New program will use local repair shops instead of current facilities
By Ed Nadolski
Editor in Chief
State-required vehicle emission tests for Western Racine County residents – and their neighbors throughout this area of the state – will become considerably more convenient as of July 2.
The state Department of Transportation is scrapping its decades-long practice of requiring the tests at a limited number of fixed facilities in favor of a decentralized program that allows the testing to be completed at some local dealerships and repair shops – including five in Burlington, and one each in Waterford and Union Grove.
That’s a major upgrade in convenience for local residents who were forced to drive to Racine, Kenosha, and Waukesha or beyond, often having to wait in line to have their vehicles inspected every other year.
“The process itself should look very similar to the customer,” said Scott Selbach, supervisor of the inspection program for the DOT. “The biggest plus is convenience for the customers and savings for the state.”
The state requires residents in a seven-county region of Southeast Wisconsin to have their vehicles tested in order to comply with federal clean air standards.
Burlington had a vehicle testing station until 2009 when the state closed it as a cost-saving measure. The contract with the company that currently runs the program, Connecticut-based Envirotest, expires June 30.
The DOT sought new proposals for the coming five years and eventually selected Systech International of Utah to administer the program. Following the trend of other states with vehicle inspection programs, Systech will now subcontract the tests to private shops and dealerships in Wisconsin.
Selbach said 33 states currently have some testing requirement and 24 of them have decentralized or hybrid systems that make use of private repair shops.
Vehicle owners will see little change in the process, according to Selbach. They will be able to stop in at one of the testing sites without an appointment and have their vehicle tested while they wait.
However, the biggest benefit, according to Selbach, is that as of July 2 residents may have their vehicles tested in conjunction with a regular vehicle maintenance appointment as long as they visit a testing site no more than 180 days before their required inspection deadline.
“By having multiple locations in the Burlington area, the convenience factor is huge (compared to the current process),” Selbach said.
There is no fee for the emissions test under the new program and Systech will provide each testing site with required equipment and reimburse them $2 for each test.
If a vehicle fails the test, owners have the option of having it repaired at the testing site or at any of the state-registered repair facilities throughout the area. Selbach stressed there is no requirement to have the vehicle repaired at the testing site.
Once emission system repairs are complete, vehicle owners can have up to two subsequent follow-up tests without charge.
The new program will save the state nearly $600,000 over the centralized program mainly due to the fact there is no longer a cost for fixed facilities and employees to staff them. Envirotest will lay off about 60 employees as a result of losing the testing contract.
For additional information on the state’s vehicle inspection program, including a full listing of testing sites and approved repair facilities, visit http://www.wisconsinvip.org.
The following is a list of area dealerships and repair shops that will provide emission-testing services under contract with the state. In addition, there are 12 locations in Racine and 14 in Kenosha.
Burlington
• Accelerated Auto Service, 667 West State Street, (262) 763-7701.
• American Muffler & Automotive, 5933 S. Pine Street, (262) 763-5674.
• Lois Tire Shop, 916 Milwaukee Avenue, (262) 763-6288.
• Lynch GM Superstore, 2300 Browns Lake Drive, (262) 757-2995.
• Mertens Auto Service Center, 389 Milwaukee Avenue, (262) 763-5155.
Muskego
• Muskego Tire & Auto, S73 W16610 Janesville Road, (414) 422-1100.
• Dads Auto Service, S98 W12575 Loomis Court, (414) 427-5944.
• E.J. Salentine Buick, 14444 W. Janesville Road, (414) 422-0100.
• Richlonns Tire & Service Center, S78 W18755 Janesville Road, (262) 679-5877.
• Muskego Tire & Auto, S73 W16610 Janesville Road, (414) 422-1100.
Salem
• Hartnell Chevrolet, 7800 Antioch Road (Highway 83), (262) 843-2361.
• Salem Auto Service, 8515 Antioch Road, (262) 843-3636.
Union Grove
• Tenhagen Auto Service, 21445 Durand Avenue, (262) 878-3945.
Waterford
• Lynch Truck Center, 29000 Sharon Lane, (262) 514-4000.
Wilmot
• Wilmot Auto Service Inc., 11307 Fox River Road, (262) 862-6300.
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