Waivers

A waiver is an official document that allows qualified owners of failing vehicles to register their vehicle without further expenditures for repair, once receipts for qualifying repairs are presented (see below). Vehicles may receive only one repair waiver, which is valid for the current vehicle registration cycle.

Repairs made up to 60 days prior to the initial failure may be credited toward a waiver

Once a waiver has been granted, the vehicle can never be granted another. Failing vehicles that have already received a waiver must be repaired and pass inspection before being registered in the Phoenix or Tucson metro areas. If your vehicle fails, consider carefully that it may be better for you to repair the vehicle than to seek a waiver. In order to request a waiver, the vehicle owner must meet the following qualifications:

1. The vehicle must fail the state emissions test at least two times in the current test cycle.
2. The malfunction must be diagnosed and a low emissions tune-up performed following the initial failure (low emissions tune-up is defined under "A" on the back of the vehicle inspection report).
3. The vehicle must be presented to one of the waiver facilities, along with the vehicle's last failing test report, detailed repair receipts and/or estimates.
4. A waiver will be issued if it is determined that additional repairs to reduce the vehicle's emissions level cannot be made within the appropriate maximum repair cost limits. Maximum repair requirements for emission failures depend on the age and location of your vehicle (see chart at right). Due to the severity of the air quality problem in metro Phoenix, repair cost limits in Phoenix are higher than in Tucson.
5. Waivers cannot be issued to vehicles emitting more than two times the applicable emission standard, or that have a faulty catalytic converter.
6. A waiver cannot be issued if the vehicle's emissions control equipment has been removed, altered or defeated.
7. If a waiver is granted, or a compliance document is issued, a fee of $15.00 will be charged at the waiver facility.