NASHVILLE (AP) - The state Senate overwhelmingly passed a bill Thursday to end emissions testing in Tennessee for new cars, brushing aside concerns that relaxing standards might be a bad idea in light of the Volkswagen scandal.

The chamber voted 29-3 on in favor of the measure to exempt cars less than 3 years old from the testing requirements. The change would also have to be approved by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

State Sen. Jeff Yarbro of Nashville, one of three Democrats to vote against the measure, questioned whether "the EPA would be OK with this type of move given what's happened with Volkswagen."

Volkswagen was forced to admit last year that about 600,000 diesel vehicles - including 90,000 Passat sedans made at the German automaker's lone U.S. plant in Chattanooga - were sold with illegal software designed to trick government emissions tests.

Republican Sen. Ron Gardenhire of Chattanooga noted that Tennessee 's emissions testing program, which electronically inspects vehicles' on-bard diagnostic systems for errors, wasn't able to catch the offending Volkswagens.

"Even if Volkswagens were run in, they still passed the emissions tests, so that's really a moot issue," he said.

But instead of seeking more rigorous testing programs like the roadside sensing systems introduced in states like Virginia and Colorado, Tennessee lawmakers appear more interested in dismantling what they described as an annoyance to car owners.

"It is a pain in the you-know-what to have to go through this," said Sen. Jack Johnson, R-Franklin. "To go to the emissions testing center, wait in line sometimes for an hour or more, to take time out of your day."

Making the change sponsored by Sen. Mae Beavers, R-Mt. Juliet, will "save an enormous amount of time, hassle and expense for those that have to go through it," Johnson said.

Under current law, vehicles in six counties that fail to meet federal air quality standards must undergo an emissions test each year. The tests are required in Hamilton, Davidson, Rutherford, Sumner, Williamson and Wilson counties. In Nashville, the test costs $9.

The companion bill is awaiting a vote in the House Finance Subcommittee next week.