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Since You Asked: Smog testing is part of moving to the Medford-Ashland area Friday Apr 20, 2018 at 2:01 AM I have a friend whose child is considering moving to Medford as a student. Does she have to register her vehicle in this area? I assume that means her vehicle is then going to be subject to Medford’s emissions test requirements. Are there any options to help lower-income people moving to the area with the costs involved with their vehicle registrations? — Sandra, Medford. There are a few moving parts that would determine how much exactly your friend might wind up paying to be in compliance with vehicle requirements in the area, Sandra. The good news is, none of that is likely to be immediately relevant for an incoming student. The first determining factor is whether she plans to establish residency, which many people do to save money on tuition. That isn’t an immediate option, however; anyone planning to do so needs to live in the state for 12 consecutive months for the primary purpose of pursuing something other than an education. That could be work, volunteering, an internship — anything that can be done while also remaining financially independent. If your friend wants to establish residency after 12 months, she has 30 days after the time of residency is declared to then register her vehicle with Oregon DMV. That’s where registering in the Medford area boundary adds some layers of complexity — and cost. A standard vehicle two-year registration will cost $112. We can all be grateful we don’t live in the Portland metro area, where every year costs an additional $19. All vehicles registered for the first time in Oregon, however, will also garner a $7 vehicle identification number inspection fee. In addition, in Medford, emissions tests are required — it’s the only metro area in Oregon along with Portland to have such a requirement. Any gas-powered, hybrid or alternative-fueled vehicle 20 years old or newer will be tested, according to the Department of Environmental Quality’s website. Vehicles model year 2009 or newer that have fewer than 7,500 miles on them may be exempt, with a manufacturer statement on the certificate of origin. The test costs $10 if the vehicle passes. You won’t be charged if the vehicle fails, but then you’ll have a time limit to get repairs done. These are all costs that are still a ways in the future but are good to be aware of so they don’t sneak up on your friend’s daughter as she’s cramming for finals. Send questions to “Since You Asked,” Mail Tribune Newsroom, P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501; by fax to 541-776-4376; or by email to [email protected]. We’re sorry, but the volume of questions received prevents us from answering all of them.