Failed a smog check

Print this checklist

1. Keep the failed report

   It lists why the vehicle failed. You need it for repairs, a movement permit, a challenge test or a waiver.

2. Check the emissions warranty and recalls

   The DMV says some expensive emission parts are covered by federal law for up to 8 years or 80,000 miles; ask the dealer before you pay.

3. Choose who repairs it

   The DMV recommends a licensed 2G repair station for emissions repairs, and only 2G stations or the owner qualify for a Washoe waiver.

4. Keep every receipt

   Parts and labor tied to the failure on the first report are what count toward a waiver.

5. Drive before the retest

   After repairs or a battery disconnect, drive for up to a week in mixed conditions so the computer finishes its self-checks.

6. Retest

   Drive in for the second test. A pass goes to the DMV electronically.

Failing is not the end of the road; it is the first document in a process the Nevada DMV has laid out step by step. The failed report tells you and your repair shop where to look. Here is the order of things, from the report in your hand to the retest.

At a glance

• Repair, then pass a retest, before the vehicle can be registered (Nevada DMV).
• The failed report is a legal document with real uses; keep it.
• Money spent on repairs before the first failed test does not count toward a waiver.
• Some emission parts are covered by the federal emissions warranty for up to 8 years or 80,000 miles.

What the failed report is good for

The DMV calls a failed test a legal document that shows why your vehicle is failing. It does four things for you. It tells the repair shop what the test found. If your registration has expired, it allows a ten-day movement permit at a reduced cost. It entitles you to a challenge test at your local emissions lab. And it is the starting point of the waiver process if repairs become costly.

The DMV adds a warning worth reading twice: money spent on repairs before the first failed test cannot count toward a waiver. Test first, then fix.

Why cars fail

On a 1996 or newer car or light truck, the OBD test reads the engine computer. In Nevada a lit check engine light is an automatic fail, even if the car seems to run fine. A device plugged into the diagnostic port, such as an insurance tracker, is also a required fail, so unplug it before the test.

Vehicles from 1995 and earlier, and heavy-duty vehicles, take a tailpipe test that measures what comes out of the exhaust; they fail when carbon monoxide or hydrocarbon levels exceed the standard.

Repair, then retest

The rule is simple: if the vehicle fails the initial test, you must complete repairs and pass a second test to be eligible for registration. Who does the repairs matters later if the car keeps failing, so read the repair and retest page before you choose a shop.

After a repair, do not rush back the same afternoon. If the battery was disconnected or the codes were cleared, the car's computer needs time to rerun its self-checks, and a car tested too soon comes back not ready rather than passing.

If the registration runs out meanwhile

The DMV offers a ten-day movement permit for $1 if your registration expires while you are making repairs. You can request one online or at a DMV office. Driving on an expired registration otherwise risks late fees and citations.

When repairs get expensive

If the vehicle still fails after qualifying repairs, it may be eligible for a one-year waiver. In Washoe County the repairs must be done by a 2G licensed authorized station or by the registered owner, with at least $200 in qualifying receipts, according to the DMV. The Washoe waiver page has the full rules.