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Vehicle Emissions Inspection Requirements and Exemptions by State
ALABAMA
None.
ALASKA
No emissions inspections are performed by the state of Alaska, but emissions inspections are performed at the local level by the Municipality of Anchorage. Vehicles are only tested if they are registered in Fort Richardson, Elmendorf AFB, Indian, Chugiak, Eagle River, Girdwood and Eklutna or within the Municipality of Anchorage. Emissions inspections are normally required for vehicles biennially at registration renewal. The emissions inspection program in the Fairbanks North Star Borough (FNSB) was discontinued on January 1, 2010.
Diesel Vehicles:
Diesel vehicles are subject to a one-time per owner emissions inspection, but are provided with the same exemptions as gasoline powered vehicles.
Exemptions:
1. New vehicles for the newest four (4) model years (MY) (effective January 1, 2010: 2006 model year and newer vehicles are exempt for the first six years)
2. Pre-1968 MY vehicles
ARIZONA
Emissions inspections are required for vehicles registered in the metro Phoenix area (Area A) and the metro Tuscon area (Area B) and must be inspected for emissions no more than 90 days prior to registration. Registration renewal applications issued by the MVD will include the statement “Emission Test Required” when the vehicle is required to be tested.
Diesel Vehicles:
Diesel vehicles are required to be tested annually, but are provided with the same exemptions as gasoline powered vehicles.
Exemptions:
1. New vehicles for the newest five (5) MYs
2. Pre-1967 MY vehicles
3. Vehicles designated as “collectible” with collectible vehicle insurance
ARKANSAS
None.
CALIFORNIA
Emissions (smog) inspections are required for all vehicles registered in the state of California, with vehicles registered in areas subject to the biennial smog certification program required to undergo testing for every other registration renewal. Vehicles in these areas are exempted for the newest six registration MYs (excepting diesels), but are required to pay an annual “smog abatement fee” during those years.
Diesel Vehicles:
Diesel vehicles MY 1998 and newer with a GVWR of 14,000 lbs or less are required to be tested, and are not provided with the same “new car” exemption as gasoline powered vehicles.
Exemptions:
1. New vehicles for the newest six (6) MYs
2. Pre-1976 MY vehicles
3. Vehicles with collector motor vehicles insurance policies that are at least 35 MYs years old
4. Vehicles registered as “specially constructed” that have received an emissions waiver
COLORADO
Emissions inspections are conducted in the Denver Metropolitan area and surrounding counties. A two-speed idle test is required for pre-1982 MY vehicles, while an I/M 240 test is required for MY 1982 and newer vehicles. This test will expand into parts of Larimer and Weld Counties by November 2010.
Diesel Vehicles:
Diesel vehicles are required to undergo annual emissions testing in the Denver Metropolitan area and surrounding counties, as well as in Weld, Larimer and El Paso counties and are exempted for their newest four (4) MYs.
Exemptions:
1. New vehicles for the newest four (4) MYs (unless there is a change in ownership in that four year period, at which time the vehicle would require an emissions test, or if the vehicle was previously registered in a part of Colorado without emissions testing or in another state, the vehicle will only be exempted for the newest three (3) MYs )
2. Pre-1976 collector-plated vehicles (or a vehicle that is MY 1976 or newer that was registered as a collector’s item prior to September 1, 2009; for these vehicles, the collector designation will not transfer upon sale or transfer of the vehicle)
3. Pre-1942 horseless carriage-plated vehicles
4. Vehicles with a two-stroke engine manufactured prior to 1980
5. Gray market vehicles (non-U.S. certified) and custom built vehicles must have components appropriate to their model year, or must present evaluation paperwork from a state Emissions Technical Center for the visual component of the test
6. Vehicles registered as “kit vehicles” or “street rods”
CONNECTICUT
Emissions inspections are to be conducted when registering a vehicle for the first time and when purchasing a used vehicle. Other emissions inspections are conducted based on a testing cycle and the state notifies vehicle owners of an upcoming test date far in advance of when the test is to be conducted.
Diesel Vehicles:
Diesel vehicles are required to be tested in the same manner as gasoline powered vehicles and are provided with the same exemptions.
Exemptions:
1. New vehicles for the newest four (4) MYs
2. Motor vehicles twenty-five (25) MYs old and older
3. Vehicles with a GVWR of more than 10,000 lbs
4. Composite vehicles
5. Vehicles registered but not designed primarily for highway use
DELAWARE
Emissions inspections are required for vehicles being registered or titled for the first time in Delaware and biennially based upon the MY (during registration renewals).
