Virginia Regulatory Town Hall

Final Text

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Action:
Clean Screen (Rev. MN)
Stage: Final
 
9VAC5-91-20

9VAC5-91-20. Terms defined.

"Aborted test" means an emissions inspection procedure that has been initiated by the inspector but stopped and not completed due to inspector error or a vehicular problem that prevents completion of the test. Aborted tests are not tests that cannot be completed due to a "failed/invalid" result caused by an exhaust dilution problem or an engine condition that prevents the inspection from being completed.

"Acceleration Simulation Mode (ASM) 50-15 equipment" means dynamometer-based emissions test equipment used to perform an enhanced emissions test in one or more, discreet, simulated road speed and engine load modes.

"Acceleration Simulation Mode (ASM) 25-25 standards" means the standards utilized for one of the discreet modes of the ASM test of the enhanced emission inspection program.

"Access code" means the security phrase or number which allows authorized station personnel, the department, and analyzer service technicians to perform specific assigned functions using the certified analyzer system, as determined by the department. Depending on the assigned function, the access code is a personal password, a state password or a service password. Access code is not an identification number, but is used as an authenticator along with the identification number where such number is needed to perform specific tasks.

"Actual gross weight" means the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR).

"Administrator" means the administrator of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) or an authorized representative.

"Affected motor vehicle" means any motor vehicle or replica vehicle which:

1. Was manufactured or designated by the manufacturer as a model year less than 25 calendar years prior to January 1 of the present calendar year according to the formula, the current calendar year minus 24, except those identified by remote sensing as specified in subdivision 5 of this definition;

2. Is designed for the transportation of persons or property;

3. Is powered by an internal combustion engine;

4. For the Northern Virginia Emissions Inspection Program, has an actual gross weight of 10,000 pounds or less; and

5. For vehicles subject to the remote sensing requirements of 9VAC5-91-180, was designated by the manufacturer as model year 1968 or newer.

The term "affected motor vehicle" does not mean any:

1. Vehicle powered by a clean special fuel as defined in § 46.2-749.3 of the Code of Virginia, provided the federal Clean Air Act permits such exemptions for vehicles powered by clean special fuels;

2. Motorcycle;

3. Vehicle that at the time of its manufacture was not designed to meet emissions standards set or approved by the federal government;

4. Any antique motor vehicle as defined in § 46.2-100 of the Code of Virginia and licensed pursuant to § 46.2-730 of the Code of Virginia;

5. Firefighting equipment, rescue vehicle, or ambulance;

6. Vehicle for which no testing standards have been adopted by the board;

7. Tactical military vehicle; or

8. Qualified hybrid motor vehicle if such vehicle obtains a rating from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency of at least 50 miles per gallon during city fuel economy tests unless identified by the remote sensing requirements of 9VAC5-91-180 as violating the on-road high emitter emissions standards for on-road testing.

"Air intake systems" means those systems that allow for the induction of ambient air (to include preheated air) into the engine combustion chamber for the purpose of mixing with a fuel for combustion.

"Air pollution" means the presence in the outdoor atmosphere of one or more substances which are or may be harmful or injurious to human health, welfare or safety; to animal or plant life; or to property; or which unreasonably interfere with the enjoyment by the people of life or property.

"Air Pollution Control Law" means Chapter 13 (§ 10.1-1300 et seq.) of Title 10.1 of the Code of Virginia.

"Air system" means a system for providing supplementary air to promote further oxidation of hydrocarbons and carbon monoxide gases and to assist catalytic reaction.

"Alternative fuel" means an internal combustion engine fuel other than (i) gasoline, (ii) diesel, or (iii) fuel mixtures containing more than 15% volume of gasoline.

"Alternative method" means any method of sampling and analyzing for an air pollutant that is not a reference method, but that has been demonstrated to the satisfaction of the board, in specific cases, to produce results adequate for its determination of compliance.

"Acceleration Simulation Mode (ASM) test" means a dynamometer-based emissions test performed in one or more, discreet, simulated road speed and engine load modes, and equipment which can be used to perform any such test.

"Authorized personnel" means department personnel, an individual designated by analyzer manufacturer, station owner, licensed emissions inspector, station manager or other person as designated by the station manager.

"Basic engine systems" means those parts or assemblies which provide for the efficient conversion of a compressed air and fuel charge into useful power to include but not limited to valve train mechanisms, cylinder head to block integrity, piston-ring-cylinder sealing integrity and post-combustion emissions control device integrity.

"Basic test and repair program" means a motor vehicle emissions inspection system established by this chapter that designates the use of an OBD-II (on-board diagnostic system) with wireless capability and a two-speed idle analyzer as the only authorized testing equipment. Only those computer software programs and emissions testing procedures necessary to comply with the applicable provisions of Title I of the federal Clean Air Act shall be included. Such testing equipment shall be approvable for motor vehicle manufacturers' warranty repairs.

"Bi-fuel" means any motor vehicle capable of operating on one of two different fuels, usually gasoline and an alternative fuel, but not a mixture of the fuels. That is, only one fuel at a time.

"Board" means the State Air Pollution Control Board or its designated representative.

"Calibration" means establishing or verifying the response curve of a measurement device using several different measurements having precisely known quantities.

"Calibration gases" means gases of precisely known concentrations that are used as references for establishing or verifying the response curve of a measurement device.

"Canister" means a mechanical device capable of adsorbing and retaining hydrocarbon vapors.

"Catalytic converter" means a post combustion device that oxidizes hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide gases, and may also reduce oxides of nitrogen.

"Certificate of emissions inspection" means a document, device, or symbol, whether recorded in written or electronic form, as prescribed by the director and issued pursuant to this chapter, which indicates that (i) an affected motor vehicle has satisfactorily complied with the emissions standards and passed the emissions inspection provided for in this chapter; (ii) the requirement of compliance with the emissions standards has been temporarily waived; or (iii) the affected motor vehicle has failed the emissions inspection.

"Certified emissions repair facility" means a facility, or portion of a facility, that has obtained a certification in accordance with Part VII (9VAC5-91-500 et seq.) to perform emissions related repairs on motor vehicles.

"Certified emissions repair technician" means a person who has obtained a certification in accordance with Part VIII (9VAC5-91-550 et seq.) to perform emissions related repairs on motor vehicles.

"Certified enhanced analyzer system" or "analyzer system" means the complete system that samples and reads concentrations of hydrocarbon, carbon dioxide, nitric oxides and carbon monoxide gases and that is approved by the department for use in the Enhanced Emissions Inspection Program in accordance with Part X (9VAC5-91-640 et seq.). The system includes the exhaust gas handling system, the exhaust gas analyzer, evaporative system pressure test equipment, associated automation hardware and software, data media, the analyzer system cabinet, the dynamometer and appurtenant devices, vehicle identification equipment, and associated cooling and exhaust fans and gas cylinders.

"Certified thermometer" means a laboratory grade ambient temperature-measuring device with a range of at least 20°F through 120°F, and an attested accuracy of at least 1°F with increments of 1°, with protective shielding.

"Chargeable inspection" means a completed inspection on an affected motor vehicle, for which the station owner is entitled to collect an inspection fee. No fee shall be paid for (i) inspections for which a certificate of emissions inspection has not been issued, (ii) inspections that are conducted by the department for referee purposes, (iii) inspections which were ordered due to on-road test failures but which result in an emissions inspection "pass" at an inspection station, or (iv) the first reinspection done at the same station that performed the initial inspection within 14 days. An inspection ordered by the department due to an on-road test failure that results in a confirmation test failure at an emissions inspection station is a chargeable inspection.

"Clean screen vehicle" means a vehicle that has been identified by the on-road inspector as having met the criteria in 9VAC5-91-185 A or B and is eligible to participate in the on-road clean screen program.

"Clean screen vehicle notification" means a document, device, or symbol, whether recorded in written or electronic form, as prescribed by the director and issued pursuant to this chapter, that (i) indicates that an affected motor vehicle has satisfactorily complied with the clean screen vehicle emissions standards for on-road testing, and (ii) may be used by the motor vehicle owner to voluntarily comply with the vehicle registration requirements of § 46.2-1183 of the Code of Virginia.  The notification shall also indicate that the motor vehicle owner may obtain an emissions inspection from an emissions inspection station.

