MASSACHUSETTS PAGE

Until 1999, the yearly mandatory safety inspection in Massachusetts consisted of driving to a gas station where a mechanic stuck a probe in the tailpipe and asked you to sound the horn. The cost was $15.

In order to qualify for federal Environmental Protection Agency dollars, in October of 1999 Massachusetts switched over to a new "Enhanced Emissions & Safety Check." The selling point (and the justification for the fee increase) was the dynamometer which simulates real-world driving conditions. But since this test was said to be so accurate, emissions testing was now required only every other year, although the safety portion continued to be required yearly.

Because of the dyno, people are no longer allowed to sit in the car while it's being tested, so most are dealing with the longer wait by catching up on their paperwork or fetching a cop of coffee from the local Starbucks. But inquiring minds want to know what really happens during the test. So here is the scoop:

Starting in July 2002, Massachusetts is phasing in a more advanced computerized emissions test - the OBD check - for all cars and light trucks made since model year 1996. OBD stands for "on-board diagnostics," and a federal law requires cars and light trucks made since model year 1996 to be equipped with OBD. The mechanic simply connects the on-board computer of your car, which continuously monitors the engine and emissions controls, to the inspection computer and downloads the data. If you pass the OBD check, you pass the inspection. If OBD detects a problem with your vehicle you flunk and get a rejected sticker. You shouldn't be surprised however, because usually your "Check Engine" light is also on. The whole process takes about 5 minutes.

And remember, this is only every other year. During the safety-check-only years, the mechanic simply walks around your car and sounds the horn...

So why the 20-30 minute wait? To justify the higher cost, of course. And the kicker is, the rejection rate remains the same, around 10% since the 90's. The more things change, the more they remain the same.

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