The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency announced Wednesday that it was forced to temporarily suspend the mailing of vehicle emissions test notices beginning in December because of state budget problems. The State of Illinois will no longer notify vehicle owners by mail when their Vehicle owners whose license plates expire at the end of March 2016 or later will not receive the vehicle emissions test notice.
Because of the change, Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White will temporarily allow license plate renewals for vehicle owners who have not yet taken the EPA emissions test, citing an unfair burden to drivers, the IEPA said in a release. White also noted that when Illinois EPA resumes mailing out vehicle emissions test notices to the public, his office will resume regular vehicle registration procedures.
Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White announced that he will temporarily allow license plate renewals for vehicle owners who have not yet passed the EPA emissions test. Beginning March 1st, motorists may renew their license plates, but will be informed they are still required to get the vehicle tested.
“Secretary of State White made the decision that even if people had not taken the EPA test, beginning March 1st, when they come to the DMV, they will be able to get their registration,” said Dave Druker, a spokesman for Secretary of State Jesse White. “The mailing that EPA did was the only way people really knew when the test date was for them. Without that notification, people would potentially be coming to the Department of Motor Vehicles looking to renew and being told they couldn’t renew.” That potential surprise was deemed an unnecessary hardship.
The announcement comes after the Illinois Secretary of State’s Office said it would stop mailing out reminders for license plate sticker renewals. Many people, complained about late fees, which were charged after they went for renewal when they realized there license plate stickers were expired.
Generally, most 1996 and newer gasoline-powered passenger vehicles are subject to testing after they are four years old. According to the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency, the vehicles likely needing testing in 2016 are most even model-year vehicles from 1996-2012. 2007 model year and newer heavy duty trucks, with a manufacturer’s gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) between 8,501 and 14,000 are also subject to testing.
Diesel powered vehicles and 100% electric-powered vehicles are not required to test exhaust emissions. Some ZIP codes in Kane, Kendall, McHenry, Will, Madison, Monroe and St. Clair counties are also exempt from testing.
Vehicle owners can check their emission testing requirement by visiting the following Illinois Secretary of State Address …
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