Hamilton County residents needing to register their vehicles will no longer have to undergo emissions testing beginning next year – and it could prompt them to wait before pulling the trigger on paperwork.
The emissions test requirement, which dates back to state and federal laws enacted to curb ozone pollution in 2005, officially ends on Jan. 14. In 2018, legislation by Sen. Bo Watson, R-Hixson, and the late state Rep. Mike Carter, R- Ooltewah, eliminated vehicle emissions testing in the state 120 calendar days following approval by the Environmental Protection Agency, which came in August.
How residents respond to the changes may be mixed, Hamilton County Clerk Bill Knowles said when asked Wednesday whether residents may opt to delay registering so they can avoid the testing.
“I wouldn’t be surprised,” Knowles said.