Rapid Screen Emission Testing Vans

Chances are, if you live in the metro area, you’ve driven past a Rapid Screen van. (In Boulder it is usually found on the south-bound entrance ramp from Pearl Street to the Foothills Parkway.) For the vast majority of drivers, this van is your time-saving friend.
As you drive past, the van scans your rear license plate and performs a rapid emissions analysis. If you have two clean rapid scans in a 10-month window that ends two months before your car registration is due (and it’s the year your car is up for emissions renewal) when you receive your vehicle registration renewal card, it will say “Emissions Passed via RapidScreen.” If you have this message you don’t have to take your car to a testing facility. (You still have to pay the $25 fee emissions testing fee.)
The RapidScan vans alter locations each week. Check here for the current schedule and here to determine your 10-month testing window.

TIPS FOR ACCURATE RAPIDSCAN READINGS

Make sure your rear license plate is clean so the scanner can read it.
Warm up your engine (10-15 minutes of normal driving.)
Accelerate at a moderate pace as you drive along the entrance ramp past the RapidScreen van.
Drive past a testing location several different days during your 10-month open window testing period. (Driving past a RapidScan several times on the same day does not count.)
Find out more RapidScreen tips.