"Clean screen vehicle standard" means any provision of 9VAC5-91-185 that prescribes an emission limitation, or other criteria used to select clean screen vehicles.

"Confirmation test" means an emissions inspection required due to a determination that the vehicle exceeds the exhaust on-road high emitter emissions standards prescribed in Table III-B in 9VAC5-91-180 for on-road testing through remote sensing 9VAC5-91-180 B. The confirmation emissions inspection procedure may include an exhaust test (ASM or TSI), OBD system test or both.

"Consent order" means a mutual agreement between the department and any owner, operator, emissions inspector, or emissions repair technician that such owner or other person will perform specific actions for the purpose of diminishing or abating the causes of air pollution or for the purpose of coming into compliance with this chapter. A consent order may include agreed upon civil charges. Such orders may be issued without a formal hearing.

"Curb idle" means vehicle operation whereby the transmission is disengaged and the engine is operated with the throttle in the closed or idle stop position with the resultant engine speed between 400 and 1,250 revolutions per minute (rpm), or at another idle speed if so specified by the manufacturer.

"Data handling system" means all the computer hardware, software and peripheral equipment used to conduct emissions inspections and manage the enhanced emissions inspection program.

"Data medium" or "data media" means the medium contained in the certified analyzer system and used to electronically record test data.

"Day" means a 24-hour period beginning at midnight.

"Dedicated alternative fuel vehicle" means a vehicle that was configured by the vehicle manufacturer to operate only on one specific fuel other than (i) gasoline, (ii) diesel, or (iii) fuel mixtures containing more than 15% by volume of gasoline.

"Dedicated-fuel vehicle" means a vehicle that was designed and manufactured to operate and operates on one specific fuel.

"Department" means any employee or other representative of the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality, as designated by the director.

"Director" means the director of the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality or a designated representative.

"Dual fuel" means a vehicle that operates on a combination of fuels, usually gasoline or diesel and an alternative fuel, at the same time. That is, the mixed fuels are introduced into the combustion chamber of the engine.

"Emissions control equipment" means any part, assembly or equipment originally installed by the manufacturer in or on a motor vehicle for the sole or primary purpose of reducing emissions.

"Emissions control systems" means any system consisting of parts, assemblies or equipment originally installed by the manufacturer in or on a motor vehicle for the primary purpose of reducing emissions.

"Emissions inspection" means an emissions inspection of a motor vehicle performed by an emissions inspector employed by or working at an emissions inspection station or fleet emissions inspection station, using the tests, procedures, and provisions set forth in this chapter.

"Emissions inspection station" means a facility or portion of a facility that has obtained an emissions inspection station permit from the director authorizing the facility to perform emissions inspections in accordance with the provisions of this chapter.

"Emissions inspector" means, except for an on-road emissions inspector, a person licensed by the department to perform inspections of vehicles required under the Virginia Motor Vehicle Emissions Control Law and is qualified in accordance with this chapter.

"Emissions standard" means any provision of Part III (9VAC5-91-160 et seq.) or Part XIV (9VAC5-91-790 et seq.) that prescribes an emission limitation, or other emission control requirements for motor vehicle air pollution.

"Empty weight (EW)" means that weight stated as the EW on a Virginia motor vehicle registration or derived from the motor vehicle title or manufacturer's certificate of origin. The EW may be used to determine emissions inspection standards.

"Enhanced emissions inspection program" means a motor vehicle emissions inspection including procedures, emissions standards, and equipment required by 40 CFR Part 51, Subpart S or equivalent and consistent with applicable requirements of the federal Clean Air Act. The director will administer the enhanced emissions inspection program. Under the Virginia Motor Vehicle Emissions Control Law, the program requires that affected motor vehicles, unless otherwise exempted, receive biennial inspections at official emissions inspection stations, which may be test and repair facilities, in accordance with this chapter. Nothing in this program shall bar enhanced emissions inspection stations or facilities from also performing vehicle repairs. system established by this chapter that designates, as the only authorized testing equipment for emissions inspection stations, (i) the use of the ASM 50-15 (acceleration simulation mode or method) together with an OBD-II (on-board diagnostic system) with wireless capability, (ii) the use of the ASM 50-15 together with the use of a dynamometer, and (iii) two-speed tailpipe testing equipment. Possession and availability of a dynamometer shall be required for enhanced emissions inspection stations. Only those computer software programs and emissions testing procedures necessary to comply with applicable provisions of Title I of the federal Clean Air Act shall be included. Such testing equipment shall be approvable for motor vehicle manufacturers' warranty repairs. An enhanced emissions inspection program shall include remote sensing and an on-road clean screen program as provided in this chapter.

"EPA" means the United States Environmental Protection Agency.

"Equivalent test weight (ETW)" or "emission test weight" means the weight of a motor vehicle as automatically determined by the emissions analyzer system based on vehicle make, model, body, style, model year, engine size, permanently installed equipment, and other manufacturer and aftermarket supplied information, and used for the purpose of assigning dynamometer resistance and exhaust emissions standards for the conduct of an exhaust emissions inspection.

"Evaporative system pressure test" or "pressure test" means a physical test of the evaporative emission control system on a motor vehicle to determine whether the evaporative system vents emissions of volatile organic compounds from the fuel tank and fuel system to an on-board emission control device, and prevents their release to the ambient air under normal vehicle operating conditions. Such testing shall only be conducted at emissions inspection stations upon installation of approved equipment and software necessary for performing the test, as determined by the director.

"Exhaust gas analyzer" means an instrument that is capable of measuring the concentrations of certain air pollutants in the exhaust gas from a motor vehicle.

"Facility" means something that is built, installed or established to serve a particular purpose; includes, but is not limited to, buildings, installations, public works, businesses, commercial and industrial plants, shops and stores, apparatus, processes, operations, structures, and equipment of all types.

"Federal Clean Air Act" means Chapter 85 (§ 7401 et seq.) of Title 42 of the United States Code.

"Fleet" means 20 or more motor vehicles that are owned, operated, leased or rented for use by a common owner.

"Fleet emissions inspection station" means any inspection facility operated under a permit issued to a qualified fleet owner or lessee as determined by the director.

"Flexible-fuel vehicle" means any motor vehicle capable of operating on two or more fuels, either one at a time or any mixture of two or more different fuels.

"Formal hearing" means a board or department process that provides for the right of private parties to submit factual proofs as provided in § 2.2-4020 of the Administrative Process Act in connection with case decisions. Formal hearings do not include the factual inquiries of an informal nature provided in § 2.2-4019 of the Administrative Process Act.

"Fuel control systems" means those mechanical, electro-mechanical, galvanic or electronic parts or assemblies which regulate the air-to-fuel ratio in an engine for the purpose of providing a combustible charge.

"Fuel filler cap pressure test" or "gas cap pressure test" means a test of the ability of the fuel filler cap to prevent the release of fuel vapors from the fuel tank under normal operating conditions.

"Gas span" means the adjustment of an exhaust gas analyzer to correspond with known concentrations of gases.

"Gas span check" means a procedure using known concentrations of gases to verify the gas span adjustment of an analyzer.

"Gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR)" means the maximum recommended combined weight of the motor vehicle and its load as prescribed by the manufacturer and is (i) expressed on a permanent identification label affixed to the motor vehicle; (ii) stated on the manufacturer's certificate of origin; or (iii) coded in the vehicle identification number. If the GVWR can be determined it shall be one element used to determine emissions inspection standards and test type. If the GVWR is unavailable, the department may make a determination based on the best available evidence including manufacturer reference, information coded in the vehicle identification number, or other available sources of information from which to make the determination.

"Heavy duty gasoline vehicle (HDGV)" means a heavy duty vehicle using gasoline as its fuel.

"Heavy duty vehicle (HDV)" means any affected motor vehicle (i) which is rated at more than 8,500 pounds GVWR or (ii) which has a loaded vehicle weight or GVWR of more than 6,000 pounds and has a basic frontal area in excess of 45 square feet.

