You should know...

Emissions repairs may be eligible for a cost waiver if they are performed at a Certified Emissions Repair Facility (CERF). If your vehicle qualifies for a repair waiver save all receipts and paperwork for submission with your repair waiver form.

Use this simple checklist to keep rolling.

You drive over to your local Connecticut Emissions Testing Center, pay your fee, get your car tested, and without warning, your dependable, still-looks-like-new car or truck fails its inspection.

Now what?

You should know...

All of our statewide technicians are trained to follow the same rules and standards for passing or failing a motor vehicle. Determining pass/fail status does not depend on subjective decision-making.

Don’t panic. A failed test simply means is that your car is exceeding the allowable emissions standards for its age. In many situations, you can solve the problem in no time.

Here’s a simple checklist that you can use to prepare for reinspection:

Reinspection Checklist

Get the Vehicle Inspection Report (VIR) before you leave your test center

Also, ask for the brochure titled What to Do If Your Vehicle Fails a Connecticut Emissions Test. Not only does it offer a list of Certified Emissions Repair Facilities across the state, it also answers some common questions about reinspection.

Go to ctemissions.com to find the nearest Certified Emissions Repair Facility (CERF)

Or look for a list in the brochure mentioned above. Call to see if you need to make an appointment in advance.

Get a quote from a Certified Emissions Repair Technician (CERT)

He/She is trained in emissions-related failures and repairs, and will diagnose and fix your car, if you choose.

Ask for an Emissions Repair Data Form

This form should be completed by the technician who fixes your car.

Arrange for a free retest at a Connecticut Emissions Test Center within 60 days of your initial test date.

Present the Emissions Repair Data Form to the tester and wait for your car to be reinspected. (If you don’t have the form, your car won’t be retested.) Plan for the entire process to take about one hour.

Drive on!

If you pass reinspection, of course.

If your car fails its retest, even after it’s been repaired by a CERT...

You may have additional options if your cars fails its retest.

You may qualify for a special waiver if:

  • you meet the minimum expenditure requirement on related emission repairs.
  • your income is below federal and state guidelines.
  • you have documentation from the manufacturer explaining why your vehicle cannot pass emissions testing.

Depending on the age and mileage of your vehicle, certain emissions components are eligible for a federally mandated warranty in the event of a failed emissions test that is the result of a manufacturer defect. This coverage may extend up to eight years or 80,000 miles.

Keep this checklist handy and use it as a guide for your next inspection. You’ll save time and be prepared for the best possible outcome if your car fails a Connecticut emissions test.

For more details, download our helpful brochure.