Arizona Emissions Test
The Arizona Vehicle Emissions Inspection Program covers 2 areas, where Arizona checks cars that run on gas, hybrid, or diesel. For 2026, that covers model years 1967 to 2021. Cars from 1981 and newer need it every 2 years; 1980 and older cars, plus most Tucson-area cars, need it every year.
What cars must be tested?
Model years Arizona tests in 2026 appear in the green band. There's no test for the 5 newest model years. Cars from 1966 and older don't need testing.
Check your car by model year and fuel type.
Arizona emissions test at a glance
| Program | The Arizona Vehicle Emissions Inspection Program |
|---|---|
| Where | 2 areas: Phoenix metropolitan area, Tucson metropolitan area |
| Fuels tested | Gas, hybrid, diesel |
| Model years tested in 2026 | 1967 to 2021 |
| How often | Cars from 1981 up: every 2 years. Cars through 1980, plus most Tucson-area cars: yearly. |
| The test | Gas cars from 1996 and newer under 8,500 lb get an OBD plug-in test, others get a tailpipe test, and most diesels get a smoke test |
| Fee | The OBD plug-in test costs $16.15 in both areas; tailpipe tests for older cars run $15.20 near Phoenix and $12.25 in the Tucson area |
| Retest | One free retest within 60 days |
| New cars | The 5 newest model years are exempt |
| Older cars | 1966 and older are exempt |
| Waiver | One waiver per car once all recommended repairs are done. Arizona can require no more than $450 of repairs near Phoenix or $300 near Tucson. No waiver for a failed catalytic converter. |
How the test works, and what if the car fails?
For an OBD plug-in test, the inspector connects a reader to the port beneath the dashboard and checks what the car's computer has stored. Self-checks (readiness monitors) must be complete, with no check engine light showing.
For this tailpipe check, common on older cars, a probe sits in the exhaust and reads what exits.
The report names what failed if the car doesn't pass. Fix that first, then return for the retest: you get one free retest within 60 days.
Arizona grants one waiver if the car still fails after all the recommended repairs. Those repairs are limited to $450 of work around Phoenix or $300 around Tucson, and a failed catalytic converter never qualifies.