Annual state vehicle inspections

[kpinthebay]

Its interesting and somewhat annoying sometimes on the different state requirements. Ive had the pleasure of living in HI and now CA.

In HI, certain mods done to your rig requires a reconstruction permit to be able to pass the annual safety check. Lifts or drop springs require alignments. Exhaust mods require a dealer affidavit.

In CA, there's smog checks. You will automatically fail with a CEL on.

Understandable that safety is the driving factor, but some of the standards are a bit strict.

Whats your state requirements?

 

[KidVermicious]

We get an emissions test that's either a tailpipe sniff or a CEL check, depending on year. We also get a safety inspection that's pretty anal, no cracks in light housings or windshield, mudflaps in place, tires can't stick out past the fenders, truck can't be past a certain height based on weight, etc. We don't have to have permits to do mods though as long as the truck passes that safety test.

 

[Omar RVA]

In Virginia we have an annual state inspection for a windshield sticker and in some localities (mostly northern Virginia), we have a biennial emissions test.

The state inspection is supposed to be incredibly thorough and has wide ranging definitions of what needs to be checked and what is considered passing and failing (see chapter 70 here: LIS > Administrative Code). The Commonwealth mandates a maximum fee for this inspection, $16 seems right but don't quote me on that. Because of this you have one of two things happen:

• Either the inspection station does a VERY cursory inspection and passes you unless there's something super obvious and dangerous OR
• The inspection station does a more in-depth inspection and will almost ALWAYS fail you on something to earn profit to justify the time it actually took vs. the max they can charge (e.g. "Your wiper blades had a few nicks or tears, $40 bucks to replace them or you get the fail sticker, fix it yourself and bring it back"). That fail sticker is a red flag (almost literally) to police.

There are pros and cons to having a state inspection vs. not having one, in this case the pro being that it keeps death traps and junkers off the road but the cons are it encourages the shop owners to hold you over the barrel to justify their cost (don't get me wrong, I get where they're coming from too). I am unfamiliar but I don't think there are many exceptions or waivers one can get to these rules. I've found the situation you're more likely to encounter varies by the type of shop you go to and where (geographically).

We also have an emissions test in certain localities that's due every other year (required for a sticker on your license plate). This also has a max fee mandated by the Commonwealth (something like $35) and is typically done by plugging into the OBD II port and getting a readout. Less room to get screwed here but a small exhaust problem can turn into something costly even though it doesn't affect the drivability of you vehicle. More info on that here: http://www.deq.virginia.gov/Programs/AirCheckVirginia/ForMotoristsVehicleOwners/VehicleEmissionsInspectionFAQ.aspx#tattot

OA

 

[RunnerAK]

AK - what are state inspections? A few years ago, we even got rid of the biennial emission tests required in a few municipalities up here. Or air quality was already great, and they reasoned that it will only get better as new lower-emission vehicles continue to replace old ones over the years.

 

[ebg18t]

CO - Every two years emissions testing (in the metro area), no emmisions in the rest of the state. I'll be changing counties next year.
FL - nothing (lotta POS cars with bald tires, no lights & falling apart)

 

[4RnR Grl]

In Maryland if you buy new, no inspection but in two years.... emissions which only requires they plug in to make sure you've not modified the exhaust.

If you buy used, move into the state, you must pass a safety inspection (to the tune of $75- $95) and it's good for the life of the vehicle... as long as you own it. If you sell the vehicle it must be re-inspected. If you purchase the vehicle back and it previously passed inspection none is required.

Now... registration fees are pricy (esp if you move from out of state).

 

[Bigshankhank]

FL - nothing (lotta POS cars with bald tires, no lights & falling apart)

Yeah, I hate that about being back in Florida. Texas has annuals including emissions. Worth it to keep the dangerous cars off the road. Of course, everyone "knows" a guy that will pass your blacked-out-taillights-obscured-plate-limo-tinted-fronts-train-horn brodozer or stancebro ride.

 

[Ron4RNevada]

Nevada -

Only emissions tests for vehicles in Clark (Las Vegas) and Washoe (Reno) counties.

