Ohio drivers can't just promise their cars are clean, US regulators say

US environmental regulators are rejecting Ohio's plan to let drivers self-attest that their cars meet emissions standards. This means Ohio must continue its mandatory vehicle inspection program to check for pollution.

Ohio tried to make it easier for drivers by replacing physical inspections with a simple promise. But US environmental regulators say this would make air quality worse, especially for ozone pollution. This decision means states cannot simply opt out of federal clean air requirements, even if they pass their own laws.