Read on to learn more about emissions, smog, and safety inspections throughout the United States.
Should you worry about passing a smog check test even though there is no noticeable white smoke from exhaust coming from your car? Read below to learn what are the rules & regulations in your state.
Smog Check Rules For All 50 States.
Smog Check Alabama
Those driving in the Yellowhammer State won't need to undergo any regular emissions or smog testing. However, your vehicle will need to pass a safety inspection whenever you transfer ownership before a registration can be issued to you or the new owner.
Smog Check Alaska
Alaska's cold climate and far-flung population makes smog and emissions testing a fairly low priority. You'll be able to drive freely and even buy and sell vehicles without undergoing any emissions or safety inspections.
Smog Check Arizona
Arizona has no statewide emissions or smog testing requirement, but those who reside within the metropolitan Phoenix and Tucson areas will need to undergo an annual emissions test. Testing is available at a number of contractor facilities throughout these cities.
Smog Check Arkansas
Like many of its southeastern U.S. neighbors, the Natural State poses no restrictions on vehicle emissions. The Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration regulates the registration of new and used vehicles, and many who are already licensed in this state should even be able to renew their registration by mail.
Smog Check California
California's dense metropolitan areas and coastal weather with low-lying clouds make smog testing a priority for state and local governments. All residents will need to pass an annual smog inspection, and this test must be performed on vehicles purchased from out of state (including those of new residents) before a California registration will be issued. Because this is a statewide requirement and not limited to large metro regions like Los Angeles and the Bay Area, there are testing facilities available in just about every county with fairly convenient hours. For a detailed look at California’s smog requirements, check out this post.
Colorado
Colorado is known for its natural beauty, and it would like to keep it that way. In addition, visitors to the state who aren't used to the high altitude can suffer even more if subjected to high levels of vehicle-based smog. Colorado vehicles that are more than 7 years old and registered in Boulder, Broomfield, Denver, Douglas and Jefferson counties or certain parts of Adams, Arapahoe, Larimer and Weld counties (or vehicles being driven in any of these counties for more than 90 days per year) must undergo an annual emissions test.
Some vehicles don't require an emissions inspection: vehicles that are newer than seven model years, all-electric vehicles, hybrids newer than seven years, model years 1975 and older, street rods, farm vehicles, kit cars and motorcycles.
Connecticut
The Constitution State's proximity to several of the densest metropolitan regions in the U.S. means that vehicles registered in this state must undergo an emissions test every two years. Certain vehicles, like those manufactured in 2013 or later or earlier than 1991 may be exempt from these testing requirements.
Delaware
Delaware requires vehicles to undergo emissions testing every one to two years. The last five model years are exempt from this testing, as are vehicles considered antiques. The type of test performed on your vehicle will depend on the year in which it was manufactured -- vehicles manufactured between 1996 and the last five model years undergo the most stringent testing procedures.
District of Columbia (D.C.)
The nation's capital is home to the Environmental Protection Agency's headquarters, so it makes sense that Washington D.C. requires annual emissions testing for vehicles registered or frequently driven within its borders(as do many of the surrounding states).
Florida
Although its coastal weather and diverse cities rival only the Golden State when it comes to vacation popularity, unlike California, Florida does not require emissions testing. Those who are already licensed in this state are even able to renew their vehicle information online.
Georgia
Florida's northern neighbor poses stricter emissions standards than the Sunshine State, but only in the thirteen counties surrounding and including Atlanta: Cherokee, Clayton, Cobb, Coweta, DeKalb, Douglas, Fayette, Forsyth, Fulton, Gwinnett, Henry, Paulding, and Rockdale. This emissions inspection will need to be performed before your vehicle's registration date each year, which generally corresponds to your birthday.
If your vehicle is a 1992 – 2013 model year gasoline-powered car or light-duty truck (8,500-pounds gross vehicle weight rating or less) registered in Cherokee, Clayton, Cobb, Coweta, DeKalb, Douglas, Fayette, Forsyth, Fulton, Gwinnett, Henry, Paulding or Rockdale County, it must be emissions tested. The three most recent model year vehicles are exempt from emissions testing each year.
For registration in 2016, this includes all 2014 and newer model year vehicles. Additionally, vehicles that are 25 model years or older are exempt from emissions testing. This includes 1991 or older model year vehicles
Hawaii
One of only two non-contiguous U.S. states, Hawaii requires annual vehicle safety testing, but no smog or emissions testing due to its relatively isolated location and warm climate.
