I have been hearing that once your car turns 20, you don't have to meet the emissions requirements anymore. IS that true?? Some of you who don't have to worry 'bout it anyway, lucky you. For those out there who do, (especially in NC)..what do ya know?...Am I all wet thinking I will be ok in 2004 (you guessed it, I got a 84 )....thanks......cjf.....................

 

I duuno about NC but up here in Ontario Canada, you're exempt after 20 years. All I gotta go is pass emissions once more, and I'm free! (mine's an 84 too!)

 

Currently In California only 1973 and older model year cars are exempt.
up untill 1993 CA had the 20 year rule (and required RETROFIT devices on 1968-1973 vehicles) but all CA cars from 1974 on had some sort of catalytic converter / Thermal reactor a so thats why 1973 became the cutoff year for exemptions.

 

Yeah, but Cali has the most strict emissions laws in the world. I doubt that NC would be as bad as that...

 

Almost every state has adopted some part of the Cali. emissions program. I would doubt that that your twenty year theroy will hold out to be true. The only way to be sure is to contact the department of licencing or department of transportation, which ever your state has. Even the department of ecology or eviormental safety. Every state is a little different.

 

I do know that it is a federal crime to tamper with a factory equipt emmissions system the is working correctly. But the enforcement of this differs from state to state. Thus in Cali, it's 73. In michigan, we don't have emmissions testing.

 

in missouri there is no testing but i heard nevada is really bad about needing testing. I am getting ready to move there so no fun. Gotta get a cat.
dan

 

in Ohio, only some counties (most of the populated ones like the ones around Cleveland, etc..) have emissions testing. It's called E-Check and it's a crock. Basically you go to the testing, I've had no problems (past/present cars '90 Accord, '96 GS-R, '92 Civic, my parents '99 Civic, '02 Accord, '97 Accord, '95 Buick, etc..) But if you do have problems, its been all over the news, where people bribe the guys, give 'em like $50 to pass 'em, and they're off the hook for two more years.

If you don't pass, you have to retake it later for free, and if you don't pass the 2nd time, if you want to keep it on the road, you have to show $300 worth of emissions receipts (plus labor if you didn't do it yourself) and then get another test. If you fail the 3rd test, then they just say "ok, you tried", and let you go

 

In Georgia, most counties have emissions testing yearly (used to be biannual but was recently changed). I don't think there is an age clause but rather every vehicle made after 19XX is required, I don't know what XX is though since I have never had a car that did not require, my 85 GS has passed several times so I don't worry about it.

 

in MA it's MY '83 and prior do not need emissions testing...

 

In TX, it's 25 years, darn it...

 

i know in Ontario it's 20 yrs, but do you still have to get the car tested if you buy/sell it ?? that would suck!

 

Hey man, im in NC and i got no honest clue. My friends all got 70's muscelle cars and they dont got to get them tested. It might be when you hit classic, whatever that is round here. Are you around Raleigh? There is the RX-7 shop in Raleigh that if you take it to, its almost certian to pass. Mc-Nair something. They are actually smart enough to let it warm up good and do little tricks to help ya pass...and they are kinda lienient :p I got an 84 GSL and it BARRREEELLLYY passed, but it didnt pass at a Jiffy Lube, so, there ya go.

 

anyone in NC know what the deal is? most insurance companys say the car is a classic when it hits 20 and an antique at 25 (I think)..., does that then waive our need to pass emissions?? I know someone out there knows...thanks...cjf.............................. ..........

 

Up here in Manitoba, we have no emmision testing (or so I've been told). I got a muffler shop to cut off my Cat. Convertor, and there have been no problems. The only time you have to test up here is when you safety a car, but safeties are good for 2 years. So I can sell my car with no catylic convertor, and they'll be no problems! And if you sell to a familly member, you don't even have to safety! I love it!

 

Do you mean there is no testing on cars over 20 yrs old? Cause I sure as hell have to get my car tested for emissions.

 

i have never had to get any of my vehicles tested here. Great thing that comed with living in the country no emissions no nothing besides the trees will soak up all my fumes. At least that is what i have been telling me self.