Section 290. Emissions inspection station operations

A. Emissions inspection station operations shall be conducted in accordance with applicable statutes and this chapter.

B. Emissions inspection stations shall cooperate with the department during the conduct of audits, investigations and complaint resolutions.

C. Emissions inspection stations, except fleet emissions inspection stations permitted under 9VAC5-91-370, shall conduct emissions inspections during normal business hours and shall inspect every vehicle presented for inspection within a reasonable time period.

D. Emissions inspection stations that have performed a chargeable initial inspection that resulted in a test failure or failed invalid result shall provide one free reinspection on the same vehicle upon request within 14 calendar days of the initial inspection test failure or failed invalid result.

E. Emissions inspection stations finding it necessary to suspend inspections due to analyzer system malfunction or any other reason shall refund any inspection fee collected when a station cannot accommodate a customer's request for a free reinspection in accordance with subsection D of this section and 9VAC5-91-420 M.

F. Emissions inspection stations shall notify the department when they are unable to perform emission inspections for any reason and shall notify the department when they are able to resume inspections.

G. Emissions inspection stations shall:

1. Employ at least one emissions inspector.

2. Have an emissions inspector on duty during posted emissions inspection hours, except for fleet emissions inspection stations permitted under 9VAC5-91-370.

3. Only allow licensed emissions inspectors to conduct inspections.

H. Emissions inspection stations shall provide to emissions inspection customers any information which has been provided to the emissions inspection station by the department and which is intended to be provided to the customer.

I. Emissions inspection stations shall allow emissions inspection customers to have viewing access to the inspection process.

J. Emissions inspections and vehicle safety inspections may be performed in the same service bay provided that the facility is both an emissions inspection station and an official safety inspection station in accordance with §§ 46.2-1163 and 46.2-1166 of the Code of Virginia.

K. Emissions inspections may be performed in the inspection area of the emissions inspection station or, if by wireless means, in any other area on the premises of the emissions inspection station provided that all applicable test components can be performed at that location.

Historical Notes

Derived from Volume 13, Issue 05, eff. January 24, 1997; amended, Virginia Register Volume 18, Issue 20, eff. October 1, 2002; Volume 29, Issue 09, eff. December 15, 2012.

Statutory Authority

§ 46.2-1180 of the Code of Virginia; § 182 of the federal Clean Air Act; 40 CFR Part 51, Subpart S.