"High emitter index" means the method of categorizing the probable emissions inspection failure-rates of engine families. Values within the index are determined by computing the percentile of the historical emissions inspection failure rate of a specific engine family, i.e., a specific group of vehicles with the same vehicle type, year, make and engine size, to the historical emissions inspection failure rate of all engine families in a specific model year group. Failure rates are based on the most recent full year of emissions inspection test data from the Virginia Motor Vehicle Emissions Control Program. Vehicles with an index value above 75 are considered "high-emitters."

"High emitter value" means the values in Table III-B of 9VAC5-91-180 that are used to determine vehicles in violation of the on-road high emitter emissions standard.

"Identification number" means the number assigned by the department to uniquely identify department personnel, an emissions inspection station, a certified emissions repair facility, a licensed emissions inspector, a certified emissions repair technician or other authorized personnel as necessary for specific tasks.

"Idle mode" means a condition where the vehicle engine is warm and running at the rate specified by the manufacturer as curb idle, where the engine is not propelling the vehicle, and where the throttle is in the closed or idle stop position.

"Ignition systems" means those parts or assemblies that are designed to cause and time the ignition of a compressed air and fuel charge.

"Implementation plan" means the plan, including any revision thereof, that has been submitted by the Commonwealth and approved in Subpart VV of 40 CFR Part 52 by the administrator under § 110 of the federal Clean Air Act, or promulgated in Subpart VV of 40 CFR Part 52 by the administrator under § 110(c) of the federal Clean Air Act, or promulgated or approved by the administrator pursuant to regulations promulgated under § 301(d) of the federal Clean Air Act and that implements the relevant requirements of the federal Clean Air Act.

"Informal fact finding" means an informal conference or consultation proceeding used to ascertain the fact basis for case decisions as provided in § 2.2-4019 of the Administrative Process Act.

"Initial inspection" means the first complete emissions inspection of a motor vehicle conducted in accordance with the biennial inspection requirement and for which a valid vehicle emissions inspection report was issued. Any test following the initial inspection is a retest or reinspection.

"Inspection area" means in reference to an emissions inspection station, (i) the area that is occupied by the certified analyzer system and the vehicle being inspected or (ii) for only an OBD II test, the area within wireless range that is on the property on which the inspection station is located.

"Inspection fee" means the amount of money that (i) the emissions inspection station may collect from the motor vehicle owner for each chargeable inspection or (ii) an on-road emissions inspector may collect from the motor vehicle owner in response to a clean screen vehicle notification.

"Light duty gasoline vehicle (LDGV)" means a light duty vehicle using gasoline as its fuel.

"Light duty gasoline truck (LDGT1)" means a light duty truck 1 using gasoline as its fuel.

"Light duty gasoline truck (LDGT2)" means a light duty truck 2 using gasoline as its fuel.

"Light duty truck (LDT)" means any affected motor vehicle which (i) has a loaded vehicle weight or GVWR of 6,000 pounds or less and meets any one of the criteria below; or (ii) is rated at more than 6,000 pounds GVWR but less than 8,500 pounds GVWR and has a basic vehicle frontal area of 45 square feet or less; and meets one of the following criteria:

1. Designed primarily for purposes of transportation of property or is a derivation of such a vehicle.

2. Designed primarily for transportation of persons and has a capacity of more than 12 persons.

3. Equipped with special features enabling off-street or off-highway operation and use.

"Light duty truck 1 (LDT1)" means any light duty truck rated at 6,000 pounds GVWR or less. LDT1 is a subset of light duty trucks.

"Light duty truck 2 (LDT2)" means any light duty truck rated at greater than 6,000 pounds GVWR. LDT2 is a subset of light duty trucks.

"Light duty vehicle (LDV)" means an affected motor vehicle that is a passenger car or passenger car derivative capable of seating 12 passengers or less.

"Loaded vehicle weight (LVW)" or "curb weight" means the weight of a vehicle and its standard equipment; i.e., the empty weight as recorded on the vehicle's registration or the base shipping weight as recorded in the vehicle identification number, whichever is greater; plus the weight of any permanent attachments, the weight of a nominally filled fuel tank, plus 300 pounds.

"Locality" means a city, town, or county created by or pursuant to state law.

"Mobile fleet emissions inspection station" means a facility or entity that provides emissions inspection equipment or services to a fleet emissions inspection station on a temporary basis. Such equipment is not permanently installed at the fleet facility but is temporarily located at the fleet facility for the sole purpose of testing vehicles owned, operated, leased or rented for use by a common owner.

"Model year" means, except as may be otherwise defined in this chapter, the motor vehicle manufacturer's annual production period which includes the time period from January 1 of the calendar year prior to the stated model year to December 31 of the calendar year of the stated model year; provided that, if the manufacturer has no annual production period, the term "model year" shall mean the calendar year of manufacture. For the purpose of this definition, model year is applied to the vehicle chassis, irrespective of the year of manufacture of the vehicle engine.

"Motor vehicle" means any motor vehicle as defined in § 46.2-100 of the Code of Virginia as a motor vehicle and that:

1. Is designed for the transportation of persons or property; and

2. Is powered by an internal combustion engine.

"Motor vehicle dealer" means a person who is licensed by the Department of Motor Vehicles in accordance with §§ 46.2-1500 and 46.2-1508 of the Code of Virginia.

"Motor vehicle emissions" means any emissions related information that can be captured through (i) a basic test and repair inspection, (ii) enhanced emissions inspection, or (iii) on-road testing.

"Motor vehicle inspection report" means a printed certificate of emissions inspection that is a report of the results of an emissions inspection. It indicates whether the motor vehicle has (i) passed, (ii) failed, or (iii) obtained a temporary emissions inspection waiver. It may also indicate whether the emissions inspection could not be completed due to an exhaust dilution or an engine condition that prevents the inspection from being completed. The report shall accurately identify the motor vehicle and shall include inspection results, recall information provided by the department, warranty and repair information, and a unique identification number.

"Motor vehicle owner" means any person who owns, leases, operates, or controls a motor vehicle or fleet of motor vehicles.

"Nonconforming vehicle" means a vehicle not manufactured for sale in the United States to conform to emissions standards established by the federal government.

"Normal business hours" for emissions inspection stations, means a daily eight-hour period Monday through Friday, between the hours of 8 a.m. and 6 p.m., with the exception of national holidays, state holidays, temporary closures noticed to the department and closures due to the inability to meet the requirements of this chapter. Nothing in this chapter shall prevent stations from performing inspections at other times in addition to the "normal business hours." Emissions inspection stations may, with the approval of the department, substitute a combined total of eight hours, between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m., over a weekend period for one weekday as their "normal business hours" for conducting emission inspections. Emissions inspection stations shall post inspection hours.

"Northern Virginia emissions inspection program" means the emissions inspection program required by this chapter in the Northern Virginia program area.

"Northern Virginia program area" or "program area" means the territorial area encompassed by the boundaries of the following localities: the counties of Arlington, Fairfax, Loudoun, Prince William, and Stafford; and the cities of Alexandria, Fairfax, Falls Church, Manassas, and Manassas Park.

"On-board diagnostic system (OBD system)" means the computerized emissions control diagnostic system installed on model year 1996 and newer affected motor vehicles.

"On-board diagnostic system test (OBD) system test" means an evaluation of the OBD system pursuant to 40 CFR 86.094-17 according to procedures specified in 40 CFR 85.2222 and this chapter.

"On-board diagnostic vehicle (OBD vehicle)" means a model year 1996 and newer model affected motor vehicle equipped with an on-board diagnostic system and meeting the requirements of 40 CFR 85.2231.

"On-road clean screen program" means a program that allows a motor vehicle owner to voluntarily certify compliance with emissions standards by means of on-road remote sensing.

"On-road emissions inspector" means the entity or entities authorized by the Department of Environmental Quality to perform on-road testing, including on-road testing in accordance with the on-road clean screen program.

"On-road emissions measurement" means data obtained through on-road testing.

