Vehicle Emissions Testing in Utah
In Utah, an emissions test is required for many original registrations, as well as for annual registration renewals. Renewal notices are sent annually to vehicle owners, and indicate whether and by what date an emissions test must be completed, usually no more than two months before the renewal.
Four Utah counties - Salt Lake City, Utah, Davis and Weber County require mandatory emission checks for all vehicles locally registered. Emission checks are required annually for vehicles six years or older and every two years for vehicles less than six years old. For convenience, the years of testing for the category of newer vehicles are staggered - those purchased in even-numbered years are tested in even-numbered years and those purchased in odd-numbered years are tested in odd-numbered years. For further details visit the Utah DMV website
VEHICLES THAT REQUIRE AN EMISSIONS TEST
A car, truck, motor home or RV (recreational vehicle) requires an emissions test when
- It is a 1968 model or newer
- It is driven mainly in the counties of Davis, Weber, Utah county and Salt Lake City.
VALIDITY
Emission tests are valid for 180 days for an original vehicle registration and 60 days for a registration renewal. A valid test is also required to reinstate a suspended registration. Used car dealers are required to issue a valid emissions test for any vehicle they sell in the counties where emission checks are mandatory. Getting an emissions test is the buyer's responsibility when the vehicle is purchased from a private owner.EXEMPTIONS
A vehicle is exempt from emissions testing when:- It is a 1967 model or older
- It is a new vehicle
- It is a motorcycle
- It is bought in any county of the state other than Davis, Salt Lake City, Weber or Utah County accompanied by a copy of Form TC-820, "Exemption Affidavit for Utah Emission Testing".
EMISSIONS TESTING LOCATIONS
Any Authorized Emissions Inspection Station licensed by the State and most Service Stations can test your vehicle. Look for the official sign issued by the Department of Motor Vehicles to authorized testing stations. Only select stations deal with diesel vehicles. Further information on emission inspections may be obtained from the Health department of each county on the phone numbers given below- Davis County (801) 546-8860
- Salt Lake County (801) 313 -6720
- Utah County (801) 851-7600
- Weber County (801) 399-7140
EMISSIONS TESTING FEES
The average testing fee levied by approved testing stations is $25 which is also the maximum permitted in Davis and Weber counties. The four counties also have an additional Emission Program Fee which varies according to the fuel type. For diesel vehicles, it ranges from $1 to $10 and for all others the highest is $3. See Emissions Fees for details.EMISSIONS TEST FAILURES
If your vehicle fails the emissions test, you must have the vehicle repaired, after which it must pass the after repairs emissions test, without any additional payment within 15 days. The vehicle can be repaired by anyone.ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
- If you are out of state, or if your vehicle is otherwise unavailable for inspection, you can register your vehicle or renew your registration by completing the form for Exemption Affidavit of Utah Safety and Emission Requirement for Vehicles Not In Utah.
- For additional information on emissions, read How to Register and Title Your Vehicle in Utah
- See also Vehicle History Reports.
Reviews of Vehicle Emissions Testing in Utah
We are strong advocates for taking measures to improve our air quality and we do our part (walking, cycling, decreased car usage, etc). Emissions inspection seems in line with our values, but after a recent emissions failure, I realized that it is not really about inspecting emissions anymore. It is about inspecting on-board computers that detect emissions.
My car, which produced minimal emissions, required over $1000 to replace nothing but sensors. This doesn't seem fair. If the sensors don't work, shouldn't the inspector be required to check manually, just as they would on an older vehicle without the onboard computer? Otherwise, the DMV should be honest and call this requirement a Vehicle Emissions and Onboard Computer Inspection.
I agree, I have no problem with testing the actual emissions of the vehicle, but Utah has tacked on a bunch of other test with it that have no correlation with emissions. My car recently failed because the engine computer decided it took a little too reach normal operating temperature. It also failed because of an error code I get from a rough idle that pops up every now and then (a side effect of some major engine work I had done awhile back). Neither of these things effect the actual emissions of the vehicle, and it would take thousands of dollars to fix the idle, that really isn't hurting anything. So I took it to Nevada and registered it there (I'm a student from Nevada and have the luxury of being able to do that). No safety or emissions test there.
That would make sense, but would require a bit more work for the inspector. We use to go to someone that would make adjustments and repairs for free to keep our business. He retired and I don't know of any place else that would be so considerate. Last year, I had my car tested for emissions and it failed. I had to pay a couple hundred for the shop to run some cleaner through the engine before they would pass it. I was doped because the cleaner costs 3-5 dollars at walmart. I only drive that vehicle once a year, to get it inspected.
I believe in running clean vehicles (I drive a CNG vehicle now). The inspection and emissions along the Wasatch front is partly to improve air quality, but partly a tax.
If you learn of a good shop/inspection location, post it.
Ray's Muffler located just off the by-pass going into Centerville from layton, Utah!!! Service is great. I use them every year. Really good on cost. See Yomuro Kitamura (Joel).