There are three possible inspections you might face: vehicle identification number (VIN), safety, and emissions. Please see below for details on each inspection.

Brand new cars bought from licensed Utah dealers are exempt from all these inspections.

UT VIN Inspection

Is your car being registered and titled in Utah for the first time? If so, it must undergo a VIN inspection.

You can complete this at a DMV office, or have a vehicle dealer or even a police officer do it for you. But, you must submit a completed Certificate of Inspection (Form TC-661) to the DMV.

UT Safety Inspection

Most vehicles face a safety inspection. Cars with model years less than eight years old must go through this every other year, while older model year cars must do this annually.

UT Smog Check/Emissions Testing

Cars registered in Davis, Salt Lake, Utah, and Weber counties also need to pass a smog or emissions exam. Cars at least six years old must go through this every year, while cars newer than six years old must do this every two years. However, cars built before 1968 - and all motorcycles - are exempt from this test.

Testing Fees and Locations

You can have your vehicle tested at any of the authorized inspections stations located through Utah.

Testing fees vary by the inspection station. But, here are some general figures:

VIN: No charge (if conducted at a DMV office)
Safety: $17-$22 ($9 for motorcycles)
Emissions: $25-$30

Additional UT Register Car Information

Call the following numbers to learn more about the inspection requirements for each test:

Safety: (801) 965-4889
VIN: (800) DMV-UTAH
Emissions: (800) DMV-UTAH

Have a diesel-powered car? Your emissions testing requirements could differ from those mentioned above. Call the following for information about your situation:

Davis County: (801) 546-8860
Salt Lake County: (801) 313-6720
Utah County: (801) 851-7600
Weber County: (801) 399-7140

Need to learn more about a car registration or vehicle registration? Contact the DMV at (800) DMV-UTAH.