Does Utah Have Emissions Testing?

Utah operates a regional vehicle emissions testing program limited to five counties. The Utah Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) and county health departments jointly administer the program under the authority of Utah Code Title 41, Chapter 6a, Sections 1642-1644.

The program applies only to vehicles registered in Salt Lake, Davis, Weber, Utah, and Cache counties—the state's most populous areas with documented air quality concerns.

Utah Code 41-6a-1642 establishes the basic framework for emissions testing, while Utah Code 41-6a-1643 grants authority to county legislative bodies to implement and enforce the program through local regulations.

Administering Agencies

Utah Division of Motor Vehicles
210 North 1950 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84134
Phone: (801) 297-7780
Official Website: Utah DMV

Salt Lake County Health Department - Air Quality Division
2001 South State Street, Salt Lake City, UT 84190
Phone: (385) 468-3835
Official Website: Salt Lake County Air Quality

Davis County Health Department - Environmental Health Division
22 South State Street, Clearfield, UT 84015
Phone: (801) 525-5100
Official Website: Davis County Environmental Health

Utah County Health Department - Air Quality
151 South University Avenue, Suite 2300, Provo, UT 84601
Phone: (801) 851-7000
Official Website: Utah County Air Quality

Weber-Morgan Health Department
477 23rd Street, Ogden, UT 84401
Phone: (801) 399-7160
Official Website: Weber-Morgan Health Department

Bear River Health Department (Cache County)
85 East 1800 North, Logan, UT 84341
Phone: (435) 792-6500
Official Website: Bear River Health Department

Which Counties in Utah Require Emissions Testing?

Counties Requiring Emissions Testing:

• Salt Lake County
• Davis County
• Weber County
• Utah County
• Cache County

Vehicle Requirements in Utah

Testing Schedules by County

Salt Lake, Davis, Weber, and Utah Counties:

These four counties follow identical testing schedules based on vehicle model year:

Vehicles Less Than Six Model Years Old:

• Required to test once every two years (biennially)
• Vehicles with even-numbered model years test in even-numbered calendar years
• Vehicles with odd-numbered model years test in odd-numbered calendar years
• Example: A 2023 model vehicle tests in 2025, 2027, 2029, etc.

Vehicles Six Model Years Old and Older (1968 and Newer):

• Required to test annually (every year)
• Testing must be completed each calendar year regardless of model year
• Vehicles older than model year 1967 are exempt

Cache County:

Cache County maintains a different testing schedule:

Gasoline Vehicles (Model Year 1996 and Newer):

• Vehicles less than six model years old: Not required to test
• Vehicles six model years old and older: Required to test annually

Diesel Vehicle Requirements

Light-Duty Diesel Vehicles:

• Model year 1998 and newer: Subject to emissions testing on the same schedule as gasoline vehicles
• Model year 1997 and older: Generally exempt from emissions testing in most counties

Heavy-Duty Diesel Vehicles:

• Vehicles with GVWR exceeding 14,000 pounds are currently exempt from light-duty emissions testing
• If HB 1003 is enacted, the threshold will decrease to 12,000 pounds GVWR

List of Exemptions

Vehicles exempt from emissions testing under Utah Code 41-6a-1642 and DMV regulations:

By Vehicle Age:

• New vehicles with a Manufacturer's Statement of Origin (MSO)
• Vehicles less than two model years old (in most counties)
• Vehicles model year 1967 and older

By Vehicle Type:

• Electric vehicles (powered exclusively by electricity)
• Motorcycles and motor-driven cycles
• All implements of husbandry
• Farm vehicles
• Off-highway vehicles
• Maintenance or construction vehicles not designed or licensed to operate on highways

By Weight:

• Vehicles with GVWR exceeding 14,000 pounds (potentially 12,000 pounds if HB 1003 is enacted)

By Registration Location:

• Vehicles registered in any of Utah's 24 counties that do not require emissions testing

Special Cases

Farm Vehicles: In some counties, trucks with a GVWR of 12,000 pounds or less may receive an exemption from emissions inspection if the owner submits a completed Farm Truck Plate Application to the county health department.

