What To Do If Your Vehicle Fails The Emissions Test
If your vehicle fails the OBD test, the inspector will give you a Vehicle Inspection Report (VIR) containing detailed test results, a condensed version of the Repair Shop Report (RSR) that contains a list of repair facilities within a fifteen (15) mile radius, along with additional information. A full version of the RSR is available online here. It provides a list of all known repair shops and relevant information about them.
The inspector will also provide you with a Repair Data Form (RDF). A failing vehicle must be repaired and then return to a station for a retest. The Illinois EPA recommends that repairs be made by a technician who is trained and experienced in emissions diagnosis and repair. The repair technician should complete and submit the RDF for you online. If the repair technician does not submit the RDF for you, you must bring it with you at the time of your retest.
A repair waiver may be issued if all of the following requirements are met:
The vehicle has been tested at least twice and has failed to comply with emissions standards.
All emissions control devices are present and appear to be properly connected and operating.
The Malfunction Indicator Lamp/Light (MIL) is functioning properly.
A minimum of $1,111 in emissions-related repairs (excluding tampering-related repairs) have been made to the vehicle.
Evidence of the repairs is presented, consisting of receipts dated not more than 30 days prior to the test eligibility date that identify the vehicle by VIN.
The repairs were performed by a recognized repair technician.
All eligible emissions-related warranty repairs and adjustments have been performed pursuant to Section 207 of the Clean Air Act (42 USC 7541).
The vehicle owner is present or the Repair Waiver Application is properly completed.
Click here for more information about repair waivers and to access the Repair Waiver Application.