Do I need to have my vehicle tested?

Automobiles and trucks are the source of most of the carbon monoxide emissions in Alaska. For this reason nearly all vehicles that are operated in the Municipality of Anchorage or in the Fairbanks North Star Borough are required to pass a vehicle emissions test (I/M test) every two years. Exceptions to this requirement include brand new and very old vehicles, diesel powered vehicles, vehicles that are very large (with an unladen weight of 12,000 pounds or more), motorcycles, snow machines, etc. Following are the specific requirements.

Vehicles Requiring An Emissions (I/M) Test:

• motorist resides within an I/M area (Municipality of Anchorage {MOA} or Fairbanks North Star Borough {FNSB}), or
• motorist whose motor vehicle is principally located or operated in an I/M area, or
• motorist commutes into the MOA, or
• motorist attends the University of Alaska Anchorage or University of Alaska Fairbanks, or
• motorist whose motor vehicle is located within an I/M area on a public right-of-way, public land, or on commercial premises such as a parking lot that is open to the public

Exempt Vehicles:

• Vehicles registered outside of the MOA or FNSB (unless they are used to commute to the MOA or FNSB for work or school, then the vehicle must have an I/M certificate)
• Diesel-powered vehicles
• in the MOA, model year 1967 or older motor vehicles
• in the FNSB, model year 1974 or older motor vehicles
• A new vehicle until the current calendar year equals the vehicle model year plus 4 - for example, a model year 2006 vehicle will not need an I/M until 2010.
• A gasoline-powered motor vehicle that has an unladen weight of 12,001 pounds or heavier
• A motorcycle, golf cart, all-terrain vehicle, snow machine, and motor-driven cycle (moped)
• A motor vehicle that has been or will be in Alaska for less than 30 days
• An electric vehicle