In the United States, vehicle safety inspection and emissions inspection are governed by each state individually. Fifteen states have a periodic (annual or biennial) safety inspection program, while Maryland requires a safety inspection and Alabama requires a VIN inspection on sale or transfer of vehicles which were previously registered in another state. An additional 16 states require periodic emissions inspections. In 1977, the federal Clean Air Act was amended by Congress to require states to implement vehicle emissions inspection programs, known as I/M programs (for Inspection and Maintenance), in all major metropolitan areas whose air quality failed to meet certain federal standards. New York's program started in 1982, California's program (Smog Check) started in 1984, and Illinois's program started in 1986. The Clean Air Act of 1990 required some states to enact vehicle emissions inspection programs. States impacted were those in metropolitan areas where air quality did not meet federal standards. Some states, including Kentucky and Minnesota, have discontinued their testing programs in recent years with approval from the federal government.

[Vehicle inspection laws by state:

{{legend|#0088AA|Periodic safety inspection required}} {{legend|#AACCFF|VIN inspection required upon sale or transfer}} {{legend|#87DEAA|Safety inspection required when registering a vehicle from another jurisdiction}} {{legend|#FFD42A|Emissions testing required in some areas}} {{legend|#AA8800|Emissions testing required in all areas}} {{legend|#D3D3D3|No inspection required}} Striped: Both safety and emissions testing required | upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/84/VehicleInspectionLawsByState.svg]

List of jurisdictions

Require periodic vehicle safety inspections

Require inspection only prior to sale or transfer of ownership

Require safety inspection only when bringing vehicle from another jurisdiction

Require periodic vehicle emissions inspections

Require VIN inspection

No safety, emissions, or VIN inspections

Non-commercial vehicles