About Pennsylvania State Vehicle Inspection
An Overview
Who Must Get Inspected
Anyone operating a motor vehicle on public roads, and who is a resident of the state of PA, must get a yearly inspection.
Where To Go
In order to get your vehicle inspected, you must go to an official PENNDOT inspection station. These are marked by a sign that states they are an official PA inspection station. They are generally repair garages or service stations. The person who inspects your vehicle must be licensed to do so.
Safety Inspection
There are different regulations for each class of vehicle. They are as follows.
Car or light-duty truck: These systems will be inspected to be sure they are complete and in safe working order: brake system, body and chassis, defrost, electrical systems, exhaust systems, fuel systems, glass and mirrors, horn, lighting system, odometer, steering, suspension, tires, and windshield wipers and washing system. Your vehicle will also be checked to be sure any required emissions systems or units have not been tampered with or removed.
All Other Trucks and Buses: The following systems will be inspected: brakes, body and chassis, defrost, electrical systems, exhaust systems, fuel systems, glass and mirrors, horn, lighting system, odometer, steering, suspension, tires, and windshield wipers and wiper fluid system.
Recreational, Semi, and Utility Trailers: These systems will be inspected: brakes, body and chassis, electrical system, any glass, lights, suspension, and tires.
Motorcycles: The following systems will be inspected: brakes, body and chassis, electrical systems, exhaust systems, fuel systems, glass and mirrors, horn, lighting system, odometer, steering, suspension, tires, and windshield wipers and washing system.
Emissions Inspection
There are four different regions within PA that require emissions testing on vehicles. If you live in any of these counties you are required by law to have emissions testing done with your standard vehicle safety inspection.
Emissions testing consists of the following systems in your vehicle: ignition, air induction, fuel metering, early fuel evaporative, air injection, positive crankcase ventilation, evaporative emission control, exhaust gas recirculation, and exhaust gas conversion.
Emissions are tested in the following counties on vehicles that are made in the year 1995 to present.
Philadelphia Region: Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery, and Philadelphia counties.
Pittsburgh Region: Allegheny, Beaver, Washington, and Westmoreland Counties.
Northern Region: Blair, Cambria, Centre, Erie, Lackawanna, Luzerne, Lycoming, and Mercer counties.
South Central Region: Berks, Cumberland, Dauphin, Lancaster, Lebanon, Lehigh, Northampton, and York counties.
Other: The rest of PA's counties are not required to have emissions testing at this time. However, they are subject to a visual inspection of any emission devices on the automobile to be sure they have not been tampered with or removed. Classic or collectible vehicles (as registered) are exempt.
Expiration
The expiration on your sticker should coincide with your vehicle registration renewal. You have until the end of the month stated on your sticker to get a your inspection. After that time expires, you will be subject to a fine.
If your sticker has expired while you are out of state for thirty days or more, you have ten days to get the vehicle inspected upon your return.
More Information
If you would like to obtain the Pennsylvania Safety Inspection Manual you can do so by sending check or money order for $3.18 to: Vehicle Inspection Division, P.O. Box 68697, Harrisburg, PA, 17106-8697. Make your payment out to 'Commonwealth of PA'.
Published by Amy Mullen
Amy lives in upstate New York. When she isn't writing she is encouraging her children to dream big. View profile
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- The expiration on your sticker should coincide with your vehicle registration renewal.
- There are different regulations for each class of vehicle.
- In order to get your vehicle inspected, you must go to an official PENNDOT inspection station.
31 Comments
Post a CommentIf a vehicle had 3 catalytic converters & 1 was removed, will it still pass inspection in one of the many counties that do not require emissions testing? I was told if there is at least ONE catalytic converter it WILL Pass. Is that true?
does ur windowns have to go up and down my drivers side window is broken and isnt moble
pa inspection is just a scam.cars account for less than one tenth of one percent of pollution.all emissions inspection does is keep mechanics employed.everyone needs to write to senators and congressmen and say we are tired of being raped for all this money and we want an end to state and emmission inspections!!!!!!!!!!!
Nothing but a huge money grab by mechanics, police and courts. I take my ride in get it inspected, if they fail it I fix it myself. 9 times out of ten they pass it once they realize they wont make no $$$ off me. Stupid backwards azz state PA is.
Ken - Yes, there are.
I am getting ready to move to Pennsylvania are there any rust laws in PA?
where do we go to see about taking classes and test to be able to get our state inspection license?
can a car dealer sell you a car without it being inspected first?
I'll be out of the country for four months starting in May. My emissions and safety test stickers are dated June, 2010. I would like to have the new inspection done early, in April. Is this allowed? What is the time frame for new inspections?
I just heard that if you do not drive your car over a certain number of miles yearly, you do not need to pay for an emissions test in PA Is this true and if so what is the stated number of miles???