Smog waiver in Washoe County

Print this checklist

1. Fail the initial test first

   The failed test starts the process. Repairs made before it do not count.

2. Check for warranty coverage

   A vehicle eligible for warranty coverage cannot get a waiver. Ask the dealer about the federal emissions warranty and recalls.

3. Repair at a 2G station or yourself

   In Washoe County only a 2G licensed authorized station or the registered owner qualifies.

4. Reach the $200 minimum

   Station: $200 in parts and labor for repairs related to the deficiency on the initial test. Owner: $200 in parts for an area of failure, bought within 14 days of the test (DMV).

5. Fail the retest

   The vehicle must still fail for the qualifying reason after the repairs.

6. Visit the emissions lab

   Bring the vehicle, both failed certificates and every repair receipt to the DMV emissions lab, Monday to Friday, 8 am to 4:30 pm.

A waiver is the DMV's safety valve for a car that has had real, documented repair work and still cannot pass. It has firm requirements and a few traps, most of them about timing and who did the work. These are the Washoe County rules as the Nevada DMV publishes them; Clark County's numbers are different.

At a glance

• Waivers are free and valid for one year; the vehicle must be repaired before the next registration year (Nevada DMV).
• Washoe minimum: $200 in qualifying parts and labor at a 2G station, or $200 in parts for owner repairs.
• Owner-bought parts must be purchased within 14 days after the initial failed test.
• No waivers for vehicles eligible for warranty coverage, smoking vehicles or tampered emission equipment.

Which failures qualify

The DMV lists two qualifying failures. For 1968 to 1995 light-duty vehicles and all heavy-duty vehicles, the vehicle must fail for carbon monoxide and/or hydrocarbon levels over the standard. For 1996 and newer light-duty vehicles, it must fail for an illuminated check engine lamp.

Who cannot get one

The DMV will not issue a waiver to a vehicle that is eligible for warranty coverage. Smoking vehicles and vehicles with emission device tampering must be repaired with no limit on cost. Money spent on tampered or missing emission devices, and the labor to install them, does not count toward the minimum.

The Washoe County repair rules

Repairs may be made by a 2G licensed authorized station or by the registered owner. Vehicles repaired at a non-2G garage, or by someone other than the registered owner, are not eligible for a waiver.

If a station did the work, the application must include receipts showing at least $200 spent on parts and labor, not counting emission testing, for repairs directly related to an emission deficiency noted on the initial test. If the owner did the work, the receipts must show at least $200 spent on parts related to an area of failure on the initial test, with the parts bought within 14 days after that test.

Requesting the waiver

Once the vehicle has failed the retest after qualifying repairs, bring the vehicle, both failed tests and the receipts to the emissions lab. The DMV inspects the vehicle and the paperwork, and if it qualifies issues a waiver that lets you register. There is no charge for the waiver. Waiver inspections are done from 8 am to 4:30 pm Monday through Friday, excluding state holidays.

The Reno lab is at 9155 Double Diamond Pkwy, Reno, NV 89521, (775) 684-3580.

One year, then fix it

A waiver is valid for one year only. The DMV expects the vehicle to be repaired before the next registration year, so treat it as time to plan the repair, not a permanent pass.

Before you start down this road

Most cars never need a waiver. A focused repair at a 2G station usually fixes the fault the failed report names, and the retest passes. The waiver exists for the stubborn cases, which is why the DMV ties it to documented, qualifying work. If you think you might end up here, keep the failed report and every receipt from day one, and ask questions at the DMV emissions lab early rather than late.