Where to Get a Vehicle Emissions Test in Milwaukee’s North Shore

Keeping your plates up to date in Wisconsin means passing a biennial emissions test if your vehicle is kept in Milwaukee or Ozaukee County. Below are the most convenient spots for North Shore drivers, plus a few quick tips so your visit goes smoothly.

Brown Deer

WIVIP North Vehicle Inspection Center

• 8718 W Brown Deer Rd, Milwaukee, WI

• Hours: Tuesday–Friday 10 am–6 pm, Saturday 9 am–5 pm.

• 24/7 Option: A self-service kiosk on site lets you test any time of day—perfect if you’re squeezing the errand into a busy week.

• Why go: This is the state-run facility, so no appointment, quick throughput, and you can renew plates immediately after a pass.

Closest for drivers in Brown Deer, Bayside, Fox Point, River Hills and northern Glendale.

Glendale

Silver Spring Automotive

• 2003 W Bender Rd, Glendale, WI 53209 • (414) 351-5080*

• Hours: Monday–Friday 8 am–5 pm (arrive early—testing usually stops 15–30 minutes before close).

• Details: Walk-in service; most visits take under ten minutes. The team can also handle basic repairs if your car fails and often processes plate renewals on the spot. silverspringautomotive.com

Convenient for residents of Shorewood, Whitefish Bay, eastern Glendale and Milwaukee’s upper east side.

Mequon / Thiensville

Rick’s Car Care

• 6121 W Mequon Rd, Mequon, WI 53092 • (262) 242-5791*

• Hours: Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday 9 am–2 pm; Tuesday by appointment; Saturday 9 am–noon.

• Pro-tip: Call before you drive over—hours can shift with staffing or weather, and lines form fast on Saturday mornings.

• Extras: On-site plate renewal and minor repair services if your vehicle needs a quick fix to pass. ricks-carcare.com

Ideal for drivers in Mequon, Thiensville and northern Bayside.

Quick Prep Checklist

1. Bring one DMV document – renewal notice, current registration, or the emissions letter. Wisconsin DOT

2. Clear the “Check Engine” light first – a lit CEL is an automatic fail.

3. Warm up your car – 10–15 minutes of highway driving helps the onboard diagnostics run accurately.

4. Renew on site (optional) – most stations can print your sticker immediately after a pass, saving a trip to the DMV.

What If There’s No Station in My Village?

Whitefish Bay, Shorewood, Fox Point and Bayside don’t have dedicated test centers, but the Brown Deer and Glendale locations are each within a 10–15-minute drive. Plan ahead, beat the lunchtime rush, and you’ll be in and out fast.

Wisconsin notifies owners roughly six weeks before plate renewal is due, but you don’t need to wait—testing early gives you time to handle any surprise repairs. With three reliable options right here in the North Shore, staying road-legal (and air-friendly) is easier than ever.