 

[Rcastle]

In Oregon, depending on where you live you have to have emissions testing done if your vehicle is 1975 or newer. Tailpipe check unless it's OBD2 then its plug in and test. Pretty easy here.

 

[namsag]

It was dropped here in Mississippi this summer. It was nothing more than drive up and hand over $5, and the guy scraped the old sticker off and stuck a new one on. I never saw anybody do more than look at the turn signals and brake lights. They'll make up the $5 some other way.

 

[LandCruiser]

Alabama is one of the few states that make me wish that there WERE mandatory checks.

Colorado reminds me that it wouldn't matter because I've seen inspection stickers on vehicles that shouldn't pass mandatory checks.

 

[Sisente]

Texas- gets a little complicated. Some checks are based on the county you live in.

Example: El Paso, Travis and Williamson County Motorists
In conjunction with the annual safety inspection, all gasoline powered vehicles from 2 through 24 years old which are registered or primarily operated in emissions counties will be subject to one of the following emissions tests.

I live in Williamson, and know from experience, if your check engine light is on, regardless of why, most places won't even look at it. It should only be for emissions related, but oh well. The crazy thing is, and again from experience, your speedometer doesn't need to be operational in order to pass. To me, that seems like a safety issue, especially considering school zones, etc.

 

[RedRunner_87]

As stated early CO is pretty done by County. In the more populated area's there is emissions, in the rural areas there isn't.

AZ: Pretty much the same as CO. I always lived in Flagstaff and that county didn't require it.

CA: Is every 2 years, except if you buy new. Then you don't have to do emissions for the first 5 years, unless it transfers ownership. Everytime the vehicle transfers ownership you have to get emissions done. They are even requiring hybrids to go through emissions now, they were previously excempt from it.

 

[csireeves]

Oklahoma = none, which is unfortunate because there are quite a few cars that shouldn't be allowed on the roads.

 

[Bigshankhank]

I live in Williamson, and know from experience, if your check engine light is on, regardless of why, most places won't even look at it. It should only be for emissions related, but oh well. The crazy thing is, and again from experience, your speedometer doesn't need to be operational in order to pass. To me, that seems like a safety issue, especially considering school zones, etc.

Yes, this is why I kept my dad's old Mercedes registered in Florida at my daughter's address. The CEL was on due to a vacuum leak which prevented the blend door in the AC from working properly but every shop I took it to for inspection wouldn't even look at it. On my wife's Wrangler the dash illumination didn't work so you couldn't see the gauges after dark, but it passed.

 

[jonesmw10]

From my understanding is NY has a program where they do a tailpipe check, but I don't believe they currently do (I can be wrong). They're pretty much on board with CA though. If your cats go bad, you have to replace them with CARB certified cats now.

 

[Blue Seat Lyfe]

FL - nothing and I love it. Keep the government out of my life as much as possible.
No ugly front license plates either, this can really ruin the look of certain cars. Glad we only do the rear.


Hell, they havent even made me get a new license photo when the card gets renewed. It still uses the one from when I was 15 for my permit.

 

[Vwright14]

I live in WV but work in VA, here in WV they have normal and modified inspection stickers. Anything with a lift, although bumper height below the state limit of 31in measured at the bottom of the bumper would require a modified sticker. But same goes for lowered...there really are a bunch of stupid ones and being WV soooooooooo many inspections stations just take like an extra 5 bucks and will pass anything. In VA some area have sniff tests but we look over brakes,suspension,bulbs,dash lights, window operation,tire condition,suspension condition,cracks in windshield,motor mounts, wipers and a giant list of other things lol.

 

[Jon John]

Annual inspections here. They are a pain and you will get failed for almost anything. The DMV seems to do a lot of undercover test to try to entrap any inspection stations that are too lenient and take away their license to do inspections. Really hard to get anyone to look the other way unless you personally know them.

On the other hand, there is a lot of crap that just shouldn't be on the highways.

 

[nguyenn]

Im also in California. Probably the worst state of them all when it comes to smog/inspections. We have regular smog, test only smog, star certified smog and state referee smog.