In May I purchased a '97 GTS (Blue with White Stripes) with 40K mi and Maryland just sent my notice to have my emissions inspected at one of their state run facilities.
On Friday I drove up to the center, handed in my notice + a $15.00 check (yes, we have to pay for the "privledge"), and waited for the good/bad news. But the news was all good - the state employee said Vipers are too low to the ground and cannot be tested by their current equipment.
The testing they do is not of the traditional "static" or resting variety - a state employee drives your vehicle up on a small ramp with a rolling drum under the driving wheels and a large high-flow fan placed in the front of the car to simulate high speeds (and to cool the radiator). The state employee then "drives" your car (you can imagine how I looked forward to that) while it is on the rollers so your vehicle's emissions are tested at various speeds & loads.
The state employee handed me a MD emissons exemption certificate, complete with raised state seal, which is good for the usual 2 years. There was no cost for this or any part of this visit. I do not know if this situation is true throughout MD or only at this facility in Bel Air, but it works for me.
On Friday I drove up to the center, handed in my notice + a $15.00 check (yes, we have to pay for the "privledge"), and waited for the good/bad news. But the news was all good - the state employee said Vipers are too low to the ground and cannot be tested by their current equipment.
The testing they do is not of the traditional "static" or resting variety - a state employee drives your vehicle up on a small ramp with a rolling drum under the driving wheels and a large high-flow fan placed in the front of the car to simulate high speeds (and to cool the radiator). The state employee then "drives" your car (you can imagine how I looked forward to that) while it is on the rollers so your vehicle's emissions are tested at various speeds & loads.
The state employee handed me a MD emissons exemption certificate, complete with raised state seal, which is good for the usual 2 years. There was no cost for this or any part of this visit. I do not know if this situation is true throughout MD or only at this facility in Bel Air, but it works for me.