Major Change Proposed For Annual PA Car Inspection Requirements

HARRISBURG, PA — Pennsylvania lawmakers are moving ahead with a proposal to end annual vehicle emissions testing in the 25 counties where it is currently required.

The state Senate on Wednesday approved a bill that would remove the most heavily populated counties from the testing. The legislation also prohibits additional counties from being added to the program.

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The most populated counties in the state are Philadelphia and Montgomery counties in the eastern part of the state and Allegheny County in the western part. Millions of motorists in those areas would be impacted by the lifting of the emissions requirement.

The state does not set pricing for the inspection tests. Costs are set by the certified stations that administer the tests. However, a current pricing guide suggests residents should expect to pay $40 to $45 for the test.

“People are being squeezed from every direction, and the last thing they should be forced to bankroll are outdated mandates that do nothing but drain their wallets,” state Sen.Wayne Langerholc, the Cambria County Republican who was the bill's primary sponsor, said in a statement.

The measure now goes to the House of Representatives for consideration. If the House approves the bill, it would require Gov. Josh Shapiro's signature to become law.

Whether that will occur is unclear.

The Senate passed legislation, sponsored by Langerholc, to reform the emissions program in February 2025, as well as each legislative session since the 2019-2020 legislative session.

All of those measures have failed in the House.

“It is beyond time that the House of Representatives bring vehicle emissions reform to a vote and give Pennsylvania motorists much needed relief," Langerholc said.

The following 25 counties currently require emissions testing: Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery, Philadelphia, Allegheny, Beaver, Washington, Westmoreland, Berks, Cumberland, Dauphin, Lancaster, Lebanon, Lehigh, Northampton, York, Blair, Cambria, Centre, Erie, Lackawanna, Luzerne, Lycoming and Mercer.