Diesel Vehicles:
Diesel vehicles MY 1997 and newer are required to be tested.
Exemptions:
1. New vehicles for the newest five (5) MYs
2. Pre-1968 MY vehicles
3. Vehicles with a GVWR of more than 8,500 lbs
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
Emissions inspections are required for vehicles prior to registration and every two years thereafter.
Diesel Vehicles:
Diesel vehicles are not tested for emissions.
Exemptions:
1. New vehicles are exempt from the initial inspection, but are required to display the inspection sticker that is provided by the DMV upon initial titling/registration
2. Pre-1968 MY vehicles
FLORIDA
None.
GEORGIA
Emissions inspections are required for vehicles registered in Cherokee, Clayton, Cobb, Coweta, DeKalb, Douglas, Fayette, Forsyth, Fulton, Gwinnett, Henry, Paulding and Rockdale Counties and are tested at the time that the vehicle is registered or re-registered.
Diesel Vehicles:
Diesel vehicles are not tested for emissions.
Exemptions:
1. New vehicles for the newest three (3) MYs
2. Motor vehicles twenty-five (25) MYs old and older
3. Gray market vehicles, kit cars and hot rods are provided with non-conforming status if they were granted non-conforming status before December 31, 1998 and must only meet the exhaust emissions standards for 1975 MY vehicles and pass a two-speed idle inspection (vehicles that are newly registered in an enhanced inspection area after December 31, 1998: gray market vehicles must apply for non-conforming status, kit vehicles must have all required emission control systems for the MY shown on the vehicle’s registration card and hot rods are not eligible for non-conforming status when being registered for the first time in an enhanced inspection area and must adhere to the EPA policy on engine switching)
4. Vehicles with a GVWR of more than 8,500 lbs
HAWAII
None.
IDAHO
Vehicles registered in Northern Ada County are required to undergo emissions testing annually.
Diesel Vehicles:
Diesel vehicles are required to be tested in the same manner as gasoline powered vehicles and are provided with the same exemptions.
Exemptions:
1. New vehicles for the newest four (4) MYs
2. Pre-1981 MY vehicles
3. Vehicles registered with “Old-Timer” and “Classic” plates
4. Vehicles with a GVWR of less than 1,500 lbs
ILLINOIS
Vehicles registered in specific ZIP codes in the Northeastern Illinois and Metro-East St. Louis areas are subject to testing every two years.
Diesel Vehicles:
Diesel vehicles are not tested for emissions.
Exemptions:
1. New vehicles for the newest three (3) MYs
2. Pre-1968 MY vehicles
3. “Antiques,” “customs,” and “street rods”
4. Vehicles operated exclusively in organized amateur or professional sporting activities as defined in the Environmental Protection Act (415 ILCS 5/1 et seq.); Race Car/Show Car affidavits are available at test stations, the affidavit must be resubmitted every two years to retain the exemption
5. Vehicles of model year 1995 or before that were in compliance with the Illinois Vehicle Emissions Inspection Law on February 1, 2007
6. Vehicles operated exclusively for parade or ceremonial purposes by any veterans, fraternal, or civic organization, organized on a not-for-profit basis
INDIANA
Vehicles registered in Lake County and Porter County (Chicago metropolitan area) are required to undergo emissions testing biennially upon registration and registration renewal.
Diesel Vehicles:
Diesel vehicles are not tested for emissions.
Exemptions:
1. New vehicles for the newest four (4) MYs
2. Pre-1976 MY vehicles
3. Kit cars and dune buggies that meet established criteria for a “Specialty Exemption”
4. Show cars that meet established criteria for a “Show Car Exemption”
5. Ceremonial vehicles
6. Vehicles with a GVWR of more than 9,000 lbs
IOWA
None.
KANSAS
None.
KENTUCKY
None.
LOUISIANA
Vehicles registered in the five-parish area consisting of Ascension, East Baton Rouge, Iberville, Livingston, and West Baton Rouge parishes are subject to emissions testing during a combined safety/emissions inspection.
Diesel Vehicles:
Diesel vehicles are not tested for emissions.
