Washington State Department of Ecology

Department of Ecology News Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - Dec. 16, 1999

99-267

Contacts: Larry Altose, public information officer, 425-649-7192
John Raymond, air quality specialist, 360-407-6856

Media Advisory

Avoid pre- and post- New Year Emission Check Crunch

OLYMPIA -- Motorists could encounter long lines at Emission Check stations if they put off inspections until next year. Many vehicle owners are delaying license tab purchases until after Jan. 1 to take advantage of lower registration fees under Initiative 695. The end and beginning of the month are always the busiest times at test stations, and may be especially so this time.

Ecology offers the following reminders:

The best way to beat the expected late December, early January rush is to have your vehicle tested before Dec. 24.

Emission Check stations will be closed Dec. 24, Dec. 25 and Jan. 1. They will be open Dec. 31.

Test station hours through the rest of 1999 are:
- Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.;
- Wednesday: 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.
- Saturday: 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
- Closed Sundays.

Test station hours in 2000 will be:
- Tuesday through Saturday: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Closed Sundays and Mondays (including Jan. 3).

The test fee is $12 through 1999. It will be $15 in 2000. Test reports are valid for six months.

In 2000, only 1976 through 1996 model-year vehicles need inspections.

An Ecology news release with more details is on the Internet at:
http://www.ecy.wa.gov/news/1999news/99-255.html