In Utah, most passenger vehicles are no longer subject to mandatory safety inspections, a change implemented in 2018.1Utah State Legislature. HB0265 – Vehicle Safety Inspections Amendments While emissions testing continues in specific counties, drivers need to understand current safety check requirements, which vehicles are affected, and the consequences of non-compliance. Knowing these laws helps ensure vehicles meet legal standards and operators avoid potential fines.
Legal Authorization for Inspections
Although routine safety inspections for many private vehicles in Utah were discontinued in 2018, the state retains the authority to mandate inspections in certain situations. This power is based on Utah’s statutes. The 2017 legislative act that removed periodic safety checks for many non-commercial vehicles did not eliminate the state’s ability to require inspections under specific conditions.
The Utah State Legislature enacts and amends these inspection laws, defining which vehicles require checks, their frequency, and the standards. Enforcement is handled by the Department of Public Safety (DPS) and the Utah Highway Patrol (UHP), who may inspect vehicles believed to be unsafe or improperly equipped.2Utah State Legislature. Utah Code Section 53-8-205 Safety Inspection and Peace Officer Authority
The DPS can establish rules for any mandated inspections. The 2018 change primarily affected which vehicles need periodic checks, not the state’s fundamental power to oversee vehicle safety.
Vehicles Subject to Inspection
Following legislative changes, the types of vehicles in Utah still requiring safety inspections are now more targeted.
Salvage vehicles that have been rebuilt must pass a safety inspection to obtain a rebuilt title and initial registration, as outlined in Utah Code Section 41-1a-1001.3Utah DMV. Salvage Vehicles and Branded Titles This verifies the vehicle is safe and operable.
Street-legal All-Terrain Vehicles (ATVs) and novel vehicles also face inspection requirements. An off-highway vehicle seeking first-time registration as a street-legal ATV (Utah Code Section 41-6a-1509), or a novel vehicle (Utah Code Section 41-27-201) applying for initial street-legal registration, must pass a safety inspection.4Utah State Legislature. Utah Code Section 41-6a-1509 Street-Legal ATV Requirements For street-legal ATVs, this inspection is also necessary upon each change of ownership requiring re-registration.
Commercial vehicles are a significant category subject to ongoing inspections. Those defined in Utah Code Section 72-9-102, operating in interstate commerce with a Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) or Gross Combination Weight Rating (GCWR) of 10,001 pounds or more, need an annual safety inspection. This annual requirement also applies to commercial vehicles with a GVWR or GCWR of 26,001 pounds or more, whether operating interstate or intrastate.5DPS – Highway Patrol. Safety Inspection A federal inspection compliant with 49 C.F.R. Section 396.17 can fulfill this state requirement.6Electronic Code of Federal Regulations (eCFR). 49 CFR 396.17 Periodic Inspection
Vehicles transporting passengers for hire, including buses, vans, and taxicabs, must undergo annual safety inspections. Vehicles operated by ground transportation service providers (Utah Code Section 72-10-601) also require these yearly checks.
School buses are subject to stringent protocols. Under Utah Code Section 53-8-211, school buses managed by educational entities must pass an annual safety inspection conducted according to DPS rules.7Utah State Legislature. Utah Code Section 53-8-211 Safety Inspection of School Buses The Utah Highway Patrol also performs random safety checks on these buses.
Certain larger non-commercial vehicles also require annual inspections. This includes motor vehicles with three or more axles, those pulling a trailer, or those towing a trailer with multiple axles. Motorhomes with three axles are included. Most pickup trucks are not, unless meeting other criteria such as pulling a multi-axle trailer.
Exemptions from Inspection
While certain vehicles require inspections, Utah law also provides exemptions. The most notable change removed periodic safety inspections for the majority of private passenger vehicles and light trucks.
Other specific vehicle types are also excused from safety inspections:
- Motorcycles and motor-driven cycles.
- Farm vehicles (implements of husbandry).
- Off-highway vehicles, unless being registered as street-legal for the first time.
- Vehicles used primarily for maintenance or construction that are not designed or licensed for highway operation.
Emissions testing, a separate requirement from safety inspections, continues in certain Utah counties. Exemptions for emissions tests include new vehicles, vehicles of a certain age (like model year 1967 or older, with some county variations), fully electric vehicles, and certain diesel-powered vehicles based on age and weight.8Utah State Tax Commission. TC-820 Exemption Affidavit for Utah Emission Testing Owners should verify specific county requirements for emissions testing.
Documentation and Validation
When a safety inspection is mandated in Utah, specific documentation validates compliance.9Utah State Tax Commission. TC-661 Certificate of Inspection For rebuilt salvage vehicles, an inspection certificate is necessary for titling and registration. Those registering street-legal ATVs or novel vehicles must obtain a safety inspection certificate for the DMV to grant on-road status.
Commercial vehicles subject to annual inspections must display proof of compliance, often a certificate or decal. Motor carriers must also maintain records of inspection, repair, and maintenance (Utah Code Section 72-9-603). Documentation from a compliant federal inspection can serve as valid proof.
Vehicles for hire, such as buses and taxicabs, and those used by ground transportation services, also need an annual certificate or sticker from an authorized station. For school buses, educational entities must maintain detailed inspection records. Larger non-commercial vehicles requiring checks also receive a certificate or sticker. The Utah State Tax Commission uses these documents for vehicle registration.
Penalties for Noncompliance
Failure to comply with Utah’s mandated vehicle inspection requirements can result in penalties. Operating a vehicle in an unsafe mechanical condition or not equipped as required by law is a class C misdemeanor (Utah Code Section 41-6a-1601).10Utah State Legislature. Utah Code Section 41-6a-1601 Unsafe Vehicle Operation Penalties This can lead to fines and potential jail time, even if a periodic inspection was not mandated for that vehicle, if law enforcement deems it unsafe.
For commercial vehicles, noncompliance with safety standards, including failure to maintain required inspection and repair records, can lead to significant fines from state authorities or under Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration regulations. Such violations can also result in operational sanctions.
If vehicles like rebuilt salvage vehicles or street-legal ATVs are operated without the necessary safety inspection certificate, they cannot be legally registered or used on public roads. Attempting to use fraudulent documentation can bring more severe charges. For school buses, failure by an education entity to meet inspection and maintenance standards can result in administrative actions and heightened liability.
Beyond direct legal penalties, noncompliance may lead to a vehicle being taken out of service until repaired and inspected. This can incur towing and repair costs and cause significant disruption, especially for commercial operators.