Purpose of testing

The Road to Clean Air Starts Here!

DEQ manages two vehicle inspection programs in Oregon. The Portland area VIP started in 1975. The Rogue Valley VIP for Medford and surrounding areas began in 1986. By inspecting exhaust emissions, DEQ identifies vehicles that are producing more air pollution than expected. In most cases, the test reveals simple, low-cost repairs that are necessary to ensure that the vehicles emission control systems are functioning properly. On average, vehicles that fail emissions tests produce up to four times as much pollution as those that pass.

DEQ is granted the authority to implement vehicle emissions testing in the Portland and Medford areas by the Legislative Assembly in ORS 468A.363, OAR 340-256-0010, and OAR 340-204-0010.

Oregon's VIP Program gets results

Air pollution in the Portland and Medford areas has been dramatically reduced because of the Vehicle Inspection Program.

In the early 1970s, downtown Portland violated the national health standards for carbon monoxide an average of once every three days. Thanks to the VIP and other pollution reduction strategies, there hasn't been a single carbon monoxide violation in downtown Portland since 1985. Read more about Portland Area Vehicle Inspection PDF.

In the Medford area, national health standards for carbon monoxide were violated 35 times in 1985, more than all other Oregon cities combined. With the help of vehicle inspection and other pollution reduction strategies, carbon monoxide pollution levels declined and there were just two violations in 1988. There have been no violations of the health standards for carbon monoxide since 1991.

By ensuring that vehicles are properly maintained vehicle inspection is also an important strategy that helps reduce the production of Nitrogen Oxide (NOX) and Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs). On hot summer days NOx and VOCs combine to form Ozone, also known as Smog. Smog aggravates asthma, significantly decreases lung capacity, impairs the immune system and is tied to increased hospital emergency room visits.

Since population and traffic are predicted to grow steadily in both regions, vehicle inspection and other air pollution prevention programs will still be needed to keep the air healthy.

Report Smoking Vehicles

DEQ values the watchful eyes and ears of citizens concerned with our environment.
If you see a car or truck that shows visible exhaust for more than 10 seconds, you can call 1-888-997-7888 or click the link below to report the vehicle. Please complete the questions below as completely as possible and click the "Submit" button. DEQ may contact the driver of the vehicle, but does not conduct formal enforcement activity. Any city, county or state police officer who witnesses excessive smoke from a motor-vehicle can issue the driver a citation. You may contact your local law enforcement agency and file a non-emergency complaint.

• Make an environmental complaint
• Read more about Smoking Vehicles PDF

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