92, 80 moving from Oregon to D.C - Emissions Test

[toyactor]

Hi All,

New to the forum but in need of some help with a move from Oregon to Washington D.C and a 92 Cruiser!

For most states, if the vehicle is 25 years or older, then no emissions test is required. However the only exemption I can find on dmv.dc says it needs to be 1978 or older!

Are there any D.C owners out there or folks who have moved there and have navigated this? I'm just unsure if my old lady will pass that gassy nonsense!

Cheers,
Anthony

 

[iptman]

Is it too late for you to move to Virginia instead? That would solve this problem along with many future problems.

 

[iptman]

@Diff Kraken
@NearJetties

 

[Diff Kraken]

Hi All,

New to the forum but in need of some help with a move from Oregon to Washington D.C and a 92 Cruiser!

For most states, if the vehicle is 25 years or older, then no emissions test is required. However the only exemption I can find on dmv.dc says it needs to be 1978 or older!

Are there any D.C owners out there or folks who have moved there and have navigated this? I'm just unsure if my old lady will pass that gassy nonsense!

Cheers,
Anthony

Yup, it looks like exceptions for DC emissions inspections are only for 1978 and older, or the following situation:

• If your vehicle failed emission inspection and you spent $1,044.00 or more in emission-related repairs, and you are unable to pass emission inspection, you are eligible to receive a waiver from emission inspection for 2 years. You will be required to show bills of the repairs. The repairs must be done within 60 days from the failed vehicle emission inspection.

It's hard to know if your truck will pass or not, but I've definitely seen a few 80 series cruisers registered here in the District, so it is not impossible to pass. I was happy when my 2008 cruiser I bought in Virginia passed recently and my '09 GX470 did as well.


Where in Oregon are you from/moving from BTW?

I'm from Portland/Salem/Lincoln City myself before moving to Arlington, Virginia about ten years ago- and now in DC for the last 3 years. Often wishing that I had stayed in Virginia for a few reasons... partly related to vehicle taxes and ease of working on vehicles.

If you're young and just want to do yoga, eat sushi burritos while zipping around on a rented electric scooter on your way to get some pour over coffee to help get over the hangover from $20 cocktails at a democratic fundraising happy hour, or just daydreaming of parties with hill staffers (YMMV), then DC is fine, but Virginia is better for just about anything else you can think of. Don't get me wrong- DC is pretty cool- especially when you're just arriving and it's all new- there's a wow factor for sure- but Virginia has a lot of advantages that go beyond vehicle inspections. Happy to answer any questions or to just zip it if you have a good plan and don't need any input. DC and Virginia certainly both beat Portland or Salem in most ways though! Minus the proximity to Mt. Hood and the coast.

 

[NearJetties]

@Diff Kraken
@NearJetties

Being a 92 you should just get a tailpipe sniff test. My fj62 never had an issue passing even with a leaky rusted out exhaust when I first got it.

I will say both my cruisers failed for silly things when I moved from DC to VA lol.

Fj62 - not having amber bulbs in the corner lights
100 - torn steering rack boot

 

[toyactor]

Yup, it looks like exceptions for DC emissions inspections are only for 1978 and older, or the following situation:

• If your vehicle failed emission inspection and you spent $1,044.00 or more in emission-related repairs, and you are unable to pass emission inspection, you are eligible to receive a waiver from emission inspection for 2 years. You will be required to show bills of the repairs. The repairs must be done within 60 days from the failed vehicle emission inspection.

It's hard to know if your truck will pass or not, but I've definitely seen a few 80 series cruisers registered here in the District, so it is not impossible to pass. I was happy when my 2008 cruiser I bought in Virginia passed recently and my '09 GX470 did as well.


Where in Oregon are you from/moving from BTW?

I'm from Portland/Salem/Lincoln City myself before moving to Arlington, Virginia about ten years ago- and now in DC for the last 3 years. Often wishing that I had stayed in Virginia for a few reasons... partly related to vehicle taxes and ease of working on vehicles.

If you're young and just want to do yoga, eat sushi burritos while zipping around on a rented electric scooter on your way to get some pour over coffee to help get over the hangover from $20 cocktails at a democratic fundraising happy hour, or just daydreaming of drug fueled sex orgies with young hill staffers (YMMV), then DC is fine, but Virginia is better for just about anything else you can think of. Don't get me wrong- DC is pretty cool- especially when you're just arriving and it's all new- there's a wow factor for sure- but Virginia has a lot of advantages that go beyond vehicle inspections. Happy to answer any questions or to just zip it if you have a good plan and don't need any input. DC and Virginia certainly both beat Portland or Salem in most ways though! Minus the proximity to Mt. Hood and the coast.

Thanks @Diff Kraken

Yeah, thats all I could find too on the testing, I will try and find somewhere here to see if I can get an idea on whether she will pass first I guess.

Moving from Bend OR, or the new Northern Cali as we call it here! Unfortunately we have to do the first year to two years in DC for a salary bump that is hard to give up. Although now that you've painted that picture, yikes!! A sushi burrito, whats wrong with the kids these days?

 

[CrabCake]

To the OP, do you have a reason that you think it will fail? Rotten exhaust, CEL, no cats, etc.? If the truck runs fine and is well maintained, you shouldn't have any problems. Now if you are running without cats, have a CEL, etc., then maybe it's time to fix it, or at least use your $1k towards the required repair spending to get it closer.

I'm in MD, and with Historic tags (20 years or older), I don't need to do emissions ever or even have it inspected to get plates. Just take your paperwork to the tag guy, sign, and pay your fees. Another plus for MD is just a one time tax on registration, not yearly like I believe VA does.

