H.B. 14 Enrolled

MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY INSPECTION
1998 GENERAL SESSION
STATE OF UTAH
Sponsor: Wayne A. Harper
AN ACT RELATING TO MOTOR VEHICLES; AMENDING THE FREQUENCY OF
REQUIRED VEHICLE SAFETY INSPECTIONS; AMENDING FEES; AND PROVIDING
AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
This act affects sections of Utah Code Annotated 1953 as follows:
AMENDS:
41-1a-203, as last amended by Chapter 360, Laws of Utah 1997
41-1a-205, as last amended by Chapter 234, Laws of Utah 1993
41-6-163.6, as last amended by Chapter 70, Laws of Utah 1997
53-8-204, as last amended by Chapter 28, Laws of Utah 1995
53-8-205, as renumbered and amended by Chapters 26 and 234, Laws of Utah 1993
53-8-206, as last amended by Chapter 12, Laws of Utah 1994
Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
Section 1. Section 41-1a-203 is amended to read:
41-1a-203. Prerequisites for registration.
(1) Except as otherwise provided, prior to registration a vehicle must have:
(a) an identification number inspection under Section 41-1a-204 ;
(b) passed the safety inspection, if required in the current year, as provided under Sections
41-1a-205 and 53-8-205 ;
(c) passed the emissions inspection, if required in the current year, as provided under
Section 41-6-163.6 ;
(d) paid property taxes, the in lieu fee, or received a property tax clearance under Section
41-1a-206 or 41-1a-207 ;
(e) paid the automobile driver education tax required by Section 41-1a-208 ;
(f) paid the applicable registration fee under Part 12, Fee and Tax Requirements;
(g) paid the uninsured motorist identification fee under Section 41-1a-1218 , if applicable;

and
(h) paid the motor carrier fee under Section 41-1a-1219 , if applicable.
(2) In addition to the requirements in Subsection (1), an owner whose vehicle has not been
previously registered or that is currently registered under a previous owner's name must also apply
for a valid certificate of title in the owner's name prior to registration.
(3) A new registration, transfer of ownership, or registration renewal under Section 73-18-7
may not be issued for a vessel or outboard motor that is subject to the title provisions of this chapter
unless a certificate of title has been or is in the process of being issued in the same owner's name.
(4) A new registration, transfer of ownership, or registration renewal under Section 41-22-3
may not be issued for an off-highway vehicle that is subject to the titling provisions of this chapter
unless a certificate of title has been or is in the process of being issued in the same owner's name.
Section 2. Section 41-1a-205 is amended to read:
41-1a-205. Safety inspection certificate required for renewal or registration of motor
vehicle -- Exemptions.
(1) [A] If required in the current year, a safety inspection certificate, as required by Section
53-8-205 , or proof of exemption from safety inspection shall be presented at the time of, and as a
condition of, registration or renewal of registration of a motor vehicle.
(2) (a) The safety inspection required under this section may be made no more than two
months prior to the renewal of registration, except as provided in Subsection (2)(b).
(b) (i) To renew the registration of a used car, the title of which has been transferred or is
to be transferred, a safety inspection certificate received by the previous owner during the past two
months may be presented to the division.
(ii) If the transferor is a licensed and bonded used motor vehicle dealer, a safety inspection
certificate issued in a licensed and bonded motor vehicle dealer's name during the previous six
months may be presented to the division.
(3) The following motor vehicles are exempt from this section:
(a) a new motor vehicle when registered the first time, provided a new car predelivery
inspection has been made by a dealer; and

