Ohio Looking to Make E-Check Easier, More Convenient

The Ohio E-Check program just got easier.

The  has announced a new, decentralized program for vehicle emissions testing that adds 53 new E-Check stations. New stations include 37 stations and 16 independent neighborhood stations.

"This makes it a lot more convenient for people," Scott Nally, Ohio EPA director, said.

The closest current location to Lakewood is the Westlake station, located at 24770 Sperry Road.

The program will also add 16 self-service kiosks at E-Check stations. Available 24/7, these kiosks will walk drivers through a step-by-step process, only taking two or three minutes.

"A lot of people wanted it to be abe to do it in their own time," Nally said.

If a person makes a mistake, they can just take it to an E-Check station during operating hours.

The full list of locations can be found at www.ohioecheck.org.

Rep. Ron Young said he was against the E-Check program and wanted to repeal it, until he realized it would meant losing 200,000 Ohio jobs.

"If we're going to keep it, we need to make it as convenient as possible," Young said.

He and Sen. Tim Grendell helped push legislation through the state to make these changes, helping drivers in the seven E-Check counties.

"It's still intrusive and expensive but it's a big step forward," Young said.

He hopes eventually the program will be expanded even further to include more E-Check locations.