Wisconsin

dragonlady

(3,577 posts) Fri Jun 22, 2012, 03:56 PM Jun 2012

A tip for southeast Wisconsin motorists

Did you know that starting July 1, emission testing will be done by a network of "private businesses, including vehicle repair facilities, service stations, and car dealerships" on a list mandated by the state? Not by the testing facilities we have been going to for years. These are "exciting changes," according to the DMV website, because "emission testing just got convenient" at 200 stations "conveniently located throughout the seven county vehicle emissions program area." http://www.wisconsinvip.org/WivipPublic/ (It would be interesting to know whether these match the Walker donor list.)

If you would rather not be part of the beta testing of this new scheme, you can get your next test anytime up to 180 days before the license renewal date by going to the current facilities. They will be open until Saturday, June 30, on this schedule: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday 8:30 to 5:30; Saturday 8 to 12 noon (closed Wednesday).

Here is the information from the DMV website:

When are tests required

Before registration renewal. Vehicles require an emission test every other year before license plate renewal, beginning in the third year following the vehicle's model year. (For example, model year 2008 vehicles first require a test in 2011.) Renewal notices will indicate if a test is due (see sample renewal notice).

The vehicle must pass the emission test before registration renewal. Failure to pass the test prevents issuance of the annual plate sticker, which makes the vehicle illegal to operate after the registration (plate) expires. If you mailed your renewal without the passing the emission test, take your vehicle to one of the test stations. DMV will automatically receive the successful test information and issue the registration and sticker. Your registration and stickers should arrive within a week to 10 days.

A test is not required if the vehicle passed a test within 180 days of the registration expiration date. You can check whether your vehicle is due for a test within the next 180 days by entering your license plate on WisDOT's plate inquiry page. If the inquiry result page includes the statement "IM test is needed," your vehicle is due for a test (“IM” = Inspection Maintenance). You do not need a renewal notice or letter from WisDOT in order to have your vehicle tested. Simply visit the emission inspection location and bring one of the following with you:
Certificate of registration
Wisconsin title
Prior inspection report
Letter from the Department
MV2016 (Substitute Renewal Notice)

After transfer of ownership. Vehicles more than five model years old require a test within 45 days following a change of ownership. WisDOT mails a letter to the owner explaining the test requirements. Failure to pass the test within the 45-day time period will result in a suspension of the vehicle's registration. A test is not required if the vehicle passed a test within 180 days of the transfer of ownership.

After registering in Wisconsin. Vehicles previously titled and registered out-of-state and more than five model years old require a test within 45 days after receiving Wisconsin registration. WisDOT mails a letter to the owner explaining the test requirements. Failure to complete the emission requirement within the 45-day time period will result in a suspension of the vehicle's registration.

Review the WisDOT vehicle emission test procedure for more information.

http://www.dot.wisconsin.gov/drivers/vehicles/im.htm

10 replies

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Highlight:

A tip for southeast Wisconsin motorists (Original Post) dragonlady Jun 2012 OP

Thanks for the info. n/t snacker Jun 2012 #1

Here's how it worked for me in Texas when visiting one of these private "testing" places. LeftofObama Jun 2012 #2

Another greedy money making idea. The company here in Nashville makes a killing. Lint Head Jun 2012 #3

Hey GOP, privatize THIS (sticks up middle finger) Blue Owl Jun 2012 #4

In NC - mzteris Jun 2012 #5

The tests here are for emissions that hurt the environment dragonlady Jun 2012 #6

I have relatives down there... TheMightyFavog Jun 2012 #8

I looked at the local list of providers getting old in mke Jun 2012 #7

mixed feelings dembotoz Jun 2012 #9

If your mechanic is on the approved list of inspectors dragonlady Jun 2012 #10

snacker

(3,619 posts)

1. Thanks for the info. n/t

Reply to dragonlady (Original post)

Fri Jun 22, 2012, 04:32 PM

Jun 2012

LeftofObama

(4,243 posts)

2. Here's how it worked for me in Texas when visiting one of these private "testing" places.

Reply to dragonlady (Original post)

Fri Jun 22, 2012, 04:32 PM

Jun 2012

Testing Place: I'm sorry sir, I can't pass you because your wiper blades are worn. They'll have to be replaced before I can pass you.

Me: I just replaced those wiper blades 6 months ago, they can't be worn in only 6 months. We've hardly had any rain, so they've hardly been used!