- 2 -

(b) a motor vehicle required to be registered under this chapter that bears a dealer plate or
other special plate under Title 41, Chapter 3, Part 5, Special Dealer License Plates, except that if the
motor vehicle is propelled by its own power and is not being moved for repair or dismantling, the
motor vehicle shall comply with Section 41-6-155 regarding safe mechanical condition.
(4) (a) A safety inspection certificate shall be displayed on:
(i) all registered commercial motor vehicles with a gross vehicle weight rating of 26,000
pounds or more;
(ii) a motor vehicle with three or more axles, pulling a trailer, or pulling a trailer with
multiple axles;
(iii) a combination unit; and
(iv) a bus or van for hire.
(b) A commercial vehicle under Subsection (a) is exempt from the requirements of
Subsection (1).
(5) A motor vehicle may be sold and the title assigned to the new owner without a valid
safety inspection, but the motor vehicle may not be registered in the new owner's name until the
motor vehicle complies with this section.
Section 3. Section 41-6-163.6 is amended to read:
41-6-163.6. Emissions inspection -- County program.
(1) The legislative body of each county required under federal law to utilize a motor vehicle
emissions inspection and maintenance program or in which an emissions inspection and maintenance
program is necessary to attain or maintain any national ambient air quality standard shall require:
(a) a certificate of emissions inspection, a waiver, or other evidence the motor vehicle is
exempt from emissions inspection and maintenance program requirements be presented:
(i) as a condition of registration or renewal of registration; and
(ii) at other times as the county legislative body may require to enforce inspection
requirements for individual motor vehicles, except that the county legislative body may not routinely
require a certificate of emission inspection, or waiver of such certificate, more often than annually;
and

- 3 -

(b) all motor vehicles owned by or being used by all departments, instrumentalities,
agencies, and employees of the federal government, the state and any of its agencies, and all political
subdivisions of the state including school districts and registered or principally operated in that
county comply with this section.
(2) The legislative body of a county identified in Subsection (1) shall make rules regarding
emissions standards, test procedures, inspections stations, repair requirements and dollar limits for
correction of deficiencies, and certificates of emissions inspections which are determined necessary
by the county legislative body in consultation with the Air Quality Board created in Section
19-1-106 to attain or maintain ambient air quality standards in the county, consistent with the state
implementation plan and federal requirements. The county legislative body and the board shall give
preference to an inspection and maintenance program that is:
(a) decentralized, to the extent the decentralized program will attain and maintain ambient
air quality standards and meet federal requirements;
(b) the most cost effective means to achieve and maintain the maximum benefit with regard
to ambient air quality standards and to meet federal air quality requirements as related to vehicle
emissions; and
(c) providing a reasonable phase-out period for replacement of air pollution emission testing
equipment made obsolete by the program, but only to the extent the phase-out may be accomplished
in accordance with applicable federal requirements and the phase-out does not otherwise interfere
with the attainment and maintenance of ambient air quality standards. The rules may allow for a
phase-in of the program by geographical area.
(3) Agricultural implements of husbandry and any motor vehicle that meets the definition
of a farm truck under Section 41-1a-102 and has a gross vehicle weight rating of 12,001 pounds or
more are exempt from this section.
(4) (a) The legislative body of a county identified in Subsection (1) shall exempt any pickup
truck, as defined in Section 41-1a-102 , having a gross vehicle weight of 12,000 pounds or less from
the emission inspection requirements of this section if the registered owner of the pickup truck signs
and submits to the legislative body an affidavit stating the truck is used:

- 4 -

(i) by the owner or operator of a farm located on property that qualifies as land in
agricultural use under Sections 59-2-502 and 59-2-503 ; and
(ii) exclusively for the following purposes in operating the farm:
(A) for the transportation of farm products, including livestock and its products, poultry and
its products, floricultural and horticultural products; and
(B) in the transportation of farm supplies, including tile, fence, and every other thing or
commodity used in agricultural, floricultural, horticultural, livestock, and poultry production and
maintenance.
(b) The county shall provide to the registered owner who signs and submits an affidavit
under this section a certificate of exemption from emission inspection requirements for purposes of
registering the exempt vehicle.
(5) (a) Each college or university located in a county subject to this section shall require its
students and employees who park any motor vehicle on its campus or property that is not registered
in a county subject to this section to provide proof of compliance with an emissions inspection
accepted by the county legislative body.
(b) College or university parking areas that are metered or for which payment is required per
use are not subject to the requirements of this subsection.
(6) (a) An emissions inspection station shall issue a certificate of emissions inspection for
each motor vehicle that meets the inspection and maintenance program requirements established in
rules made under Subsection (2).
(b) The emissions inspection shall be required at least annually, but the county may require
the inspection at least biennially for vehicles that are five or fewer years old on January 1.
(c) If the county chooses to require biennial inspections for a vehicle under Subsection (b),
the inspection shall be required for the vehicle in:
(i) odd-numbered years for vehicles with odd-numbered model years; or
(ii) in even-numbered years for vehicles with even-numbered model years.
(d) A vehicle's age is determined by the model year of the vehicle.
(7) [If Section 53-8-205 regarding safety inspections is in effect, the] The emissions

