Columbia Vehicle Emissions Testing Station

Reviews

Reviews are sorted by relevance, with the most helpful and insightful feedback listed first for easy reference.

  Kelly Selleck
3 months ago
Very quick and customer friendly service! Julie was the technician that helped us with both of our vehicles since one of our vehicles did not get MVA emissions paperwork in the mail and we were nervous about late fees. She was very courteous and went the extra mile for us. We really appreciate her kindness and willingness to help customers. Thank you!!!

  Michael S
4 months ago
The employee wasn't looking to make friends, but when the whole process is faster than checking out at the grocery store, that's just fine. Fast, efficient, and got the job done. I really appreciate that this VEIP testing station is open on Saturdays, because the self-service kiosks don't seem reliable enough.

  Nau Naz
4 years ago
The self checkout is really good and easy, highly encourage everyone to use that. It is cheaper then the full-service and takes less then five minutes and open 24 hours. The employees there discourage you from using it, but it is really easy and convenient. Everything is shown on the screen and you just follow the instructions. The final paper was stuck at the end but it did came out with little effort. I think they should give people option to get it emailed to them and print it later and put it in the vehicle as the law requires.

  Ryuichi Ikegami
5 months ago
I have been to 2 kiosk tonight both of them broken this is ridiculous. Kiosk is stuck from the previous customer.

  jimomay2010
4 weeks ago
This place is an excellent reflection of what MDOT MVA is, Excellent customer service, systematic and very efficient, user friendly environment and manned by true professionals. I consider this place world class.

  Raj M
a month ago
Excellent service. My engine light me errors and Juan explained in detail of what my options are he is very helpful and truly a gem of a gentleman.

  Rose Dyson
7 months ago
We went after my doctor appointment so got there about 9:00am drove up to lane 3 and 10 minutes later pulling off. The young man was very nice. It was funny when he said we ll see in 2025 and I thought that was next year so we had a good .

  Nilesh Masih
3 months ago
It's awesome when it's online and working. If there was a website that I could check to see if the system was online or not, I would give 5 stars

  Susan Yang
a month ago
They close on Sundays and holidays.

  Rob Boyle
6 months ago
The kiosk screen was out of order, just black and blue vertical stripes. We did get a verbal prompt, including instructions to plug in the OBD cable after the kiosk read our bar code, but it didn't apparently link to the car. No receipt, and the $10 charge on our credit card was immediately refunded. We tried!!

  Sean Vincent
a year ago
Well that was much easier than I expected. The self service kiosk was working fine. The bar code reader and the credit card reader had no problems. I wish MVA would put one of these at White oak so I don't have to drive to Columbia or Beltsville.

  Mark Orebiyi
2 years ago
Great service extremely efficient. Try to go after 9am. Location is pretty hidden. Entire through the back side.

  Victoria Taylor
a year ago
Super efficient! As long as you know where to plug in the measuring device under your dashboard inside the car, it's easy, requiring a minimal amount of technical interaction. We were so glad to get it done so quickly and efficiently!

  Nicholas Bartolotta
7 months ago
Come here fairly often to get emissions tests for my vehicles. It's fairly fast and efficient and it sure beats getting an inspection every year... Though, the downside to that is other people having total junkers out there with bad brakes, insecure parts and dangerous modifications...but as long as they put out the correct emissions, it's okay.

  Denise Howell
2 years ago
I was very excited that I finally have a car new enough to use the 24/7 kiosk... And then very disappointed when the kiosk told me I couldn't use it, for some unspecified reason. Luckily I went during normal operating hours (~10:30 on a Tuesday) and was able to pull around and get in line. The attendant was not friendly, but they were courteous and very efficient. There were three cars in front of me when I got in line and I was done within 15 minutes.

  John Lee
a year ago
The self service Kios does not work well since I last been there about 1 year ago. I was there again yesterday and tried many times but could not go through. The self-service machine is old and should be updated.

  Jason
a year ago
Came here around 9am on a Saturday. There was no wait and an employee waved me in. The process was simple and quick. Was there for about 5 min. Juan was the one who checked my car and he was very polite and professional. Excellent service!

