Michigan Car Inspection

The state of Michigan does not have any emissions test requirements. However, vehicles are required to pass a safety inspection to be registered.
Written by Tiffany Leung
Reviewed by Carrie Adkins
In
Michigan
, you are not required to do annual emissions inspections, but new vehicles must pass a safety inspection when getting registered.
The 1977 amendment was made to the Clean Air Act to ensure good air quality. It required states to implement vehicle emissions inspection programs to help areas where the quality of air failed to meet federal standards. Each state has different requirements so it can vary depending on your vehicle and zip code.

What are the vehicle inspection requirements in Michigan?

When you
register a vehicle in Michigan
, you are required to get a safety inspection. This helps keep the roads safe by ensuring that all vehicles meet the safety standards set out by the state.
Even though Michigan drivers don’t have smog-check obligations, you can still get a voluntary smog check done (hint: there are incentives from the government and insurance carriers for eco-friendly drivers). 
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Exceptions to the state requirements

While all vehicles that are being registered in Michigan are required to pass a safety inspection, there are exemptions. You don’t need to pass a safety inspection if you have a Michigan-registered Alternative Fuel Vehicle (AFV) under one of the following categories:
  • Electric cars
  • Compressed natural gas
  • Diesel fuel
  • Propane

Where to get a car inspection in Michigan

Even without emissions inspection requirements in Michigan, you can still voluntarily get a smog check. Maintaining your emissions control systems not only can save the environment, but you can also benefit from government incentives and insurance discounts. 
You can find a list of testing locations at
emissions.org
.

How often do you need a car inspection?

All vehicles require a safety inspection annually. No emissions tests are required, but you can voluntarily do so at the listed testing locations.
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FAQs

Your vehicle must pass a safety inspection when you’re getting it registered unless you have an AFV that falls under one of the listed categories.
There are no requirements for safety or emissions inspections unless you are registering a new car. As such, there is no standard price and it will vary depending on where you get the inspection done.
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