UPDATED: May 15, 2020
The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality, which closed its vehicle inspection stations on March 17, has extended those closures through at least May 31, in an effort to mitigate the risk of spreading COVID-19 among staff and customers.
The Vehicle Inspection Program helps ensure vehicles are properly maintained so emission control systems keep pollution levels within EPA’s allowable standards. In Oregon, a vehicle emissions test is required prior to DMV registration in the Portland-Metro and Medford-Ashland areas every other year.
In late March, the Oregon Department of Transportation announced a partnership with Oregon law enforcement agencies to exercise discretion in the enforcement of driver’s licenses, vehicle registrations and trip permits that expire during the COVID-19 emergency declared by Governor Brown. However, those customers still wishing to get their vehicles inspected and registered may visit DEQ’s Vehicle Inspection Station Closure Information (During COVID-19-related Emergency) page for more information on testing options.
DEQ’s goal is to protect the health and safety of staff and customers. For specific questions concerning
- Vehicle inspections, email VIPINFO@deq.state.or.us or call 503-229-5066.
- Vehicle registrations, contact Oregon DMV at 503-945-5000.
— Susan C. Mills, public affairs specialist
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UPDATED: Friday, April 24, 2020
The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality, which closed its vehicle inspection stations on March 17, has extended those closures through at least May 17, in an effort to mitigate the risk of spreading COVID-19 among staff and customers.
The Vehicle Inspection Program helps ensure vehicles are properly maintained so emission control systems keep pollution levels within EPA’s allowable standards. In Oregon, a vehicle emissions test is required prior to DMV registration in the Portland-Metro and Medford-Ashland areas every two years.
In late March, the Oregon Department of Transportation announced a partnership with Oregon law enforcement agencies to exercise discretion in the enforcement of driver’s licenses, vehicle registrations and trip permits that expire during the COVID-19 emergency declared by Governor Brown. However, those customers still wishing to get their vehicles inspected and registered may visit DEQ’s Vehicle Inspection Station Closure Information (During COVID-19-related Emergency) page for more information.
DEQ’s goal is to protect the health and safety of staff and customers. For specific questions concerning
- Vehicle inspections, email VIPINFO@deq.state.or.us or call 503-229-5066.
- Vehicle registrations, contact Oregon DMV at 503-945-5000.
– Susan C. Mills, public affairs specialist ____________________________________________________________________
UPDATED: Thursday, April 9, 2020
The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality is offering a quick and convenient way for vehicle owners in the Portland and Medford emission testing areas to renew their registrations and obtain an emissions certificate online.
DEQ this week began offering online emission test certification. Customers start by agreeing to the terms and conditions at https://ordeq.org/VIPonlinecert and then entering their vehicle identification number. The certificates are available for vehicle owners in the Portland and Medford testing areas who have registrations that expire this year between Feb. 15 and May 15.
Offering vehicle certification online will make it easy for vehicle owners to stay current in their registration even while DEQ Vehicle Inspection Program testing stations are closed due to the COVID-19 outbreak. DEQ closed the six Portland stations and one Medford station on March 17 and initially targeted April 14 as the reopening date. It has now extended the closure until at least April 27 and will continue to assess the latest information from state and federal health authorities in deciding when to reopen.
Vehicle Inspection Program customers, who get certificates online now still must have their vehicles tested, but will have until the end of the year to do so. This is an option for drivers who want to have their vehicle registrations renewed now, and who may want to avoid lines that may occur when the stations reopen. Some DEQ Too stations also remain open, but drivers should call to verify hours of operation. DEQ Too stations are approved private repair service centers, oil change shops and car washes that can test vehicles, generally for an additional fee. For more information go to deqtoo.org.
The DEQ Vehicle Inspection Program each year tests about 700,000 vehicles and issues over 350,000 vehicle registration renewal tags.
Customers with questions may call the DEQ Vehicle Inspection Program at 503-229-5066 or email vipinfo@deq.state.or.us. For more information about vehicle registration, call Oregon Driver and Motor Vehicle Services at 503-945-5000 or go to oregon.gov/odot/DMV/Pages/Vehicle/Registration.aspx.
– Dylan Darling, public affairs specialist ______________________________________________________________________
UPDATED: Friday, March 20, 2020
Today, the Oregon Department of Transportation’s Driver and Motor Vehicles Division announced that it has partnered with Oregon law enforcement agencies to exercise discretion in their enforcement of driver licenses, vehicle registrations and trip permits that expire during the COVID-19 emergency declared by Governor Brown. Details may be found at https://bit.ly/2U92IGN.
Those still wishing to get vehicles inspected may visit a participating DEQ Too™ station. DEQ Too is a test method that allows private business locations motorists already frequent, such as gas stations, car washes, oil change shops, repair service centers, etc., to complete vehicle emissions tests. More information on DEQ Too, applicable vehicles, and participating locations is available at https://ordeq.org/DEQtoo.
If you have specific questions concerning vehicle inspections, email VIPINFO@deq.state.or.us or call DEQ’s Tech Center at 971-673-1630.
Questions concerning vehicle registrations should go to http://OregonDMV.com or 503-945-5000.
On March 18, the Environmental Quality Commission, Oregon DEQ’s policy-making board, conducted a virtual meeting in which they granted authority for DEQ’s Director to issue a blanket certification to all vehicles needing an inspection between Feb. 15 and April 14, 2020. Action by DEQ in using this new authority is still pending.
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Wednesday, March 18, 2020
Following the decision to close DEQ vehicle inspection stations, the Oregon Environmental Quality Commission adopted an emergency order during a meeting, Wednesday, March 18, to allow for short-term deferrals of emissions test requirements. The deferrals apply to motor vehicles with registrations expiring between Feb. 15 and April 14, 2020 that have not already been renewed. This will allow the Oregon Department of Motor Vehicles to process registration renewals for these vehicles. The commission’s vote was unanimous.
DEQ announced it is temporarily closing all vehicle inspection stations as of Tuesday, March 17, to reduce the risk of spreading COVID-19 among staff and customers. DEQ’s Vehicle Inspection Program helps ensure vehicles are properly maintained so emission control systems keep pollution levels within EPA’s allowable standards. In Oregon, a vehicle emissions test is required prior to DMV registration in the Portland-Metro and Medford-Ashland areas every two years. Pending additional news, all stations will reopen on Wednesday, April 15.
“The health and safety of our employees and customers are DEQ’s top priorities,” said Richard Whitman, director, Oregon DEQ. “The VIP prides itself on excellent customer service, which requires close contact among employees and drivers. However, current public health concerns mean we must do everything necessary to mitigate the spread of COVID-19.”
Updates on the vehicle inspection stations will be posted here. For additional information, please call 971-673-1630.
The draft commission meeting minutes and audio files are available on the EQC agenda page here.
– Susan C. Mills, public affairs specialist