Does Maryland Have Emissions Testing?
Maryland maintains an active emissions testing program under Maryland Transportation Code § 23-202, which mandates an emissions control program in accordance with federal Clean Air Act requirements. The Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) oversees the program, while the Motor Vehicle Administration (MVA) manages testing operations through a network of 18 VEIP stations and 10 self-service kiosks.
The program applies to vehicles registered in 13 counties and Baltimore City. Testing is required every two years for most vehicles, with new vehicle owners receiving their first emissions test notice approximately 72 months after initial registration under Maryland's six-year new vehicle exemption policy established for model year 2019 and newer vehicles.
Counties in Maryland Requiring Emissions Testing
Emissions testing is mandatory for vehicles registered in the following 14 jurisdictions:
- Anne Arundel County
- Baltimore City
- Baltimore County
- Calvert County
- Carroll County
- Cecil County
- Charles County
- Frederick County
- Harford County
- Howard County
- Montgomery County
- Prince George's County
- Queen Anne's County
- Washington County
These jurisdictions represent Maryland's ozone nonattainment areas designated under the federal Clean Air Act.
Vehicle Requirements in Maryland
Vehicles Subject to Testing
Maryland requires emissions testing for gasoline and propane-powered vehicles based on model year and weight:
Light-Duty Vehicles (≤8,500 lbs GVWR):
- Model year 1996 and newer: On-Board Diagnostics (OBD) test
Medium-Duty Vehicles (8,501-14,000 lbs GVWR):
- Model year 1977-2007: Idle tailpipe exhaust test, catalytic converter check, gas cap leak test
- Model year 2008 and newer: On-Board Diagnostics (OBD) test
Heavy-Duty Vehicles (14,001-26,000 lbs GVWR):
- Model year 1977 and newer: Idle tailpipe exhaust test, catalytic converter check, gas cap leak test
Hybrid Vehicles: All hybrid vehicles (gasoline-electric or propane-electric) registered in VEIP counties must undergo emissions testing using the appropriate test type based on model year and weight classification.
Motorhomes: Motorhomes and RVs registered in VEIP counties are required to undergo testing according to their GVWR and fuel type classification.
Exempt Vehicles
The following vehicles are NOT required to undergo VEIP emissions testing:
By Fuel Type:
- Vehicles powered solely by diesel fuel (manufactured as diesel; conversions must be verified at a VEIP station)
- Vehicles powered solely by electricity (battery electric vehicles/BEVs)
- Motorcycles and mopeds
By Age and Weight:
- Vehicles model year 1995 or older with a GVWR of 8,500 lbs or less
- Vehicles model year 1976 or older (all weight classes)
- Vehicles with GVWR over 26,000 lbs
By Registration Classification:
- Historic vehicles (Class L registration)
- Street rod vehicles (Class N registration)
- School buses (Class H registration)
- Passenger buses (Class P registration)
- Farm trucks, farm truck tractors, and farm area vehicles
By New Vehicle Exemption:
- Model year 2019 and newer vehicles under original ownership are exempt for the first 72 months (6 years) from initial Maryland titling and registration
- After the six-year exemption period, biennial testing is required
By Special Circumstances:
- Fire apparatus and emergency ambulances
- Vehicles owned by active-duty military members stationed outside the United States or deployed to jurisdictions without emissions testing programs (waiver available)
- Senior citizens age 70 or older driving fewer than 5,000 miles per year (waiver available upon application)
- Disabled individuals driving fewer than 5,000 miles per year (waiver available upon application)
Fees and Payments for Emissions Testing in Maryland
Maryland VEIP testing fees are established by the MVA and detailed in the MVA Fee Listing.
| Service Type | Fee | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Full-Service VEIP Test | $30.00 | Standard emissions test at any of 18 VEIP stations |
| Self-Service Kiosk Test | $26.00 | For eligible vehicles at 24/7 self-service kiosks; credit/debit card only |
| First Retest | $0.00 (Free) | After repairs; must be completed within 120 days of initial test |
| Additional Retests | $30.00 | Each subsequent retest after the first free retest |
| VEIP Late Fee Penalty | $30.00 | Assessed after testing due date expires |
| Additional Late Fees | $30.00 | Assessed every four weeks if vehicle remains overdue |
Payment Methods:
- VEIP Stations: Cash, personal checks (with two forms of current ID), traveler's checks, money orders, Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Discover, Apple Pay
- Self-Service Kiosks: Credit and debit cards only (no cash or checks)
Waiver Provisions
Maryland offers repair waivers for vehicles that cannot meet emissions standards despite good-faith repair efforts. To qualify for a repair waiver:
- Vehicle must fail initial emissions test
- Owner must spend a minimum of $450.00 on emissions-related repairs
- Repairs must be made within 30 days before the initial test OR within 120 days after the initial test
- Vehicle must fail a retest (not required if repairs were made 30 days before initial test)
- Original itemized receipts or invoices must be submitted
- All manufacturer-installed emissions control equipment must remain present and functional
- Repairs must be verified by the VEIP station representative
Where to Get Emissions Testing in Maryland
Maryland operates 18 full-service VEIP stations and 10 self-service kiosks throughout the 14 testing jurisdictions.
Full-Service VEIP Stations:
- Open Monday, Thursday, Friday: 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
- Open Tuesday, Wednesday: 7:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
- Open Saturday: 7:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Station Locator: Find VEIP Stations
Self-Service VEIP Kiosks:
- Available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
- Eligible vehicles: Model year 2005 or newer (GVWR under 8,500 lbs); Model year 2008 or newer (heavy-duty vehicles under 14,000 lbs)
Kiosk Locator: Find Self-Service Kiosks
Testing Timing and Scheduling in Maryland
Biennial Testing Cycle:
- Most vehicles are tested every two years according to a schedule linked to vehicle registration
- MVA sends test notifications:
- Email: 11 weeks before due date (with 2-week reminder) if email address is registered with MVA
- U.S. Mail: 6-8 weeks before due date if no email on file
- You have a 30-day grace period from your due date to complete testing without penalty New Vehicle Exemption:
- Model year 2019 and newer vehicles under original ownership are exempt for the first 72 months (6 years) from initial Maryland registration
- First emissions test notice is sent approximately 72 months after registration
- After the first test, biennial testing applies
Integration with Vehicle Registration
Maryland's VEIP program is fully integrated with the vehicle registration renewal process:
- Emissions testing compliance is tracked electronically through MVA's database
- Vehicle registration renewal cannot be completed if emissions testing is overdue
- Test results are automatically transmitted to MVA's system upon completion
- Vehicle owners can renew registration online, by phone (1-410-768-7000), by mail, or in person after passing emissions testing
Contact Information
Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration (MVA)
6601 Ritchie Highway NE
Glen Burnie, MD 21062
Phone: (410) 768-7000 (Main MVA and VEIP Program)
TTY/Hearing Impaired: (301) 729-4563
Official Website: Maryland MVA
Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE)
1800 Washington Boulevard, Suite 730
Baltimore, MD 21230
Phone: (410) 537-3000 (Main MDE)
Phone: (410) 537-3801 (Air Quality Division)
Official Website: Maryland MDE
Maryland State Police
Vehicle Safety Inspection Program
1201 Reisterstown Road
Pikesville, MD 21208
Official Website: Maryland State Police
