Sometimes it can be confusing with all the different rules about safety and emissions testing when you may need it and what exactly needs to be in good working order.
It can actually differ from state to state what is needed, so, I'll be focusing on the requirements for Utah.
The times that you should have your safety inspection done are actually different than when you should have your emission testing done.
How old your car is also plays an important role in when you need to have it inspected.
The timing for safety testing is rather simple.
If your car is 1-8 years old, you only are required to come in every two years to get it inspected.
If it is 9 years or older, you are then required to come in every year.
For emission testing, if the car is 1-6 years old, then you only have to bring it in every 2 years.
Any older than 6 years, and you are required to bring it in for testing every year.
Remember, it is important that your vehicle does not pass its registration date.
If so, you may not be able to get a company to do the testing.
You'll have to get a temporary registration from your DMV.
Emissions and safety inspections can come back a negative and require some additional work before they will be able to give you your safety and emissions papers to be taken to your DMV.
These problems can sometimes be little and feel inconvenient but they must be fixed before you'll be able to register your car again.
The best way to insure that your car will pass safety and emissions the first time is to periodically do maintenance work.
Make sure that little things like the engine light or other lights aren't always coming on, and if they are get it checked out.
Don't think that the light coming on doesn't mean anything because it is a sign that something in the engine has changed.
If you have now realized that this is your year for safety and emissions, get right on it.
Don't wait till the last day because that is usually when you forget.