Smog check in Golden Valley

Golden Valley is the smallest of the north valley places we serve: 1,139 residents in 419 households. The Census figures point to a settled community in which almost nobody carpools. The median age is 61.8, and 85.7 percent of workers drive alone, the highest share on this site. The drives are close to even, about 16 minutes (11.3 miles) to Reno South and 17 minutes to Reno Northwest in light traffic.

At a glance

• About 16 minutes (11.3 miles) to Reno South and 17 minutes to Reno Northwest.
• Census: 1,139 people, 419 households, 87.6 percent with two or more vehicles.
• 85.7 percent of workers drive alone and the median age is 61.8.
• Drive in, no appointment; closed Sundays.

Everyone drives themselves

With 85.7 percent of workers driving alone, a car in Golden Valley is a personal necessity more than a shared one, and 87.6 percent of households keep two or more vehicles. Mean commute is 28.7 minutes.

That makes a vehicle's registration date a household milestone: if a registration lapses, it affects an adult's daily routine. The DMV lets you renew from about 35 days before expiration, so testing early leaves time to spare. A passing test stays valid for 90 days, which covers that window comfortably, and the DMV records the result electronically so there is no paper to carry between stops.

Open hours and the drive in

With a flexible schedule you can choose any open hour. Open hours are Monday to Friday 8 am to 5 pm, with Saturday until 4 pm at Reno Northwest and 3 pm at Reno South.

No appointment is needed. The DMV says most OBD tests take five minutes or less, and the result goes straight to the DMV.

Older vehicles and classic plates

Longtime owners often keep older vehicles. Anything from 1967 or earlier is exempt, and a vehicle from 1968 to 1995 gets the two-speed tailpipe test rather than a computer scan. Classic, Classic Rod or Old Timer plates can be exempt when driven 5,000 miles or less a year, with a yearly odometer certification.

The classic and exempt vehicles page lists the conditions, and the classic plate mileage guide explains the affidavit.

A short checklist for the trip

Bring the renewal notice and, if you want to renew at the station, a way to pay. Take any plug-in device off the OBD port first. If the check engine light is lit, the vehicle will fail, but the DMV still recommends testing so you have the report.

If the result is a pass, you can finish renewing at once. See registration renewal for the options.