News Release 439

THE GATEWAY VEHICLE INSPECTION PROGRAM COMPLETES
FIRST DAY OF EMISSIONS TESTING AND SAFETY INSPECTIONS
IN THE ST. LOUIS AREA

Volume 35-439

Contact: Renee Bungart

(For immediate release)

573-751-4465

JEFFERSON CITY, MO, OCT. 2, 2007 -- The Gateway Vehicle Inspection Program began yesterday in the St. Louis area. By noon today, the program had received 1,669 vehicle test records from 202 licensed auto shops. As of this morning, the state has licensed 269 auto shops to perform on-board diagnostics emissions testing as well as safety inspections for St. Louis area motorists.

The state's contractor, SysTech International LLC, received reports of a few technical issues during the start up of the program. SysTech is working quickly to resolve these issues to allow auto shops to continue performing emissions test and safety inspections. One of the technical issues pertains to an innovative security feature added to the program designed to ensure the identity of the inspector/mechanics.

Inspector/mechanics performing the tests must use a fingerprint scanner before they can begin to enter vehicle inspection data. The equipment at a few of the stations was unable to recognize the inspector/mechanic fingerprints. SysTech is providing those stations that have experienced this problem with temporary passwords until their fingerprints can be reentered into the analyzer. Auto shops that encounter this problem or other technical problems are encouraged to contact SysTech.

"We regret any inconvenience auto shops or their customers have experienced during this initial start up phase," said Leanne Tippett Mosby, deputy director of the Division of Environmental Quality. "The new program offers more choice and convenience for St. Louis area motorists in obtaining emissions inspections. Auto shops participating in the Gateway Vehicle Inspection Program are a key to the program success and motorist convenience. We appreciate their patience and assistance as we continue to make improvements that will implement the program to its fullest potential."

The state is giving September and October registrants some flexibility to fulfill their emissions testing requirements. These registrants are encouraged to test during October if possible. However, odd model year vehicles with September plates have until Dec. 1 to comply. Odd model year vehicles with October plates that are unable to complete their emissions testing requirements by Oct. 31 will have until Jan. 1 to comply.

A total of 550 auto shops signed up in the first round to begin emissions testing when the program launched Oct. 1. Of those shops, 209 were on-line and ready to perform emissions tests yesterday. By the end of the day, the state added 60 shops to the list. The number of participating locations will continue to increase as final licensing and approval is completed by the Missouri State Highway Patrol. The state expects to license the remaining 167 auto shops included in the second round by early November.

As the state continues to license additional locations, each station's name, location and phone number will be added to the Web site. Motorists can look for an auto shop near them with the GVIP blue reflective sign displayed with the yellow Missouri Official Vehicle Inspection Station sign, or they may visit the Web at www.GatewayVIP.com, or may call 1-866-OBD-TEST (623-8378). The department recommends motorists call an inspection station prior to visiting the station.

Local auto shops will test 1996 and newer gasoline-powered vehicles and 1997 and newer diesel-powered vehicles registered in the St. Louis ozone nonattainment area using on-board diagnostics (OBD) equipment. This advanced computer inspection system will determine whether 1996 and newer vehicles pass or fail the emissions test. The nonattainment area includes the city of St. Louis and Franklin, Jefferson, St. Charles and St. Louis counties.

Model year vehicles 1995 and older are exempt from the emissions testing requirements, as they do not contain the OBD equipment necessary for testing. However, safety inspections are still required biennially. The impact on ground-level ozone from these older vehicles will continue to decrease, as these vehicles become a smaller percentage of the fleet and are phased-out.

The Gateway Vehicle Inspection Program is jointly administered by the Missouri Department of Natural Resources and the Missouri State Highway Patrol. The program is a key component of the ongoing effort to improve air quality in the St. Louis region.

For news releases on the Web, visit www.dnr.mo.gov/newsrel. For a complete listing of the department's upcoming meetings, hearings and events, visit the department's online calendar at www.dnr.mo.gov/calendar/search.do.

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