Smog check in Old Northwest Reno

The older neighborhoods of ZIP 89503 are one of the few places where both Reno locations are nearly equally close. By OpenStreetMap routing in light traffic, Mae Anne Avenue is about 11 minutes (4.1 miles) and Longley Lane is about 15 minutes. Which one you choose can come down to the rest of the day, and since neither needs an appointment, you can decide when you leave. Both are inside an Xpress Oil & Lube Center, so an oil change can ride along with the test.

At a glance

• About 11 minutes to Reno Northwest and 15 minutes to Reno South.
• ZIP 89503 has 30,249 residents and 1.67 vehicles per household (Census).
• Inside the Washoe County testing area (Nevada DMV).
• No appointment; both locations closed Sundays.

Two good choices from one ZIP

Few places have this choice. Reno Northwest at 6100 Mae Anne Ave, (775) 787-1000, is open until 4 pm Saturday. Reno South at 4993 Longley Ln, (775) 828-6996, closes at 3 pm Saturday and sits near the airport and I-580. Both are open Monday to Friday 8 am to 5 pm.

If you are coming from work in midtown or downtown, Longley Lane may fit the route. If you are coming from home, Mae Anne Avenue is the shorter drive.

What ZIP 89503 looks like in the Census

The Census Bureau reports 30,249 residents and 13,195 households in ZIP 89503, with 22,095 vehicles available, or 1.67 vehicles per household. About 51 percent of households have two or more vehicles, below the county's 63 percent, and the median age is 34.

The mean commute is 20 minutes and 67.8 percent of workers drive alone. These are ZIP-level figures covering Old Northwest Reno and Rancho San Rafael together.

Older homes, older vehicles

Established neighborhoods tend to have a wider mix of vehicles, including some older cars. A 1996 or newer vehicle is tested by connecting to its on-board computer. A 1995 or older vehicle gets the two-speed tailpipe test, which the older vehicles page describes.

Vehicles from 1967 or earlier are exempt, and classic plates driven 5,000 miles or less a year can qualify with a yearly odometer affidavit. Check the classic and exempt page before you assume either way.

After the test

A pass goes to the DMV in real time and stays valid for 90 days. You can then renew online through MyDMV, at a DMV Now kiosk, or ask about renewal at the station, and the DMV adds that your renewal notice should come with you either way.

If the vehicle fails, the DMV recommends keeping the report, since it starts the repair and retest process. See what a failed test means for the steps.