The state of Utah has safety inspection requirements for cars, trucks and on-highway motorcycles based on the following schedule.
Vehicles with model years less than eight years old need a safety inspection once every two years. Vehicles in this category that have even-numbered model years must have safety inspections in even-numbered years, and vehicles that have odd-numbered model years must have safety inspections in odd-numbered years.
Vehicles with model years eight years old and older must pass safety inspections every year.
2010 Safety Inspection Requirements |
|
|---|---|
| Vehicle Model Year | Safety Inspection |
| 2010 (except new vehicles) | Required in 2010 |
| 2009 | Not required |
| 2008 | Required in 2010 |
| 2007 | Not required |
| 2006 | Required in 2010 |
| 2005 | Not required |
| 2004 | Required in 2010 |
| 2003 | Not required |
| 2002 and older | Required in 2010 |
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.
The maximum amounts that can be charged for a safety inspection, including the certificate fee, are:
For more information about Safety Inspections call the Utah Highway Patrol at (801) 965-4889.
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 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.
2010 Emission Inspection Requirements |
|
| Vehicle Model Year | Emission Inspection |
|---|---|
| 2010 (except new vehicles) | Required in 2010 |
| 2009 | Not required |
| 2008 | Required in 2010 |
| 2007 | Not required |
| 2006 | Required in 2010 |
| 2005 | Not required |
| 2004 to 1968 | Required in 2010 |
| 1967 and older | Not required |
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:
Emission Inspection Fees* Paid to Station |
|
|---|---|
| County | Maximum Inspection Fee* |
| Davis | $27.50 |
| Salt Lake | No limit is set as the fees are self regulated, however the average fee is $25 |
| Utah | No limit is set as the fees are self regulated, however the average fee is $25 |
| Weber | $25 |
* Exempt from this requirement are:
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:
Emission Program Fees Paid to County |
|
|---|---|
| County | All including diesel |
| Davis | $3 |
| Salt Lake | $3 |
| Utah | $1 |
| Weber | $1 |
For information about emissions test requirements contact the appropriate County Health Department below:
Utah law requires all licensed Utah dealers to assure vehicles they sell to residents of 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 four emission-required counties have granted a limited emission test exemption. If a vehicle is sold to a resident of 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:
The purchaser must:
Inspections of identification numbers are required for all vehicles or vessels to be titled in Utah for the first time. Safety inspection certificates are acceptable means of verification for your cars, trucks and motorcycles providing that the VIN number is accurate on the safety inspection certificate.
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.
Q. Do dealers have to perform required emission test and safety inspections before a 45-day temporary permit is issued?
A. Yes. Dealers must assure vehicles meet all safety and emission requirements before the vehicles are sold and a copy of the safety inspection certificate must be given to the customer at the time of sale. Safety inspections must have been done in the dealer's name (not by a previous owner) within six months prior to sale; emission inspections are valid for 6 months.
New Vehicles with an MSO are exempt from safety and emissions.
Safety: Vehicles less than five years old may not be subject to a safety inspection, see above.
Emissions: Vehicles are not required to be inspected if being sold to residents of counties that do not require emission inspections. Dealers in non-emission counties have a special exemption when selling to residents of counties that require emission inspections.
Q. What do I do if I buy a vehicle from a dealer and the vehicle has a mechanical problem which should have been fixed in order to pass safety and/or emission tests?
A. If the vehicle is titled and registered in your name, you should file a complaint with the emission officials in the county in which the vehicle was inspected, or, for safety problems, contact the Utah Highway Patrol at (801) 965-4889. These agencies will investigate the complaint. If it appears the dealer violated the law, MVED would be contacted, would investigate and possibly file a criminal complaint. However, if you are still operating the vehicle on the 45-day temporary permit (you have not yet received your license plates from the dealer), file a complaint with MVED. If the 45-day temporary permit has expired and you do not have your plates, see Vehicle Permits.
Q. I bought a car from a dealer, I'm operating the vehicle on a temporary (45-day) permit, and the dealer wants me to bring it back in for inspections. What should I do?
A. Because the inspections are required for the vehicle to be registered, you will need to bring the vehicle back in for those inspections. If the 45-day temporary permit has expired, see Vehicle Permits. You may additionally file a complaint with MVED.
