Classic Plates and the Nevada Smog Exemption

Northern Nevada loves its old cars. Hot August Nights fills Reno and Sparks with them every summer, and plenty live in garages from Somersett to the Gardnerville Ranchos the rest of the year. Owners in the Washoe County testing area often ask whether their classic needs a smog check. The answer depends on the model year, the plates and how far the car is driven.

At a glance

• 1967 and older vehicles are exempt from Nevada emissions testing (Nevada DMV).
• Classic plates plus 5,000 miles a year or less, classic insurance and the EC-018 affidavit exempt newer classics.
• The affidavit is annual. Miss it and the test applies.
• Carson City and Douglas County registrations need no smog check anyway.

Which classics are exempt automatically?

Model year 1967 and older. The DMV's emission program tests gasoline vehicles from 1968 on, so a 1965 Mustang or a 1957 Bel Air never needs a test, whatever plates it wears. The question only comes up for cars from 1968 onward, which covers most muscle cars, early pickups, and the growing crowd of 1980s and 1990s collector cars.

How do classic plates create an exemption?

The Nevada DMV lists vehicles on Classic Vehicle, Classic Rod and Old Timer plates as eligible for an emissions exemption when they are driven 5,000 miles a year or less. Three conditions travel together. The vehicle has to carry one of those special plates. The owner has to carry classic vehicle insurance, the kind of collector policy that limits use. And every year the owner files the odometer affidavit for emission exemption, DMV form EC-018, showing the miles stayed under the limit.

Eligibility for the plates themselves, including age rules and inspection requirements, sits on the DMV's special plates pages. Check those before you apply, because the plate is the gate to the exemption.

1. Confirm the vehicle qualifies for Classic Vehicle, Classic Rod or Old Timer plates.
2. Put a classic vehicle insurance policy in place.
3. Register with the special plates.
4. File form EC-018, the odometer affidavit, each year at renewal.
5. Keep the yearly mileage at 5,000 or less.

What happens if you drive more than 5,000 miles?

The exemption is tied to the mileage. If the car goes over the limit, or the affidavit is not filed, the standard testing rule applies at the next renewal for a car registered in the testing area. A 1972 truck driven daily in Sparks is treated like any other 1972 gasoline vehicle. Owners who start using a classic as a daily driver should plan for the test and for regular-use insurance.

What about classics registered outside Washoe?

If the car is registered in Carson City, Douglas, Lyon or Storey County, there is no smog check for registration, classic plates or not. Those counties are outside the DMV's emission program. Many classic owners in Minden, Genoa or Dayton never deal with this question at all.

What we do about it in the bay

Old cars need oil changes too, often by the calendar rather than the odometer since they sit for months. At any of our four service centers, the technician confirms the grade the engine calls for and talks with you about oil choice, since some classic owners prefer an oil formulated with more zinc for flat-tappet engines. We follow your engine builder's advice. Our oil change after storage guide covers the spring wake-up.

If your classic does need a smog check, the Mae Anne Avenue and Longley Lane service centers in Reno test gasoline vehicles without an appointment. Carburetor-era cars are tested differently from OBD-II cars, so warm the engine fully before you pull in.