Idaho
Those living and driving in the Gem State will need to undergo a VIN inspection when registering their vehicle for the first time, but won't need any type of smog or emissions testing or a safety inspection.
Illinois
Although most of Illinois is fairly rural, with moderately-sized cities scattered throughout the state, the size and sprawl of Chicago and the eastern part of St. Louis makes annual emissions testing mandatory in these areas.
Generally, most 1996 and newer gasoline-powered passenger vehicles are subject to testing after they are four years old. 2007 model year and newer heavy duty trucks, with a manufacturer's gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) between 8,501 and 14,000, are also subject to testing.
Indiana
The Hoosier State has no statewide emissions program, but does require vehicles registered in Lake and Porter counties (the eastern part of the Chicago metro area) to pass an emissions test every two years.
Iowa
Those in the Hawkeye State won't need any type of inspection to register a vehicle -- whether emissions, smog, or safety. A vehicle is required to have a manufacturer's label attached to the vehicle, certifying that it meets all the federal safety standards, if the vehicle is to be titled and registered for use on a highway. If there is no manufacturer's label, the vehicle will not be titled or registered in Iowa.
Kansas
The Kansas Department of Revenue, which oversees motor vehicle registration in this state, requires only VIN inspections for vehicles that have transferred ownership. No smog or emissions testing is required.
Kentucky
The Bluegrass State boasts clear skies and a primarily rural population, so the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet does not require vehicle emissions testing, smog testing, or safety inspections.
Louisiana
Louisiana requires annual or biennial safety testing for most vehicles, while certain densely-populated metropolitan areas have their own stricter requirements. Those within the five parishes that make up the Baton Rouge metro area (Ascension, East Baton Rouge, Iberville, Livingston, and West Baton Rouge) will need to undergo annual emissions testing as well. In addition, those registered within New Orleans must pass a "brake tag" test that involves testing the brakes at a short stopping distance.
Maine
This remote state at the northeastern corner of the U.S. has no statewide emissions inspection requirement; however, those with vehicles registered in Cumberland County will need to undergo a special emissions test.
Maryland
The proximity of this state to Washington, D.C. means that vehicles registered in the counties surrounding the D.C. metro area (Anne Arundel, Baltimore City, Baltimore County, Calvert, Carroll, Cecil, Charles, Frederick, Harford, Howard, Montgomery, Prince George's, Queen Anne's, and Washington) must pass an emissions test every two years. The most recent two model years aren't subject to this requirement.
Massachusetts
This state has some fairly detailed emissions testing requirements. For the most part, all vehicles will need to undergo a thorough safety and emissions inspection annually; however, if your vehicle is more than 15 years old and doesn't produce visible smoke or fail another part of the safety inspection, it won't need a separate emissions test.
Michigan
Like a number of its northern neighbors, Michigan requires no emissions inspection, smog testing, safety inspection, or VIN check before registering or titling a vehicle.
Minnesota
Like its eastern neighbor Michigan, the North Star State also has no statewide emissions or safety testing.
Mississippi
Mississippi requires a vehicle safety inspection every two years, but has no statewide emissions or smog testing requirement. Prior to 2015, Mississippi required drivers to undergo a safety inspection once per year, but the state legislature repealed this law.
Missouri
The Show Me State requires annual safety inspections for vehicles statewide, but annual emissions testing is required only in the metro St. Louis and Kansas City areas -- St. Louis City, St. Louis County, St. Charles County, Franklin County, and Jefferson County.
Montana
As one of the least densely populated states in the country, Montana does not require its residents' registered vehicles to undergo any emissions or smog testing in order to renew their vehicle registration.
Nebraska
Nebraska joins many of its Midwestern neighbors with relaxed vehicle regulations. No smog or emissions testing is performed on vehicles registered within the state.
Nevada
For most vehicles, emissions testing is required only for those who live in Reno or Las Vegas (specifically Washoe and Clark counties). Newer vehicles and certain specific vehicle types may be exempt from this requirement.
New Hampshire
The Granite State requires all residents with vehicles manufactured in 1996 or later to undergo an annual emissions test prior to registration. If you're a recent transplant to this state, you'll usually have until your next birthday to get your vehicle registered -- whether this is just a few months away or nearly an entire year.
New Jersey
Its multiple urban centers and the volume of commuter and visitor traffic statewide can make emissions control imperative for the Garden State. Vehicles registered in the state must be inspected and undergo an emissions test every other year, with a few listed exceptions. Vehicles that were manufactured prior to 1995 are generally exempt from this requirement.