  Jake Smith
a year ago
Awful experience and horrible business model. The self service kiosk is a slow, clunky, and miserable experience. The bar code reader is absolutely useless. Also, you d think they d try to better accomodate one of their biggest customers, working class. Awful business hours

  Douglas Mayton
2 years ago
It was easy, because I had my request. The only problem was I got there at 12:50 and didn't finish until 1:28. The lines were long and at first only one lane was open. Finally the other two were open and things went faster. Before you go, check when they go on lunch.

  Carl Robinson
a year ago
Staff was pleasant. The line at the Columbia office moved along. I had a minor glitch with my DL renewal. They offered a solution that was able to get the issue resolved and I was quickly on my way.

  Ralph daswani
9 months ago
Very polite and courteous staff specially Juan. He really went above and beyond to explain why my car had failed the test and what I need to do to get passed.

  Zora Williams
4 years ago
I'm rating this location a 1 star. The customer service was very poor. I agree with the person who commented on this a month ago who stated " It was apparent that she didn't want to come to work that day". I believe I had the same person. My experience started of well for 5 seconds, however as soon as your ask for a waiver or anything extra that's when you will notice the poor customer service as if you are asking something that requires 30 mins of their time to do. I should have utilized the Self Kiosk, that seems to be whats rated high, not the customer service of the people who are actually working there. I witnessed on 2 occasions the employees addressing or speaking to the customers as if they were children. However each customer still acted in a professional manner, regardless of the attitudes of the employees, which I commend the customers and myself.Although the service is quick, this will be my last time coming here and I will not be recommending to any of my associates in the neighboring area to come here or continue. I think the employees ( the employee who assisted me) should have a better attitude if you request something such as a "waiver", the waiver only takes 2 seconds for a customer to request, and only 1 second for you to respond with yes or no or 2 seconds to say let me get my manager. when you work in a place of profession and you are the forefront of the establishment serving, assisting, guiding customers, you should try and have a better attitude.

  Tiffany Ferrari
2 years ago
This seems like a terrible waste of time and money but since it's a requirement I took all 3 cars. First 2 it was busy but still only took about 20 minutes. The staff were all really nice. Could be better at funneling cars in order that they arrive. Be patient, they rotate through cars fast. Last trip only 5 minutes waiting, 5 for the check.

  Rachel R
2 years ago
Used the self service kiosk, first time I scanned my registration cause I only got e-mail notification not a mailed one and it said it couldn t test my car at this time. There was no way off that screen. I had to drive round and wait another 4 cars to try again, (all the other lanes were 3 or 4 cars more than the self serve and I had used the self serve in Halethorpe many times with no issues) this time I looked up my car with the license plate. The test went fine till the end when it printed the test result for the car in front of me instead of mine. I had to go to the office and wait another 10 minutes to get mine. Spent about an hour getting the test. On the bright side the staff member who printed my test was very nice.

  DHS DIPSET
a year ago
I'm new to the area and have never done this before. They made the experience very quick and efficient and answered every question I had. Most importantly, I was done in less than 10 minutes.

  Peter Eacmen
10 months ago
Very friendly staff. I have a heavily modified car and getting emissions complete has been a hassle at other locations. These folks treated me and my car with respect and care. Would highly recommend going here when that VEIP notice lands in your mailbox.

  Smitty Babiie
a year ago
I came in around 1130A. I had no appointment My wait in line barely lasted 5 minutes . The agent who did my inspection was quick , efficient and friendly . I was in and out .

  Miranda Bronsgeest
3 years ago
Went today for the self service kiosk, the regular stations were closed due to MLK day. Self service was very easy and convenient, save a few bucks, no contact. Took less than 5 minutes and received printout on the spot. Would love to see more self service stations. Would use again.

  shea g
2 years ago
Today was a great!, day. My technician (forgive if wrong title) was great! great! great! She was very pleasant to talk to. She even had me laughing uncontrollably at the funny things she says. She took me from feeling ugh! to feeling happy. I guess laughter is the best medicine, as long as you have someone to laugh with you:-)

  Phil Kraft
2 years ago
Arrived at 9am to find 5 to 6 cars in each of the 3 lanes that were open. Testing for the cars in front of me went pretty quickly and I was out within 45 minutes.Technician was very friendly.