.

When the dealer is in an attainment area and sells to a customer in a non-attainment area, the customer is responsible for completing the emissions testing requirements.

Policy 8.9.3 Emissions Requirements for more information.

• Vehicles permanently residing outside of non-attainment areas and that do not commute to non-attainment areas for work
• Out-of-county residents who lease a vehicle from a lessor located within a non-attainment area, however do not operate the vehicle or commute with the vehicle to a non-attainment area
• In-state ownership transfers when the vehicle has current emissions at the time of transfer, MAX will allow a one-year registration without requiring an emission test (this does not apply to dealer sales, view the Motor Vehicle Dealer Emissions Testing section for more information on dealer emissions)*

*The customer comes in on July 31, 2022 to transfer the Arizona title and registration into their name and the emissions expires July 31, 2022, you may register the vehicle for one year without requiring the new owner to pass an emissions test.

Some types of vehicles permanently located in or commuting to non-attainment areas, are exempt from an emissions testing as well.

• Model year 1966 and older vehicles
• Vehicles that are five model years or newer (current year minus four)
• New vehicles before the sixth registration year after initial purchase or lease (except reconstructed vehicles)
• Original Equipment Manufactured (OEM) AFV, prior to the sixth registration year after purchase or a lease of a new vehicle
• Vehicles that are temporarily out-of-state (need waiver from ADEQ). View the Vehicles Temporarily Out-of-State section
• Solar, electric, and hydrogen powered vehicles
• IRP (Apportioned) / Prorate Vehicles
• Golf carts and mopeds (including Neighborhood Electric Vehicles (NEV))
• Title Only (no registration issued) motor vehicles
• Vehicles with an engine displacement of less than 90 cubic centimeters
• Vehicles sold between vehicle dealers (wholesale)
• Vehicles designated as 'classic' or 'collectible' (requires proof of classic or collectible vehicle insurance)
• Motorcycles, ATVs, ATCs

Customers may choose to have their vehicle emissions tested and pay the appropriate testing fee even if their vehicle is not required to be tested. Once the owner chooses to have the vehicle undergo the emissions test, the motor vehicle MUST pass the emissions test or receive a waiver before a registration will be issued for any vehicle domiciled in Metro Phoenix Area A: Maricopa, Yavapai, and Pinal counties or Metro Tucson Area B: Pima county.

Tribal Members Emissions Exemption

ADEQ grants customers Out-of-Area Exemptions/Tribal Emissions Exemptions for tribal members who reside on a reservation that is within a non-attainment area. To qualify for the tribal exemption the customer must provide one of the following documentation:

• A Tribal ID showing their address on the reservation
• A tribal letter from their Indian community that states they are a tribal member residing on the reservation. The tribal letter is valid for as long as the customer resides at the address on the letter

Dealers located in a non-attainment area that sell a vehicle to a customer that qualifies for the Tribal Exemption are required to complete an emissions inspection, view Motor Vehicle Dealer Emissions Testing section for more information.

Example of Tribal Emissions Exemption Letter

Additional ADEQ Exemptions

ADEQ may issue a Certificate of Exemption for the following customers:

• Motor vehicles out-of-state at the time of registration expiration
• Arizona residents on Active Duty Military with a current set of orders for temporary deployment

View the www.myazcar.com/exemptions for more information on exemptions.

Partial Exempt Zip Codes

There are zip codes in Arizona that are partially exempt from emissions testing. It is based on township, range, and section numbers of the property. In the instances where MAX does not identify the partially exempt address, follow the below process:

• The customer address must be verified as an exempted area or address by using the VEC Address Locator on the ADEQ website
  • Locating the VEC Address Locator: On www.myazcar.com/exemptions, scroll half way down the page and look for the section 'Vehicle is Registered Outside of Area A or B Exemption' and click on the 'Zip Code Look-Up' which links to the VEC Address Locator

Vehicles Temporarily Out-of-State

When a vehicle is out-of-state when the registration is due and requires emissions testing, the customer may apply for an Vehicle Emissions Test Exemption Form electronically on www.myazcar.com/exemptions.

