Photo: Bohao Zhao, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia CommonsNevada calls it the Emission Control Program, and in the Reno and Sparks area it applies to most vehicles that move here from out of state. The test is usually a short stop, but it has to come before registration, and a check-engine light can turn it into a longer errand.
Which vehicles need a test
According to the Nevada DMV, a vehicle needs a test if it is based in the urban areas of Clark or Washoe County and meets all of these conditions.
- Model year 1968 or newer.
- Gasoline powered, regardless of weight or size, or diesel powered with a gross vehicle weight rating up to 14,000 pounds.
- At its fourth registration or later. The first three registrations of a new vehicle are exempt.
- A hybrid in its sixth model year or later. Hybrids are exempt for the first five.
Exempt categories also include vehicles from 1967 or older, motorcycles and mopeds, electric vehicles, and vehicles based in remote areas of Washoe and Clark counties or in other Nevada counties. Compare your vehicle's model year, fuel type and registration history with the DMV's list before you decide whether you need the test.
Timing
A passing test is valid for 90 days, or 180 days when it comes from a Nevada dealer. Because registration is due within 30 days of becoming a resident, schedule the test in your first week, after the vehicle is parked at your new address and after any long drive that included a repair.
The check-engine light
The DMV's advice is to get tested even if the light is on, since a failing result is the first step in the waiver process. A loose gas cap is one of the most common causes. A flashing light means a serious malfunction, and the DMV says to pull over and stop driving.
After repairs or a battery replacement, do not rush. A 1996 or newer vehicle may need to be driven under varying conditions for up to a week so its onboard diagnostics can finish checking, and until then the test may read Rejected. Rejected is not the same as failed.
If the vehicle fails
A failed vehicle must be repaired and retested. If it still fails after qualifying repairs, a waiver may be available, valid for one year, with repair spending requirements that the DMV sets. Waivers are not issued to smoking vehicles, to vehicles tampered with, or to vehicles covered by warranty. Read the waiver rules on the DMV site before paying for repairs.
Where it fits in your move
The test report goes in the registration packet with your insurance and VIN inspection. The vehicle registration page lists the full set, and the license page covers the other 30 day task. If your household is moving by truck and the car is following on its own, keep the test report with the rest of your papers rather than packing it in a box.