"On-road high emitter emissions standard" means any provision of 9VAC5-91-180 that prescribes an emission limitation, or other emission control requirements for motor vehicle emissions.  The on-road high emitter emissions standard shall be determined by multiplying the high emitter value in Table III-B of 9VAC5-91-180 with the appropriate ASM 25-25 standard in 9VAC5-91-810 or the TSI standard in Table III-A of 9VAC5-91-160.

"On-road testing" means tests of motor vehicle emissions or emissions control devices by means of roadside pullovers or remote sensing devices.

"Operated primarily" means motor vehicle operation that constitutes routine operation into or within the program area as evidenced by observation using remote sensing equipment at least three times in a 60-day period with no less than 30 days between the first and last observation. The director may increase the number of observations required for compliance determination if, in his discretion, based on program experience, such an increase would not significantly adversely impact the objectives of this chapter. The term "operated primarily" shall be used to identify motor vehicle operation that is subject to the exhaust emission standards for on-road testing through remote sensing set forth in 9VAC5-91-180. The term "operated primarily" shall not be used to identify motor vehicle operation that will subject the vehicle to the compliance provisions set forth in 9VAC5-91-160 and 9VAC5-91-170 for biennial emissions inspections.

"Order" means any decision or directive of the board or the director, including orders, consent orders, and orders of all types rendered for the purpose of diminishing or abating the causes of air pollution or enforcement of this chapter. Unless specified otherwise in this chapter, orders shall only be issued after the appropriate administrative proceeding.

"Original condition" means the condition of the vehicle, parts, and components as installed by the manufacturer but not necessarily to the original level of effectiveness.

"Owner" means any person who owns, leases, operates, controls or supervises a facility or motor vehicle.

"Party" means any person who actively participates in the administrative proceeding or offers comments through the public participation process and is named in the administrative record. The term "party" also means the department.

"Person" means an individual, corporation, partnership, association, a governmental body, a municipal corporation, or any other legal entity.

"Pollutant" means any substance the presence of which in the outdoor atmosphere is or may be harmful or injurious to human health, welfare or safety, to animal or plant life, or to property, or which unreasonably interferes with the enjoyment by the people of life or property.

"Qualified hybrid motor vehicle" means a motor vehicle that (i) meets or exceeds all applicable regulatory requirements, (ii) meets or exceeds the applicable federal motor vehicle emissions standards for gasoline-powered passenger cars, and (iii) can draw propulsion energy both from gasoline or diesel fuel and a rechargeable energy storage system.

"Reconstructed vehicle" means every vehicle of a type required to be registered under Title 46.2 (§ 46.2-100 et seq.) of the Code of Virginia, materially altered from its original construction by the removal, addition or substitution of new or used essential parts. Such vehicles, at the discretion of the Department of Motor Vehicles, shall retain their original vehicle identification number, line-make, and model year.

"Referee station" means those facilities operated or used by the department to (i) determine program effectiveness, (ii) resolve emissions inspection conflicts between motor vehicle owners and emissions inspection stations, and (iii) provide such other technical support and information, as appropriate, to emissions inspection stations and motor vehicle owners.

"Reference method" means any method of sampling and analyzing for an air pollutant as described in Appendix A of 40 CFR Part 60.

"Reinspection" or "retest" means a type of inspection selected by the department or the emissions inspector when a request for an inspection is due to a previous failure. Any inspection that occurs 120 days or less following the most recent chargeable inspection is a retest.

"Rejected" or "rejected from testing" means that the vehicle cannot be inspected due to conditions in accordance with 9VAC5-91-420 C or 9VAC5-91-420 G 3.

"Remote sensing" means the observation, measurement, and recordation of motor vehicle exhaust emissions from motor vehicles while traveling on roadways or in specified areas by specialized equipment. Such equipment may use light sensing and electronic stimuli in conjunction with devices, including videographic and digitized images, to detect and record vehicle identification information, such as registration or other identification numbers. measurement of motor vehicle emissions through electronic or light-sensing equipment from a remote location such as the roadside.  Remote sensing equipment may include devices to detect and record the vehicle's registration or other identification numbers.

"Replica vehicle" means every vehicle of a type required to be registered under Title 46.2 (§ 46.2-100 et seq.) of the Code of Virginia not fully constructed by a licensed manufacturer but either constructed or assembled from components. Such components may be from a single vehicle, multiple vehicles, a kit, parts, or fabricated components. The kit may be made up of "major components" as defined in § 46.2-1600 of the Code of Virginia, a full body, or a full chassis, or a combination of these parts. The vehicle shall resemble a vehicle of distinctive name, line-make, model, or type as produced by a licensed manufacturer or manufacturer no longer in business and is not a reconstructed or specially constructed vehicle.  Any vehicle registered as a replica vehicle shall meet emission requirements as established for the model year of which the vehicle is a replica.

"Sensitive mission vehicle" means any vehicle which, for law enforcement or national security reasons, cannot be tested in the public inspection system and must not be identified through the fleet testing system. For such vehicles, an autonomous fleet testing system may be established by agreement between the controlling agency and the director.

"Span gas" means gases of known concentration used as references to adjust or verify the accuracy of an exhaust gas analyzer that are approved by the department and are so labeled.

"Specially constructed vehicle" means any vehicle that was not originally constructed under a distinctive name, make, model, or type by a generally recognized manufacturer of vehicles and not a reconstructed vehicle as defined in this section.

"Specific engine family" means a group of motor vehicles with the same vehicle type, make, year, and engine size.

"Standard conditions" means a temperature of 20°C (68°F) and a pressure of 760 mm of Hg (29.92 inches of Hg).

"Standardized instruments" means laboratory instruments calibrated with precision gases traceable to the National Institute of Standards and Technology and accepted by the department as the standards to be used for comparison purposes. All candidate instruments are compared in performance to the standardized instruments.

"Tactical military vehicle" means any motor vehicle designed to military specifications or a commercially designed motor vehicle modified to military specifications to meet direct transportation support of combat, tactical, or military relief operations, or training of personnel for such operations.

"Tampering" means to alter, remove or otherwise disable or reduce the effectiveness of emissions control equipment on a motor vehicle.

"Test" means an emissions inspection of a vehicle, or any portion thereof, performed by an emissions inspector at an emissions inspection station, using the procedures and provisions set forth in this chapter.

"Test and repair" means motor vehicle emissions inspection stations that perform emissions inspections and may also perform vehicle repairs. No provision of this chapter shall bar emissions inspection stations from also performing vehicle repairs.

"Thermostatic air cleaner" means a system that supplies temperature-regulated air to the air intake system during engine operation.

"True concentration" means the concentration of the gases of interest as measured by a standardized instrument that has been calibrated with 1.0% precision gases traceable to the National Bureau of Standards.

"Two-speed idle test (TSI)" means a vehicle exhaust emissions test, performed in accordance with section (II) of 40 CFR Part 51, Appendix B to Subpart S, which measures the concentrations of pollutants in the exhaust gases of an engine (i) while the motor vehicle transmission is not propelling the vehicle and (ii) while the engine is operated at both curb idle and at a nominal engine speed of 2,500 rpm.

"Vehicle emissions index" means the ranking of probable emissions inspection failure-rates of affected motor vehicles. Values within the index are determined by calculating a percentile of the historical emissions inspection failure-rates of a specific engine family, and comparing that to the historical emissions inspection failure-rates of all engine families in a specific model year group. Motor vehicles with the highest percentage of failure rates have the highest ranking on the index.  Failure rates are based on the two most recent calendar years of emissions inspection test data from the Virginia Motor Vehicle Emissions Control Program.

"Vehicle specific power (VSP)" means an indicator expressed as a function of vehicle speed, acceleration, drag coefficient, tire rolling resistance and roadway grade that is used to characterize the load a vehicle is operating under at the time and place a vehicle is measured by remote sensing equipment. It is calculated using the following formula:

VSP = 4.39 x Sine (Site Grade in Degrees/57.3) x Speed + K1

x Speed x Acceleration + K2 x Speed + K3 x Speed3.

