Can enyone give me the skinny on Pennsylvania emissions? Or how does one go about getting hotrods, old trucks, cars with engine swaps, ect. regestured. Any info on " how it's done in PA" would help. I'm new, so pardon my ig. till I get it figured. I am a sheet metal guy in SanBerdo but will be moving to PA. Thanks, Brent
http://www.dmv.state.pa.us/vehicle_code/index.shtml hey Brent, where in PA are you moving to? only certain areas have smog testing... thank god I'm not in one of those areas. if you have original steel, I don't think you'll need to worry about emissions no matter where you live
If you're near a metro area you'll have to yield to the sniffer.You might be able to skirt it if you see lots of trees everywhere...
http://www.drivecleanpa.state.pa.us/drivecleanpa/archive/brochure.pdf Most 1996 and newer model-year vehicles will be required to have an OBD I/M Check and a Gas Cap Test. • Most 1975-1995* model-year vehicles will continue to be required to have an inspection with an emissions ****yzer to measure pollutants while the engine is idling.This inspection also includes a Gas Cap Test and a Visual Anti-Tampering Check of the emissions components.
If the car or truck is earlier than 1975 don't worry about it.We also have different plates depending on year.Make sure you get all the right info or you may only be able to drive it at certain times.Hope that helps
Linetech is correct. My model "A"s don't need emission testing due to their age (and I'm in the Philly area). I don't know exactly what the cutoff year is. "Street rod" tags are a pain in the **** to get but you don't need them anyway.Regular Pa. tags will do.
Pre 1975 is emissions exempt.... Anything after can be exempt with a cl***ic or antique plate.... Collector plates can be obtained for modified vehicles.
also if less than 5,000 per year no emissions at least for my 95 ford and 80 buick. but thats here in lehigh valley. i think some of the testing is set up by zip code.
why would you move from sunny cali to wintery pa? there are ways around all the laws depending on your specific vehicle,so don't panic
The other beautiful thing about PA, in the infant wisdom of harrisburg, its not state wide. Its specific counties. As we know in Allegheny County, the air is different in Washington, Westmoreland and Butler County.
But you still need an Exemption sticker. I have one on my 03 harley/F150 pickup. If it older then 1975 there is no emission inspection. Also in pa you ***le it the year of the vehicle not the engine. Unless you are building a kit car.
I'm going to disagree with the 75 and older being exempt rule. I couldn't get my 73 roadrunner inspected because it did not have the smog pump installed for the visual inspection. I always understood that 75 and older were smog exempt but other inspection mechanics I asked said that if it was equiped with pollution parts that it had to be on the car to be inspected. later shawn
If it older then 1975 there is no emission inspection. Also in pa you ***le it the year of the vehicle not the engine. So, Pre 75 and any thing goes! Good, I don't trust anything newer than that. Sounds like my moving truck will be ok to keep. 1986 F700 with plans for a CAT 3208 covered with a 64 chevy pickup body. Thanks for the help. CA is simple, anything newer than 75 and your just screwed. BTW Can't aford anything in CA. Have hopes of a few acers with a barn and a gr*** landing strip in PA................Oh ya and then theres this girl....
Oh great! So now I am even more corn-fused If it's pre 75 what inspection is there? In CA its all done by mail so this is all new to me. What do you guys with engine swaps and after market parts do on pre 75 cars. My cars/ truck are daily drivers so the limited use thing wont work and Im not sure what county i will be in. Thanks
for a visual inspection, you are correct... the stupid part is that the smog pump doesn't have to work, it just has to be there and 'hooked up' we were talking about the emissions test, where they put the sniffer in the pipe and take your money for nothing
The thing I don't understand is if the car is emissions exempt then why do a visual inspection? This is one reason I hate this fu@kin state to many damn grey areas with their so called regulations. Nothing is never explained and set in stone.
If it's an area in PA you'd want to live in, you won't need emissions testing-none here in central PA along the beautiful Susquehanna River. And your car might not qualify for "regular" plates-I had to re***le mine because the 3.5" chop resulted in a windshield too low for a regular sticker. Tell us where you're moving to and what you are running and then we can help more. Do you think Gov. Rendell could take Gov AHHnold these days?
The govenator is getting old and soft I guess I will be moving to central PA I want to use a 86 gas F700. I would like to put a CAT 3208 in it and cover the whole thing with a 64 chevy truck body! I am currenty starting a build on a 60s eara dirttrack modified. Its built from scratch and will be a street driver. Thanks for the help
Lancaster and York are Central Pa and along the susquehanna and they have emissions testing. Do Street Rod plates require emissions testing? During the election campaign, the pudits were fond of saying the in Pa you have Phila. in the East, Pittsburgh in the west, and Arkansas in between. Sometimes I think they are right.
Ya gotta p*** the safety inspection annually, but not emissions if the year of the car indicates it didn't originally have emissions equipt (thus, pre-'75). Make sure you have bumpers, hood sides, good juice brakes, all lights work including blinkers, good tread on the tires, reasonably quiet muffler, no cracked gl***, no holes in the body or exhaust system, and a grille. (And, there are some HAMBers that have garages that do inspections, doesn't hurt.................) Also, State Police can and will pull you over if they see blatant violations, even if you have a current inspection sticker. Street Rod registration will put you thru the ringer, and the only thing you really gain is that you won't need bumpers or a hood, otherwise you still need the safety inspection.
I have a 91 S-10 shop truck that we 4 linked and dropped a big block in it we get emissions exempt sticker cause we put less miles than so many miles a year on it, I forget what it is but we never had a problem. I have a chopped Merc 49 Sled on an 80 Malibu frame with a stroker in it, regular plates gets same smog exemption sticker. Also a 49 Chev Aero Cp on an 80 Cutl*** frame , 350 blower motor same deal, regular plates. The cops pull you over every once in a while but just to look at the car.
Under 5000 miles on the odometer (interpret that the way you want) since the last inspection allows you to get an exemption. You still pay for the sticker, in fact it costs $2 more around here. I have an 82 XJS w/a 454 that I get done that way. Pre '74 doesn't get smogged, doesn't even get the sticker.
having a regular plate and logging less that 5000 miles (making it emisions exempt) is a good way to go in PA (of course it always helps if you know your inspection mechanic)...... cl***ic, antique, custom and street rod plates all have restrictions on how and when you can drive them (but not enforced much) fyi, it is a pain to get these plates if your car is not "stock" looking and in great shape. they require pictures and won't give you a special plate for an unfinished looking project, visible rust etc.... (i've even had to re-take pictures because a window wasn't rolled up). and even if you have everything perfect, always go to PENNDOT in person if your doing anything "special". even if it's a long drive, it will save time and money.
1.Make a copy of EVERYTHING you give to Penndot and send in the copies. And send them receipts for every screw and washer you can find for your your car. Even if you don't have them all, the volume will help convince them you are not trying something dodgy. 2. Most Important, find out who your state representative is and send in your application with them. There is not faster or surer way than having this person walk into Penndot with your file. They make the Penndot appropriations and wield a lot of power. DMV will love to nit pick with you-a lot less with the people who control their budget.
I am in Adams county and no emissions here ! I run an Antique tag on my 55 Ford and no one bothers me . But like the old saying goes , If you are looking for trouble the man will find you ! Get the Antique tag first then do the changes ! Welcome to PA !
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