Out-of-state exemptions are issued under the following guidelines:

• The motor vehicle left the state more than 90-days prior to registration expiration
• The motor vehicle has been available within the state the first 60-days of the 90-day period prior to the registration expiration
  • Must show that it would be impractical to return the motor vehicle to Arizona for testing or to have the motor vehicle tested at the current location

If the vehicle is located in a state or area with an emissions testing program:

• The vehicle must be tested and pass the emissions testing requirements of that state
• The passed test/inspection report along with a copy of the vehicle’s registration and required fees must be submitted to ADEQ
• ADEQ will issue an Out-of-State Exemption Certificate
• The exemption is valid for one or two years of registration

If the vehicle is located in a state that does not have an emissions testing program:

• The vehicle owner must submit a completed Out-of-State Exemption Certificate along with a copy of the vehicle’s registration and required fees to ADEQ
• ADEQ will issue a VIR stamped 'Non-Compliance'
• Upon return of the vehicle to Arizona, the vehicle must be emissions tested
• A non-compliance out-of-state exemption is only valid for one year of registration
• The customer must apply to MVD or an ATP to receive a non-attainment tab

The cost for the exemption is $9.50.

Military Personnel Exemption

ADEQ may grant Arizona residents on Active Duty Military, with a current set of orders for temporary deployment, an exemption from emissions testing requirements.

To qualify for the Military Out-of-State Exemption the following qualifications must be met:

• Military member must be an Arizona resident and the registered owner of the vehicle
• Vehicle must be parked and not be driven
• A valid copy of Military Orders to show deployment status
• A completed Military Exemption Application including the signature of the Commanding Officer or Staff Judge Advocate

When the active military owner is stationed outside of Arizona and the vehicle in question is not in use, the owner will complete the Vehicle Emissions Test Exemption Form electronically on www.myazcar.com/exemptions. If the vehicle is to be driven by someone else, a paper Out-of-State Exemption Certificate must be submitted to ADEQ. The exemption form may be obtained online at the ADEQ website at www.myazcar.com/exemptions.

Failing Emissions

When a vehicle has an emissions test and fails, the customer is given 60 days to re-test without paying for an additional test.

Emissions Waiver

There may be times when a vehicle cannot pass emissions due to vehicle repairs that must be done in order to pass testing requirements and ADEQ will issue a Waiver Grant.

The waiver will look like a normal VIR but the Certificate Type box will read 'WAIVER.'

The waiver allows qualified owners to register their vehicle without further expenses for repair, once receipts for qualifying repairs are presented and meet the following qualifications:

• The vehicle must fail the state emissions test at least two times in the current test cycle
• The malfunction must be diagnosed, and a low emissions tune-up performed following the initial failure
• The vehicle must be presented to one of the waiver facilities, along with the vehicle's last failing test report, detailed repair receipts and/or estimates
• A waiver will be issued if it determined that additional repairs to reduce the vehicle's emissions level cannot be made within the appropriate maximum repair cost limits
  • Maximum repairs requirements for emissions failures depend on the age and location of your vehicle
  • Due to the severity of the air quality problem in metro Phoenix, repairs cost limits in Phoenix are higher than in Tucson. View the ADEQ website at www.myazcar.com/locations-waivers for a listing of maximum repair costs

If a waiver is granted, or a compliance document is issued, a fee of $15.00 will be charged at the waiver facility.

Vehicles may receive only one repair waiver, which is valid for the current vehicle registration cycle. Once a waiver has been granted, the vehicle can never have a waiver again. Failing vehicles that have already received a waiver must be repaired and pass inspection before being registered.

Customers can visit the ADEQ website at www.myazcar.com/locations-waivers for more information.

When Waivers cannot be Issued

• Waivers cannot be issued to vehicles releasing more than two times the applicable emission standard, or that have a faulty catalytic converter
• A waiver cannot be issued if the vehicle's emissions control equipment has been removed, altered, or defeated

90-Day Temporary Certificate of Waiver

ADEQ may issue a Temporary 90-Day Certificate of Waiver with seal when a customer is waiting on parts for repairs that are on national back order and other specific criteria are met. With the waiver, the customer may purchase a 90-Day Resident Registration only there are not the registered owner and they have proof of ownership.

Example of 90-Day Temporary Certificate of Waiver