moving from CA have some questions about emission testing in Northern VA.
 

Due the passing of my father I will be moving from CA to VA to be closer to my uncle and will be driving my Frs over so I was wondering what the emissions laws are like? Is it as restricting as it is in the CA? will i able to pass emissions with a turbo?

If you're legal in CA then you should be alright in VA from what I know. NOVA does have emissions tests required every two years.

VA can be strict on things like lights, tint, exhaust noise, etc. but so far I haven't experienced that in NOVA as much as I did in middle of nowhere southwest VA.

Some other people may be able to provide more input. I have been afraid to change my tails and header so what do I know :iono:

I havent put the turbo on but I'm pretty sure from what I heard it won't pass in CA

If it doesn't throw a CEL, it'll depend on your inspection station. Some places are more strict about their visual inspections.

If it throws a CEL, you will fail.

Thank you very much

Now you can also pass emission inspection in Nova without going to a station. They put up emission measuring equipment on the roads, you just drive by within some time before your registration is due to expire, then you go online, pay the $16, and you good. Disclaimer - I haven't used it yet, so I don't actually know if it works as advertised

Indeed. I've been meaning to try it.

Is that what those stations on the side of the exit ramp are?!?! I had no idea. I thought they sent you tickets in the mail if you drove by and failed...

There's actually two systems. There's an older one that would send fix-it tickets, and there's the new one that'll send you notices if you pass emissions.

Here are the details of the system I was referring to
https://www.rapidpass.org/VaPublic/

Depending on where you live also plays a role. County i live in does not have emissions so fully catless!

So, would is standard procedure for emissions? Do they do a visual check first or go straight to sniff/smog test? Im wondering since I have a OFH which is catless and Im due for an inspection in the summmer. Would I have to take off the OFH and install the stock one and then re-install?

He mentioned "Northern Virginia", and by one definition of NoVa the entire area requires emission testing (counties: Arlington, Fairfax, Loudoun, Prince William, Stafford; cities: Alexandria, Fairfax, Falls Church, Manassas, Manassas Park).

Wider definitions of NoVa include additional counties further from DC like Spotsylvania, Warren, Culpeper and more, and these AFAIK do not require emission testing.

I think that in modern cars they just scan OBD for codes. The new on-road emission program (which measures actual tailpipe emissions while you drive by) is an optional alternative. Inspection stations would measure actual tailpipe emissions only in old cars.

More here: http://www.deq.state.va.us/Programs/...SystemFAQ.aspx
and here: http://www.dmv.org/va-virginia/smog-check.php

Also, I was wrong about $16, I think it's $28, $16 is for safety inspection which is yearly and mandatory in all VA.