The AirCheckTexas Program may provide up to $600 to repair your vehicle or up to $3,500 toward a qualifying replacement vehicle. 

Aug. 1, 2017

A state program helps vehicle owners comply with emissions standards by providing financial assistance to repair cars or replace older models.

AirCheckTexas Program Drive a Clean Machine Program may provide up to $600 to repair your vehicle if it is registered for 12 of the last 15 months prior to inspection in Collin, Dallas, Denton, Ellis, Johnson, Kaufman, Parker, Rockwall or Tarrant Counties and if your vehicle has failed the state emissions inspection within the past 30 days. 

If your vehicle meets replacement assistance vehicle requirements, you may be eligible for a replacement voucher up to $3,500. Concerning this aspect, requirements are a bit more complicated because two types of vehicles are eligible – vehicles that fail an emissions inspection or vehicles that are 10- to -25 years old. Your car must be a drivable gasoline powered vehicle.  

“We guard against someone taking a vehicle from their backyard and trying to get it replaced,” says Michael Moore, transportation director for the AirCheckTexas Drive a Clean Machine Program in North Texas. “We focus on high-emitting cars, and it’s not uncommon for cars to be 10 times the emission level.” 

Importantly, you must meet the 2017 net income requirements, which change annually in February. Income requirements are based on a percentage of the federal poverty level. A good example is a person in a household of four people would qualify if the household income is at or below $73,800.  

“The program goes after high-emitting car owners who have a low income and need to get their car repaired or replaced instead of driving around with high emissions. It’s up to the owner,”  says Moore.

The program, started in 2002, is governed by the North Central Texas Council of Government, and strives to take polluting cars off the road, resulting in cleaner air. 

Moore explains that AirCheckTexas relates to cars. A separate program, Texas Emissions Reduction Plan, is administered by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality and relates to heavy-duty vehicles, i.e., large trucks, 18 Wheelers, etc.  Simply put, if you own a car, you need to contact AirCheckTexas; if you own a heavy-duty vehicle, you need to contact the state of Texas.  

Moore adds that the AirCheckTexas program is funded when you pay $6 for a license plate to the county in which your car is registered. That $6 is sent to the state of Texas to fund the program.  

Moore says that AirCheckTexas’ staff is in communication with repair shops and car dealers, making certain that each car is eligible for the program. All invoices go directly to AirCheckTexas, and vouchers are paid directly to the place where the car is bought.

“We work directly with the repair services and car dealers, and they love it,” he informs.“The hardest part is for the customer filling out the application to make sure they qualify."

“We have all sorts of customers, and our staff is trained to help.  We are very good at working with customers.” 

AirCheckTexas Drive a Clean Machine Program

About: The AirCheckTexas Drive a Clean Machine Program is designed to help vehicle owners comply with vehicle emissions standards by offering financial incentives to repair or replace vehicles.

If your vehicle is registered in Collin, Dallas, Denton, Ellis, Johnson, Kaufman, Parker, Rockwall, or Tarrant County and your vehicle has failed the state emissions inspection within the past 30 days, you may be eligible for a repair voucher up to $600 toward emissions repair assistance. Also, if your vehicle meets certain requirements, you may be eligible for a replacement voucher up to $3,500 toward a qualifying replacement vehicle. 

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