DMV Takes Over Safety Inspections

DANBURY — The State Department of Motor Vehicles, as of Tuesday, January 2, is performing all vehicle safety inspections. The change means that motorists needing safety inspections must go to DMV sites for this service.

These safety inspections, previously done at emission testing centers, are required to register vehicles that are 10 or more years old or when a vehicle comes into Connecticut from out of state. Envirotest, the state’s emissions testing contractor, will continue to do emissions testing.

“We anticipate a smooth transition and will be monitoring the progress,” said acting DMV Commissioner Gary J. DeFilippo. “We are doing everything we can to ensure that people needing inspections will receive the efficient customer service that our inspectors are trained to give,” he said.

“I expect in the near future to be working with the General Assembly to make any changes that would further improve the inspection process,” he added.

DMV has established 11 safety-inspection facilities statewide located in major geographic areas. In addition, DMV has assigned experienced inspectors to this program to ensure that service demands are met in a timely manner.

The inspection fee will remain at $15 as it is now. The fee must be paid at a DMV branch office prior to the inspection. An inspection form, which will be given to the customer, must be presented and completed at the time of inspection.

Once a vehicle passes the safety inspection and any other necessary inspections, the customer returns to a DMV branch office to register the vehicle. A $10 administrative fee along with other registration fees are paid at the time of registration.

For more detailed information, customers should visit the DMV Web site at http://dmvct.org.