DMV Self-service Emissions Kiosk experiences
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Anonymous
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Has anybody used the DC DMV's self-service emissions testing kiosk in Takoma? Is it easy to use? Considering using it instead of waiting in line at the inspection center, but am pretty car-illiterate.
https://dmv.dc.gov/page/self-service-vehicle-emissions-inspection-kiosk |
jsteele
Site Admin Offline
Site Admin Offline
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I just used it the other day. I couldn't scan my car's serial number on the dash but I could on the door, so try that first. It took two tries with the OBD reader. But, despite these hiccups, it was pretty smooth and easy. I plan to use it from now on.
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Anonymous
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I did it when it first opened. There was also a guy there to help. I assume that was just for the early period
So much easier than dmv |
Anonymous
| thanks for the feedback! Sounds like it's worth trying. |
Anonymous
| I've done it; very easy, very quick. I walk by there nearly daily and there's never a line (and generally no one is using it). |
Anonymous
For what it's worth, I went to the inspection centre on Thursday of last week arriving around 7:30am. There was truly no line and I drove right up. Pretty sure I had the only car there the entire time. The process took eight minutes and I was home fewer than 30 minutes after I left. I've been doing this for 20 years and I my experience until now has been getting there at 6:00AM and waiting around the block and so this was a shocker. |
Anonymous
| OP reporting back—it was super easy. Plus the Takoma playground is really nice. Definitely going to use the self service kiosk in the future, it was so much better than waiting in line. |
Anonymous
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I used this over the weekend -- I had to wait for two cars, but it was still much faster than going to the inspection station, since I live in upper NW -- even driving to Takoma and waiting was faster than it's ever been to get to Half Street and get inspected and back.
The DMV site wasn't allowing me to make an appointment for an inspection at the Half Street station, either, so I was very glad to be able to use the kiosk instead. |
Anonymous
| How does DC DMV handle late inspection fees? Do you have to pay the $20/month fee before you get your new sticker in the mail, or do they charge you the next time you renew your registration? |
Anonymous
I believe you have until 45 days after the mayor lifts the order regarding this to get it done. My inspection was due in May 2020 and I went in April 2021 and did not have late fees. |
Anonymous
| I tried to use it back in July. I got a chuckle when I got to the self-service machine and it had a sign saying "closed due to the mayor's stay at home order." |
Anonymous
| Hopefully it works better than the MD ones... always something wrong with those things. |
Anonymous
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OP here. Thanks to everyone for their feedback. I got my sticker in the mail (a few days after the temporary inspection print out expired) along with an inspection report. No fine for being late doing the inspection, just a standard letter saying that the 35$ inspection fee would be collected at the time of vehicle re-registration.
It was very easy to use the kiosk and I highly recommend it if you’ve been dreading the line at Half Street. |
Anonymous
| Just FYI - as of 6/2/2022 the machine is out of service. Also, it appears that you can only use this machine for inspection [u]renewals[u] not new car inspection |
Anonymous
This is correct - I learned the hard way. |