Is your car, truck or SUV up to snuff? This isn’t necessarily a subjective question. It’s not about whether you think it’s a fine automobile, whether you look really good cruising down Route 120 in McHenry. It’s about whether the state of Illinois approves your vehicle. And, for McHenry residents, every two years you’re required to prove it.

That’s right; every two years, you’re required to take your car, truck or SUV to an Illinois EPA Testing Station to have your car tested. The test center will inspect your vehicle and its emissions. If it passes the test, you can breath a big sigh of relief, pay your $20-inspection fee and roll back out onto the road. But, if it fails the test, you’ll need to fix the problem or junk the car, truck or SUV.

If your vehicle fails, you’ll receive a Vehicle Inspection Report and Certificate. You’ll also receive a Required Vehicle Repair Data document and a Repair Shop Report Card. You probably thought you were done with report cards. If your car, truck or SUV fails its emission test, you’ll find yourself with another report card. Thankfully, you won’t have to bring this home and have your parents sign it. But, you will have to take it with you to a auto repair shop when you have the problem fixed.

There are exemptions. For instance, if you car, truck or SUV fails its test, if it’s repaired twice and still fails, you may be eligible for a Repair Waiver. You may also receive an exemption if you’re not driving your vehicle in the McHenry or McHenry County area. But, you’ll have to prove it. You can also receive an exemption for sporting vehicles or parade and ceremonial cars, trucks or SUVs.

You can apply for an Economic Hardship Extension. You can also pass your test with Out of State Compliance if you submit proof that your vehicle has passed an emissions inspection in another state.

You can learn about more about Illinois Auto Emissions Testing, as well as exemptions and extensions by visiting www.illinoisairteam.net.

Your best bet, however, is to make sure your car is running properly and can pass the test the first time. Look at it this way, if your car, truck or SUV can’t pass the emissions test, it’s probably not running at its peak performance. You could be reducing the lifespan of your car, truck or SUV and you could be spending more to operate your vehicle, such as with reduced gasoline mileage. And, of course, you’ll do your part to keep the air in McHenry cleaner if your car, truck or SUV is running better.