Nevada smog check glossary

Smog check paperwork and DMV pages use a lot of shorthand. Terms are listed in the order most people meet them: the test, the result, the repair and waiver steps, then the registration and form vocabulary. Where a term has a deeper explanation on this site, a link follows the definition.

2

2G station

The DMV's term for a 2G licensed authorized station, a station that is allowed to repair emissions problems as well as test. The DMV recommends one for emissions repairs, and in Washoe County waiver repairs must be done by a 2G licensed authorized station or by the registered owner. Repair and retest

4

40th parallel

The 40th degree of north latitude, the line the DMV uses to mark the northern edge of the Washoe testing area. All of Washoe County south of it is included, about midway through Pyramid Lake. The Washoe County testing area, place by place

C

Carbon monoxide (CO)

A gas in the exhaust that the tailpipe test measures. Carbon monoxide or hydrocarbon levels over the standard are the failures that can lead to a waiver for vehicles tested by the tailpipe method.

Catalytic converter

The exhaust part that cleans emissions. The DMV warns that driving with a flashing check engine light can damage it, and says catalytic converters are among the major components covered by federal emissions warranty coverage for up to 8 years or 80,000 miles. The federal emissions warranty: check it before you pay

Challenge test

A re-examination at the DMV emissions lab. The DMV says a failed test entitles you to a challenge test at your local emissions lab, along with a ten-day movement permit at reduced cost if registration has expired, and the start of the waiver process. The DMV emissions lab in Reno: when to go there

Check engine light (MIL)

The dashboard light, formally the malfunction indicator lamp, that comes on when the OBD computer stores a trouble code. It may read Check Engine or Service Engine Soon. In Nevada a lit check engine light is an automatic smog check failure. A flashing light signals a severe malfunction that can damage the catalytic converter, so stop driving and get service. Check engine light and your smog check

Continuous Monitoring Program

A DMV program for 2008 and newer light-duty gasoline fleet vehicles of businesses and governments. Instead of the annual station test, the fleet enrolls with an approved service provider, which monitors emissions remotely through the OBD II port. The DMV approves the fleet using forms EC 049, EC 076 and EC 044. Smog checks for business fleets

D

Diagnostic trouble code (DTC)

A code the OBD computer stores when its sensors detect a malfunction. Technicians use a scan tool to read the code, which helps them pinpoint the problem and fix it quickly. Clearing codes with a scanner right before a test causes an automatic rejection, because it erases the memory the inspector needs to see. What a check engine light code is

DMV Now kiosk

A self-service machine for registration renewal at DMV offices and private locations. After a pass, the DMV says you can renew at a kiosk minutes after the test. Smog check for your registration renewal

Dynamometer

Equipment that lets a vehicle be run in place so its emissions can be measured under load. The DMV lists a dynamometer test as one part of the light-duty diesel inspection, and notes that the OBD II test is less expensive than the dynamometer tests used in other states. Light-duty diesel testing: dynamometer and opacity

E

EC 018

The Odometer Certification for Emission Exemption. Owners of Classic Vehicle, Classic Rod and Old Timer plates file it each year, certifying that the vehicle has not been driven more than 5,000 miles during the registration cycle. Classic plates and the 5,000-mile limit

EC-008

The DMV's Emission Control Exemption Application. A vehicle based in a testing county but temporarily used and maintained outside Nevada, or in a non-testing Nevada area, can register or renew with it, in person or by mail, before the registration expires. Nevada has no grace period, and false statements are a gross misdemeanor. Vehicle out of state at renewal time

EDRS (Electronic Dealer Report of Sale)

The report a Nevada dealer files when selling a vehicle. The dealership gives the buyer an EDRS number that works like a ticket number for registering the vehicle online. A passing test with a Nevada dealer sale is valid 180 days. Buying or selling a used car

Emission station

A business that performs emissions inspections and sends the results to the Nevada DMV. The DMV maintains an online emission station search, and says a station that offers registration renewal may charge up to $10 for it, which is a DMV figure and not our price. Stations must post their fees. Smog checks

Emissions lab

The Nevada DMV's own emission office, as distinct from a test station. The Reno lab is at 9155 Double Diamond Pkwy and answers questions at (775) 684-3580. It checks readiness at no cost, holds waiver inspections from 8 am to 4:30 pm Monday through Friday, and answers questions about the testing area. The DMV emissions lab in Reno: when to go there

G

GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating)

