A FIRST of its kind self-service kiosk open 24/7 is set to shake up car inspections as emissions rules steadily tighten.
Officials hope the new gadgets will have a major impact on air quality and slash waiting times.
Officials in Colorado are proposing new self-service kiosks to speed up emissions testing[/caption]
Officials in Colorado have come up with an ingenious solution to backlogs for vehicle emissions tests.
The measures have been proposed in response to the Denver area ranking sixth worst for air quality in the nation in an American Lung Association study in April.
Several counties in the state require emissions tests in order to register a vehicle.
Dealers are responsible for ensuring that any car they sell meets the minimum emissions standards for at least five days after sale.
Likewise, any vehicle bought in another state where test are not mandatory must be accompanied with a VIN verification form and tested in Colorado within 15 days of entering the state in order to be registered there.
And vehicles manufactured before 2017 also have to undergo regular testing to hit the road.
The law was brought in to combat harmful pollution and fight climate change.
But, as a consequence of the policy, demand for tests is high and drivers are often frustrated by long delays.
Now, though, the state’s Department of Public Health and Environment has suggested installing self-service kiosks where drivers can perform their own emissions tests.
Drivers in Adams, Arapahoe, Boulder, Broomfield, Denver, Douglas, Jefferson, Larimer and Weld counties would be able to access the services at any time of the day or night, seven days a week.
The kiosks would be equipped with instructions to help drivers through the test and strict security systems to prevent any fiddling of the figures.
It is hoped that it will slash long waiting lists and allow more drivers to get on the roads in cleaner vehicles with less hassle.
Local driver Marico Borges was all in favour of the proposals.
How can I check if my car is part of a recall?
If you own a car that’s been recently recalled, you can easily check your VIN.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) makes it incredibly quick and easy for drivers to check and see if their vehicle is part of a recent (or past) recall.
The VIN checking tool also allows drivers to see whether or not the repair was completed within the last 15 years, making it an incredible tool for buyers of used cars.
All recalls initiated by the NHTSA mean free repairs for drivers, even if it’s an engine or a transmission replacement. If your VIN shows an active recall that has not been repaired, it’s important to make an appointment at your nearest dealership.
Here’s how to make an appointment for a recall:
- Look up your VIN using the NHTSA tool.
- Find out the recall number/ID from the manufacturer.
- Call your nearest dealership’s service center with the ID number handy, and mention you’d like to schedule an appointment to repair the recall. The repair can only be done at a dealership, as they’re authorized by the manufacturer to conduct the repair free of cost using genuine parts.
- Try to make the appointment as soon as possible.
- Once the repair is completed, the dealership will update the information associated with the VIN to reflect it’s been completed.
Source: NHTSA
He told Fox31: “That would be fantastic.
“It would save a lot of time.”
The Department’s Motor Vehicle Emissions Division is now requesting a rulemaking hearing in front of the Air Quality Control Commission to discuss the changes.
If granted, this is set to be held in January 2025 ahead of a possible implementation later in the year.
