Ariz. Admin. Code § R18-2-1008 - Procedure for Issuing Certificates of Waiver

A. Unless prohibited under subsection (D), a waiver inspector shall issue a certificate of waiver after reinspection at a state station to a vehicle that failed the emissions reinspection when the vehicle owner demonstrates any of the following conditions have been satisfied:

1. The requirements of R18-2-1009 and R18-2-1010, to the extent applicable, have been satisfied;

2. The vehicle owner has spent the maximum required repair cost on the maintenance and repair procedures required by R18-2-1010; or

3. Any further repairs within the maximum required repair cost would not enable the vehicle to pass the required vehicle emissions inspection.

B. The demonstration required by subsection (A) may consist of repair receipts, emissions test results, evidence of repairs performed, under hood verification, repair cost estimates, or similar evidence.

B. C. A temporary certificate of waiver may be issued to a vehicle failing the tampering inspection if the vehicle owner provides to a waiver inspector a written statement from an automobile parts or repair business that an emission control device necessary to repair the tampering is not available and cannot be obtained from any usual source of supply, and if all requirements of R18-2-1008(A) have been met. All written statements are subject to verification for authenticity and accuracy by the waiver inspector. The Department may deny a temporary certificate of waiver if the state inspector has any reason to believe the written statement is false or a usual source of supply exists and the device necessary to repair the tampering is available. Certificates of waiver may be issued under this subsection for a specified period, not to exceed 90 days, that allows sufficient time for the procurement and installation of a proper emissions control device. A receipt or bill from a vehicle repair facility or automobile parts store shall be an acceptable proof of purchase. Before the end of the specified time period, the vehicle owner shall present to the waiver inspector proof of purchase and installation of the device. The Department shall track all issued temporary certificates of waiver and if no proof of purchase and installation is received before the end of the specified time period, the Department shall forward to the MVD an order to cancel the vehicle's registration.

C. D. The Director shall not issue a waiver to a vehicle under any of the circumstances described in subsections (D)(1) through (4).

1. The vehicle failed the emissions test due to the catalytic converter system. A vehicle fails the emissions test due to the catalytic converter system if:

a. The vehicle has a catalytic converter system that is missing or defeated;

b. The vehicle is equipped with an on-board diagnostic computer (OBD) with a malfunction indicator light (MIL), "check engine" or "service engine soon" light commanded on by the computer and containing diagnostic trouble codes indicating the catalytic converter must be replaced; or

c. A vehicle with a repair order or estimate paperwork provided the waiver technician at the time of waiver inspection shows that a diagnostic determination has been made by the mechanic that the catalytic converter must be replaced.

2. The vehicle failed the emissions test with an HC, CO, NOx, or opacity emission level greater than two times the pass-fail standard in R18-2-1006.

3. The same vehicle has previously received a certificate of waiver.

4. The waiver request is based upon repair estimates and the waiver inspector demonstrates that a recognized repair facility can repair or improve the vehicle's test readings within the repair cost limit.

D. The Director shall not issue a waiver to a vehicle failing the emission test with an HC, CO, NOx, or opacity emission level greater than two times the pass-fail standard in R18-2-1006, unless the vehicle is repaired so that each emission level is less than two times the pass-fail standard.

E. After January 1, 1997, the Director shall not issue a certificate of waiver to the same vehicle more than once.

F. E. The fee for a certificate of waiver under this Section shall be fixed by the Director according to A.R.S. § 49-543, and shall be based upon the Director's estimated costs to the state for administering and enforcing the provisions of this Article for issuance of certificates of waiver under this Section. The fee shall be payable at the time the certificate of waiver is issued.

F. If a waiver inspector denies a certificate of waiver under this Section, the vehicle owner may request review of the denial by a state inspector.

Notes

Ariz. Admin. Code § R18-2-1008

Former Section R9-3-1008 repealed, new Section R9-3-1008 adopted effective January 13, 1976 (Supp. 76-1). Former R9-3-1008 repealed, new Section R9-3-1008 adopted effective January 3, 1977 (Supp. 77-1). Amended effective March 2, 1978 (Supp. 78-2). Amended effective January 3, 1979 (Supp. 79-1). Amended as an emergency effective January 2, 1981, pursuant to A.R.S. § 41-1003, valid for only 90 days (Supp. 81-1). Former Section R9-3-1008 as amended effective January 3, 1979, and amended as an emergency effective January 2, 1981, now amended effective April 15, 1981 (Supp. 81-2). Amended effective January 1, 1986 (Supp. 85-6). Amended subsection (A) and added subsection (D) effective January 1, 1987, filed December 31, 1986 (Supp. 86-6). Former Section R9-3-1008 renumbered as Section R18-2-1008 and amended effective August 1, 1988 (Supp. 88-3). Amended effective November 14, 1994 (Supp. 94-4). Amended by final rulemaking at 6 A.A.R. 382, effective December 20, 1999 (Supp. 99-4). Amended by final rulemaking at 25 A.A.R. 485, effective 6/1/2019.