Vehicle Inspection Program Fee Increase and Updates 2020

Adopted rule

The Environmental Quality Commission adopted revisions to several sections of the Motor Vehicles rules in Division 256 of Oregon Administrative Rules Chapter 340 and increase the fee for a motor vehicle certificate of compliance. Since 1997, the biennial fee for a motor vehicle certificate of compliance has been a maximum of $21 in the Portland Vehicle Inspection area, a maximum of $10 in the Medford Vehicle Inspection area, and a maximum of $26 for on-site testing at auto dealerships. In June 2020, the Environmental Quality Commission approved $4 and $5 temporary VIP fee increases in Portland and Medford, respectively. This rulemaking maintains those fee increases as well as instituting an additional $5 fee increase for Medford certificates of compliance in July 2021. The adopted rules:

• Remove references to procedures no longer performed, such as the enhanced
• Dynamometer emissions test and noise control testing;
• Include references, definitions and procedures that will align rules with current program operations;
• Edit for plain language; and
• Raise the maximum fee for a certificate of compliance to the following amounts:
• Portland Vehicle Inspection Area: $25
• Medford Vehicle Inspection Area: $15 until June 30, 2021 and then, $20 on July 1, 2021
• On-site Testing Auto Dealerships: $30

Oregon DEQ’s vehicle inspection program helps to keep pollution levels within the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s allowable standards by ensuring that vehicles’ emission control systems are maintained over the life of the vehicle. In the Portland and Medford areas, a vehicle emissions test is required, typically every two years, before motorists register their vehicles with the Department of Motor Vehicles. DEQ recently completed modeling that estimates reductions in federally regulated pollutants, as well as toxic pollutants, achieved by the Vehicle Inspection Program.