Department of
Motor Vehicles
within Hartford Area
and Outside Connecticut
860-263-5700
Elsewhere in Connecticut
800-842-8222
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Inspections Performed At DMV
DMV regulations require an inspection of the following vehicle types before registration. All MAJOR Inspections must be performed at DMV, unless noted otherwise. The following is a listing of vehicles requiring inspection:
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Taxi: Only first time taxi inspections are performed at DMV. Vehicles must be complete with lights and meters. NOTE: Inspections required for the renewal of a taxi registration are done through licensed dealer or repairer.
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Ambulance: The DMV will make every effort to give these vehicles priority when they show up for inspections.
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Composite (Salvage, Reconstructed, all Kit Cars) must be presented for inspection by 3p.m., one hour prior to closing.
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Modified Antique Motor Vehicles (All Street Rods)
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Non-Commercial Trailers over 10,000 lbs. GVWR: Ten years old or older. (i.e., large camp trailers, large boat trailers, etc.)
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Service Buses (New to service) Exception: Service buses which are also student transport vehicles: Only first time service bus inspections are required to be performed by DMV. Inspections required for the renewal of a service bus registration are done through a Connecticut licensed dealer or repairer.
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School Transportation Vehicles 10,000 pound GVWR and under
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Driver Education Vehicles (over 100,000 miles)
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Warning Tickets: If you have received a warning ticket from a law enforcement agency for window tint, VIN problems or if the officer indicates 'DMV Inspection Only', you must present the vehicle for inspection at a DMV inspection lane. All other warning tickets may be presented to a Connecticut licensed dealer or repairer for inspection.
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Commercial Vehicles over 18,000 lbs. GVWR and Commercial Trailers over 10,000 lbs. GVWR seeking a temporary registration. Connecticut Motor Vehicle Regulation 14-137-120 requires commercial motor vehicles over 18,000 lbs. GVWR and commercial trailers over 10,000 lbs. GVWR seeking temporary registrations must to be inspected in accordance with the North American Standard Level I inspection at a DMV facility. Also, please see Registration of a Commercial Vehicle for more information.
Commercial Inspections required by 14-137-120 for temporary registration are only performed at:
- Commercial Vehicles over 18,000 lbs. GVWR and Commercial Trailers over 10,000 lbs. GVWR and Commercial Trailers over 10,000 lbs. GVWR (ten years old or older) seeking a permanent registration: Motor carriers seeking permanent registration of a commercial motor vehicle, or trailers must provide proof of a “passed” Record of Annual Inspection form of the vehicle seeking registration, based upon the inspection criteria found in 49 CFR, part 396 and appendix G. The required periodic annual inspection (49 CFR §396.17) may be performed by the carrier, or by a Connecticut licensed dealer or repairer, providing the individual performing the inspection meets the minimum criteria as found in 49 CFR §396.19 in its entirety. The inspection must have been done and the form dated within 30 days of the application for registration and must be accompanied by a properly completed Inspector Qualification form. Prior to registration, a VIN verification may be needed if the vehicle is titled in another state.
NOTE: The DMV will not perform your periodic annual inspection that is required by 49 CFR §396.17.
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Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) Verification: Vehicles requiring a VIN verification may present their vehicle at the following DMV branch offices: Bridgeport, Danbury, Enfield, Hamden, New Britain, Norwich, Old Saybrook, Waterbury, Wethersfield, and Winsted during normal DMV hours. Due to space limitations please do not bring trailers to the Bridgeport, Danbury or Norwalk branch offices.
In addition, the following vehicle types are inspected by DMV as follows:
- School Buses (any size) and Student Transportation Vehicles (over 10,000 pounds GVWR): Inspection must be done by appointment through the Commercial Vehicle Safety Division. Please call (860) 263-5448.
- Wreckers
- Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) Assignments: VIN assignments can only be performed at the Wethersfield inspection lane. Please call the Vehicle Identification Unit at (860) 263-5090 to make an appointment for a car or truck. Trailer VIN assignments do not need appointments, however, they can only be brought in for inspection on Tuesdays through Fridays 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. (closed from noon to 1pm) Trailers with a gross vehicle weight of over 3,000 pounds will be charged $50 for the assigned VIN.
Location and Hours of Inspection Lanes
Wethersfield- Monday through Friday: 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Hamden- Tuesday through Friday: 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Enfield- Tuesday through Friday: 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
(Salvage/Composite vehicles must be present for inspection by 3 p.m.)
Other Vehicle Inspection Considerations
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Out-of-State Vehicles: Upon establishing residency in Connecticut, a motor vehicle owner has sixty days to register the vehicle in this state. An emissions test and vehicle identification number (VIN) verification is required, which is performed at the emissions station. Please bring your vehicle, registration and drivers license to your local emissions test station. A Vehicle Inspection Report (VIR) will be completed by the emissions technician and a copy of the report will be given to you. The VIR must be presented to the DMV when applying for a permanent registration. Vehicles that are exempt from emissions testing will require a VIN verification at a Full Service DMV Branch Office. Please note that VIN verifications for any type trailer are not performed at the Bridgeport, Danbury or Norwalk Offices.
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Equipment Items that are Safety Inspected by DMV: A safety inspection will include, though is not limited to, an inspection of the following equipment: Service brakes, headlights, exhaust system, turn signal lights, steering components, parking lights, frame/unibody, wipers, suspension components, windshield, glazing, wiring, mirror(s), horn, tires and wheels, hi-beam indicator, marker light, restraint system, brake lights, parking brake, tail lights and reflectors, emissions, miscellaneous lights and reflectors, and a Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) verification. Commercial Motor Vehicles are inspected in accordance with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations and also follow the CVSA Out of Service Criteria for out of service violations.
In accordance with Connecticut General Statutes section 14-103 “Inspection of Motor Vehicles” - any vehicle presented to the department is subject to full inspection and sanctions for non compliance with the laws and regulations.
DMV Administrative Fee:
There is an administrative fee of $10, which must be paid at the time of registration, and applies to all vehicles that require a DMV safety inspection, a manual VIN verification, or an electronic VIN verification in addition to any applicable safety inspection fees. This fee also applies to all out-of-state vehicles and CT vehicles that are 10 years old or more.
Re-Inspection Of Vehicle that Failed a Required Safety Inspection:
If the vehicle failed the original safety inspection, one no fee re-inspection will be performed if it is within thirty days from the original fail date. If the vehicle failed the original safety inspection and is not re-inspected within thirty days from the original fail date, the vehicle fails during the re-inspection, or if the inspection report is lost, the vehicle must be completely re-inspected for an additional safety inspection fee. A vehicle that failed an original safety inspection that was performed by DMV must be re-inspected by the DMV unless otherwise instructed by the DMV.
Please note:
- No temporary plates will be issued to a vehicle that has failed for service brakes, steering components or frame rot until repairs have been certified by a licensed dealer or repairer as completed.
- Temporary Commercial Registrations for more than 10 days will not be issued for vehicles that do not pass inspection in full compliance with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations at a DMV facility.
- No inspection will be performed if the title documents are marked "not safe for the road, junk, etc." A letter from a licensed dealer or repairer is required stating that repairs have been made and the vehicle is now safe for the road.
Content Last Modified on 2/2/2010 2:59:51 PM
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