Newtown’s Sole Emissions Testing Facility

Is Up And Running

By Kaaren Valenta

Standing in front of a computer, his hands resting lightly on the keyboard, Daniel Amaral leaned slightly to the right and stared intently at a small plastic scanner sitting on a pile of papers. Instantly, a scan of his eye appeared on the computer screen, identifying him as an authorized technician in the Connecticut Motor Vehicle Department’s new emissions testing program.

“This is the first step,” Mr Amaral explained. “The [iris eyeball scanner] identifies me and allows me to use the equipment. Then I scan the serial number on the inside of the car door and it brings up information about the vehicle and what kind of emissions test to use.”

Mr Amaral is the owner of Amaral Motors on South Main Street, Newtown’s only emissions testing facility. His service station is one of 258 statewide that are participating in the DMV program that was launched on October 17. The new system, operated by Agbar Technologies under a contract with the state, replaced the state’s 20-year-old centralized emissions testing program.

The DMV has begun sending out what will be an average of 90,000 notices a month to motorists to have their vehicles tested. Motorists do not need to do anything until they receive the notice, according to the DMV.

“Motorists will be notified monthly by mail when their test is due,” a DMV spokesman said. “The former windshield stickers are no longer being used and the dates on them are no longer valid. If you have one on your windshield, scrape it off.”

Models that are four years old or newer (currently model years 2001–2004) and those that are 25 years old or older are not required to have an emissions test. For all others, the cost is $20 for a two-year test.

The testing process will be simpler for some motorists. For 1996 model-year vehicles and newer ones, a testing process called On Board Diagnostics (OBD) is used. OBD is done through the vehicle’s computer system, which is accessed through a portal under the dashboard.

 “It’s a lot easier,” Mr Amaral said. “It only takes 10 to 15 minutes in all for the inspection. Older vehicles –– 1995 and older –– take 15 to 25 minutes because we have to use a dynameter, run the [vehicle’s] engine up to speed, and use a tailpipe probe, just like the old system.”

As part of the test, the computer program requires the technician to check to see if the vehicle still has its catalytic converter and also to verify that the gas cap is correct for the vehicle so that fumes cannot escape.

“All gas caps are tested,” Mr Amaral said, poking through a dozen brightly colored adaptors for the right one to test a 1999 Chrysler Sebring.

The new testing program includes fraud-protection systems such as the iris scan camera, which works like a fingerprint scanner, taking a picture of the inspector’s eye and comparing it to registered pictures on the screen. Inspection lanes also have video cameras that record pictures of the vehicle and the test. These are stored on the database and can be used to verify that the inspector is doing the test properly and that the vehicle matches the vehicle data recorded for the test. All of these were put into place as a result of a scandal several years ago in which some emissions personnel in Bridgeport were accused of taking bribes to pass vehicles that otherwise would have failed emissions testing. The scandal led to the disbanding of the previous system and the contract with Agbar.

Besides himself, Mr Amaral has one certified inspector but he anticipates that he will eventually have five.

“You have to go through a day’s training process,” he explained.

Motorists can take their vehicles to any of authorized emission stations, including several in Danbury, Bethel, and Monroe. Eventually there are scheduled to be 300 statewide.

“This is one-stop shopping for the consumer,” the DMV said. “A customer seeking maintenance on a car can have the emissions test done at the same time and won’t need to make another stop just for an emissions test.”

There were 14,000 notices sent prior to the program’s October 17 start date and another 13,000 sent last week. The recipients of this mailing will have until December 9 to have their vehicles tested. (When each mailing is done, recipients have 45 days to obtain the test.) If the test is not done on time, a late fee will be added and the vehicle’s registration is in danger of not being renewed.

Emissions testing is being done at Amaral Motors Monday through Friday and on Saturdays until 1 pm. Call 426-4427 to schedule an appointment. Anyone who has questions about emissions testing also can call the DMV at 203-805-6244 or email emissions@dmvct.org.