A non - exempt diesel - powered motor vehicle may be subject to either the OBDII emissions inspection or the diesel emissions inspection. Additional information about these inspections may be found on the table below. 

Emissions Inspections for Diesel-powered Vehicles 


Vehicles subject to diesel emissions inspection 
All non - exempt diesel - powered vehicles registered in the NYMA or Diesel Emissions Metropolitan Area DEMA some registrations may or may not show they are within DEMA, with a maximum gross weight MGW, as indicated on the vehicle registration certificate, over 8,500 pounds, must get an annual diesel emissions inspection. The diesel emissions inspection must occur at the same time as the annual safety inspection. The DEMA includes the five boroughs of New York City, and Nassau County, Suffolk County, Rockland County, and Westchester County. The model year does not exempt a vehicle from the inspection. Read section 79.2 of the inspection regulations to get information about vehicles that are exempt. All diesel - powered vehicles registered outside of the Diesel Emissions Metropolitan Area DEMA, with a maximum gross weight MGW over 8,500 pounds, do not require an annual diesel emissions inspection, but may be subject to a random roadside diesel emissions inspection. All model year 1997 or newer non - exempt diesel - powered vehicles, registered anywhere in New York State, with a gross vehicle weight rating GVWR less than 8,501 pounds, must get an annual OBDII emissions inspection, and are not subject to the diesel emissions inspection. All model year 1996 or older diesel - powered vehicles, registered anywhere in New York State, with a gross vehicle weight rating GVWR less than 8,501 pounds, are not subject to the OBDII emissions inspection, the low - enhanced emissions inspection, or the diesel emissions inspection. 

Diesel Opacity Emissions 
The Diesel Opacity Emissions inspection is not required in other areas of NY State, or for vehicles register 

user: Please tell me about the diesel opacity emissions inspection.

assistant: this inspection is not required in other areas of NY states or for vehicles registered outside of the state. Nonetheless, if the vehicle has an MGW of more than 8500 lbs then the NY State Department of Environmental Conservation, the NY State Department of Transportation, or the NY State Police can do a test for any diesel-powered vehicle.

assistant: did your vehicle failed a roadside inspection?

user: No, it didn't fail any inspection.

user: Can you tell me when and where a diesel inspection can happen?

assistant: The diesel emissions inspection is made at the annual safety inspection and it's done at a diesel emissions inspection station.

user: how often must get an inspection a vehicle with a MGW of over 8500 pounds?

assistant: Vehicles with a MGW over 8500 pounds must get an annual diesel emission inspection.

user: and if the vehicle is newer than model year 1997 and with a GVWR less than 8501 pounds?

assistant: if the vehicle is also a non-exempt diesel-powered vehicle registered in NY state then it must get an annual OBDII emissions inspection and are exempt from the diesel emissions inspection.

user: What would be the case if the diesel-powered vehicle is registered in NY State and is older than model year 1996 with a GVWR less than 8501 pounds?

assistant: in that case, the vehicle is exempt from the OBDII emissions inspection , the low - enhanced emissions inspection , or the diesel emissions inspection.

user: what is needed to become a diesel emissions inspection station?

assistant: the station have to buy a DMV-approved smokemeter. The station can only perform the inspections if it is licensed to conduct a safety inspection for diesel-powered vehicles.