Exemptions:
1. New vehicles for the newest two (2) MYs
2. Pre-1980 MY vehicles
3. Vehicles with a GVWR of more than 10,000 lbs
4. Antique vehicles (vehicles 25 years old and older)
MAINE
Vehicles registered in the Cumberland County are subject to annual emissions testing that is performed at the same time as the state’s safety inspection. The emissions inspection includes an equipment check, a gas cap pressure test for 1974 and newer vehicles and an Onboard Diagnostics (OBD) inspection for 1996 and newer vehicles.
Diesel Vehicles:
Only diesel vehicles with a GVWR of more than 18,000 lbs are tested for emissions.
Exemptions:
1. Vehicles registered as “antique autos”
MARYLAND
Vehicles registered in 13 out of Maryland’s 18 counties and the city of Baltimore are required to undergo biennial emissions testing. OBD testing is performed on vehicles MY 1996 and newer and an idle tailpipe and gas cap test is administered on MY 1977-1995 vehicles.
Diesel Vehicles:
Diesel vehicles are not tested for emissions.
Exemptions:
1. New vehicles for the newest two (2) MYs
2. Pre-1977 MY vehicles
3. Vehicles with a GVWR of more than 26,000 lbs
4. Vehicles driven by a senior citizen (over 70 years) or a physically challenged person that are not driven for more than 5000 miles in a year, and a waiver application has been submitted to the VEIP
MASSACHUSETTS
Massachusetts performs an OBD emissions test annually on MY 1996. Vehicles manufactured before MY 1996 no longer receive tailpipe emissions tests, but fail their safety inspections if they produce visible smoke.
Diesel Vehicles:
The following diesel vehicles are tested annually with an OBD emissions test: MY 1997 and newer light-duty diesel vehicles (weighing 8,500 pounds or less), MY 2007 and newer medium-duty diesel vehicles (weighing 8,501 to 14,000 pounds), and a smoke opacity tests for visible smoke from heavy-duty diesel vehicles (weighing more than 10,000 pounds GVWR). Light duty and medium duty diesel vehicles are exempted from emissions inspections when they are 15 or more MY old.
Exemptions:
1. New vehicles being registered in their first MY
2. Pre-1996 MY vehicles
3. Medium duty (weighing 8,501 to 14,000 pounds GVWR)non-diesel vehicles manufactured before MY 2008 or that are 15 MY old or older
4. Kit cars are only required to undergo visual inspection of their emissions control systems upon first registration
MICHIGAN
None.
MINNESOTA
None.
MISSISSIPPI
None.
MISSOURI
Missouri requires biennial emissions testing (combined with the state’s biennial safety inspection) on vehicles registered in the St. Louis ozone nonattainment area, which includes St. Louis City and Franklin, Jefferson, St. Charles and St. Louis counties.
Diesel Vehicles:
Diesel vehicles must undergo OBD emissions testing in the same way as gasoline powered vehicles. Pre-1997 MY diesel vehicles are exempt.
Exemptions:
1. New vehicles for the newest four (4) MYs with fewer than 40,000 miles at the first required biennial safety inspection
2. New and unused vehicles with MY within two years of the calendar year, that have odometer readings of less than 6,000 miles at the time of original sale
3. Pre-1996 MY vehicles
4. Vehicles without on-board diagnostic computer
5. Vehicles registered as “historic vehicles”
6. Vehicles driven fewer than 12,000 miles between biennial safety inspections
MONTANA
None.
NEBRASKA
None.
NEVADA
Nevada requires emissions testing on vehicles registered in Clark County (Las Vegas) and Washoe County (Reno) before the vehicle can be registered or its registration renewed.
Diesel Vehicles:
Diesel vehicles with a GVWR of 14,000 or less must undergo emissions testing, but are provided with the same exemptions provided to gasoline powered vehicles.
Exemptions:
1. New vehicles for their first and second registration
2. Pre-1968 MY vehicles
3. Vehicles without on on-board diagnostic computer
4. Vehicles registered as “replica vehicles”
5. Vehicles registered as “classic rods” or “classic vehicles” that are driven fewer than 2,501 miles per year
NEW HAMPSHIRE
New Hampshire requires emissions testing on vehicles that are MY 1996 and newer with a GVWR of 8,500 lbs and less.
Diesel Vehicles:
Diesel vehicles that are MY 1997 and newer with a GVWR of 8,500 lbs or less must undergo emissions testing.
