And so ends at least one chapter in the war of State governments against car enthusiasts, with the official announcement that IM240 testing in WA is being rolled back:
In respect to emission testing for light vehicles, the Government has resolved that the requirements for the licensing of vehicle modifications will reflect the policy as it was prior to the implementation of the IM240 policy in April 2009.
IM240 is an emissions testing regime that was meant to be quick and easy relative to the comphrensive '5 gas' test, which can cost up to $3000. The implementation of the test was ill-conceived with not enough planning or consultation work with industry being carried ahead of time by the WA Department of Transport. For enthusiasts, the IM240 was a great concept. A cheap emissions test to ensure your car met the emissions requirement. Unfortunately only one workshop in WA could carry out the test and the cost bandied about ranged from $300 to $700 per test.
The first stage of the roll back was a six month moratorium on testing. This was meant to allow the government to sort itself out. It is apparent that the easiest way to sort this out was to pull the testing option altogether.
