VA rapidpass

[Prh]

I recently noticed some emission testing equipment on some of the on ramps near Fairfax County Parkway in Reston. Did a little research and it's the RAPIDPASS program. They setup in various locations around the area. You can go to the to their site, they are posted a week in advance.

https://www.rapidpass.org/VaPublic/Locations


My vehicle inspection is coming due in April and my emissions test. Anyway, I have not had my emissions tested after getting APR downpipes and aftermarket exhausts. I'm wondering if this is a safer router to go then going into a state testing center? If you fail during the inspection, you get that nasty sticker on the windshield and 30 days to resolve, right? If I fail with this RAPIDPASS I guess it buys one a little more time to get the issue resolved?

Anyone used this method?

[JimmyBones]

The sticker on the middle lower part of the windshield is for the safety inspection. Unless they have changed something recently there is no sticker for emissions that goes on the windshield.

The Rapidpass systems have been set up by me around Rt 50 and 495 usually. If your car has cats then you should be fine to drive by and it will hopefully say that you don't have to go through an emissions test to renew for your tags and registration.

For me however whenever I drive past one of those Rapidpass setups I push the clutch in and roll by it because some of my cars have high flow cats or are catless at times. It is easier for me to pass an emissions test at a gas station with those cars than go by a Rapidpass setup. By the way, if a Rapidpass station detects that you are excessively polluting then they will send you a letter stating that you have to pass an emissions inspection at a shop within a period of time.

[Prh]

Good to know. Thanks


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[SQ5Nva]

If you fail during the inspection, you get that nasty sticker on the windshield and 30 days to resolve, right? If I fail with this RAPIDPASS I guess it buys one a little more time to get the issue resolved?

Anyone used this method?

The sticker on the lower center windshield is the annual state inspection, not emissions. Emissions is the one you complete every two years when renewing tags. Driven through it in the past, it sends you a letter in the mail and tells you if you passed or failed. If you pass, you have the option to pay the fee and your emissions will be valid for 2 years. Idk what happens if you fail it.

[b6onboost]

You cannot renew your registration, aka tags, until you've been re-inspected and pass.

Idk what happens if you fail it.

[Prh]

The sticker on the lower center windshield is the annual state inspection, not emissions. Emissions is the one you complete every two years when renewing tags. Driven through it in the past, it sends you a letter in the mail and tells you if you passed or failed. If you pass, you have the option to pay the fee and your emissions will be valid for 2 years. Idk what happens if you fail it.

Makes sense. I guess when I first moved to VA I was doing tag renewals, emission and state inspection on the same month for years.

Will get inspection done this month and then in a few months I will go for emissions when renewing the tags. Thx

[TFSI]

Follow-up question regarding VA emission test in general. How strict is it? I'm coming from Maryland. My car's exhaust isn't modified, but I plan to do some work in the near future.