Enhanced Inspection

AJ’s Truck & Trailer Center is a PennDOT-Appointed Enhanced Vehicle Safety Inspection Station.

The following is information about PennDOT's Inspections.

The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) and the Departments of Transportation and Environmental Protection work together to maintain the state’s safety and emissions testing programs. PennDOT requires an enhanced vehicle safety inspection for the inspection and titling of the following types of vehicles:

  • Passenger cars and light-duty trucks.
  • Medium- and heavy-duty trucks.
  • Buses, including school buses.
  • Recreational, utility, and semi-trailers.
  • Motorcycles. 
  • Street rods.
  • Specially constructed and reconstructed vehicles.
  • Vehicles with alternative fuel systems and controls.

AJ's only inspects vehicles and trailers. We do not inspect trailers with air brakes nor motorcycles.

As of January 1, 2007, only those safety inspection stations appointed and under contract with PennDOT as an Enhanced Vehicle Safety Inspection Station may inspect these vehicles for compliance with all applicable equipment and inspection rules, for the purpose of titling the vehicle in Pennsylvania.

All title applications for specially constructed, modified, collectible, recovered theft vehicles and street rods must be submitted to PennDOT for processing. The MV-426B, (Application for Reconstructed, Specially Constructed, Collectible, Modified, Flood, Recovered Theft Vehicles and Street Rods) is available on this website and is to be used immediately.

This process is for people who live in PA. Applicants who live out of state can not have their vehicle with a modified title inspected and retitled in PA. If you have moved into PA, then you can do this process.

PA State Inspections & Emissions Testing

Pennsylvania requires vehicle safety inspections to ensure that vehicles are maintained for safe operation. Safety Inspections can prevent vehicle failure on the highways and crashes that may result in injuries or death.

If your vehicle is required to undergo emissions inspection (see below), you must have an emissions test certificate that is/will be valid for at least the next 90 days before you can receive your safety inspection sticker. Generally, safety inspection dates coincide with emissions testing dates. If your emissions certificate will expire within 90 days, you must have it renewed before renewing your safety inspection. Once your vehicle passes the safety inspection, you’ll receive a PA inspection sticker valid for 1 year unless your vehicle is required to have a semi-annual inspection.

AJ’s does NOT inspect Motorcycles. AJ's does NOT do Emissions Testing.

Contact us today to make an appointment to inspect your vehicle.

INSPECTION REQUIREMENTS

The following vehicles must undergo safety inspections:

  • Passenger cars and light-duty trucks.
  • Medium- and heavy-duty trucks.
  • Buses, including school buses.
  • Recreational, utility, and semi-trailers.
  • Motorcycles.
  • Street rods.
  • Specially constructed and reconstructed vehicles.
  • Vehicles with alternative fuel systems and controls.
  • Vehicles with sun-screening devices must have devices inspected.

INSPECTION EXCLUSIONS & EXEMPTIONS

The following vehicles are excluded from emissions testing:

  • Motorcycles.
  • Vehicles registered as:
    • Classic, Antique, Collectible.
    • Street rod, Specially constructed.

INSPECTION EXEMPTIONS

The following vehicles are exempt from safety inspections:

  • Motorized pedalcycles.
  • Antique vehicles.
  • Special mobile equipment.
  • Husbandry implements.
  • Motor vehicles being towed.
  • Motor vehicles or trailers being driven or towed by owners or employees of official PA vehicle inspection stations for the purpose of getting an inspection.
  • Trailers weighing 3,000 lbs. or fewer.
  • Vehicles being repossessed.
  • Newly manufactured vehicles during testing (but not transit).
  • Military vehicles: Must be used by private, non-profit, tax-exempt military educational institutions. Must not operate more than 1 mile on public roads and when the property on both sides of the public road is owned by the military institution.

EMISSIONS INSPECTION REQUIREMENTS

Pennsylvania’s emissions inspection program was customized to meet specific regional air-quality issues and improvement goals while focusing on customer convenience. A great deal has been done to improve air quality in Pennsylvania; however more vehicles on the road and more miles being traveled are offsetting this progress. Vehicle emissions inspections are part of Pennsylvania’s plan to clean the air and keep it clean in the future

Your vehicle must undergo an emissions inspection annually. Your registration renewal card will remind you when it’s time to have an emissions test.

Within required counties, all gasoline-powered cars, vans, light-duty trucks require testing if they:

  • Are model year 1975 and newer.
  • Weigh up to 9,000 lbs.

Enhanced Vehicle Safety Inspection Station