 

[toyactor]

Being a 92 you should just get a tailpipe sniff test. My fj62 never had an issue passing even with a leaky rusted out exhaust when I first got it.

I will say both my cruisers failed for silly things when I moved from DC to VA lol.

Fj62 - not having amber bulbs in the corner lights
100 - torn steering rack boot

Thanks @NearJetties

I'm on the hunt for a local place here to see if I can get a test done prior so I at least know. I had just hoped that there was some work around. Maybe I can see if the mechanic can do some creative invoicing on the "$1K repairs", she could use a on-board air upgrade!

 

[JohnVee]

I wouldn’t worry about the $1000 in repairs exemption until you get here and fail; I’m certain there’s some sort of red tape that says all money must be spent AFTER a failed DC inspection.

 

[NearJetties]

Here are the tests DC does and the limits.

I don’t think they actually tested the gas cap because it seemed like they could never get the equipment hooked up.

 

[Diff Kraken]

Thanks @Diff Kraken

Yeah, thats all I could find too on the testing, I will try and find somewhere here to see if I can get an idea on whether she will pass first I guess.

Moving from Bend OR, or the new Northern Cali as we call it here! Unfortunately we have to do the first year to two years in DC for a salary bump that is hard to give up. Although now that you've painted that picture, yikes!! A sushi burrito, whats wrong with the kids these days?

Bend is a fine place- last time I stayed there was in 2010 with my U-Haul trailer towed behind my '97 Tahoe on my way out of Oregon to Virginia- LOL... Incidentally, getting that Tahoe stuck in sand in the Oregon dunes and getting passed up by a Toyota is why I eventually got into Land Cruisers. I've got family there in Bend. The new California is what I've heard it called as well with all the transplants... I say start driving east, but put the brakes on in Idaho and live out the life of your dreams That being said, there is plenty to enjoy in DC. You can certainly enjoy living here. Lots to do and see. Hiking, boating, etc. - real easy drive to Virginia wine country, Annapolis, Maryland- up to NYC (if you're into that kind of thing), etc. You'll have a blast.

 

[toyactor]

Bend is a fine place- last time I stayed there was in 2010 with my U-Haul trailer towed behind my '97 Tahoe on my way out of Oregon to Virginia- LOL... Incidentally, getting that Tahoe stuck in sand in the Oregon dunes and getting passed up by a Toyota is why I eventually got into Land Cruisers. I've got family there in Bend. The new California is what I've heard it called as well with all the transplants... I say start driving east, but put the brakes on in Idaho and live out the life of your dreams That being said, there is plenty to enjoy in DC. You can certainly enjoy living here. Lots to do and see. Hiking, boating, etc. - real easy drive to Virginia wine country, Annapolis, Maryland- up to NYC (if you're into that kind of thing), etc. You'll have a blast.

I had the same thing. Bought a Jeep Rubicon when we got here in the US because you couldn't get them in OZ.....was soon educated on my error in judgement!

I've been dreading the move because of all the access to public land here but you paint a much better picture!

Thanks again for the help

 

[toyactor]

Here are the tests DC does and the limits.

I don’t think they actually tested the gas cap because it seemed like they could never get the equipment hooked up.

View attachment 3120697

Hey @NearJetties
Thank you so much, that is a great help. It's good to know the limited and the tests, that way I at least know before I go and plan accordingly. Super helpful.

 

[toyactor]

I wouldn’t worry about the $1000 in repairs exemption until you get here and fail; I’m certain there’s some sort of red tape that says all money must be spent AFTER a failed DC inspection.

Thanks @JohnVee Thats a good point.

 

[toyactor]

To the OP, do you have a reason that you think it will fail? Rotten exhaust, CEL, no cats, etc.? If the truck runs fine and is well maintained, you shouldn't have any problems. Now if you are running without cats, have a CEL, etc., then maybe it's time to fix it, or at least use your $1k towards the required repair spending to get it closer.

I'm in MD, and with Historic tags (20 years or older), I don't need to do emissions ever or even have it inspected to get plates. Just take your paperwork to the tag guy, sign, and pay your fees. Another plus for MD is just a one time tax on registration, not yearly like I believe VA does.

Thanks for the info @ETCruiser No specific reason yet!

I'm unfortunately stuck with the move into the District for the first year and most likely the second so will just have to such it up!

D.C also has the historic tags but they do milage checks and I unfortunately really use the old girl for what she is good at!

 

[toyactor]

Being a 92 you should just get a tailpipe sniff test. My fj62 never had an issue passing even with a leaky rusted out exhaust when I first got it.

I will say both my cruisers failed for silly things when I moved from DC to VA lol.

Fj62 - not having amber bulbs in the corner lights
100 - torn steering rack boot

Thank you, its always the unexpected things right?!

 

[travistheone]

no advice on DC, im on the MD side. welcome to the east coast! it's not that bad!

 

[iptman]

I had the same thing. Bought a Jeep Rubicon when we got here in the US because you couldn't get them in OZ.....was soon educated on my error in judgement!

I've been dreading the move because of all the access to public land here but you paint a much better picture!

Thanks again for the help

So when does this move to the right coast go down?

 

[toyactor]

So when does this move to the right coast go down?

October!

no advice on DC, im on the MD side. welcome to the east coast! it's not that bad!

No worries, thank you

 

[1MOA]

Go to the inspection place down there on half street and pay the $35 for the test hand the inspector $40 in cash and I will guarantee you will pass. The inspectors there the health inspectors that do the food trucks and the Ddot parking ticket people are marvelous crooks.