Exemptions:
1. Pre-1996 MY vehicles
NEW JERSEY
New Jersey requires emissions testing every two years in conjunction with the state’s safety inspection.
Diesel Vehicles:
Only heavy-duty diesel vehicles are required to undergo emissions testing.
Exemptions:
1. New vehicles for the newest four (4) MYs
2. Vehicles registered as “historic vehicles” (at least 25 years old and specially registered) or “collector vehicles” (insured as a limited use collector vehicle and not driven more than 3,000 miles per year
NEW MEXICO
New Mexico requires emissions testing at the time of registration for vehicles registering in Bernalillo County.
Diesel Vehicles:
Diesel vehicles are not tested for emissions.
Exemptions:
1. New vehicles sold by a dealer with a MCO document
2. Pre-1975 MY vehicles
3. Vehicles with a GVWR of more than 26,000 lbs
NEW YORK
New York requires annual emissions testing in conjunction with the state’s annual safety inspection.
Diesel Vehicles:
Diesel-powered vehicles that weigh more than 8,500 lbs. and are registered in the New York Metropolitan Area (NYMA) counties of Nassau, Suffolk, Rockland, Westchester, and the five counties within New York City, are subject to annual emissions inspection.
Exemptions:
1. New vehicles for the newest two (2) MYs
2. Vehicles that are 26 MY old or older
3. Vehicles registered with historical plates
4. Homemade vehicles or custom vehicles that are registered in the Upstate Area
NORTH CAROLINA
North Carolina requires OBD emissions inspections annually in 48 counties. The inspections are performed in conjunction with the state’s safety inspections and must be performed prior to a vehicle’s registration or registration renewal.
Diesel Vehicles:
Diesel vehicles are not tested for emissions.
Exemptions:
1. Pre-1996 MY vehicles
NORTH DAKOTA
None.
OHIO
Ohio requires emissions tests for vehicles every other year in Cuyahoga, Geauga, Lake, Lorain, Medina, Portage, and Summit counties (Cleveland Metropolitan area), Franklin County (Columbus), and Hamilton County (Cincinnati). Even model year vehicles must be tested during even-numbered years and odd model year vehicles must be tested during the odd-numbered years.
Diesel Vehicles:
Diesel vehicles must undergo emissions testing in the same way as gasoline powered vehicles, and are provided with the same exemptions provided to gasoline powered vehicles.
Exemptions:
1. New vehicles for the newest four (4) MYs
2. Vehicles that are 26 MY old or older
3. Vehicles with a GVWR of more than 10,000 lbs
4. Vehicles registered as “historical” or “collector” vehicles
5. Parade and exhibition vehicles
OREGON
Oregon’s Department of Environmental Quality requires emissions testing in the Portland and Medford metropolitan areas prior to registration and as a part of the registration renewal process.
Diesel Vehicles:
Diesel vehicles in the metropolitan areas of Portland and Medford with a GVWR of 8,500 lbs or less are required to undergo emissions testing, but are provided with the same exemptions provided to gasoline powered vehicles in those area.
Exemptions:
1. Pre-1975 MY vehicles (Portland)
2. Vehicles that are 21 MY old or older (Medford)
PENNSYLVANIA
Pennsylvania requires emissions inspections annually the counties of Allegheny, Beaver, Berks, Blair, Bucks, Cambria, Centre, Chester, Cumberland, Dauphin, Delaware, Erie, Lackawanna, Lancaster, Lebanon, Lehigh, Luzerne, Lycoming, Mercer, Montgomery, Northampton, Philadelphia, Washington, Westmoreland and York. The emissions inspection is to be completed before or with the annual safety inspection.
Diesel Vehicles:
Diesel vehicles are not tested for emissions.
Exemptions:
1. New vehicles titled and registered for the first time and driven fewer than 5,000 miles
2. Pre-1975 MY vehicles
3. Vehicles with a GVWR of more than 9,000 lbs
4. A vehicle driven fewer than 5,000 miles during the 12-month period immediately preceding the inspection if the vehicle has been owned by the one owner for one year or more
RHODE ISLAND
Rhode Island requires biennial emissions inspections to be conducted in conjunction with safety inspections.
Diesel Vehicles:
Diesel vehicles are not tested for emissions.