- 5 -

inspection shall be required[, in the years it is required under Subsection (6),] within the same time
limit applicable to a safety inspection under Section [ 53-8-205 ] 41-1a-205 .
(8) (a) Counties identified in Subsection (1) shall collect information about and monitor the
program.
(b) The counties shall supply this information to an appropriate legislative committee, as
designated by the Legislative Management Committee, at times determined by that designated
committee to identify program needs, including funding needs.
Section 4. Section 53-8-204 is amended to read:
53-8-204. Division duties -- Official inspection stations -- Permits -- Fees -- Suspension
or revocation -- Utah-based interstate commercial motor carriers.
(1) The division shall:
(a) conduct examinations of every safety inspection station permit applicant and safety
inspector certificate applicant to determine whether the applicant is properly equipped and qualified
to make safety inspections;
(b) issue safety inspection station permits and safety inspector certificates to qualified
applicants;
(c) establish application, renewal, and reapplication fees in accordance with Section
63-38-3.2 for safety inspection station permits and safety inspector certificates;
(d) provide instructions and all necessary forms, including safety inspection certificates, to
safety inspection stations for the inspection of motor vehicles and the issuance of the safety
inspection certificates;
(e) charge a [$1] $1.50 fee for each safety inspection certificate;
(f) investigate complaints regarding safety inspection stations and safety inspectors;
(g) compile and publish all applicable safety inspection laws, rules, instructions, and
standards and distribute them to all safety inspection stations and provide updates to the compiled
laws, rules, instructions, and standards as needed;
(h) establish a fee in accordance with Section 63-38-3.2 to cover the cost of compiling and
publishing the safety inspection laws, rules, instructions, and standards and any updates; and

- 6 -

(i) assist the council in conducting its meetings and hearings.
(2) (a) (i) Receipts from the fees established in accordance with Subsection (1)(h) are fixed
collections to be used by the division for [all] the expenses of the Utah Highway Patrol incurred
under [this section] Subsection (1)(h).
[(b)] (ii) Funds received in excess of [these] the expenses under Subsection (1)(h) shall be
deposited in the Transportation Fund.
(b) (i) The first $.50 of the fee under Subsection (1)(e) is a dedicated credit to be used solely
by the Utah Highway Patrol for the expenses of administering this section.
(ii) Funds in excess of the first $.50 collected under Subsection (1)(e) shall be deposited in
the Transportation Fund.
(iii) The dedicated credits described under Subsection (2)(b)(i) are in addition to any other
appropriations provided to administer the safety inspection program duties under this section.
(3) The division may:
(a) before issuing a safety inspection permit, require an applicant, other than a fleet station
or government station, to file a bond that will provide a guarantee that the applicant safety inspection
station will make compensation for any damage to a motor vehicle during an inspection or
adjustment due to negligence on the part of an applicant or his employees;
(b) establish procedures governing the issuance of safety inspection certificates to
Utah-based interstate commercial motor carriers; and
(c) suspend, revoke, or refuse renewal of any safety inspection station permit issued when
the division finds that the safety inspection station is not:
(i) properly equipped; or
(ii) complying with rules made by the division; and
(d) suspend, revoke, or refuse renewal of any safety inspection station permit or safety
inspector certificate issued when the station or inspector has violated any safety inspection law or
rule.
(4) The division shall maintain a record of safety inspection station permits and safety
inspector certificates issued, suspended, revoked, or refused renewal under Subsection (3)(c).

