What age must vehicles be in order to be required for emissions testing?

The requirement for vehicles to undergo emissions testing is based on the establishment of standards intended to control air pollution from motor vehicles. In Pennsylvania, the rule stipulates that vehicles manufactured in 1975 and newer are subject to emissions testing. This decision is in line with federal regulations that sought to reduce the impact of vehicle emissions, which became increasingly important in the mid-1970s as concerns about air quality grew.

Vehicles manufactured before 1975 fall outside this requirement largely due to the absence of stringent emissions controls, which were introduced later. As a result, older vehicles are not subjected to the same standards that apply to those produced after this cut-off year. Therefore, the identification of the year 1975 as the threshold reflects the legislative push for better emission controls during that time, ensuring that the vehicles being tested are those more likely to contribute to air pollution significantly.