The maximum loaded weight the manufacturer rates the vehicle for. The DMV uses the manufacturer's rating to decide whether a diesel needs a test: 14,000 pounds or less needs an annual test, and 14,001 pounds or more does not. The rating may differ from the declared weight used for registration fees, so check the renewal notice. Diesel smog check rules

H

Heavy duty

For testing fees the DMV defines heavy-duty gasoline vehicles as those of 8,501 pounds or more. All heavy-duty vehicles continue to be tested with the traditional two-speed tailpipe method, whatever their model year. 1968 to 1995 vehicles: the tailpipe test

Hydrocarbons (HC)

Unburned fuel in the exhaust. Along with carbon monoxide, hydrocarbon levels over the standard are one of the two failures that qualify a 1968 to 1995 light-duty or heavy-duty vehicle for a waiver after repairs.

L

Light duty

For testing fees the DMV defines light-duty gasoline vehicles as gasoline vehicles up to 8,500 pounds. For testing method, light-duty vehicles built in 1996 or later get the OBD II inspection. How the OBD smog test works

M

Movement permit

A document that allows a vehicle to be legally driven for a short period, needed when the registration has expired or the vehicle is not yet registered. The DMV lists a 10-day permit for vehicles already registered in Nevada and a 30-day permit for vehicles not yet registered, both for $1, available online through MyDMV or in person. The movement permit when registration has expired

MyDMV

The Nevada DMV's online account. It is used to renew registration online, to get a movement permit, and to register a vehicle. The DMV lets you renew about 35 days before expiration and up to 18 months after, with late fees. Renewing a Washoe registration, step by step

O

OBD II (On-Board Diagnostics)

An internal computer, built into all 1996 and newer light-duty vehicles, that monitors the engine and emission systems. In Nevada, 1996 and newer vehicles get an OBD II inspection instead of a tailpipe test. The technician plugs an analyzer cable into the vehicle's OBD port, usually under the dashboard, and reads the emission data. The DMV says most OBD II tests are completed in five minutes or less. How the OBD smog test works

Old Timer, Classic Rod and Classic Vehicle plates

Three special Nevada plate types. A vehicle with one of them that is driven 5,000 miles or less a year is exempt from the smog check, with classic or antique insurance and a yearly EC 018. These plates cannot be renewed by internet, emission station or kiosk according to the DMV renewal page. Classic plates and other exemptions

Opacity test

A diesel exhaust test that measures how dense the exhaust smoke is. Light-duty diesels get an opacity test along with a dynamometer test and a visual inspection of emission components. For heavy diesels on the road, Nevada uses the SAE J1667 snap acceleration test for exhaust opacity. Light-duty diesel testing: dynamometer and opacity

R

Readiness monitor

A self-check the OBD system runs on one part of the emission controls. The monitors must finish before the computer can report a complete picture. If the battery was recently disconnected or the codes were cleared, the monitors have not finished and the vehicle is rejected as not ready until it has been driven under varying conditions, up to one week. Readiness monitors, in plain English

Renewal notice

The notice the DMV sends about your registration, which says whether a smog check is required. Bring it when renewing at an emission station. You are responsible for renewing on time even if no notice arrives. The renewal notice and the smog line on it

T

Testing area

The part of Nevada where the smog check is required: the urban areas of Washoe and Clark counties. In Washoe it covers Reno, Sparks, Washoe Valley, most of the area west of Washoe Valley and all of the county south of the 40th parallel. Vehicles based elsewhere are exempt. The Washoe County testing area, place by place

Two-speed idle test

The traditional tailpipe emissions test, which the DMV calls the two-speed method. Nevada uses it for vehicles manufactured in 1995 or earlier and for all heavy-duty vehicles. It looks at what comes out of the exhaust rather than reading the vehicle's computer. The two-speed idle tailpipe test

V

VP 015

The Vehicle Inspection Certificate the DMV lists among the documents for registering a vehicle that has never been registered or titled in Nevada, along with Nevada evidence of insurance and the odometer reading. New Nevada resident: registration and the smog check

W

Waiver

A DMV document that lets a vehicle register after it keeps failing despite qualifying repairs. The vehicle must fail for carbon monoxide or hydrocarbons over the standard (1968 to 1995 light duty and all heavy duty) or a lit check engine lamp (1996 and newer light duty). There is no charge for the waiver, and it is valid for one year. Smog waiver in Washoe County