Department of Environmental Quality - Vehicle Emissions Inspection Program Performance Audit #07-12

zzzzDepartment ofEnvironmental QualityVehicle EmissionsInspection ProgramREPORTProgram required inHIGHLIGHTSPERFORMANCE AUDIT Phoenix and TucsonSubjectIn 1976, the Legislature The federal Clean Air Act prompted theestablished the Vehicle State to adopt the Program in 1976. AtEmissions Inspection the Program's inception, the LegislatureProgram (Program) in theSource: Department of Environmental Quality Web site.established Phoenix and Tucson asPhoenix and Tucson"basic" inspection and maintenancemetropolitan areas to Emissions Test Failure Ratereduce emissions and programs that tested vehicles for carbon By Vehicle Model Year improve air quality. The monoxide and hydrocarbons. Vehicles 1Calendar Year 2006Program is a centralized that failed the tests could not be 50vehicle emissions testing registered until they were repaired andservice provided by an 40met standards.independent contractor30under the direction of the In 1995, because Phoenix did not meetDepartment of20the EPA air quality standards, theEnvironmental QualityLegislature changed the Phoenix area to 10(Department).an "enhanced" inspection and0Our Conclusionmaintenance program with more stringentThe Program has a good emissions and testing requirements.Model Yearsoverall vehicle emissions These increased standards required1quality control and Model years 2003 and later were exempt fromvehicle tests for nitrogen oxidesvehicle emissions testing in calendar year 2006.monitoring ...