- 7 -

(5) In accordance with Title 63, Chapter 46a, Utah Administrative Rulemaking Act, the
division shall make rules:
(a) setting minimum standards covering the design, construction, condition, and operation
of motor vehicle equipment for safely operating a motor vehicle on the highway;
(b) establishing motor vehicle safety inspection procedures to ensure a motor vehicle can
be operated safely;
(c) establishing safety inspection station building, equipment, and personnel requirements
necessary to qualify to perform safety inspections;
(d) establishing age, training, examination, and renewal requirements to qualify for a safety
inspector certificate;
(e) establishing requirements:
(i) designed to protect consumers from unwanted or unneeded repairs or adjustments;
(ii) for maintaining safety inspection records;
(iii) for providing reports to the division; and
(iv) for maintaining and protecting safety inspection certificates;
(f) establishing procedures for a motor vehicle that fails a safety inspection;
(g) setting bonding amounts for safety inspection stations if bonds are required under
Subsection (3)(a); and
(h) establishing procedures for a safety inspection station to follow if the station is going out
of business.
(6) The rules of the division:
(a) shall conform as nearly as practical to federal motor vehicle safety standards including
49 CFR 393, 396, 396 Appendix G, and Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards 205; and
(b) may incorporate by reference, in whole or in part, the federal standards under Subsection
(a) and nationally recognized and readily available standards and codes on motor vehicle safety.
Section 5. Section 53-8-205 is amended to read:
53-8-205. Safety inspection required -- Safety inspection certificate required -- Out of
state permits.

- 8 -

(1) (a) Except as provided in Subsection (b), a person may not operate on a highway a motor
vehicle required to be registered in this state unless the motor vehicle has passed a safety inspection.
(b) Subsection (a) does not apply to:
(i) vehicles exempt from registration under Section 41-1a-205 ; and
(ii) off-highway vehicles.
(2) The frequency of the safety inspection shall be determined based on the age of the
vehicle determined by model year and shall be required:
(a) [be made at least once] each year for a vehicle that is five or more years old on January
1; or
(b) every two years for each vehicle that is less than five years old on January 1 as follows:
(i) in odd-numbered years for a vehicle with an odd-numbered model year; and
(ii) in even-numbered years for a vehicle with an even-numbered model year;
(b) be made by a safety inspector certified by the division at a safety inspection station
authorized by the division; and
(c) cover an inspection of the motor vehicle mechanism, brakes, and equipment to ensure
proper adjustment and condition as required by department rules.
(3) A safety inspection station shall issue a safety inspection certificate to the owner of each
motor vehicle that passes a safety inspection under this section.
(4) The division may:
(a) authorize the acceptance in this state of a safety inspection certificate issued in another
state having a safety inspection law similar to this state; and
(b) extend the time within which a safety inspection certificate must be obtained by the
resident owner of a vehicle that was not in this state during the time a safety inspection was required.
Section 6. Section 53-8-206 is amended to read:
53-8-206. Safety inspection -- Station requirements -- Permits not transferable --
Certificate of inspection -- Fees -- Unused certificates -- Suspension or revocation of permits.
(1) The safety inspection required under Section 53-8-205 may only be performed:
(a) by a person certified by the division as a safety inspector; and

- 9 -

(b) at a safety inspection station with a valid safety inspection station permit issued by the
division.
(2) A safety inspection station permit may not be assigned or transferred or used at any
location other than a designated location, and every safety inspection station permit shall be posted
in a conspicuous place at the location designated.
(3) If required by the division, a record and report shall be made of every safety inspection
and every safety inspection certificate issued.
(4) A safety inspection station holding a safety inspection station permit issued by the
division may charge:
(a) a [$1] fee as reimbursement for the safety inspection certificate fee as specified in
Subsection 53-8-204 (1)(e); and
(b) a reasonable fee for labor in performing safety inspections, not to exceed:
(i) $5 or less for motorcycles;
(ii) unless Subsection (i) or (iii) applies, $9 or less for motor vehicles; or
(iii) $12 or less for 4-wheel drive, split axle, and any motor vehicles that necessitate
disassembly of front hub or removal of rear axle for inspection.
(5) A safety inspection station may return unused safety inspection certificates in a quantity
of ten or more and shall be reimbursed by the division for the cost of the safety inspection
certificates.
(6) (a) Upon receiving notice of the suspension or revocation of a safety inspection station
permit, the safety inspection station permit holder shall immediately terminate all safety inspection
activities and return all safety inspection certificates and the safety inspection station permit to the
division.
(b) The division shall issue a receipt for all unused safety inspection certificates.
Section 7. Effective date.
This act takes effect on January 1, 1999.

- 10 -