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Illinois Emissions Testing Requirements and Fees

3 min read

Illinois mandates emissions testing for certain vehicles to improve air quality and comply with federal standards. Understanding these requirements is essential for vehicle owners to ensure compliance and avoid penalties.

Who Needs Emissions Testing?

Emissions testing is required for:

  • Gasoline-powered vehicles: Model year 1996 or newer.
  • Vehicles registered in specific counties: Cook, DuPage, Lake, Kane, Kendall, Madison, McHenry, Monroe, St. Clair, and Will.
  • Vehicles that are more than four years old: Testing begins in the fifth model year and continues biennially.

For example, a 2021 model year vehicle will require its first test in 2025.

Exemptions from Testing

Certain vehicles are exempt from emissions testing:

  • Diesel-powered vehicles.
  • Electric vehicles.
  • Motorcycles.
  • Antique vehicles: Model year 1967 or older.
  • Vehicles registered outside the testing counties.
  • New vehicles: First four model years are exempt.

Testing Schedule

Illinois follows a biennial testing schedule based on the vehicle's model year:

  • Even-numbered model years: Tested in even-numbered years.
  • Odd-numbered model years: Tested in odd-numbered years.

Testing Process

  1. Notification: Vehicle owners receive a test notice before their registration renewal.
  2. Testing Locations: Tests are conducted at Illinois Air Team stations. No appointments are necessary.
  3. Test Types:
    • On-Board Diagnostics (OBD) test: For 1996 and newer vehicles.
    • Idle exhaust and gas cap tests: For certain older vehicles.

Fees

  • Standard emissions test: No fee is charged for the mandatory test.
  • Voluntary test: $20 fee, payable in cash only. This is for individuals seeking a test outside the mandatory schedule, such as when purchasing a used vehicle or for out-of-state requirements.

Compliance and Penalties

Failure to comply with emissions testing requirements can result in:

  • Inability to renew vehicle registration.
  • Fines:
    • Registration expired less than 2 months: Minimum $50 fine.
    • Registration expired more than 2 months: Minimum $300 fine.

Repair Waivers

If a vehicle fails the emissions test and repairs exceed a certain cost, the owner may apply for a waiver:

  • Minimum repair expenditure: $1,146 (as of January 1, 2025).
  • Conditions:
    • Repairs must address the diagnostic trouble codes identified during testing.
    • Tampering-related repairs are excluded from the expenditure calculation.

Additional Resources

For more information on vehicle registration and emissions testing in Illinois, consider the following resources:

For official information and to find a testing station near you, visit the Illinois Air Team website.