Exemptions:
1. New vehicles have (2) MYs or the first 24,000 miles to obtain an emissions inspection, whichever comes first
2. Vehicles that are 26 MY old or older
3. Vehicles registered with antique plates
4. Vehicles that are insured as CLASSIC vehicles, “KIT CARS,” “RECONSTRUCTED VEHICLES,”
And vehicles equipped with full time all wheel drive, all wheel drive or traction control systems that cannot be disengaged are exempt from the dynamometer test, but are required to pass a basic (two-speed idle) emissions test
SOUTH CAROLINA
None.
SOUTH DAKOTA
None.
TENNESSEE
Annual emissions inspections must be passed prior to registration and registration renewal in the counties of Hamilton, Davidson, Rutherford, Sumner, Williamson and Wilson and in the city of Memphis.
Diesel Vehicles:
Diesel vehicles are treated the same as gasoline powered vehicles for emission inspection purposes.
Exemptions:
1. Pre-1975 MY vehicles
2. Vehicles with a GVWR of more than 10,500 lbs
TEXAS
Annual emissions inspections must be passed prior to registration and registration renewal in the counties of Brazoria, Fort Bend, Galveston, Harris, Montgomery, Collin, Dallas, Denton, Ellis, Johnson, Kaufman, Parker, Rockwall, Tarrant, Travis, Williamson and El Paso.
Diesel Vehicles:
Diesel vehicles are not tested for emissions.
Exemptions:
1. New vehicles for the newest two (2) MYs
2. Vehicles registered as “antiques”
3. Vehicles 25 years old or older
UTAH
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.
Diesel Vehicles:
Diesel vehicles are treated the same as gasoline powered vehicles for emission inspection purposes.
Exemptions:
1. New Vehicles with an MSO
2. Pre-1968 MY vehicles
VERMONT
On-board diagnostic systems (OBD) on 1996 and newer vehicles are checked as part of Vermont’s annual vehicle safety inspection.
Diesel Vehicles:
Diesel vehicles with a GVWR of 8,500 lbs or less with a MY of 1997 or newer are required to undergo emissions testing.
Exemptions:
1. Pre-1996 MY vehicles
2. Vehicles with a GVWR of more than 8,500 lbs
VIRGINIA
Annual emissions inspections are required for vehicles registered in the counties of Arlington, Fairfax, Loudoun, Prince William, and Stafford and cities of Alexandria, Fairfax, Falls Church, Manassas, and Manassas Park and must be passed prior to vehicle registration and registration renewal.
Diesel Vehicles:
All 1997 MY and newer diesel powered vehicles with a gross vehicle weight rating up to and including 8,500 pounds are required to undergo emissions inspections.
Exemptions:
1. New vehicles being titled for the first time for the first two years of registration
1. A vehicle with a MY of 25 years old or older
2. Vehicles with a GVWR of more than 10,000 lbs
WASHINGTON
Washington requires emissions testing in the year that a vehicle license is to expire (every other year) in certain zip codes within Clark, Snohomish, Spokane, King and Pierce counties. A test is also required for a transfer of ownership of a vehicle, unless the vehicle was tested within 365 days of the transfer.
Diesel Vehicles:
Diesel vehicles under 8,501 lbs GVWR with two-wheel or part-time four wheel drive receive a smoke opacity test, the vehicle is also tested on a dynamometer. Diesel vehicles under 8,501 lbs GVWR with constant 4x4 (all wheel drive) or traction control receive a smoke opacity test, but the vehicle will not be driven on a dynamometer and will instead undergo a two-speed idle test. Diesel vehicles over 8,500 lbs GVWR receive a snap acceleration test, a smoke opacity test and a two-speed idle test (are not tested on a dynamometer).
Exemptions:
1. New vehicles for the newest five (5) MYs
2. A vehicle with a MY of 25 years old or older
3. Vehicles registered as “horseless carriages”
WEST VIRGINIA
None.
WISCONSIN
Emissions inspections are required for vehicles registered in Kenosha, Milwaukee, Ozaukee, Racine, Sheboygan, Washington and Waukesha counties of Wisconsin every other year at the time of license plate renewal. Vehicles more than five model years old require inspection within 45 days following registration by a new owner.
Diesel Vehicles:
All 2007 MY and newer diesel powered vehicles with a gross vehicle weight between 8,501 lbs up to 14,000 lbs are required to undergo emissions inspections.
Exemptions:
1. New vehicles for the newest three (3) MYs
1. Pre-1996 MY vehicles
2. Vehicles with a GVWR of more than 8,500 lbs
WYOMING
None.
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