Legislation to update vehicles emissions testing was passed in the House of Assembly with cross-Party support.

Premier and Transport Minister, Ewart Brown, introduced the Second Readings of the Motor Car Amendment Act 2009 and the Auxiliary Bicycles Amendment Act 2009 on Wednesday's session of the House of Assembly.

The Motor Car Amendment Act 2009 amends the Motor Car Act 1951 to make it clear that examination of motor vehicles will now include testing for compliance with approved emissions standards.

The Act also amends the Government Fees Regulations 1976 to increase examination fees to take into account emissions-testing.

Fees will rise from $30 to $45 for vehicles with four or more wheels, and from $21 to $31 for those with less than four.

Dr. Brown said: "BEC (Bermuda Emissions Control) is due to commence vehicles examinations in April 2009. They will be testing exhaust emissions to reduce pollution."

However, Deputy Leader of the Opposition Trevor Moniz said: "I believe it was one of those jobs which did not go out to tender and was not transparent, and over on this side we were very disappointed with that.

"But at long last we may have some emissions testing around here."

Describing the Auxiliary Bicycles Amendment Act, Dr. Brown said: "Examination of auxiliary bicycles includes testing for compliance to emissions standards in addition to the safety inspection.

"This Act is also to increase the fee. BEC technicians will be testing exhaust emissions to test for pollutants."

The fee will increase from $21 to $31.