Do You Need A Smog Check Before Registering Car In Colorado

All vehicle owners in Colorado must understand and bide by the land'south emissions requirements. Failure to exercise so tin can lead to fines and other penalties. In most cases, it'south relatively like shooting fish in a barrel for a commuter to bring their vehicle into compliance with the latest emissions standards in Colorado. If you bulldoze in Colorado, accept time to review the state's emissions requirements to ensure your vehicle complies. If it is not, you'll demand to arrange service for your vehicle or purchase a new vehicle.

Colorado emissions requirements

The electric current emissions inspection programme in Colorado began in 1995 and has undergone several changes over the past few years to account for different types of vehicles. No matter what blazon of vehicle you bulldoze in Colorado, yous must ensure your vehicle complies with all applicable emissions standards. If you schedule an emissions test for your vehicle and it does not pass, you are responsible for whatever repairs the vehicle needs to laissez passer emissions standards. You cannot renew your vehicle'due south registration until you lot accommodate these repairs. Yous should check your auto insurance policy, as your coverage may include some corporeality for emissions repairs.

What Vehicles Require Emissions Testing?

A vehicle emissions test is necessary for the registration of most vehicles in Colorado. The owner of the vehicle must adapt for an emissions exam when they renew the vehicle's registration, and Colorado applies like standards to most types of vehicles in the state. The land does enforce separate standards for gasoline and diesel engines. Whenever someone buys a vehicle in Colorado, the seller must provide proof of a contempo emissions test that was not previously used to register the vehicle or renew its registration. Hybrid vehicles must as well consummate emissions testing if they are eight years one-time or older.

Vehicles with a model year of 1981 or newer must undergo emissions testing one time every two years. The vehicle possessor tin arrange an emissions exam at an Air Care Colorado testing site. If a vehicle has a model twelvemonth prior to 1981, the vehicle owner must accommodate an emissions test every yr. There are some exceptions to Colorado'southward emissions testing requirements, but these exceptions generally just apply to vehicles that qualify as collector's items.

Penalties for Failing Emissions Testing or Refusing an Emissions Test

You cannot renew your vehicle's registration without a passing emissions examination. If your vehicle fails an emissions inspection, you must pay for any necessary repairs to bring information technology up to code. If you own a gasoline-powered vehicle that requires more $715 in repairs to bring information technology within emissions compliance standards, you may qualify for a repair waiver that'south valid for i emissions testing flow. Lite-duty diesel fuel-powered vehicles tin can qualify for waivers with $750 or more in necessary repairs, and heavy-duty diesel fuel-powered vehicles tin qualify with $one,500 or more in necessary repairs. A waiver allows the vehicle to be registered without complying with emissions standards.

When your vehicle'south registration expires, at that place is a 30-24-hour interval grace period in which you must arrange an emissions test. If it takes yous longer than 30 days, you face a $25 penalty for each month upwards to a maximum of $100. You lot'll need to pay this penalty once your vehicle passes an emissions examination and qualifies for registration renewal. While this may seem like a calorie-free penalty, y'all can be ticketed by police force for driving with an expired registration. Scheduling emissions testing may seem similar an unnecessary bother, merely your emissions tests could potentially reveal auto defects or other problems that could potentially crusade an accident. Meeting your emissions testing requirements not only helps to preserve Colorado's air quality simply tin can also potentially prevent an accident.

FAQs

Q: What Year Vehicles Are Exempt from Emissions Testing in Colorado?

A: Vehicles from the model year 1975 and earlier are exempt from emissions testing requirements and mileage restrictions. However, the vehicle's owner must register the vehicle every bit a collector's item. If a vehicle has a model year of 1975 or earlier and has not been registered as a collector's detail, the vehicle's possessor must adjust for an annual emissions test.

Q: What Vehicles Are Exempt from Emissions Testing in Colorado?

A: Colorado currently does not crave emissions testing for vehicles from the model years of 2017 through 2022. Vehicles of the model year 2016 require emissions testing if there is any transfer of ownership. Additionally, all-electric vehicles and street rods are exempt from emissions testing in Colorado. Other exempt vehicles include model year 1976 or newer that were registered as collector's items prior to September 1, 2019.

Q: Practice All Colorado Cars Need Emissions Testing?

A: If you are unsure whether your vehicle requires emissions testing in Colorado, you lot can contact your local Sectionalisation of Motor Vehicles (DMV) office. Your vehicle registration form volition also likely include a notice that emissions testing is required for renewal. Vehicles from model years 1976 to 1990 that practise not accept collector plates likewise require emissions testing. Model years 1976 to 1981 crave annual testing, and model years 1982 to 1990 crave testing every ii years.

Q: When Does a New Vehicle Demand its Kickoff Emissions Test?

A: Colorado's emissions testing requirements extend to the first viii years of a vehicle's operating life after manufacturing. Currently, model years 2017 to 2022 are exempt from emissions testing, but model years 2016 require emissions testing before a transfer of buying. Typically, if you are selling a vehicle in Colorado, you must provide proof of a passed emissions examination to the buyer. The emissions test must not have already been used to annals the vehicle or renew its registration.

Learn More than From the Police Firm of Jeremy Rosenthal

It'southward natural to have questions about your emissions testing requirements in Colorado. The Colorado DMV can provide useful guidance to ensure your vehicle complies with applicable emissions testing standards. If your vehicle requires repairs that yous cannot afford, you tin potentially authorize for a waiver that will allow you to continue driving. If you have been injured in an accident and believe your vehicle requires all-encompassing repairs, including those necessary for passing emissions testing, the driver who caused the accident is likely responsible for these costs. Contact the Police force Firm of Jeremy Rosenthal today and schedule a consultation if you lot need legal advice following a machine accident in Colorado.