Alternative Fuel Vehicles: Fully electric vehicles are exempt from all emissions testing. Other alternative fuel vehicles may still be subject to testing depending on their engine configuration and fuel type.

Dealer Sales: Licensed Utah dealers must ensure vehicles sold to residents of Cache, Davis, Salt Lake, Utah, or Weber counties meet emissions testing requirements before delivery. Dealers are not required to test vehicles being sold to residents of counties without emissions requirements.

Costs & Fees Emissions Testing in Utah

Emissions Testing Fees

Utah does not regulate emissions testing fees charged by private inspection stations. Prices vary by location and service provider:

Most inspection stations charge between $30 and $50 for a standard emissions test. Facilities offering "On the Spot" registration renewal services may charge premium fees for the convenience of completing both services in one visit.

County Air Quality Fees

Vehicles registered in emissions testing counties pay an Air Pollution Control (APC) fee annually as part of registration renewal:

This fee supports the administration and operation of the county emissions inspection program.

Emissions Repair Cost Waiver Program

Utah provides a waiver program for vehicles that cannot pass emissions testing despite reasonable repair efforts. Vehicle owners may qualify for a one-year waiver if they meet specific requirements.

Waiver Eligibility Requirements:

1. The vehicle must fail emissions testing at least twice
2. The owner must spend the minimum required amount on emissions-related repairs
3. Repairs must be performed by an ASE-certified mechanic or licensed repair business
4. All repair documentation must be submitted to the county health department

Minimum Repair Costs for Waiver:

Labor charges count toward the waiver amount only if performed by a licensed repair business. Parts costs always count toward the requirement regardless of who performs the installation.

Vehicle owners seeking a waiver should contact their county health department after meeting the expenditure requirement. The waiver is valid for one year from issuance.

Where to Get Emissions Testing in Utah

Utah emissions testing is performed at privately-owned inspection stations licensed by county health departments. The state operates a network of "On the Spot" facilities that combine emissions testing with registration renewal services.

Finding an Inspection Station

On the Spot Renewal Stations:

The On the Spot Renewal Station Locator provides an interactive map to locate stations offering combined emissions testing and registration renewal. These facilities can inspect your vehicle, renew your registration, and issue your new registration decal in a single visit.

County-Specific Resources:

Salt Lake County: Contact the Air Quality Division at (385) 468-3835 or visit the Salt Lake County Vehicle Emissions Program website for station information.

Davis County: Use the Air Check Davis County station directory through the Davis County Environmental Health website or call (801) 525-5100.

Utah County: Search for certified testing facilities by city or zip code using the Utah County Emission Station Search or call (801) 851-7000.

Weber County: Contact Weber-Morgan Health Department at (801) 399-7160 for approved testing station locations.

Cache County: Contact the Bear River Health Department at (435) 792-6500 for testing station information.

National Service Providers:

Major automotive service chains, including Jiffy Lube, Valvoline, and others, offer emissions testing at many Utah locations. Some vehicle dealerships also provide emissions testing services for customer convenience.

Finding Repair Facilities

Vehicles that fail emissions testing must be repaired before passing a retest. Most automotive repair shops can perform emissions-related repairs. For repairs to count toward waiver eligibility, work must be completed by:

• An ASE-certified mechanic, or
• A licensed automotive repair business

Vehicle owners should request detailed invoices documenting all emissions-related repairs, parts installed, and labor charges. This documentation is required when applying for a repair cost waiver.

Emissions Testing and Vehicle Registration in Utah

Initial Registration Requirements

New Vehicle Purchases:

New vehicles purchased with a Manufacturer's Statement of Origin (MSO) are exempt from emissions testing. In Salt Lake, Davis, Weber, and Utah counties, vehicles less than two model years old do not require emissions testing. Vehicle owners should verify their specific exemption status based on model year and county of registration.

