State rankings

States Without Vehicle Inspection

States Without Vehicle Inspection: compare 51 US states on 2 metrics.

Law51 states · 2 metricsUpdated May 28, 2024Original page
13 sources

Safety Inspection Requirement

6 values across 20 entries

Data

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29 states
Arizona—Phoenix and Tucson metro areas require biennial emissions inspections.
CaliforniaPeriodicSmog Inspections required when registering or renewing vehicle registration for a vehicle more than 8 years old.
Colorado—No state requirements, but emissions testing is required in 9 counties.
ConnecticutAnnual / NoneRequired only for certain commercial vehicles, trucks, grey market, salvage, and several types of trailers.
DelawareBiennialNew cars are exempt from inspection for the first seven years provided the car remains with the same owner.
District of ColumbiaBiennialFor publicly owned vehicles only, the requirement for safety inspection for privately owned cars ended October 1, 2009.
Georgia—Testing is only required in the 13 metropolitan Atlanta counties.
HawaiiAnnualWith the following exceptions: Brand new vehicles receive an inspection valid for two years. Emergency vehicles, school vehicles, rental cars, and vehicles used in public transportation must be inspected every six months. Sticker placed on rear bumper to right on license plate.
Idaho—Emissions testing requirements were repealed in July 2023.
IllinoisBiennialOnce a vehicle is four years old.
Indiana—No state requirements - however, vehicles registered in Lake County or Porter County require biennial emissions testing.
LouisianaAnnualAs of September 2012, people in most jurisdictions have the option of getting a sticker good for two years, rather than one, by paying double the usual fee. In most of south Louisiana, inspection stickers are commonly referred to as "Brake Tags"; they are placed on the inside …
MaineAnnualVehicles that have passed inspection are given a sticker, the color of which changes annually. School buses are inspected every six months. Vehicles registered as Antique Autos are exempt. Sticker placed in top center of windshield behind rear view mirror or lower left-hand co…
MarylandSingle/OnceRequired when registering vehicles from another state or when a used vehicle is purchased.
MassachusettsAnnualVehicles that have passed inspection are given a sticker, which is placed in the lower right corner of the windshield.
MissouriBiennialEffective August 28, 2019, motor vehicles for the first ten years following the model year of manufacture and having less than 150,000 miles on the odometer are exempt from the safety inspection requirement. In early 2026, false misinformation circulated about the requirements…
Nevada—Annual emissions inspection required only in Clark and Washoe counties.
New Hampshire—As of February 2026, vehicle inspection requirements are suspended.
New JerseyBiennialNew vehicles only require an inspection every five years.
New Mexico—Biennial emissions tests are required only in Bernalillo County
New YorkAnnualVehicles that have passed inspection are given a sticker, the color of which changes annually. Newly registered vehicles with a current inspection sticker from another state are exempt until the out-of-state sticker expires or for one year after registration in New York, which…
North CarolinaAnnualUntil the vehicle is 30 years of age, at which point inspections are no longer required.
Oregon—Emissions testing is required only in the metropolitan areas of Portland and Medford.
PennsylvaniaAnnualFor most vehicles; every six months for school vehicles (including school buses and school vans), motor coaches, mass transit buses, etc. Stickers are placed on the lower driver's side corner of the windshield. Vehicles bearing antique vehicle license plates are exempt from in…
Rhode IslandBiennialNewly registered vehicles are exempt from the inspection requirement for two years from the date of purchase. Vehicles registered as antiques are subject to safety inspection, but are exempt from emissions testing. Vehicles that have passed inspection are given a sticker, whic…
TexasAnnualEmissions inspection is required for gasoline powered vehicles older than 2 years. As of 2025, safety inspection requirements in Texas were repealed.
VermontAnnualInspections are due at the end of even-numbered months only. Inspections performed in an odd-numbered month will receive a sticker for the next even-numbered month (e.g., a car inspected in November 2011 will receive a sticker good until December 31, 2012). Inspection stickers…
VirginiaAnnualNewly registered vehicles with a valid inspection from another state are not exempt from inspection until the out-of-state inspection expires. As soon as a vehicle is registered in Virginia, that vehicle must have a Virginia safety inspection. Primarily yellow; background colo…
West VirginiaBi-annualAs of January 2024, vehicles require biennial inspection. Vehicles that have passed are given a sticker, the color of which biennially. The sticker is placed in lower left corner of windshield.

Quick answers

Where does this states without vehicle inspection data come from?
Rankodex compiles it from World Population Review and the primary sources it cites: What to Know About Vehicle Inspections in All 50 States - Haynes; Vehicle Inspection in the United States - Wiki; P.R. Laws tit. 9, § 5352 Periodic Inspection - Justia; Smog Inspections - California DMV.