New York State inspection/emissions

[Clone TIE Pilot]

When I took all the test for NYS they never once mentioned federal law, like the above post said its up to the state to set the laws for the people living in that state, but like said before that doesn't imply you would be legal if you moved to another state. A "safety only" car in NYS has no emissions component or system check by law, no book even exist to say what each and every car should and shouldn't have, things like "California Emissions" and such come into play on older vehicles. So until the federal government wants to set up inspection stations the laws they write are meaningless. You could probably find millions of federal laws that individual states do not impose or follow, but the original post asked if his car is legal and yes it is

The law doesn't say exactly say what components each car must have. It just states tampering and disabling emissions systems is illegal in all 50 states, period. No state says you are exempt from having low emission systems, just some exempt you from emission inspections which is the main form of enforcement.That the motor must have all of it's factory emissions systems, whatever they are it came with.

But the point is no state is telling you it's okay to remove your low emission systems because you are exempt from inspections, and they can't telll you it is okay because the Feds overrules the states. States can get permission from the Feds to cut back the level of inspections if the Feds feel the state has achieved clean air levels. The laws aren't quite meaningless as the state could be made to crack down like what happened in CO.

Basically, the emission laws are the same for every state, no tampering or disabling, period. What does difer are the laws governing how motor vehicle smog and safety checks are performed, which vehicles are tested and how frequently is handled at the state and local level. Under the Clean Air Act (1990), states are required to implement vehicle emissions inspection programs, known as I/M programs.

 

[MR442]

As to the letter of law what is said above is right . In real world tho its different .

The feds just are not going to get joe blow to pony up money it takes to enforce. Even if everything smog wise is on cars if older then 10 yrs old most does not work as should and legally should be replaced . Now if they say from 2010 on all cars are going to be checked/tested for every item as from factory is only way they could do it . its a new car. Or have a history of checking them LIke CA does. Thats why most states have the old car cut off .

I have friends all over states that have have to keep these older rides running including CAL .As well as lived in several. Plus many forums I'm on . IN all its they don't pass an emissions/saftey test . None have been fined . For now.

Its up to the inspections site be it emissions or other wise to lift hood and check things out .

 

[clean8485]

We have a similiar situation here in Ontario. If your vehicle is over 7 years old, and built in 1988 or later, then it must be emission tested every 2 years. However, there are laws on the books that have been inplace since the mid '70s that say that its illegal to remove or disable any O.E. emission equipment. Up until several years ago, those laws were rarely enforced, so most people who owned cars that are 1987 or older, removed the emission controls. Then the government saw a source of untapped revenue, and started checking for missing or disabled emission controls, and laying fines for vehicle owners. Alot of affected owners were outraged, but they didn't understand that the emission testing program and the original laws from the '70s are separate items. Our emission testing program is supposed to be revenue-neutral (its not supposed to make a profit), but recently, its been discovered that the program has made millions for the provincial government-what most people are calling an illegal tax grab. The provincial government has yet to explain how they intend to reimburse drivers for the surplus that the program has made.

 

[83montecarlo]

Need to know what is required for 1984 Olds cutlass supreme for New York state (upstate NY) inspection/emissions. My engine is at the machine shop now getting put back together. I was hoping to install edelbrok buick v6 performer intake and corresponding edelbrok carb. Do we need EGR/Smog Pump/Catalytic converter or NOT? Getting conflicting information....Anyone from NY please chime in THanks!

in newyork state 1995 and older are exempt from emissions only saftey

 

[popeye1978]

To back-up 83montecarlo:
http://dmv.ny.gov/inspection/new-york-vehicle-inspection-program-nyvip

 

[pencero]

I bought a 3rd brake light on here when I had the 79MC and beat a 'fix it' ticket because I argued I should have been flagged at the original inspection and therefore never had to receive the ticket while driving afterwards, since I didnt know the 3rd brake light was required in my state.

 

[Bonnewagon]

As it was explained to me: If it is on the vehicle, it has to work. So completely removing something so you'd never know it was even there is the best way to get by. No one has a list of every car's original equipment to check against. In fact most inspectors today just plug you in to Albany and do what the computer tells them. Some have never even seen a carburetor or a distributor! So after 25 years old you should only worry about brakes, tires, and lights.