The Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC) launched the Drive Clean program as a way to cut back on the hazardous pollutants that cars and trucks emit. The program mandates emissions testing for particular automobiles in particular jurisdictions. By lowering the number of pollutants in the air, the initiative seeks to improve air quality.
The year, make, and model of the vehicle are considered to determine whether it is subject to emissions testing. Vehicles built in Tennessee before 1975 are free from emissions testing. All other automobiles, including those created in 1976 and after, must, nevertheless, pass an emissions test. Vehicles registered in the counties of Davidson, Hamilton, Rutherford, Sumner, Williamson, and Wilson are subject to this testing requirement.
The Motor Vehicle Authorization to Register Act, sometimes known as MARTA, is no longer necessary in Tennessee. To make sure that automobiles that passed emissions testing were correctly registered, this program was put in effect. But the program was abandoned in 2017. A car’s owner can now register the vehicle without any additional restrictions if it successfully passes emissions testing.
Tennessee mandates vehicle inspections for some kinds of cars in addition to emissions testing. Commercial vehicles, school buses, and vehicles that transport hazardous chemicals are among the vehicles that must pass inspection. The purpose of the inspections is to confirm that these cars adhere to all applicable state and federal safety laws.
Finally, the Drive Clean program requires emissions testing for specific automobiles in a few Tennessee counties. All other cars must pass testing before they may be registered, with the exception of those made in 1975 or earlier. There are also vehicle checks for specific sorts of vehicles and MARTA is no longer necessary. These initiatives are in place to enhance road safety and air quality in Tennessee.