Pollution control - exhaust emission testing

A local authority may carry out roadside vehicle emission checks in an effort to reduce pollution from road traffic. All vehicles which are stopped will be tested to see if their vehicle is emitting pollutants above the legal standard. Drivers of vehicles which fail the test may have to pay a fine.

Under the Road Traffic (vehicle emissions, fixed penalty, England) Regulations 2001 local authorities can apply to become designated authorities for testing road vehicle emissions.

Vehicles on the highway are stopped by the Police and the exhaust emissions are checked with a specialist analyser. The emissions are compared to the standards required by the MOT test, should a vehicle fail to meet the emission standards a fixed penalty notice is issued. The level of the fine is halved if the vehicle owner has the emissions fault corrected within fourteen days of the failed test.