Pennsylvania State Inspection & Emissions Testing

All Pennsylvania vehicles must be inspected by a certified state inspection station facility annually. This ensures that vehicles are safe, maintained properly and generally road worthy. The Pennsylvania state inspection program checks vehicle features such as brakes, tires, suspension components, exhaust systems and vehicle lighting to make sure that all are present and properly working. Having your car inspected annually not only adds value, but ensures it's safe and properly maintained. Many times when vehicles are first inspected in Pennsylvania and come from a neighboring state it may need a few repairs to pass. Passing vehicles are adorned a sticker affixed to the lower left corner of the windshield and are generally good for 1 year.

If you live in one of the counties in Pennsylvania that require emissions testing you may be required to pass this before a safety inspection can commence. Emissions testing is done by plugging your 1995 or newer vehicle into a computer so that Pennsylvania can determine if there are any faults with the engine that would cause excess emissions from the tail pipe. Generally, if the check engine light is illuminated or blinking while driving; this can indicate a problem with the engine and resulting emissions test. Diesel vehicles are not required to pass an emissions test.