Where:

VSP = vehicle specific power indicator;

Sine = the trigonometric function that for an acute angle is the ratio between the side opposite the angle when it is considered part of a right triangle and the hypotenuse;

Site Grade in Degrees = slope of road where remote sensing measurement is taken;

K1, K2 and K3 = empirically determined coefficients specific to the weight class of the vehicle;

Speed = rate of motion in miles per hour of vehicle at the time remote sensing measurement is taken; and

Acceleration = change in speed in miles per hour per second.

For light duty vehicles the values for K1, K2 and K3 are respectively 0.22, 0.0954 and 0.0000272. Based on EPA guidance, the department may develop different values for K1, K2 and K3 that are applicable to heavy duty vehicles or to specific classes of light duty vehicles.

"Virginia Motor Vehicle Emissions Control Program" means the program for the inspection and control of motor vehicle emissions established by Virginia Motor Vehicle Emissions Control Law.

"Virginia Motor Vehicle Emissions Control Law" means Article 22 (§ 46.2-1176 et seq.) of Chapter 10 of Title 46.2 of the Code of Virginia.

"Visible smoke" means any air pollutant, other than visible water droplets, consisting of black, gray, blue or blue-black airborne particulate matter emanating from the exhaust system or crankcase. Visible smoke does not mean steam.

"Zero gas" means a gas, usually air or nitrogen, which is used as a reference for establishing or verifying the zero point of an exhaust gas analyzer.

9VAC5-91-30

Part II
General Provisions

9VAC5-91-30. Applicability and authority of the department.

A. The provisions of this chapter, unless specified otherwise, apply to the following:

1. Any owner of an affected motor vehicle, including new motor vehicles, specified in subsection B of this section. References made to responsibilities or requirements applicable to an affected motor vehicle shall mean that the owner shall be responsible for compliance with all applicable provisions of this chapter.

2. Any owner of an emissions inspection station or fleet emissions inspection station under the auspices of the enhanced emissions inspection program. References made to responsibilities or requirements of emissions inspection stations or fleet emissions inspection stations shall mean that the owner, permittee or certificate holder, as appropriate, shall be responsible for compliance with all applicable provisions of this chapter.

3. Any person who conducts an emissions inspection under the auspices of the enhanced emissions inspection program.

4. Any owner of an emissions repair facility performing emissions repairs on motor vehicles affected by this chapter. References made to responsibilities or requirements of certified emissions repair facilities shall mean that the owner, permittee or certificate holder, as appropriate, shall be responsible for compliance with all applicable provisions of this chapter.

5. Any emissions repair technician performing emissions repairs on motor vehicles affected by this chapter.

6. Any on-road emissions inspector conducting on-road testing.

B. The provisions of this chapter, unless specified otherwise, apply to the following affected motor vehicles:

1. Any affected motor vehicle, including new motor vehicles, registered by the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles and garaged within the Northern Virginia program area.

2. Any affected motor vehicle, including new motor vehicles, registered by the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles and garaged outside of the Northern Virginia program area but operated primarily in the Northern Virginia program area.

3. Any affected motor vehicle, including new motor vehicles not registered by the Department of Motor Vehicles but operated primarily in the Northern Virginia program area.

4. Any affected motor vehicle, including new motor vehicles owned or operated as part of a fleet located outside the Northern Virginia program area but operated primarily in the Northern Virginia program area.

C. As provided in the Virginia Motor Vehicle Emissions Control Law, affected motor vehicles shall be submitted for biennial emissions inspections and shall be in compliance with this chapter.

1. Motor vehicles having obtained a valid enhanced emissions inspection pass from another program area or another state within the most recent 12 months may be determined by the director to be in compliance with the enhanced emissions inspection required by this chapter for initial registration in Virginia. The valid period for such emissions inspection shall be one year. The proof of emissions inspection results from an enhanced emissions inspection program shall be presented to the Department of Motor Vehicles in such cases. The vehicle and proof of compliance may be presented to the department for verification purposes in order to resolve questions or disputes. Such vehicles are subject to all other provisions of this chapter.

2. The director may temporarily defer the emissions inspection requirement for motor vehicles registered in but temporarily located outside the program area at the time of such requirement based on information including, but not limited to, the location of the vehicle, the reason for and length of its temporary location, and demonstration that it is not practical or reasonable to return the vehicle to the program area for inspection. All such information shall be provided by the owner and is subject to verification by the department.

3. Clean screen vehicles may be determined by the director to be in compliance with the enhanced emissions inspection required by this chapter.

D. Motor vehicles being titled for the first time shall be considered to have an enhanced emissions inspection valid for two years. Such vehicles are not exempt from the emissions inspection program and are subject to all other provisions of this chapter.

E. Pursuant to § 46.2-1180 B of the Motor Vehicle Emissions Control Law, motor vehicles of the current model year and the four immediately preceding model years, held for resale in a licensed motor vehicle dealer's inventory, may be registered for one year upon sale without obtaining an emissions inspection in accordance with conditions enumerated below.

1. The vehicle must be registered in the program area.

2. The vehicle has not failed nor received a waiver during its most recent emissions inspection.

3. The vehicle has not previously been registered under the provisions of this subsection.

4. The motor vehicle dealer guarantees in writing to the customer and to the department that the emissions equipment on the motor vehicle is operating in compliance with the warranty of the manufacturer or distributor, or both if applicable, at the time of sale.

a. The document supplied must describe the method by which this compliance was determined and provide a copy of any emissions readings obtained from the vehicle for the purpose of making this showing.

b. The document must state in prominent or bold print that the certification in no way warrants or guarantees that the vehicle complied with the emission standards used in the Virginia enhanced emissions inspection program, or similar language approved by the department and that the customer has a right to request an emissions inspection, which may be at the expense of the customer, in lieu of the one year emissions validation period authorized by this subsection.

5. A written request, including the documentation cited above, must be presented to the department not more than 30 days prior to the date of sale so that the department can record such temporary emissions validation period and furnish it to the Department of Motor Vehicles.

6. Such temporary validation period shall not be granted more than once for any motor vehicle.

7. For the purposes of this subsection, any used motor vehicle will be considered to be one model year old on the first day of October of the next calendar year after the model year described on the vehicle title or registration, and shall increase in age by one year on the first day of each October thereafter.

F. Owners or operators of fleets, including fleets of government vehicles and sensitive mission vehicles, shall provide a report to the department annually containing information regarding vehicles operated in the program area sufficient to determine compliance with this chapter. The report shall contain information deemed necessary by the department to determine compliance. Such information shall include, but not be limited to, (i) number of vehicles, (ii) compliance method, and (iii) results of any inspections. Reports shall be in a format and according to a schedule acceptable to the department.

G. Manufacturers and distributors of emissions testing equipment are prohibited from directly or indirectly owning or operating any emissions testing facility or having any direct or indirect financial interest in any such facility other than the leasing of or providing financing for equipment related to emissions testing.

H. The provisions of this chapter, unless specified otherwise, apply only to those pollutants for which emission standards are set forth in Part III (9VAC5-91-160 et seq.) and Part XIV (9VAC5-91-790 et seq.).

I. Applicants for inspection station permits and emissions repair facility certificates shall have a Virginia business license and the application shall only be for a facility in Virginia.

J. By the adoption of this chapter, the board confers upon the department the administrative, enforcement and decision making authority enumerated herein.

9VAC5-91-180

9VAC5-91-180. Exhaust On-road high emitter emissions standards for on-road testing through remote sensing.

A. No affected motor vehicle shall exceed the on-road high emitter emissions standard standards for carbon monoxide (CO), the emission standard for hydrocarbons (HC), or nitric oxide (NO), set forth in Table III-B when measured with a remote sensing device and in accordance with the inspection procedures prescribed in Part XII (9VAC5-91-740 et seq.).

B. The on-road high emitter emissions standards for a vehicle shall be determined by multiplying the value in the Table III-B of 9VAC5-91-180 by the ASM 25-25 standard in 9VAC5-91-810 or two speed idle standard in Table III-A of 9VAC5-91-160 as is applicable for the vehicle.

