State Inspection Requirements

At Val-U-Line^®, our nationwide used car dealerships are dedicated to offering affordable pre-owned vehicles with outstanding reliability. To make sure you drive home in a dependable used car, we've taken the time to make sure our entire inventory passes all state inspection requirements for safety and emissions.

Most states require vehicle inspections for safety and/or emissions. To find out which items are required for your state's inspection, check out our guide below.

GO TO: State Inspections By State

Understanding State Safety Inspection Requirements

Depending on the state you live in, your used car can be subject to a vehicle safety inspection. Laws requiring these inspections are put in place for your own safety and that of other drivers.

In states that require safety inspections for cars, like Texas and Massachusetts, a variety of components on the interior and exterior of the vehicle need to be checked out. Items under the hood also need to be inspected to make sure everything complies with the state's safety standards.

Here are a few things that could be examined during a state safety inspection:

Brake system (including parking brake)
Exhaust system
Steering and suspension
Exterior lights
Tires and wheels
Seatbelts
Windshield and window tints

All states have different procedures for each inspection. The items required and the condition they must be in to pass could differ from state to state or even county to county. The frequency of inspections could also depend on where you live. Most states that require safety inspections do so on an annual or biennial basis.

State Inspection Requirements by State

Which state do you call home? It's important to know when you should have your car inspected for safety and emissions. Each state has different jurisdictions for which inspections are needed and when they're required.

Find your state in the table below to see when you'll need to schedule a state inspection:

State	Safety Inspection	Emissions Inspection
Alabama	Required before selling or transferring ownership	No emissions inspection required
Alaska	No periodic safety inspection required	No emissions inspection required
Arizona	No periodic safety inspection required	Required every 2 years or every year in Tucson area
Arkansas	No periodic safety inspection required	No emissions inspection required
California	No periodic safety inspection required	Required every 2 years
Colorado	No periodic safety inspection required	Required every 2 years in select counties
Connecticut	No periodic safety inspection required	Required every 2 years
Delaware	Required every 2 years	Required every 2 years
Florida	No periodic safety inspection required	No emissions inspection required
Georgia	No periodic safety inspection required	Required every 1 year in Atlanta areas
Hawaii	Required every 1 year	No emissions inspection required
Idaho	No periodic safety inspection required	Required every 2 years for Canyon County and Kuna
Illinois	Required every 1 year	Required every 2 years in select areas
Indiana	No periodic safety inspection required	Required every 2 years in Lake and Porter counties
Iowa	No periodic safety inspection required	No emissions inspection required
Kansas	No periodic safety inspection required	No emissions inspection required
Kentucky	Required when bringing a vehicle from out of state	No emissions inspection required
Louisiana	Required every 2 years	Required every 1 year in the Baton Rouge area
Maine	Required every 1 year	Required every 1 year in Cumberland County
Maryland	Required before selling or transferring	Required every 2 years in select counties
Massachusetts	Required every 1 year	Required every 1 year
Michigan	No periodic safety inspection required	No emissions inspection required
Minnesota	No periodic safety inspection required	No emissions inspection required
Mississippi	No periodic safety inspection required	No emissions inspection required
Missouri	Required every 2 years	Required every 2 years in select counties
Montana	No periodic safety inspection required	No emissions inspection required
Nebraska	Required when bringing a vehicle from out of state	No emissions inspection required
Nevada	No periodic safety inspection required	Required every 1 year in Clark and Washoe Counties
New Hampshire	Required every 1 year	Required every 1 year
New Jersey	No periodic safety inspection required	Required every 2 years
New Mexico	No periodic safety inspection required	Required every 2 years in Bernalillo County
New York	Required every 1 year	Required every 1 year
North Carolina	Required every 1 year	Required every 1 year in select counties
North Dakota	No periodic safety inspection required	No emissions inspection required
Ohio	No periodic safety inspection required	Required every 2 years
Oklahoma	No periodic safety inspection required	No emissions inspection required
Oregon	No periodic safety inspection required	Required every 2 years in Portland and Medford areas
Pennsylvania	Required every 1 year	Required every 1 year in select counties
Rhode Island	Required every 1 to 2 years	Required every 2 years
South Carolina	No periodic safety inspection required	No emissions inspection required
South Dakota	No periodic safety inspection required	No emissions inspection required
Tennessee	No periodic safety inspection required	Required every 1 year in select counties
Texas	Required every 1 year	Required every 1 year in select areas
Utah	Required every 1 year	Required every 2 years
Vermont	Required every 1 year	Required every 1 year
Virginia	Required every 1 year	Required every 2 years in select counties
Washington	No periodic safety inspection required	Required at timeframe based on model year
West Virginia	Required every 1 years	No emissions inspection required
Wisconsin	No periodic safety inspection required	Required every 2 years
Wyoming	No periodic safety inspection required	Required every 2 years

