Illinois Vehicle Emissions

I usually don’t write reviews, let alone a review for emission test centers. But this place blew me away. In and out in less than a minute. Amazing service! I will definitely go here again.

We were in and out in 5 minutes on a Tuesday around noon. Could not have been easier!

Arrived at 4:39 pm yesterday — two testing lanes were open, both with a one-​vehicle wait. I was greeted by a young man who was tremendously polite & efficient. The test too (literally) two minutes, and I was handed a receipt with important info circled, and sent on my way.
I’m sure there are more inconvenient times to be here, but this team has the process down to a science!
Inspector IN005619 gets an A++.
The worst part about this was the traffic on Webster since Armitage is all screwy! Highly recommend this e-​check station.

Comparing this to other government services (DMV, post office, etc) this has got to be the best run operation. Always quick and efficient, I’ve never waited longer than 10 min, and sometimes there’s no wait.

I always go to the burbs because I am afraid this one will be so backed up– not the case. It is tricky to get in because if the line is coming out of the parking lot you can’t turn left in. There is a side street you can turn around. The waiting time predictor is super accurate. I was able to leave my job in the south loop at 1:30 and was back by 2:30. A lot better that I expected!

This ended up being literally an in-​and-​out experience. If you receive notice from the State of Illinois that you need your emissions tested, go here. You do not need to bring anything with you but your car. On Saturdays, they’re open till 1 p.m. and there’s usually a line but DO NOT FRET. There’s a little sign right on Webster that tells you how long you’ll wait, which is surprisingly accurate. I waited 22 minutes in the comfort of my car, occasionally moving forward to advance in a long line of cars waiting to get the test.
Once I reached the next open slot, I was asked to roll my window down, turn the car off, and get out and wait in a tiny room for the test. The guy working at the place got in my car, started it, hooked up some doohicky and then the test began. Total test time: TWO MINUTES. After the test was complete, he had me get back in, start the car, and then he handed me the results paper which was a pass.
Years ago, I drove an old car that didn’t pass and all that you do is take the paper with advice on how to fix the issue (usually some specific thing that an auto shop can take care of) and then you just go back and get the test done again.
The test is always free and it took me about 30 minutes total from beginning to end. The worst part was the wait but it’s worth it because then you can renew your plates and not get a $ 120 ticket from the City.

This Emission’s facility rocks.
In/​Out less than 25 mins on a packed Saturday morning at 8:15 (they open at 8).
The person who serviced my car coudn’t have been nicer.

They checked my emissions here. It was the best.

Just got back from the facility. Really nice experience. Easy and fast, firendly crew. never have problems.

I chose the perfect time to go apparently. I went on a Monday at 10:00am and no wait at all. I was literally in and out in 3 minutes. Guy that helped me was really pleasant. It’s nice if you do have to wait they have an estimated wait time monitor in the front before you enter. Also note you do not need the notification you received in the mail.

Nice, fast and quick! Never had a problem with them.

I’m shocked at how nice and helpful these guys are since they work for the state. In and out in less than 5 mins. I wished all state employees work like these guys!

I only waited a few minutes, and the test itself only took a few more minutes. However, my vehicle was rejected, because the on-​board computer wasn’t «ready». I had been waiting to get my car tested until I could get my ABS repaired, because from past experience I know that they won’t test your car if any of the dashboard warning lights are on. So I got my wheel speed sensor replaced, no more ABS light, ready to go. But in the process of clearing the ABS code after the repair, all of the emissions-​related system monitors get cleared. So the catalytic converter, evaporative control and oxygen sensor monitors couldn’t be checked. Now I have to «drive around for a few weeks» so the computer can gather enough data to provide a valid test.
Note: nowhere on the yellow notice I received in the mail does it mention that if you have your car repaired within a few weeks of the test and the OBD computer history is cleared, your test will be rejected.
OK, not a big deal, except that I can’t renew my Illinois vehicle registration until it passes the emissions lest. If that doesn’t happen in the next four days, I must pay a $ 20.00 late fee. I have a bunch of papers and phone numbers to call to get an extension, but I will probably have to go to some other facility to take care of it and it looks like there will be more fees to pay.
Insult to injury — driving out of the test bay, I run over a giant screw (looks like it was part of one of the testing machines) and it blows my front tire. I have to put on the tiny emergency spare in the parking lot, then go get the punctured tire patched.
So the «free, ten-​minute» inspection actually cost me $ 42 and about two hours. And I still have to go back for the test.
Reason for 3 stars instead of one? The technician performing the test was very efficient, explained why my car was rejected, and gave me all the paperwork I would need to resolve the issue. I’m sure my next visit will be quick and pleasant!

The last time I went here a few years ago a guy that barely spoke English handed me my printout, mumbling something about failing, then handed me an info sheet and sent me on my confused way.
I want to commend this place for hiring a much friendlier employee that helped me today. I only had to wait for 2 cars, was greeted with a friendly hello, and was shown my test result that showed I passed without rushing me along. Efficient and friendly, what a relief! I saw they’re hiring too. Too bad starting pay is minimum wage, I would think these guys would get more for standing out there in all types of weather and probably having to deal with all types of people.

Can the people who work here just run our government instead?
They open at 8 am, I got there at 750 and they were already helping people. My ETA was 12 minutes. Then they opened two new lines at 755, I was done in 10 minutes.
I have never felt joy or happiness or anything but soul sucking hopelessness upon leaving a government run agency until now.
Thanks guys!

I waited 10 minutes because 3 cars were in front of me, & another 8 minutes to get my car tested. I’m just glad I didn’t have to pay and that my car passed.

Easy peasy lemon squeezy. I got there about 10 minutes after they opened and was out within 5 minutes. I thought all the other reviews were lying telling me how quick it was.
My rep was really nice and joked with me about being all concerned about my car. Haha! Whatever, I’m a girl… I worry about my car. I guess I’ll go back in 2-​years when my next emissions test is due.
Thank you Webster IVE stop!

In the past I’ve always gotten here earlier but this time I got here just before 10:00a.m. on a Saturday. Get here early if you don’t want to wait or come midweek. The board said the estimated wait time was 14 minutes and there were about seven cars in front of me. actual time to get to test was 16 minutes, not bad for just about the worst time to come. They blow away the government worker stereotypes and get the job done quickly.

It was a bit ridiculous how nervous I was to go get the required emissions test for my car. I just don’t like the unknown… I was worried I wouldn’t know where to go, if I should stay in the car or get out. Do I leave the car running? Will they need my little yellow notice paper? If I fail what happens? So many questions!
This place knows how to handle annoying people like me, though. The line was long (end of month — bad procrastinating err I mean planning on my part) but there’s a sign to tell the wait time. It was pretty much correct. Another sign directed me as to what to do, and when it was my turn to pull in, the man helping me told me just what to do – pull up, leave the car running, and go inside the little waiting box (it’s too small to be called a room). In less than a minute he told me I could go back to my car, pull up a bit so the next car could come in and wait for my results. Seconds later, he gave me the paper — I passed! Woo! And on I went with my day. Easy peasy!
So stress not, fellow Unilocalers, it’s really not that bad… at least if you pass ;)

I mean, what’s not to like about a vehicle emissions place if you pass?
I went and there were two cars in line in front of me. Then, an employee opened another lane and waved me over! I get helped right away.
The employee didn’t ask for my testing papers or ID or anything. She just had me leave the keys in the car and then wait in a glass waiting area. I could watch everything from where I sat. I think there was a TV that played a video about vehicle emissions but I wasn’t paying attention.
Anyway, I was out of there in less than five minutes.