So, I get out of home earlier than usual to get to the DMV to get my new to me EX registered and titled in VA. I know that before I go to the DMV, I need to get the EX inspected for safety and emissions. First stop is at the neighborhood gas station that has been doing my safety and emissions for many years. 10 minutes later, I am done with my inspections. The tech puts a safety inspection sticker and hands me the report. I ask him for the emissions certificate and he says that I don’t need one ‘cos this diesel truck has a GVWR that is more than 8501 lbs. So, off I go to the DMV. After waiting patiently for ~40 mins, I am called up. The conversation went like from there on…

Me: Good Morning
Him: Good Morning. How can I help you?
Me: I just bought a Ford Excursion from a private party out of state and want to register it in VA.
Him: Ford what?

He was mulling over his computer screen for the next 15-20 minutes and asked various questions including “Is this a Suburban?” I said no. It looks like that, but is bigger. 10 more minutes later, he hands me a bunch of papers, asks for payment, and says, “ You need to go back and get the emissions certificate. The system needs it and I can’t get past it. These plates are good for a month and you need to come back to get your regular plates.”

Me: But, the DMV website said that this vehicle is exempt.
Him: I don’t know. The system wants a certificate.

I walked away from there knowing that I couldn’t reason with this guy. I figured I’d go back to and get an emissions check done anyways to satisfy these guys. As I was getting ready to leave form the parking lot, I glanced over the papers and noticed that he had indeed marked this vehicle body as SUBURBAN. Long story short, the tech gave me a ‘rejection’ certificate with the notation checked for “This vehicle is exempt from emissions as it is a diesel vehicle with a GVWR . 8501 lbs”. Back to the DMV and waiting in line for an hour before I get in front of another agent. Went through all the same trouble over and over with the agent, her supervisor and later with the manager of the DMV location. Now, they have to reach out to the DEQ (emissions certifying authority in VA) to confirm the exemption. It will be another 24-48 hours before they get an answer.

But, to my surprise, I was told that this vehicle will be getting a “TRUCK” designation. I wanted to ask other EX owners in VA if that is how their vehicles are designated. Reason is that the personal property tax for Trucks is higher than others. I clarified that this is neither a Pickup nor to be used commercially. I have plates that are valid for a month and have to go back again to get my regular plates.

So, there went my 7 hours of the day today

 

did mine down in lynchburg with a little less headache. They don't do emissions here that I know of and it still took 45min, not counting the wait, to properly explain it. There does seem to be a discrepancy in the system about GVWR that I had to google it on my phone and show the lady. In the end I got non truck tags.

 

Non truck tags here as well and only took about 30 minutes... then again I have the better motor in mine so that might make a difference. Us 6.8 guys get a little better service when we go places, it's like people see us and say to themselves "Woah, here is a guy that likes driving his truck and not keeping it in the shop 90% of the time for repairs!". I swear, the Triton helps me pull down more women at the club than anything else

 

And I already repped you for something else!
Im in PA but I too have passenger vehicle (car) tags, which are much cheaper than truck tags that go by weight class. My EX is cheaper to tag than my old Chevy 1/2 ton pickup was.
The feds classified the mighty EX as a station wagon/passenger vehicle, not a truck back when they were being built.

 

My Ex in NC is classified as a station wagon and is exempt from emission inspections with the mighty and reliable 6.0 under the hood.

 

I picked up my EX from Delta, PA. Runkels in Red Lion did the title transfer for me. I noticed that PA title sais 'SW' (Station Wagon) for body type

 

I am going to the edge of the limb and ask.....Is that all the Triton can do

 

Here's the piece of regulation from VA DEQ. Since I live in FFX County, i have to go through this ordeal.

Which vehicles require an emissions inspection?
Certain vehicles require a Virginia Emissions Inspection PASS or WAIVER before DMV can complete the registration process. The requirements are categorized by fuel type,

-Gasoline-powered passenger or property carrying vehicles with a model year that is less than 25 model years old before January 1 of the current calendar year and with a manufacturer's designated gross vehicle weight rating of 10,000 pounds or less
-Diesel-powered passenger or property carrying vehicles with a model year of 1997 or newer and with a manufacturer’s designated gross vehicle weight rating of 8,500 pounds or less, and apply to vehicles that are registered in one of the following localities:

Counties of: Arlington, Fairfax, Loudoun, Prince William, and Stafford

Cities of: Alexandria, Fairfax, Falls Church, Manassas, and Manassas Park

All local, state, and federal government vehicles registered or operated primarily in the Northern Virginia program area are subject to the emissions inspection program. In addition, Section 118 of the federal Clean Air Act requires that any employee of the federal government commuting into the program area and operating their vehicle on a federal installation comply with the emissions inspection program. Federal employees should contact their individual agency about compliance with this federal requirement.

 

I think us NoVA folks have this additional emissions check to go through.

 

Yeah, things are a tad different for you guys. We still have a bit to jump through over here though. I miss Texas

 

ERROR CODE 419

Words cannot be used in same sentence, please remove "mighty" and "reliable" before adding "6.0" back.

 

I too am in PA, so perhaps of little use....but....

I bought my Ex new and it was tagged as a station wagon. Still is...no weight class stickers, etc.

It makes sense, too as it doesn't have an open cargo area....

 

They have it figured out here in our benefit, believe it or not. I was paying $267 for a chebby C2500 open bed(that's the commercial trigger). My reg on the Ex is $113....and due in Jan.

 

Nope! I love my 6.0, it is an awesome machine.

 

So glad I live in Meeeechigan, home of the Motor City - we don't do any of that inspection crap here! Of course, we do have the same efficient and thorough government employees, but I suspect that is pretty much a constant no matter where you live...