Vehicle Services
Exhaust Emission Inspection
| The Division of Motor Vehicles performs two types of exhaust emissions analysis. The first is an idle and the second is a two-speed (2,500 rpm's). These tests enable Delaware to comply with the Federal Clean Air Act requirements for vehicle emissions testing. |  |
Inspection Tips:
The Division requests that customers perform the following items upon entering the vehicle inspection building:
- Ensure your automatic transmission is in 'Park', or 'Neutral' and have your insurance and vehicle registration card present.
| Vehicle Year | Type of Inspection |
| 1967 & Older passenger vehicles | No Emissions test performed |
| 1968 – 1980 vehicles | Idle Test |
| 1981 – 1995 | Two-Speed Test |
| 1996 – To current five model year | On-Board Diagnostic (OBDII) |
| Current five model years | Exempt |
- Idle Emission Test– The DMV technician places the probe into the tailpipe to begin test. This test takes approximately 1 minute to complete.
- Two-Speed Test- The DMV technician will place the RPM sensor on the vehicle’s hood prior to beginning phase one of the test. Phase two the DMV technician will request that you increase the engine speed to 2,500 rpm. DMV shall not test emissions at a higher engine speed. To guide you through this process, the DMV technician shall direct you to follow the guidelines on the computer monitor located outside the driver’s door. The monitor shows your engine speed and indicates when you are in the acceptable range. This test takes approximately 2.5 minutes to complete.
- On-Board Diagnostic (OBDII) - There are two steps in the OBD II inspection. With
the key on and the engine off, the inspector confirms that the MIL is functional. The inspector
connects the inspection tool to the OBD II system to check the status of the system. The following
is a typical OBD II connector. This test takes approximately 2 minutes to complete. The
OBDII test method will replace the Division’s tailpipe test (and pressure test) for 1996 and new
gasoline powered vehicles and 1997 and new diesel powered vehicles with MGVWR less than 8,500 pounds registered
in New Castle County and Kent County.
For additional information regarding OBD II, please feel free to access the following web sites:
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PLEASE FOLLOW THESE INSTRUCTIONS DMV TAKES SAFETY SERIOUSLY. |
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DMV TECHNICIANS SHALL BE IN FRONT OF, IN THE REAR OF AND UNDER THE HOOD OF YOUR VEHICLE, OR IN THE DRIVER OR PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE, WHILE IT IS OPERATING WHEN PERFORMING THESE TESTS. IF YOU ARE UNSURE ABOUT ANY INSTRUCTIONS GIVEN, DO NOTHING AND ASK FOR ASSISTANCE. DMV TECHNICIANS WILL ASSIST THOSE CUSTOMERS HAVING ANY PROBLEMS COMPLETING A PORTION OF DELAWARE’S INSPECTION PROGRAM. REMEMBER – SMOKING AND CELL PHONE USAGE IS PROBIBITED IN THE INSPECTION LANES. NO PETS ARE ALLOWED IN THE INSPECTION FACILITIES. |