Used Vehicle Purchases:

Used vehicles registered in emissions testing counties must comply with testing requirements if the vehicle is subject to testing based on model year. Utah law requires licensed dealers to ensure vehicles sold to residents of Cache, Davis, Salt Lake, Utah, or Weber counties meet emissions requirements before delivery.

When purchasing from a private party, buyers should verify that:

• A current emissions certificate exists, or
• The vehicle is exempt from testing, or
• An emissions test can be completed before registration

The emissions certificate must be provided to the DMV during vehicle registration.

Title Transfers:

Vehicles subject to emissions testing must have a current certificate at the time of title transfer. Annual testing requirements necessitate a test completed in the current calendar year. Biennial testing requirements depend on whether the current year is the appropriate testing cycle for the vehicle's model year.

Renewal Registration Requirements

Testing Frequency:

Testing frequency varies by county and vehicle age:

Salt Lake, Davis, Weber, and Utah Counties:

• Vehicles less than six model years old: Biennial (every two years), based on odd/even model year matching odd/even calendar year
• Vehicles six model years old and older: Annual (every year)

Cache County:

• Gasoline vehicles (1996 and newer), six model years old and older: Annual
• Vehicles less than six model years old: No testing required

Testing Window:

An emissions inspection may be completed no more than two months before registration renewal. Testing completed earlier than two months prior to renewal will not be accepted. Testing stations electronically transmit results to county health departments immediately upon completion.

Certificate Validity:

Emissions certificates are valid for the registration period they cover:

• Annual testing: Certificate valid until next registration renewal
• Biennial testing: Certificate valid for two registration years

The Utah DMV receives emission certificate information electronically from county health departments. Registration renewal cannot be completed until a valid emissions certificate is on file.

Registration Renewal Options:

Utah offers multiple renewal methods:

1. Online Renewal: Renew through the DMV website. The system automatically verifies the mission certificate status before processing renewal.
2. On the Spot Stations: Complete emissions testing and registration renewal in one visit. The station processes renewal immediately after the vehicle passes testing.
3. Mail Renewal: Send renewal forms and payment to the county assessor. A current emissions certificate must be on file before processing.
4. In-Person Renewal: Visit a DMV office or county assessor's office. A valid emissions certificate must be on file.

Advance Renewal:

Registration renewal may be completed up to 60 days before expiration, but emissions testing can only be performed within two months of renewal. This timing limitation may affect early renewal planning.

Out-of-State Vehicle Provisions

New Utah Residents:

Individuals establishing Utah residency and registering a vehicle must comply with emissions requirements if registering in Salt Lake, Davis, Weber, Utah, or Cache County. The vehicle must pass a Utah emissions test before registration if it is subject to testing based on model year.

Out-of-state emissions certificates are not accepted for Utah registration. Vehicles must undergo Utah emissions testing even if recently tested in another state.

Utah Residents Temporarily Out-of-State:

Utah residents temporarily living outside Utah may register vehicles at their permanent Utah address. Emissions requirements apply based on the county of registration.

Residents whose vehicles are located out of state for legitimate reasons (employment, education, military service) may qualify for an out-of-state emissions deferral. Contact the appropriate county health department to request a deferral.

Vehicles in Jurisdictions with Emissions Programs:

Utah residents whose vehicles are temporarily in other states or jurisdictions with emissions programs may be able to use those test results. Contact the appropriate Utah county health department for guidance on accepting out-of-jurisdiction emissions certificates.

Exemption Affidavit

Vehicle owners claiming an exemption from emissions testing must complete Form TC-820, Exemption Affidavit for Utah Emissions Testing. Submit the form to the motor vehicle office with the registration application. Send a certificate of compliance and a copy of Form TC-820 to the local county health department.