Do Teslas Need To Be Inspected? (Rules Per State)

Inspection requirements are changing for electric vehicles.

This leaves many people who own Teslas – and other electric vehicles – wondering what exactly those requirements are.

As it can be a bit confusing, we put together this simple and straightforward guide to answer that question.

Types of Vehicle Inspections

Many states require two common forms of inspections.

#1 An Emission Test

One of these is an emissions test. An emissions test simply measures your vehicle’s impact on the environment by determining the level of pollutants they give off. As Teslas do not give off any emissions, you don’t have to worry about this test.

#2 Safety Inspection Test

The other common type of inspection is a safety inspection for all cars, including Teslas. A safety inspection takes a look at all features of your car to ensure it’s safe to drive. These include your lights, tires, brakes, mirrors, and more.

Not all states require one, and those that do tend to have varied requirements as to how often they need to be inspected.

Keep in mind, though, that this type of inspection is valuable to you, your passengers, and anyone on the road around you.

Even if your state doesn’t require one, it’s never a bad idea to get one done.

Some states require a third type of inspection, known as a VIN inspection.

This inspection is used to ensure your vehicle matches the information in the database, including:

• the VIN,
• the make and model,
• the type of vehicle,
• your license plate,
• the mileage,
• the fuel type,
• and even the color.

The VIN inspection is not a common one like the other two, but it is sometimes used if you buy the vehicle from another state or you are transferring the title.

Required Vehicle Inspections By State

Again, as Teslas do not give off emissions, an emissions or smog test is not necessary.

You’ll find information regarding the VIN inspection and safety inspection for each state as of 2022 below.

Alabama

• No safety inspection required
• VIN inspection is required for registering vehicles from other states

Alaska

• No safety inspection required
• VIN inspection not typically required

Arizona

• No safety inspection required
• VIN inspection not typically required

Arkansas

• No safety inspection required
• VIN inspection required for registering vehicles from other states

California

• No safety inspection required
• VIN inspection required for registering vehicles from other states

Colorado

• No safety inspection required
• VIN inspection required for registering vehicles from other states

Connecticut

• No safety inspection required
• VIN inspection required for registering vehicles from other states

Delaware

• Safety inspection required every two years
• VIN inspection required for registering vehicles from other states

Florida

• No safety inspection required
• VIN inspection required for registering vehicles from other states

Georgia

• No safety inspection required
• VIN inspection required for registering vehicles from other states

Hawaii

• Safety inspections required every year
• VIN inspection not typically required

Idaho

• No safety inspection required
• VIN inspection required for registering vehicles from other states

Illinois

• No safety inspection required
• VIN inspection not typically required

Indiana

• No safety inspection required
• VIN inspection required for registering vehicles from other states

Iowa

• No safety inspection required
• VIN inspection not typically required

Kansas

• No safety inspection required
• VIN inspection required for registering vehicles from other states

Kentucky

• No safety inspection required
• VIN inspection required for registering vehicles from other states

Louisiana

• Safety inspection required before registering your vehicle and then once to twice per year, depending on where in Louisiana you live
• VIN inspection not typically required

Maine

• Safety inspections required every year
• VIN inspection required for registering vehicles from other states

Maryland

• Safety inspection required before sale or transfer of vehicle
• VIN inspection not typically required

Massachusetts

• Safety inspection required before registering your vehicle and each year after
• VIN inspection not typically required

Michigan

• No safety inspection required
• VIN inspection not typically required

Minnesota

• No safety inspection required
• VIN inspection not typically required

Mississippi

• No safety inspection required
• VIN inspection not typically required

Missouri

• Safety inspection required before registering your vehicle and every other year
• VIN inspection required for registering vehicles from other states

Montana

• No safety inspection required
• VIN inspection not typically required

Nebraska

• No safety inspection required
• VIN inspection required for registering vehicles from other states

Nevada

• No safety inspection required
• VIN inspection required for registering vehicles from other states

New Hampshire

• Safety inspection required before registering your vehicle and every year after
• VIN inspection required for registering vehicles from other states

New Jersey

• No safety inspection required
• VIN inspection not typically required

New Mexico

• No safety inspection required
• VIN inspection required for registering vehicles from other states

New York

• Safety inspection required before registering your vehicle and every year after
• VIN inspection not typically required

North Carolina

• Safety inspection required before registering your vehicle and every year after

North Dakota

• No safety inspection required
• VIN inspection not typically required

Ohio

• No safety inspection required
• VIN inspection required for registering vehicles from other states

Oklahoma

• No safety inspection required
• VIN inspection required for registering vehicles from other states

Oregon

• No safety inspection required
• VIN inspection required for registering vehicles from other states

Pennsylvania

• Safety inspection required before registering your vehicle and every year after
• VIN inspection required for registering vehicles from other states

Rhode Island

• Safety inspection required before registering your vehicle and every other year
• VIN inspection required for registering vehicles from other states

South Carolina

• No safety inspection required
• VIN inspection not typically required

South Dakota

• No safety inspection required
• VIN inspection not typically required

Tennessee

• No safety inspection required
• VIN inspection not typically required

Texas

• Safety inspection required before registering your vehicle and every year after
• VIN inspection required for registering vehicles from other states

Utah

• No safety inspection generally required for vehicles under 10 years old
• VIN inspection required for registering vehicles from other states

Vermont

• Safety inspection required before registering your vehicle and every year after
• VIN inspection required for registering vehicles from other states

Virginia

• Safety inspection required before registering your vehicle and every year after
• VIN inspection not typically required

Washington

• No safety inspection required
• VIN inspection not typically required

West Virginia

• Safety inspection required before registering your vehicle and every year after
• VIN inspection not typically required

Wisconsin

• No safety inspection required
• VIN inspection not typically required

Wyoming

• No safety inspection required
• VIN inspection not typically required

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