B. C. Any affected motor vehicle determined to have exceeded any on-road high emitter emissions standards in Table III-B when measured by a remote sensing device in accordance with the procedures of Part XII (9VAC5-91-740 et seq.) may be subject to an emissions inspection at an emissions inspection station in accordance with Part XII (9VAC5-91-740 et seq.) or a civil charge in accordance with § 46.2-1178.1 B of the Code of Virginia, or both.

C. Beginning January 1, 2005, motor vehicles D. Any affected motor vehicle that exceed exceeds the on-road high emitter emissions standards in Table III-B two days in any 120-day period shall be considered to have violated the emissions standards. In addition, the department may use the high emitter vehicle emissions index as a screening requirement.

D. Beginning July 1, 2005, or later date based on analysis of remote sensing failure rates and confirmation test results, the department may determine that an E. Any affected motor vehicle is a high emitter if the vehicle that exceeds the on-road high emitter emissions standards in Table III-B once and is also determined to have a high emitter vehicle emissions index of greater than 75 shall be considered to have violated the on-road high emitter emissions standards.

E. F. All remote sensing measurements used to determine if a vehicle exceeds the on-road high emitter emissions standards prescribed in Table III-B shall be taken at valid sites under conditions at which the vehicle specific power (VSP) indicator is between 3 and 22. Standards for NO shall be corrected for VSP using the following formula:

NO standard = Low Range Standard Value + (VSP-3)/

19 x (High Range Standard Value - Low Range Standard) Value).

Where:

Low Range Standard Value = the smaller values in Table III-B in the NO (ppm) Range column;

VSP = vehicle specific power indicator; and

High Range Standard Value = the larger values in Table III-B in the NO (ppm) Range column.

F. G. The department director may adjust the standards values in Table III-B if it is determined that a an on-road high emitter emissions standard is causing a confirmation test pass rate in excess of 20% or less than 5.0%. Such adjustments may be for specific models within each model year group based on manufacturer's emissions control technology.

 

TABLE III‑B.

EXHAUST EMISSION STANDARDS FOR REMOTE SENSING

Standards Beginning January 1, 2005

Period/Model Year/Vehicle Type

CO (%)

HC (ppm)

NO (ppm) Range1 Low to High

Pre-1981 – LDGT (1 or 2)

7.0%

1000

 

Pre-1981 – LDGV

7.0%

1000

 

Pre-1981 – HDGV

7.0%

1000

 

1981 to 1985 – LDGT (1 or 2)

6.0%

800

1500–2000

1981 to 1985 – LDGV

6.0%

750

1200–1800

1981 to 1985 – HDGV

7.0%

750

 

1986 to 1990 – LDGT (1 or 2)

5.5%

700

1200–1800

1986 to 1990 – LDGV

5.5%

650

1000–1600

1986 to 1990 – HDGV

6.5%

750

 

1991 to 1995 – LDGT (1 or 2)

5.0%

650

1200–1800

1991 to 1995 – LDGV

5.0%

600

1000–1600

1991 to 1995 – HDGV

6.0%

700

 

1996 and newer LDGT (1 or 2)

4.0%

450

600–900

1996 and newer LDGV

4.0%

450

600–900

1996 and newer HDGV

5.0%

600

 

Standards Beginning July 1, 2005, and later - Two or More On-Road Measurements

Period/Model Year/Vehicle Type

CO (%)

HC (ppm)

NO (ppm) Range Low to High

Pre-1981 – LDGT (1 or 2)

7.0%

1000

 

Pre-1981 – LDGV

7.0%

1000

 

Pre-1981 – HDGV

7.0%

1000

 

1981 to 1985 – LDGT (1 or 2)

6.0%

800

1500–2000

1981 to 1985 – LDGV

6.0%

750

1200–1800

1981 to 1985 – HDGV

7.0%

750

 

1986 to 1990 – LDGT (1 or 2)

5.5%

700

1200–1800

1986 to 1990 – LDGV

5.5%

650

1000–1600

1986 to 1990 – HDGV

6.5%

750

 

1991 to 1995 – LDGT (1 or 2)

4.0%

550

1000–1500

1991 to 1995 – LDGV

4.0%

500

900–1400

1991 to 1995 – HDGV

6.0%

700

 

1996 and newer LDGT (1 or 2)

3.0%

350

500–800

1996 and newer LDGV

3.0%

350

500-800

1996 and newer HDGV

5.0%

600

 

July 1, 2005 and later - Single On-Road Measurement

Vehicle must have High Emitter Index of 75% or Higher

Period/Model Year/Vehicle Type

CO (%)

HC (ppm)

NO (ppm) Range Low to High

Pre-1981 – LDGT (1 or 2)

7.0%

1000

 

Pre-1981 – LDGV

7.0%

1000

 

Pre-1981 – HDGV

7.0%

1000

 

1981 to 1985 – LDGT (1 or 2)

6.0%

800

1500–2000

1981 to 1985 – LDGV

6.0%

750

1200–1800

1981 to 1985 – HDGV

7.0%

750

 

1986 to 1990 – LDGT (1 or 2)

5.5%

700

1200–1800

1986 to 1990 – LDGV

5.5%

650

1000–1600

1986 to 1990 – HDGV

6.5%

750

 

1991 to 1995 – LDGT (1 or 2)

4.0%

550

1000–1500

1991 to 1995 – LDGV

4.0%

500

900–1400

1991 to 1995 – HDGV

6.0%

700

 

1996 + LDGT (1 or 2)

3.0%

350

500–800

1996 + LDGV

3.0%

350

500–800

1996 + HDGV

5.0%

600

 

1NO standard = Low Range standard + (Actual VSP-3)/19 x (High Range standard – Low Range Standard)

TABLE III‑B.

HIGH EMITTER VALUES FOR REMOTE SENSING

One or More On-Road Measurements

ASM Based

Vehicle Must Have a Vehicle Emissions Index of 75% or Higher

Period/Model Year/Vehicle Type

CO

HC

NO Range(1)

Low

High

1981 through 1990 - LDGT (1 or 2)

4.0

5.0

2.5 

3.3

1981 through 1990 - LDGV

12.0

4.5

1.5

2.0

1991 through 1995 - LDGT (1 or 2)

4.0

5.0

2.5

3.3

1991 through 1995 - LDGV

8.0

6.0

1.5

 2.0

1996 and newer - LDGT (1 or 2)

7.0

4.5

2.5

 3.3

1996 and newer - LDGV

9.0

6.0

2.2

 2.9

Two or More On-Road Measurements

ASM Based

Period/Model Year/Vehicle Type

CO

HC

NO Range(1)

Low

High

1981 through 1990 – LDGT (1 or 2)

3.0

3.8

2.1

2.8

1981 through 1990 – LDGV

9.0

3.4

1.3

1.7

1991 through 1995 – LDGT (1 or 2)

3.0

3.8

2.1

2.8

1991 through 1995 – LDGV

6.0

4.5

1.3

3.3

1996 and newer LDGT (1 or 2)

5.3

3.4

2.1

2.8

1996 and newer LDGV

6.8

4.5

1.9

 2.5

 

One or More On-Road Measurements

TSI Based

Vehicle Must Have a Vehicle Emissions Index of 75% or Higher 

Period/Model Year/Vehicle Type

CO

HC

NO Range(1)

Low

High

1968 through 1980– LDGT (1 or 2)

2.0

1.5

 

1968 through 1980 – LDGV

2.0

1.5

 

1968 through 1980 – HDGV

2.0

1.5

 

1981 through 1990 – LDGT (1 or 2)

3.0

3.5

 

1981 through 1990 – LDGV

3.0

3.5

 

1981 through 1990 – HDGV

3.0

3.5

 

1991 through 1995 – LDGT (1 or 2)

3.0

4.0

 

1991 through 1995 – LDGV

3.0

4.0

 

1991 through 1995 – HDGV

3.0

4.0

 

1996 and newer – LDGT (1 or 2)

4.0

4.0

 

1996 and newer – LDGV

4.0

4.0

 

1996 and newer – HDGV

4.0

4.0

 

1996 and newer HDGV

4.0

4.0

 

 