This table of inspection requirements is a good place to start, but certain types and model years of vehicles may be exempt or may require a more in-depth inspection. It's always best to contact your local DMV (Department of Motor Vehicles) to find out exactly which inspections are needed in your area.

Which State Inspections Require Emissions Testing?

An emissions test-called a smog check in some states-measures the level of pollutants emitted from your vehicle's exhaust system. These pollutants could include hydrocarbons, oxygen, carbon monoxide, and oxides of nitrogen.

This test is separate from a vehicle safety inspection. In fact, some states like New Jersey, California, and Connecticut, require a periodic emissions test but do not require a regular safety inspection.

It's important to note that, while over 30 states now require some form of emissions test, there are no federal requirements. As such, requirements could vary depending on where you live. There are several factors that go into determining whether your vehicle needs an emissions test. They could include:

Vehicle age
The county where the vehicle is registered
Vehicle weight
Fuel type
Commercial or personal use

An emissions test is simple. It usually only takes about 15 to 30 minutes. A certified technician from a service facility or a state official will check all performance parts under the hood. The spark plugs and filters are examined to ensure an efficient and proper performance, the gas cap is evaluated for leaks, and tailpipe emissions are measured with a gas analyzer.

What Is a VIN Inspection?

A VIN (vehicle identification number) inspection is the most basic form of vehicle inspection. It's generally part of the safety inspection in states that require one but could also be needed in states without annual safety inspections.

There are a few different reasons that states require VIN inspections. One of the most important is making sure the state's DMV information is up to date. This will help ensure a smooth process when registering and/or selling the vehicle.

A VIN inspection usually checks the following:

VIN
License plate number
Type of vehicle
Make & model
Odometer reading
Federal certifications
Emissions labels

Most states also require a VIN inspection when you purchase a vehicle or transfer ownership. If you purchase a vehicle out of state, this inspection is a very critical step since your car will most likely need to be added to your state's DMV database.

How to Make Sure Your Car Passes Inspection

Service Mechanic

Following your vehicle's manufacturer-recommended maintenance schedule is critical to keeping your car performing at its best-you already know that. It's also a good way to keep your car ready for an inspection.

There are some states that certify local repair shops, allowing them to perform safety inspections. If you live in one of these states, a technician can tell you if anything needs to be repaired to pass inspection and fix the problem right then and there. It's easy as pie!

In states where the inspection must be performed by a local official or a sheriff, it's a good idea to take your car to a technician beforehand. They'll make sure all safety components and performance parts are in good shape, so you can rest assured your car will pass with flying colors.

Pro tip: Check your vehicle's lights before you go. Failing or inadequate bulbs are one of the most common reasons cars fail inspections. Make sure your headlights, high beams, taillights, and turn signal indicators are all working before scheduling a state safety inspection.

What Are My State's Vehicle Inspection Requirements?

When you shop at any one of Val-U-Line^®'s used car dealerships, we'll make sure you drive home in a vehicle that's affordable, dependable, and passes all state inspection requirements.

For more information about our reliable used cars or how we make sure they meet all inspection standards, get in touch with our team today!

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