Vehicle Safety Inspections in Utah

Vehicle inspections serve as an important safeguard for road safety in Utah, verifying that all vehicles meet minimum operational standards to prevent auto accidents and protect public health. Certain vehicle categories must undergo mandatory safety and emissions testing before operating legally on Utah roads. Here is what you need to know about vehicle inspections in Utah.

Which Vehicles Are Required to Have a Safety Inspection?

Most personal cars are not required to undergo safety inspections for annual registration in Utah. However, several types of vehicles still must take part in mandatory inspections, including commercial vehicles, school buses, and passenger transport vehicles like airport shuttles and taxi cabs.

First-time street-legal ATVs and those with owner-transferred titles also require safety inspections before they can be registered. Additionally, rebuilt salvage vehicles—those previously damaged to the extent that repair costs exceeded the vehicle’s market value—must pass a safety inspection to receive a rebuilt title.

For commercial vehicles such as school buses and taxis, drivers must display their safety inspection certificate or sticker at all times while operating the vehicle. This requirement helps verify that vehicles transporting multiple passengers maintain appropriate standards to protect both operators and the public.

Which Vehicles Are Required to Have an Emissions Inspection?

In Utah, all motor vehicles less than six years old must undergo emissions testing every two years. The testing schedule corresponds to the vehicle’s model year—vehicles with even-numbered model years require testing in even years, while odd-numbered model years undergo testing in odd years.

Several vehicle categories are exempt from emissions testing requirements. These include:

• Vehicles manufactured before 1967
• Motorcycles
• Antique or custom vehicles
• Brand-new vehicles with a Manufacturer’s Certificate of Origin
• Diesel vehicles under 14,000 pounds with 1997 or older model years
• Vehicles used for agricultural operations
• Construction and maintenance vehicles not licensed for highway use

If your vehicle requires an emissions inspection, you must complete this test no more than two months before your registration renewal deadline. 

Penalties for Violating Utah’s Vehicle Inspection Requirements

Vehicles operating without required inspections pose health and environmental risks, which is why failing to comply with Utah’s laws can result in significant consequences. First, law enforcement officers may issue a warning requiring you to immediately undergo the required inspection, or you could face more severe penalties. You may receive fines and traffic tickets, or your registration could be completely suspended.

Additionally, Utah’s modified comparative negligence laws mean that operating an uninspected vehicle could increase your percentage of fault after an accident. If you plan on pursuing an injury claim after an accident, you could receive far less than what you truly deserve if the court believes that your vehicle’s lack of required inspections contributed to the accident.

Injured by a Poorly Maintained Vehicle? Contact We Win Injury Law

Although not every driver is required to undergo a vehicle inspection in Utah, they are still responsible for keeping their cars in safe working condition. If you were injured by a vehicle that was dangerous or poorly maintained, you may be entitled to financial compensation—and We Win Injury Law can help. Contact us today at (435) 688-9558 for a free consultation and learn more about your legal options.