Improvements to Maryland’s Vehicle Emissions Inspection Program (VEIP) went into effect Jan. 1, the governor’s office recently announced.
Under the new regulations, new vehicles do not need to be inspected until they are three years old. This is forecasted to save drivers $2 million annually. Also, drivers who own a pre-1996 light-duty vehicle weighing less than 8,500 pounds will no longer be required to have their trucks inspected.
The improvements were inspired by the governor’s 2016 Regulatory Reform Commission Report which asked the Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT) and the Maryland Department of the Environment to provide feedback on VEIP.
The improvements are the third revision to VEIP since 2015 and are intended to improve the program by making it more convenient and affordable.
Previous changes include reducing the cost of VEIP kiosks from $14 to $10, adding 10 self-service VEIP kiosks, and allowing drivers to pay late fees at a kiosk and still receive the new VEIP fee.
“It’s important that drivers are able to complete this process in the easiest and quickest way possible,” Christine Nizer, an administrator for the MDOT Motor Vehicle Administration, said. “Our self-service VEIP kiosks have been well-received by customers. We will continue to utilize emerging technologies to provide premier customer service to all Marylanders.”