Let’s face it: Emissions testing is one of the most aggravating forms of eco-consciousness. Sure, it’s good for the Earth to ensure that our cars aren’t spewing toxic fumes into the atmosphere all over the place, but who likes waiting in line and making appointments for testing? Sometimes it’s a downright pain in the rear doing the right thing. That’s why it’s such exciting news that drivers in Northern Virginia may soon be able to take care of emissions testing with one quick drive-through pass. Automating any time-consuming, annoying process is cause for excitement, and I think that many drivers in Northern Virginia are going to be extremely excited about this latest development.
How It Works
Statewide, RAPIDPASS is rolling out drive-through emissions testing stations that analyze auto emissions. The stations consist of two green boxes placed on either side of a lane of traffic. They can measure your vehicle’s speed, acceleration, and associated exhaust emissions. Accordingly, it can test those emissions to determine whether they fall within state standards. After your car has driven through the station a camera snaps a picture of your license plate to let you know whether your car has qualified for easy, painless emissions testing.
Importantly, not all cars will qualify. Once you determine if your car qualifies, you can either go online to complete the emissions testing process, or you can always (if you are a true masochist) choose to go to a traditional testing station. You will be able to download a “clean” certification once you pay the emissions service fee of $28, at which point you can continue on to renew your car’s registration either online or at your local DMV location.
Signing Up for Dive-Through Testing
The process is simple. At least four months before your car’s registration deadline, go online and find a RAPIDPASS location near you. These locations vary every day around Northern Virginia, and their operation is determined by the weather: rain, snow, and/or high winds interfere with the machines’ working.
Currently there are multiple locations in Fairfax and Loudoun counties, as well as Stafford.
More locations will be rolled out as RAPIDPASS expands and the process goes more smoothly.
According to the Annandale Patch, “There are plenty of additional details and ongoing updates such as weekly testing locations, checking your status, FAQs and more. Visit the RAPIDPASS website for complete details. You can also call RAPIDPASS Virginia at 1-844-727-7773 (toll-free).”