TP: I'm sorry sir, but they're showing signs of wear. If you'd like, we have replacements available here for only (some astronomical price). If you choose not to buy them here, you will need to bring your car back in with the replacement blades on the car along with the sales receipt within 24 hours to get passed.

Needless to say I went to Wal Mart and bought the blades and put them on my car. I went back to the "testing" place and showed them the new blades along with the receipt and I was passed. I put the old blades in the trunk to use as spares.

Private "testing" places are nothing more than scam operations set up to bilk people out of money.

Wisconsin might start out with emissions only testing, but I guarandamntee you the "testing" will eventually go far beyond that!

Lint Head

(15,064 posts)

3. Another greedy money making idea. The company here in Nashville makes a killing.

Reply to dragonlady (Original post)

Fri Jun 22, 2012, 06:05 PM

Jun 2012

Blue Owl

(50,402 posts)

4. Hey GOP, privatize THIS (sticks up middle finger)

Reply to dragonlady (Original post)

Fri Jun 22, 2012, 06:08 PM

Jun 2012

n/t

mzteris

(16,232 posts)

5. In NC -

Reply to dragonlady (Original post)

Sat Jun 23, 2012, 12:52 PM

Jun 2012

almost every gas station or garage was able to inspect your car. And every vehicle had to pass inspection well beyond emissions.

Which, IMO, is a good thing. No more broken tail or headlights driving around the streets. Cars who brakes actually worked. Wndshield wipers (to use the other guy's story) that WORK.

I was very surprised when I moved to WI and found they DIDN"T inspect vehicles!

You couldn't really get away with scamming, because the person would just leave and go the next block. Also if they were reported or caught, the lost their certification to be inspectors.

It wasn't a "select" group - anyone could be certified to do so. I grumbled about the cost, sure, but it helped ensure SAFER vehicles on the road, and yeah, it helped the local economy, too. It wasn't usually the big chains that had them as I recall, but the local mechanic.

Not sure what the criteria is here - you mention a 7 county area. Where is that? Is it a pilot program? I've never heard of it before.

dragonlady

(3,577 posts)

6. The tests here are for emissions that hurt the environment

Reply to mzteris (Reply #5)

Sat Jun 23, 2012, 03:39 PM

Jun 2012

Only the counties in the southeast part of the state are considered to be polluting enough to warrant testing. This is the Milwaukee metropolitan area. The rest of the state is more sparsely populated. There has been no charge for the test, although if your car doesn't pass, you bear the cost of repairing it enough to make it pass. Apparently the tests will still be free under the new regime.

TheMightyFavog

(13,770 posts)

8. I have relatives down there...

Reply to dragonlady (Reply #6)

Mon Jun 25, 2012, 12:45 AM

Jun 2012

And a few of them have conveniently gotten around these inspections by having their cars registered in the names of friends who live outside the inspection zone.

Why yes, all these relatives of mine who do this are also all HUGE Republicans, how did you guess?

getting old in mke

(813 posts)

7. I looked at the local list of providers

Reply to dragonlady (Original post)

Sat Jun 23, 2012, 11:29 PM

Jun 2012

and it looks a lot like the same mechanics/dealerships/service stations that could do remedial work in the past and sign off on it.

dembotoz

(16,808 posts)

9. mixed feelings

Reply to dragonlady (Original post)

Mon Jun 25, 2012, 10:12 AM

Jun 2012

as they have cut funding for the program year after year it has become harder to get the vehicle in for testing.
There is no facility in ozaukee county and i have to go to west bend.
my mothers friend recently had hers tested and they spent a wacky 1/2 a day trying to find the place (a 3 hour tour, a 3 hour tour).

so opening it up to many more locations is good.
question is --can you trust the locations.....

i do have a mechanic that i trust and a fall back or 2 i could use....
but i also know that the local Midas shop which does oil changes--loves to push for new serpentine belts--they are always cracked and glassy and a quick add on to make the cheap oil change more profitable.

was in advertising (coupons) for a number of years and the cheap oil change purpose is not to be a customer friendly event--it is to give the garage the chance to look under the hood and give the customer a shopping list.
an oil change with no add ons is a fail

fear this could be the same.

dragonlady

(3,577 posts)

10. If your mechanic is on the approved list of inspectors

Reply to dembotoz (Reply #9)

Mon Jun 25, 2012, 02:38 PM

Jun 2012

that's great. The only one we knew anything about had already tried to rip us off. Luckily we found out about getting the test done now at the current place even though the license doesn't expire until next month. Better for many people, if possible, to get a test in this last week and kick the can down the road for two years while seeing what happens after the new system takes over on July 1.

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