Beginning the first of next month, diesel trucks and buses in Massachusetts will be forced to undergo the same state emission tests that have been required of passenger vehicles since October 1999.

According to the Worchester Telegram & Gazette, Massachusetts’ State Registry of Motor Vehicles and Department of Environmental Protection had hoped to start diesel emissions testing in January, but software problems postponed the tests until Feb. 1.
According to Steven M. Sebestyen, director of vehicle services at the registry, the state is testing every registered truck in an annual program, in addition to roadside testing that will be coming in the future.
The Feb. 1 starting date applies only to diesel trucks and buses that weigh more than 10,000 pounds. The state will begin testing smaller diesel vehicles later in the year.
Trucks and buses will be tested as their regular safety inspection stickers expire, and will only undergo emissions testing every other year, according to whether they have even or odd model years, the paper reported.
Trucks and buses that don’t pass inspection will get a rejection sticker. Driving without a valid sticker could result in a $50 citation.