• Safety Inspections
• Emission Inspections
• Vehicle/Hull Identification Number (VIN/HIN) Inspections

Safety Inspections

The state of Utah has safety inspection requirements for cars, trucks and on-highway motorcycles based on the following schedule.

When Required

Vehicles with model years four, eight, and ten years old require a safety inspection. Vehicles with model years ten years old and older must pass safety inspections every year.

A safety inspection may be made no more than two months prior to the renewal of the registration. You must have your current registration at the time of inspection. If repair work is required in order to pass inspection, it may be done by anyone. When vehicles are repaired within 15 days, the inspection station is required to recheck the vehicle at no additional cost.

Fees

The maximum amounts that can be charged for a safety inspection, including the certificate fee, are:

• $ 7.00 for motorcycles;
• $15.00 for cars, trucks, trailers, buses;
• $20.00 for four-wheel drive, split axle, and any motor vehicle that necessitates disassembly of front hub or removal of rear axle for inspection.

For more information about Safety Inspections call the Utah Highway Patrol at (801) 965-4889 or click here to be directed to their web site.

Emission Inspections

All vehicles registered in Davis, Salt Lake, Utah and Weber counties with model years less than six years old are required to have an emission test once every two years. Vehicles in this category that have even-numbered model years must have an emission test in even-numbered years, and vehicles that have odd-numbered model years must have an emission test in odd-numbered years. Vehicles less than two years old, based upon the model year, are exempt from the requirement to obtain an emissions inspection. Emissions tests are not required for diesel vehicles registered in Utah county. 

Vehicles with model years six years old and older (to 1967) must have an emission test every year. Emission certificates are not required for vehicles with model years 1967 or older.

All vehicles registered in Cache County with model years six years old and greater that have even-numbered model years, must have an emission test in even number years, and vehicles with odd-numbered model years must have an emission test in odd-numbered years. Vehicles with model years 1968 or older do not require an emission test.

An emission inspection may be made no more than two months prior to the renewal of the registration. The emission certificate must be submitted to the appropriate Motor Vehicle office as a condition of registration.

Fees that may be charged by approved inspection stations for the emission inspection are not to exceed:

Exempt from this requirement are:

• New vehicles,
• Motorcycles, and
• Vehicles with a model year of 1967 and older.

In addition to the inspection fee paid to the station, the following counties impose fees for emission programs. Payment of fees is required at the time of registration. Fees are due regardless if a certificate is required or not. The fees are as follows:

For more information about emissions test requirements contact the appropriate County Health Department below:

Vehicles Sold by Dealers in Non-Emission Counties to Emission-County Residents

Utah law requires all licensed Utah dealers to assure vehicles they sell to residents of Cache, Davis, Salt Lake, Utah, or Weber counties meet emission testing requirements prior to issuing a temporary permit. However, because emission testing facilities are often not available in counties where emission testing is not required, the air quality administrators from the five emission-required counties have granted a limited emission test exemption.

If a vehicle is sold to a resident of Cache, Davis, Salt Lake, Utah, or Weber counties by a licensed Utah dealer whose place of business is located in a non-emission county, the dealer must:

• Issue a temporary permit,
• Provide the customer with a copy of Form TC-820, Exemption Affidavit for Utah Emission Testing.

The purchaser must:

• Obtain an emission test certificate of compliance within 10 days of return to county of residence;
• Provide a copy of Form TC-820, Exemption Affidavit for Utah Emission Testing to the local motor vehicle office with the application for plate, title and registration, and,
• Send certificate of compliance and a copy of the TC-820 to the local Department of Health.

Vehicle/Hull Identification Number (VIN/HIN) Inspections

Trailers, boats, off-highway vehicles, and snowmobiles require separate VIN or HIN inspections, which can be completed by a Utah peace officer or DMV employee. This inspection will be completed at any DMV office at no extra charge.