On Tuesday, Ohio's BMV locations and its E-Check stations reopened for customers.
According to the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), all E-Check stations will be taking precautions to minimize the risk concerning COVID-19 and are following the Governor’s safe business requirements. The inspectors will be wearing masks, gloves and face shields. The inspection process has been modified to allow for social distancing and enhanced sanitation.
Customers are requested to follow the inspector’s instructions as the motorist will drive the vehicle through the testing lane and will exit the vehicle briefly during the test.
It is also recommended that customers consider traveling to the E-Check station alone and wear some type of face covering, as part of the E-Check procedures may require vehicle occupants to exit the vehicle for a brief duration during testing.
After the stations closed on March 19, Ohio EPA coordinated with Ohio BMV to issue a six-month extension to all motorists whose vehicle renewal was due between Feb. 1, 2020 and June 30, 2020. That six-month extension remains in effect because motorists have six months from the date the vehicle renewal is due to have their vehicle tested, so motorists should not immediately need to get an E-check test upon reopening.
Staggering your visits and planning ahead will help reduce wait times. To help avoid long wait periods, motorists also have the option to use one of the of 16 self-serve kiosks available 24 hours a day.
In addition, Envirotest will be frequently updating its website at ohioecheck.info to keep customers informed of station volume; customers should check wait times before they go to a station.
Motorists in Cuyahoga, Geauga, Lake, Lorain, Medina, Portage, and Summit counties are required to get their vehicles’ emissions tested and brought to passing every other year before renewing the vehicles’ registration. Vehicles with model years four years old or newer and older than 25 years are exempted. E-Check is normally offered at 23 full-service stations and 46 independent repair shops in Northeast Ohio. Updates and information about the E-Check program is at ohioecheck.org.
The reopening of Bureau of Motor Vehicle locations in Ohio has hardly been seamless. With locations permitted to reopen on Tuesday, many locations are experiencing long lines and wait times. Additionally, technical difficulties have been reported at multiple locations. While BMVs are reopened, customers are asked to use any online services when applicable.