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Vehicle Emissions Program

Motor vehicles are responsible for more than 70% of the air pollution that affects our health. When a vehicle is operating properly, its emissions levels are very low. However, a malfunctioning vehicle can emit one hundred times the amount of pollution that it would if it were working properly. Properly tuned and well-maintained vehicles also provide better performance and fuel economy for the owner.

Every day, the program keeps tons of pollutants out of the Salt Lake Valley’s air:

  • 82 tons of carbon monoxide (CO)
  • 4 tons of hydrocarbons (HC)
  • 4 tons of nitrogen oxide (NOx)

Links

A row of cars.

Electric Vehicle Replacement Assistance

If you have an older, higher-polluting vehicle, you may qualify for our Electric Vehicle Replacement Assistance Program (EVRAP).

Learn More

Vehicle Testing

V p SALT LAKE COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT Vehicle Emissions Inspection Station STATION # AIR QUALITY BUREAU SaltLakeHealth.org/air

Vehicles registered in Salt Lake County with model years less than six years old are required to have an emission test once every two years. Vehicles in this category that have even-numbered model years must have an emission test in even-numbered years, and vehicles that have odd-numbered model years must have an emission test in odd-numbered years.

Independent testing facilities located throughout Salt Lake County perform the emissions testing. The Vehicle Emissions Program licenses and regulates the facilities.

Vehicle Model Year Emission Inspection
2026 Not required
2025 Not required
2024 Required
2023 Not required
2022 Required
2021 Not required
2020 to 1968 Required
1967 and older Not required

Exemptions

  • New vehicles with a Manufacturer's Statement of Origin (MSO)
  • Any vehicle of model year 1967 or older
  • Any diesel vehicle of model year 2013 and older with a GVWR 14,001 lbs. and greater
  • Any diesel vehicle of model year 1997 and older with a GVWR less than 14,000 lbs.
  • All implements of husbandry
  • Off highway vehicles
  • Electric vehicles
  • Motorcycles or motor driven cycles
  • Farm vehicles
  • Vintage vehicles* model year 1982 and older
  • Custom vehicles
  • Maintenance or construction vehicles not designed or licensed to operate on a highway

*Vintage vehicles model year 1983 or newer are required to provide proof of an emissions inspection or proof of vehicle insurance that is a type specific to a collector vehicle. See form TC-745, Vintage Vehicle Insurance Affidavit for more information.

Emissions Stations in SLCo
Emissions Stations that Perform Two-Speed Idle Tests
C-745, Vintage Vehicle Insurance Affidavit

Failing Vehicles

RPMx1000 5 CHECK

If your vehicle fails the emissions test:

  • Use a repair facility and technician who is familiar with your vehicle and its emissions system.
  • Secure a written estimate that includes diagnosis and recommended repairs.
  • If you are not satisfied with the estimate or diagnosis, get a second technician's opinion or contact the Air Quality Bureau.
  • Check your vehicle owner's manual for information specific to your vehicle. Many emissions systems are covered by warranties, if still applicable.

You cannot register a failing vehicle in Salt Lake County until it is properly repaired, retested, and passes the test.

In very rare cases, vehicle owners have made repairs toward the major cause of a failed emissions inspection and those repairs have failed to reduce pollution levels to below the standard.

In some of those cases, SLCoHD may issue a waiver to allow a failing vehicle to be registered for that year.

A waiver is a last resort.

A vehicle must meet all 4 requirements below to qualify for a waiver:

  1. failed an emissions inspection with 2 or more trouble codes
  2. received a diagnostic test by a licensed automotive repair facility
  3. received recommended emissions-related repairs, totaling at least $450, from a licensed automotive repair facility
  4. failed a second emissions inspection with at least 1 of the original trouble codes removed (showing that the repairs did provide some improvement)

Waivers are handled on a case-by-case basis and may or may not be granted.

The vehicle must be inspected by a SLCoHD vehicle emissions technician to review all test data and repair records, and to verify the attempted repairs.

Tampered or smoking vehicles are not eligible for waivers.

Using the form below, submit completed waiver applications with paperwork from both emissions inspections, the diagnostic test, and receipt(s) showing the attempted repairs and cost(s).

Out of State Deferrals

If your vehicle resides in another state for a legitimate reason such as work, school, military, etc., you may qualify for an out-of-state emissions deferral.

A deferral from the emissions inspection for an out of state vehicle requires:

  • The form below, completed in full; failure to provide all information will result in delay or denial of deferral.
  • Verification of vehicle location outside the State of Utah. You can verify that the vehicle is outside Utah by submitting:
    • a passing emissions inspection from the jurisdiction where the vehicle is located, OR
    • a VIN verification form from a law enforcement official where the vehicle is located confirming its location.

If your vehicle is located in an area where emissions inspections are required, you must obtain a passing Vehicle Emissions Certificate from that program and upload a copy of it at the end of this form. Law enforcement VIN verification forms cannot be accepted from locations where emissions inspections are required.

Salt Lake County Health Department processes deferral requests only for vehicles registered in Salt Lake County. If your registration address is in one of the following counties, please visit the appropriate link:

We generally process out-of-state deferral requests within 3 business days; if we grant a deferral, you will receive a follow-up email with instructions to complete your vehicle registration.

Stations / Technicians

Permits are not transferable; when a change of ownership occurs at a permitted facility, the new owner must apply for a new permit and pay all applicable fees.

Station Permit Application

Use only the free Adobe Acrobat Reader to complete and submit your application. Web browser PDF viewers may not properly submit your application or form.

The Salt Lake County Health Department, along with other Local Health Departments throughout Utah, received an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) grant through the Utah Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) to administer the Electric Vehicle Replacement Assistance Program (EVRAP). This program will provide direct cash assistance for replacing a vehicle meeting program requirements. Program requirements can be found in Attachment A of this request for applications (RFA). 

EVRAP encourages income-qualified owners of vehicles that are eight years or older, or light-duty vehicles who fail an emission inspection to retire their automobiles early by providing cash assistance via voucher to purchase a replacement electric vehicle within the program grant period, which is available through October 16, 2029, or until funding is exhausted.

This RFA is to recruit automobile dealerships to participate in EVRAP.

Dealerships must be a licensed motor vehicle dealer and meet all minimum requirements listed in this RFA to be eligible to contract with the County through this RFA.

EVRAP Dealership RFA

The Salt Lake County Health Department, along with other Local Health Departments throughout Utah, received an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) grant through the Utah Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) to administer the Electric Vehicle Replacement Assistance Program (EVRAP). This program will provide direct cash assistance for replacing a vehicle meeting program requirements. Program requirements can be found in Attachment A of this request for applications (RFA). 

EVRAP encourages income-qualified owners of vehicles that are eight years or older, or light-duty vehicles who fail an emission inspection to retire their automobiles early by providing cash assistance via voucher to purchase a replacement electric vehicle within the program grant period, which is available through October 16, 2029, or until funding is exhausted.

This RFA is to recruit automobile and other qualified metal recyclers to participate in the recycling component of the EVRAP. The automobile recycling component of EVRAP renders vehicles replaced through the program inoperable and recycles those vehicles according to industry standards.  

Recyclers must hold a current business license and meet all requirements listed in this RFA to be eligible to contract with the County through this RFA. 

EVRAP Recycler RFA