OAR 340-256-0300: Emission Control System Inspection: Scope

ORS 468A.350 to 468A.400, 803.350, and 815.295 to 815.325, and OAR 340-256-0300 through 340-256- 0471 establish the criteria, methods, and standards for inspecting motor vehicles to determine eligibility for obtaining a Certificate of Compliance or inspection. Any person subject to these rules must obtain a Certificate of Compliance as required under ORS 803.350. Any person seeking an exemption from the inspection requirements of this rule must prepare and submit to DEQ or DMV a statement describing the grounds for the exemption on forms as provided by DEQ or DMV. (1) Except as provided in sections (3) and (4) of this rule, any person owning or leasing 1975 and newer model year vehicles in the Portland Vehicle Inspection Area must ensure the vehicles meet the requirements of one of the following emission tests: (a) Basic test. A light-duty motor vehicle of the model years specified in this paragraph must meet the basic test requirements of OAR 340-256-0340, 340-256-0380, and 340-256-0400. (A) Gasoline model year 1975 through 1995 (B) Diesel model year 1975 through 1996 (b) A light-duty gasoline vehicle that is a 1996 and newer model year or a light-duty diesel vehicle that is a 1997 and newer model year must meet the OBD test requirements of OAR 340-256-0355. For those vehicles that cannot be OBD tested due to manufacturer defects in the vehicle, incompatibility with the OBD test system, or other similar manufacturing problems, the vehicle must meet either the basic test requirements of OAR 340-256-0340, 340-356-0380, 340-256-0400, or other test criteria as determined by DEQ. (c) A heavy-duty motor vehicle must meet the basic test requirements of OAR 340-256-0340, 340-256-0390, and 340-256-0420, except gasoline powered heavy-duty motor vehicles that are 2013 model year and newer and equipped with OBDII or higher systems must meet the OBD test requirements of OAR 340-256-0355. For those vehicles that cannot be OBD tested due to manufacturer defects in the vehicle, incompatibility with the OBD test system, or other similar manufacturing problems, the vehicle must meet either the basic test requirements of OAR 340-256-0340, 340-356-0380, 340-256-0400, or other test criteria as determined by DEQ. (2) Except as provided in sections (3) and (4) of this rule, any person owning or leasing vehicles that are up to 20 model years in age in the Medford-Ashland Air Quality Maintenance Area must ensure the vehicles meet the requirements of one of the following emission tests: (a) A light-duty gasoline vehicle that is a 1996 and newer model year or a light-duty diesel vehicle that is 1997 and newer model year must meet the OBD test requirements of OAR 340-256-0355. For those vehicles that cannot be OBD tested due to manufacturer defects in the vehicle, incompatibility with the OBD test equipment, or other similar manufacturing problems, the vehicle must meet the basic test requirements of OAR 340-256-0340, 340-256-0380, and 340-256-0400 or other test criteria as determined by DEQ. (b) A light-duty vehicle that is 20 model years in age through 1995 model year must meet the basic test requirements of OAR 340-256-0340, 340-256-0380, and 340-256-0400. (c) A heavy-duty vehicle must meet the basic test requirements of OAR 340-256-0340, 340-256-0390, and 340-256-0420. All gasoline powered heavy-duty vehicles equipped with OBDII or higher systems must meet the OBD test requirements of OAR 340-256-0355. For those vehicles that cannot be OBD tested due to manufacturer defects in the vehicle, incompatibility with the OBD test equipment, or other similar manufacturing problems, the vehicle must meet the basic test requirements of OAR 340-256-0340, 340-256-0390, and 340-256-0420 or other test criteria as determined by DEQ. (d) Gasoline powered imported light-duty and heavy-duty motor vehicle conforming to EPA import regulations will be tested using basic or OBD test requirements as determined by DEQ. (3) DEQ may test any gasoline powered heavy-duty or light-duty motor vehicle using one of the following procedures as an alternative to the test procedure otherwise required by this rule: (a) Clean-Screen Testing following the procedures of OAR 340-256-0357 or (b) Self-Service OBD Testing following the procedures of OAR 340-256-0358. (4) New vehicles are exempt from the OBD test requirements of OAR 340-256-0355 until January 1 of the calendar year that is four years after a vehicle’s designated model year. New vehicles that were initially registered in Oregon and are owned by the original purchaser must comply with that requirement beginning with their first registration after the initial registration period. [NOTE: This rule is included in the State of Oregon Clean Air Act Implementation Plan as adopted by the Environmental Quality Commission under OAR 340-200-0040.]