New Mexico
New Mexico requires only those vehicles registered in the urban Bernalillo County to pass an emissions test prior to registration.
New York
The Empire State has some fairly strict emissions testing requirements because of the sheer volume of traffic that passes through the state on a daily basis. Residents must undergo annual smog tests, with the level of detail of the test largely depending upon the vehicle weight and model year. Those living in the five boroughs of New York City may be subject to even more stringent requirements than those in other counties.
North Carolina
While not often considered one of the smoggier states, North Carolina requires annual emissions testing for vehicles registered in around half of the state's counties. Recently, this regulation was relaxed a bit to permit vehicles with fewer than 70,000 miles or manufactured within the last three years to skip this inspection in order to renew a vehicle registration.
North Dakota
Another fairly rural state in the Upper Midwest, North Dakota does not require emissions or smog testing, VIN inspection, or safety inspections for residents' vehicles.
Ohio
The Buckeye State requires only vehicles that are registered in the Cleveland metro area (including Cuyahoga, Geauga, Lake, Lorain, Medina, Portage, and Summit counties) to undergo an annual emissions test.
Oklahoma
Joining in with the regional trend of many of its southern and Midwestern neighbors, the Sooner State does not require residents to pass any tests or inspections before titling and registering a vehicle.
Oregon
Currently, Oregon requires only those with vehicles registered in the Portland and Medina (Rogue Valley) areas to pass a smog test each year when renewing the vehicle's registration.
Pennsylvania
Except for diesel vehicles, most passenger vehicles in the state must undergo an emissions inspection. Pennsylvania, like Ohio, has an industrial past that makes preservation of air quality a governmental priority.
Rhode Island
The Ocean State requires residents to pass both safety and emissions tests every two years when registering a vehicle.
South Carolina
Despite boasting some densely populated cities and popular vacation destinations, South Carolina's Department of Motor Vehicles does not require emissions or safety testing for vehicles registered in this state.
South Dakota
Just like its northern neighbor, South Dakota requires no emissions or safety inspections.
Tennessee
Tennessee has no statewide emissions testing law, but residents of the Nashville metro area (including Davidson, Hamilton, Rutherford, Sumner, Williamson, and Wilson counties) must pass an annual smog test.
Texas
The Lone Star State requires residents of its largest and potentially smoggiest metro areas (Houston, Austin, El Paso, and Dallas-Fort Worth) to pass annual emissions inspections in order to receive a renewed registration.
Utah
Known for its picturesque mountain ranges and clean skies, Utah takes its commitment to environmental health seriously by requiring residents to pass a smog test every two years and a safety inspection annually once a vehicle reaches its tenth birthday (and years four, eight, and ten preceding that).
Vermont
Vermont is also strict when it comes to vehicle safety and emissions, requiring an annual safety and emissions inspection for most passenger vehicles registered in the state. Those with antique vehicles or hybrid cars may be exept from the emissions portion of the inspection.
Virginia
Its proximity to the Washington, D.C. metro area and its number of popular vacation spots mean that some parts of Virginia are subject to emissions and safety testing. Those whose vehicles are registered in Arlington, Fairfax, Loudoun, Prince William, or Stafford counties or Alexandria, Fairfax, Falls Church, Manassas, or Manassas Park will need to pass a smog test every two years.
Unlike many states with safety and emissions testing, Virginia does not require you to register your vehicle or undergo an inspection immediately after moving to the state, allowing your prior state's registration to expire on its own before you take a trip to the Department of Motor Vehicles.
Washington
Like many other environmentally-minded states with a population split between urban centers and rural enclaves, Washington requires emissions inspections only of vehicles registered in certain zip codes within much of Clark, King, Pierce, Snohomish and Spokane counties. The frequency with which vehicles need to be tested depends on the model year and the year the registration expires.
West Virginia
Another state within a stone's throw of the Washington, D.C. metro area, West Virginia requires annual emissions inspections of all vehicles registered within the state. Successfully passing an inspection will award you a colorful windshield sticker, and failure to display this sticker while driving within the state with West Virginia license plates could subject you to a hefty fine or even suspension of your driver's license.
Wisconsin
Known for its green pastures filled with cheese-bearing cows and blue skies behind colorful water towers, Wisconsin requires only residents of its major metro areas like Kenosha, Milwaukee, Ozaukee, Racine, Sheboygan, Washington, and Waukesha counties to undergo an emissions test, and these tests are only required every two years.
Wyoming
The almost total lack of urban sprawl in Wyoming makes it one of relatively few states with no required emissions or safety inspections.
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