Air Pollution Board Emission Testing Update

Update August 17, 2021: TDEC ANNOUNCES END TO EMISSIONS TESTING IN SEVERAL TENNESSEE COUNTIES

The Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC) announced today that emissions testing in several Tennessee counties can end on January 14, 2022 now that the Environmental Protection Agency has approved a revision to the state’s air quality plan.

EPA’s final rule, which was published in the federal register on August 17, 2021, means vehicle testing will end in January of 2022 in five Tennessee counties – Hamilton, Sumner, Rutherford, Wilson, and Williamson. Metropolitan Nashville/Davidson County has chosen to continue its testing program.

The EPA determined that the removal of vehicle emissions testing in Tennessee is consistent with the federal Clean Air Act and all applicable regulations. The rule becomes effective 30 days after publication in the Federal Register, on September 16, 2021. Tennessee law says the elimination of emissions testing shall be effective 120 days following the effective date of EPA’s final rule, meaning the elimination date falls in January 2022. Given the end-of-month requirement for vehicle testing and registration, vehicle registration renewals for the month of January 2022 will not require testing after January 13. Persons registering their vehicles before January 14 will still be required to get the emissions test.

Tennessee’s law provides an option for local agencies with their own vehicle emissions testing programs to continue them. Davidson County opted to continue its existing program.

Those who have questions regarding the elimination of the vehicle emissions testing program may visit the TDEC Vehicle Emissions website at this link.

Direct all questions about testing to TDEC Vehicle Testing Information Hotline: 1-866-329-9632