Rwanda Environment Management Authority (REMA) has announced that the country will officially begin the Enhanced Vehicle Emission Testing on Monday, August 25, as part of the ongoing clean air campaign. In a public notice issued on Tuesday, August 19, REMA said the new requirement applies to all petrol, diesel, and hybrid vehicles, with owners required to book appointments via the Irembo platform. Under the new system, vehicles that fail the initial test must undergo repairs and return for a re-inspection within two weeks at half the original cost. If the deadline lapses, owners are required to pay the full inspection fee again. Testing equipment has since been installed at existing inspection centres nationwide. ALSO READ: Air pollution: Experts reflect on new vehicle testing scheme Payments for mechanical and emission testing will now be made separately. Vehicle owners have been urged to prepare their cars and motorcycles in advance to ensure compliance and contribute to what officials describe as a collective effort toward cleaner, healthier air. The move follows a series of regulatory changes introduced in July, when the government unveiled a revised emissions testing framework. At the time, authorities confirmed that all vehicles, including motorcycles, would undergo emissions checks alongside regular mechanical inspections. ALSO READ: Air quality: Rwanda to start testing motorcycle emissions, enhance compliance Studies conducted by REMA in 2017 revealed that vehicle emissions, including those from motorcycles, remain the biggest contributors to poor air quality in Rwanda’s cities.
