E~Check coming back to Ohio?

Ohio planning self-serve E-Check kiosks

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Do-it-yourself grocery store checkouts, movie rentals and now emissions testing. The state of Ohio is making E-Check easier so you can get your vehicle tested on your timeframe.

There's only one self service kiosk now, but up to 15 more are planned for other facilities.

We checked out the kiosk at the Twinsburg E-Check facility. It looks like an ATM, and it's open 24 hours a day.

"With my schedule, I did have to take some extra time out today so that might be an extra bonus for people that work during the week and odd hours," driver Linda Gillette said.

So how is it done? It's pretty simple. Pictures and a touch screen guide you through the process. You start by scanning your Vehicle Identification Number or VIN with the enclosed scanner. It's like the handheld scanner you see cashiers use at the checkout on bulky items.

Be patient. We had some trouble getting our VIN to scan, but eventually it worked.

Then, you enter the mileage. After that, all your information including the make and model, license plate and odometer reading appear on the screen.

Then it's time for testing. That's as simple as turning on the parking brake and engine. You grab the tester that's housed in the kiosk and plug it into the data port. It's located to the left of your steering wheel by the floor.

Then you wait. The computer and car run their tests. When it's complete, you wait for the results.

The machine was added in January, and more than 546 people used it during that month. However, not everyone completed the process. Only 461 people successfully finished the test, while the others aborted the check.

The EPA has guidelines in place to prevent fraud. The agency would not go into specifics for security reasons, but said a unique fingerprint is created during each test. The computer diagnostic tools match your car with three identifiers to prevent someone from scamming the system.

Man, I went out and looked but I can't find the data port on my old white Ford.

That's just about the dumbest thing I've ever heard of. It won't last long, have you ever seen people trying to use a self checkout, that thing will be FBAR before you know it.

It's only the counties around Cleveland. It never went away there.
And don't scare me like that dammit!

I can see this coming to Middle TN soon. We already have the testing requirement. Guess I'll have to add a data port to the Merc. I'm guessing she's telling no tales though.