Get your emissions test — every option, one place
Illinois won't renew your plates until your car passes its emissions test, and it's the one thing we can't do for you — we can't drive your car to a station. So here's every way to knock it out, side by side, with the nearest spot to you. It's free, no appointment needed, and usually takes 15–20 minutes.
Staffed test station
The classic option. Drive up, a technician runs the test, you wait a few minutes. Dozens across the metro — search your ZIP below for the nearest and its live wait.
Do it yourself, 24/7
Plug into your car’s port and follow the screen — no technician, no appointment. Two Chicago kiosks run around the clock, so you can test at midnight if you want. OBD-eligible cars only.
The van comes to you
Two testing vans travel to neighborhoods and suburbs on a rotating schedule. Handy if no station is close — just check where they’ll be this week.
Search testing sites by ZIP
Live data from the Illinois Air Team locator. Wait times are estimates.
Test yourself, no appointment
Plug into your car's port (usually under the dash) and follow the screen. Two of the three run 24/7. OBD-eligible vehicles only. Instructions in English & Spanish.
The van that comes to your neighborhood
Two testing vans rotate through Chicago-area neighborhoods. Here's where they'll be next — no station trip needed if one lands nearby.
Weekdays 10:00a–4:00p · Saturdays 8:00a–2:00p (closed Sun & state holidays)
- DirectionsTue, Sep 1, 202610:00 AM - 4:00 PMDr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Service Center4314 S Cottage Grove AveParking lot south of the building. Enter from gate located on S. Cottage Grove Ave. Inspection van will be located in the back of the parking lot.
- DirectionsWed, Sep 2, 202610:00 AM - 4:00 PMDr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Service Center4314 S Cottage Grove AveParking lot south of the building. Enter from gate located on S. Cottage Grove Ave. Inspection van will be located in the back of the parking lot.
- DirectionsThu, Sep 3, 202610:00 AM - 4:00 PMDr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Service Center4314 S Cottage Grove AveParking lot south of the building. Enter from gate located on S. Cottage Grove Ave. Inspection van will be located in the back of the parking lot.
- DirectionsFri, Sep 4, 202610:00 AM - 4:00 PMDr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Service Center4314 S Cottage Grove AveParking lot south of the building. Enter from gate located on S. Cottage Grove Ave. Inspection van will be located in the back of the parking lot.
- DirectionsWed, Sep 9, 202610:00 AM - 4:00 PMDr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Service Center4314 S Cottage Grove AveParking lot south of the building. Enter from gate located on S. Cottage Grove Ave. Inspection van will be located in the back of the parking lot.
- DirectionsThu, Sep 10, 202610:00 AM - 4:00 PMDr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Service Center4314 S Cottage Grove AveParking lot south of the building. Enter from gate located on S. Cottage Grove Ave. Inspection van will be located in the back of the parking lot.
Once you've passed, you're done — we check with the state regularly and pick your renewal back up automatically. Nothing else to send us.