Two or More On-Road Measurements

TSI Based

Period/Model Year/Vehicle Type

CO

HC

NO Range(1)

Low

High

1968 through 1980– LDGT (1 or 2)

1.5

1.1

 

 

1968 through 1980 – LDGV

1.5

1.1

 

 

1968 through 1980 – HDGV

1.5

1.1

 

 

1981 through 1990 – LDGT (1 or 2)

2.3

2.6

 

1981 through 1990 – LDGV

2.3

2.6

 

1981 through 1990 – HDGV

2.3

2.6

 

1991 through 1995 – LDGT (1 or 2)

2.3

3.0

 

1991 through 1995 – LDGV

2.3

3.0

 

1991 through 1995 – HDGV

2.3

3.0

 

1996 and newer – LDGT (1 or 2)

3.0

3.0

 

1996 and newer – LDGV

3.0

3.0

 

1996 and newer – HDGV

3.0

3.0

 

 

1NO Value = Low Range Value + (Actual VSP-3)/19 x (High Range Value – Low Range Value)

G. Beginning July 1, 2005, clean screen vehicles will be identified using on-road testing equipment measurements based on all of the following criteria:

1. Up to 5.0% of the number of vehicles measured during any 30-day period may be identified as clean screen vehicles. This percentage may be evaluated annually by the department and adjusted based on the amount of emissions reduction lost due to clean screening.

2. Vehicles that have the cleanest measurements based on an average of at least three measurements (taken on three different days in a 120-day time period) may be identified as clean screen vehicles.

3. Vehicles must have no measurements exceeding the standards in Table III B (taken on three different days in a 120-day time period as required in subdivision 2 of this subsection) to be identified as clean screen vehicles.

4. Vehicles must not be equipped with an OBD system unless DEQ makes a determination to include certain OBD model years based on evidence that there would not be a significant loss in emissions reduction benefits.

H. At the discretion of the director, vehicles identified as clean screen vehicles in accordance with subsection G of this section may be recorded as having passed the next emissions inspection required by § 46.2-1183  of the Code of Virginia and the result shall be entered into the emissions inspection record for that vehicle.

9VAC5-91-185

9VAC5-91-185. Clean screen vehicle emissions standards for on-road testing.

A. Clean screen vehicles shall be identified by an on-road emissions inspector using on-road testing based on all of the following criteria until the provisions of subsection B of this section become effective according to the schedule in subsection D of 9VAC5-91-740:

1. Up to 5.0% of the number of vehicles measured during any 30-day period may be identified as clean screen vehicles. This percentage may be evaluated annually by the department and adjusted based on the amount of emissions reduction lost due to clean screening.

2. Vehicles that have the cleanest measurements based on an average of at least three measurements (taken on three different days in a 120-day time period) may be identified as clean screen vehicles.

3. Vehicles must have no measurements exceeding the on-road high emitter emissions standard within the 120-day time period as required in subdivision 2 of this subsection to be identified as clean screen vehicles.

4. Vehicles must not be equipped with an OBD system unless DEQ makes a determination to include certain OBD model years based on evidence that there would not be a significant loss in emissions reduction benefits.

B. Vehicles shall be identified as clean screen vehicles by an on-road emissions inspector using on-road testing based on the following criteria:

1. The vehicle is due for an emissions inspection test within 120 days;

2. The result of the most recent initial emissions test on record with the department is not a "fail";

3. No on-road emissions measurement since the most recent initial emissions test exceeds the on-road high emitter emissions standards as determined according to 9VAC5-91-180 B;

4. The two most recent on-road emissions measurements taken within 12 months of the registration expiration date shall not exceed the clean screen standards as determined in subsection D of this section and the vehicle must have a vehicle emissions index no greater than 80; or

5. The most recent on-road emissions measurement taken within 12 months of the registration expiration date shall not exceed the clean screen standards as determined in subsection D of this section and the vehicle shall have a vehicle emissions index no greater than 75.

C. On an annual basis, at least 2.0% of the vehicles meeting the clean screen criteria in subsection B of this section shall not be notified of the clean screen and may receive an emissions test at an emission inspection station. The department shall analyze these test results to determine the effect of on-road testing on total emissions reductions. The director may decrease the maximum vehicle emissions index specified in subdivision B 4 and 5 of this section as necessary to ensure compliance with federal requirements in accordance with 9VAC5-91-740 F.

D. The clean screen vehicle standards are determined as a percentage of the values in Table III-C. The director may adjust the percentage between 50% to 80% to ensure compliance with federal requirements in accordance with 9VAC5-91-740 F.

E. The director may exempt certain vehicle models with known emissions related deficiencies.

F. Clean screen vehicles in accordance with subsections A and B of this section may be recorded as having passed the next emissions inspection required by § 46.2-1178 of the Code of Virginia and the result shall be entered into the emissions inspection record for that vehicle.

TABLE III-C

On Road Clean Screen Maximum Standards

Emissions Test Weight (ETW)

LDGV

LDGT 1 & 2

HC(ppm)

CO(%)

NO (ppm)

HC(ppm)

CO(%)

NO (ppm)

1750

136

0.77

1095

136

0.77

1095

1875

129

0.73

1031

129

0.73

1031

2000

123

0.69

973

123

0.69

973

2125

116

0.66

920

116

0.66

920

2250

111

0.62

871

111

0.62

871

2375

106

0.59

827

106

0.59

827

2500

101

0.57

786

101

0.57

786

2625

97

0.54

749

97

0.54

749

2750

93

0.52

715

93

0.52

715

2875

89

0.50

684

89

0.50

684

3000

86

0.48

656

86

0.48

656

3125

83

0.46

630

83

0.46

630

3250

80

0.45

607

80

0.45

607

3375

78

0.43

585

78

0.43

585

3500

76

0.42

566

76

0.42

566

3625

74

0.41

547

75

0.41

547

3750

72

0.40

531

72

0.40

531

3875

70

0.39

515

91

0.50

644

4000

68

0.38

501

88

0.49

626

4125

67

0.37

487

87

0.48

609

4250

65

0.36

475

84

0.47

594

4375

64

0.35

463

83

0.46

579

4500

63

0.35

451

81

0.45

564

4625

61

0.34

440

79

0.44

551

4750

60

0.33

430

78

0.43

538

4875

59

0.33

420

76

0.43

525

5000

58

0.32

410

75

0.42

513

5125

57

0.31

400

74

0.41

500

5250

56

0.31

391

72

0.40

489

5375

55

0.30

382

71

0.39

478

5500

54

0.30

373

70

0.39

466

5625

53

0.30

364

68

0.38

455

5750

52

0.29

356

67

0.37

445

5875

51

0.28

348

66

0.36

435

6000

50

0.28

340

65

0.36

425

6125

49

0.27

333

64

0.35

416

6250

48

0.27

326

62

0.35

408

6375

48

0.26

320

62

0.34

400

6500

47

0.26

315

61

0.34

394

6625

46

0.26

311

60

0.34

389

6750

46

0.26

307

60

0.34

384

6875

46

0.25

305

60

0.33

382

7000

46

0.25

305

59

0.33

381

7125

46

0.25

305

59

0.33

381

7250

46

0.25

305

59

0.33

381

7375

46

0.25

305

59

0.33

381

7500

46

0.25

305

59

0.33

381

9VAC5-91-290

9VAC5-91-290. Emissions inspection station operations.

A. Emissions inspection station operations shall be conducted in accordance with applicable statutes and this chapter.

B. Emissions inspection stations shall cooperate with the department during the conduct of audits, investigations and complaint resolutions.

C. Emissions inspection stations, except fleet emissions inspection stations permitted under 9VAC5-91-370, shall conduct emissions inspections during normal business hours and shall inspect every vehicle presented for inspection within a reasonable time period.

D. Emissions inspection stations that have performed a chargeable initial inspection that resulted in a test failure or failed invalid result shall provide one free reinspection on the same vehicle upon request within 14 calendar days of the initial inspection test failure or failed invalid result.

E. Emissions inspection stations finding it necessary to suspend inspections due to analyzer system malfunction or any other reason shall refund any inspection fee collected when a station cannot accommodate a customer's request for a free reinspection in accordance with subsection D of this section and 9VAC5-91-420 M.

