Whether you are registering your vehicle for the first time or you are renewing your registration for your vehicle, you are probably going to need a smog check and vehicle inspection. These inspections include emissions inspections for all vehicles and safety inspections for only commercial and for-hire vehicles. New residents typically have 30 days to register their vehicles, and an emissions inspection must be completed before registering your vehicle. You may have to show proof of residency at the time of your inspection and vehicles can be charged a $20 late fee for every month that the inspection is not completed. Keep reading for more tips and tricks to make sure that your vehicle passes a smog or emissions test.
Completing Your Smog Check and Safety Test
There are some things you need to have to complete your emissions and safety test for your vehicle. First, if your registration is expired, you will be required to provide your vehicle registration, your valid driver’s license, your proof of insurance, and your proof of residency. After you have completed this, vehicles will be inspected on a first come, first serve basis unless you schedule an appointment with an inspection station. Once you are there, present the worker with a renewal notice, have your registration information ready, and follow the instructions given to you by the worker. All fees for the inspection will be collected at the end as part of your registration fees.
Failing an Inspection
Failing a smog check inspection is hard to do. However, it does happen in some rare cases. If you are given a warning for minor defects at the end of your inspection, you will be able to register or renew your vehicle so long as you fix the defect before the next inspection, which is usually in two years. If you fail your inspection, you will have 20 days to repair your vehicle and then have it retested.
You may fail your smog check inspection if the worker is unable to test your vehicle due to smoke, visible damage to exhaust, exhaust leaks, other signs of leakage, unsafe tires, ineffective brakes, or if the red check engine light is illuminated.
Questions? The United States Vehicle Registration Services Wants to Help You!
If you still have questions regarding emissions testing, get in touch with us and fill out our online form. Be sure to leave your name, phone number, email address, and a short summary of how we can best help you. You can also feel free to give us a call at 202-342-2558 or email us at greg@usvrs.com. We can help you navigate the DMV in DC or Virginia or the MVA in Maryland. For tips, tricks, and updates, be sure that you follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and other social media platforms.