OBDII scan tool is $20 at Walmart.

BTW check engine light won't automatically make you fail with that year of car of it passes the sniffer, but I didnt know they could fail you because the scan says its out of wack without running the test as well (never been in that scenario, but have had cars that throw numerous codes pass such as o2 sensor, knock code etc)

How fast do the codes come back after your clear them?