F. Emissions inspection stations shall notify the department when they are unable to perform emission inspections for any reason and shall notify the department when they are able to resume inspections.

G. Emissions inspection stations shall:

1. Employ at least one emissions inspector.

2. Have an emissions inspector on duty during posted emissions inspection hours, except for fleet emissions inspection stations permitted under 9VAC5-91-370.

3. Only allow licensed emissions inspectors to conduct inspections.

H. Emissions inspection stations shall provide to emissions inspection customers any information which has been provided to the emissions inspection station by the department and which is intended to be provided to the customer.

I. Emissions inspection stations shall allow emissions inspection customers to have viewing access to the inspection process.

J. Emissions inspections and vehicle safety inspections may be performed in the same service bay provided that the facility is both an emissions inspection station and an official safety inspection station in accordance with §§ 46.2-1163 and 46.2-1166 of the Code of Virginia.

K. Emissions inspections may be performed in the inspection area of the emissions inspection station or, if by wireless means, in any other area on the premises of the emissions inspection station provided that all applicable test components can be performed at that location.

9VAC5-91-320

9VAC5-91-320. Equipment and facility requirements.

A. Emissions inspection stations shall have adequate facilities and equipment, including all current reference and application guides, as specified in subsection D of this section to perform all elements of the emissions inspection.

B. Emissions inspection stations shall be equipped in accordance with this chapter and applicable statutes.

C. Emissions inspection stations which no longer meet the requirements of this part shall cease inspection operations and may be subject to enforcement actions in accordance with Part IX (9VAC5-91-590 et seq.).

D. Emissions inspection stations shall be equipped with the following equipment, tools and reference materials at all times. Fleet and mobile fleet emissions inspection stations shall be so equipped during inspection periods reported to the department.

1. A certified analyzer system in accordance with Part X (9VAC5-91-640 et seq.) capable of conducting OBD testing as specified in 9VAC5-91-420 G 3.

2. Span gases approved by the department and equipment for performing gas span checks.

3. Hand tools and equipment for the proper performance of all inspections as approved by the department.

4. A current emissions control systems application guide which contains a quick reference for emissions control systems and their uses on specific make, model, and model year vehicles. This may be in an electronic form.

5. Analyzer manufacturer's maintenance and calibration manual.

6. Certified thermometer.

7. Suitable nonreactive exhaust hoses or a ventilation system that conforms to The BOCA National Mechanical Code/1993 (see 9VAC5-91-50) for automotive service stations and for facilities in which vehicle engines are operated in excess of 10 continuous seconds and which conforms to the applicable local building or safety code, zoning ordinance, or Occupational Safety and Health Administration requirement.

a. The ventilation system shall discharge the vehicle exhaust outside the building.

b. The flow of the exhaust collection system shall not cause dilution of the exhaust at the sample point in the probe.

8. A cooling fan, used to ventilate the engine compartment, which is capable of generating at least 3,000 standard cubic feet per minute of air flow directed at the vehicle's cooling system at a distance of 12 inches.

9. This regulation (9VAC5-91).

10. Telephone.

11. Dedicated phone line or web-based internet connection for use by the analyzer system in emissions inspection stations except fleet emissions inspection stations which have been authorized by the director to use a nondedicated phone line pursuant to an agreement between the director and the fleet emissions inspection station, based on vehicle maintenance or registration cycles.

12. Department approved paper for use in the analyzer system printer.

13. Reference material suitable for making a determination, as applicable, of the proper exhaust emissions test type to be administered. This may be in electronic form.

E. Emissions inspection stations shall maintain equipment, tools, and reference materials in proper working order and available at the emissions inspection station at all times.

F. It is the responsibility of the permit holder to maintain a safe and healthy working environment for the conduct of emissions inspections.

9VAC5-91-740

9VAC5-91-740. General requirements.

A. The on-road testing program shall conform, at a minimum, to the requirements of 40 CFR 51.371 and § 46.2-1178.1 of the Code of Virginia applicable to the program area in which it is employed.

B. The emissions standards for the on-road remote sensing program are those contained in Table III-B in 9VAC5-91-180 the on-road high emitter emissions standards, the clean screen vehicle standards, or both.

C. The on-road testing program and clean screen program including the emissions standards applicable thereto shall apply to any affected motor vehicles registered in the program area and any affected motor vehicles or operated primarily in the program area.

D. An on-road clean screen program shall be implemented according to the following schedule:

1. On and after July 1, 2012, and before July 1, 2013, an on-road clean screen program shall be limited to no more than 10% of the motor vehicles described in subsection C of this section that are eligible for emissions inspection during the applicable 12-month period;

2. On and after July 1, 2013, and before July 1, 2014, an on-road clean screen program shall be limited to no more than 20% of the motor vehicles described in subsection C of this section that are eligible for emissions inspection during the applicable 12-month period; and

3. On and after July 1, 2014, an on-road clean screen program shall be limited to no more than 30% of the motor vehicles described in subsection C of this section that are eligible for emissions inspection during the applicable 12-month period.

E. The on-road emissions inspector shall issue a clean screen vehicle notification to owners of affected motor vehicles that have met the clean screen emissions standards. The notification shall be issued in a timeframe compatible with the Virginia Division of Motor Vehicles vehicle registration renewal notification.

F. A motor vehicle owner who has received a clean screen vehicle notification may choose to meet the vehicle registration requirements of § 46.2-1183 of the Code of Virginia by participating in the clean screen program according to § 46.2-1178.1 E of the Code of Virginia.

G. The on-road emissions inspector performing on-road testing under this subsection may charge each motor vehicle owner who elects to participate in the on-road clean screen program an inspection fee in an amount as designated in § 46.2-1182 of the Code of Virginia.

H. The director may reduce the percentage of vehicles eligible to participate in the on-road clean screen program as is necessary to meet applicable air quality requirements under the federal Clean Air Act in accordance with § 46.2-1178 C of the Code of Virginia.

I. At the discretion of the director, the implementation or operation of the clean screen program may be suspended or revoked for failure to operate in accordance with the provisions of Article 22 (§ 46.2-1176 et seq.) of Chapter 10 of Title 46.2 of the Code of Virginia and the regulations adopted thereunder.

9VAC5-91-750

9VAC5-91-750. Operating procedures; violation of on-road high emitter standards.

A. Remote sensing equipment shall be operated in accordance with the remote sensing equipment manufacturers operating instructions and any contract or agreement between the department and the equipment operator.

B. Motor vehicles determined by remote sensing equipment to have exceeded the applicable emissions standard in Table III-B in 9VAC5-91-180 on-road high emitter standards shall be considered to have violated such emissions standards.

1. Owners of such motor vehicles will be issued a notice of violation and shall be subject to the civil charges in 9VAC5-91-760 unless waived pursuant to this section.

2. Upon a determination by the department that a violation has occurred, motorists will be informed by the department or its representative of the failure to comply with emissions standards and of the dates, times, and places such remote sensing measurement occurred.

C. Civil charges assessed pursuant to this part will be waived if, within 30 days of the date of the notice of the violation, the motor vehicle owner provides proof to the department that:

1. Since the date of the violation, the vehicle has passed, or received a waiver as the result of, a confirmation test, or

2. Within the 12 months prior to the violation, the vehicle had received an emissions inspection waiver.

D. The requirement for an emissions inspection or payment of civil charges, based on a remote sensing failure, may be waived by the department if the affected motor vehicle in question (i) is, by virtue of its registration date, required to have an emissions inspection within three months of the date of the remote sensing measurement that indicates the vehicle has (i) exceeded the applicable standards in Table III-B in 9VAC5-91-180 on-road high emitter emission standards; or (ii) has received a waiver within the 12 months prior to the violation.

E. For 1996 and newer model vehicles with OBD, the director may require that the vehicle pass an exhaust test (ASM or two-speed idle) in addition to the OBD system test.

F. Notice of violations and civil charges may be issued to any motorist no more than two times in any 365-day period for any one motor vehicle.