Out-of-State Vehicle Registration by State
Registering an out-of-state vehicle involves different requirements in each state. Use this comparison for an overview, then visit your state's page for the full checklist.
Note: Requirements change and vary by vehicle type, county, and transaction details. Always confirm with your official state agency.
| State | Status | Note | Official Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | ?Verify | Inspection requirements vary by state. Check with the official state agency. | Alabama Law Enforcement Agency ↗ |
| Alaska | ?Verify | Inspection requirements vary by state. Check with the official state agency. | Alaska Division of Motor Vehic ↗ |
| Arizona | ◆Conditional | A Level I inspection may be required to verify an out-of-state VIN, and an emiss… | Arizona Motor Vehicle Division ↗ |
| Arkansas | ?Verify | Inspection requirements vary by state. Check with the official state agency. | Arkansas Department of Finance ↗ |
| California | ✓Yes | Smog certification is required for most vehicles being registered in California … | California Department of Motor ↗ |
| Colorado | ?Verify | Inspection requirements vary by state. Check with the official state agency. | Colorado Division of Motor Veh ↗ |
| Connecticut | ?Verify | Inspection requirements vary by state. Check with the official state agency. | Connecticut Department of Moto ↗ |
| Delaware | ?Verify | Inspection requirements vary by state. Check with the official state agency. | Delaware Division of Motor Veh ↗ |
| Florida | ✗No | Florida does not require a statewide safety or emissions inspection for registra… | Florida Department of Highway ↗ |
| Georgia | ◆Conditional | No statewide safety inspection. Emissions testing (Clean Air Force) is required … | Georgia Department of Revenue ↗ |
| Hawaii | ?Verify | Inspection requirements vary by state. Check with the official state agency. | Hawaii County DMV Offices ↗ |
| Idaho | ?Verify | Inspection requirements vary by state. Check with the official state agency. | Idaho Transportation Departmen ↗ |
| Illinois | ◆Conditional | No statewide safety inspection required. However, emissions testing is required … | Illinois Secretary of State ↗ |
| Indiana | ◆Conditional | Out-of-state vehicles require a VIN inspection at a BMV branch. An emissions tes… | Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicl ↗ |
| Iowa | ?Verify | Inspection requirements vary by state. Check with the official state agency. | Iowa Motor Vehicle Division ↗ |
| Kansas | ?Verify | Inspection requirements vary by state. Check with the official state agency. | Kansas Division of Vehicles ↗ |
| Kentucky | ?Verify | Inspection requirements vary by state. Check with the official state agency. | Kentucky Transportation Cabine ↗ |
| Louisiana | ?Verify | Inspection requirements vary by state. Check with the official state agency. | Louisiana Office of Motor Vehi ↗ |
| Maine | ?Verify | Inspection requirements vary by state. Check with the official state agency. | Maine Bureau of Motor Vehicles ↗ |
| Maryland | ?Verify | Inspection requirements vary by state. Check with the official state agency. | Maryland Motor Vehicle Adminis ↗ |
| Massachusetts | ?Verify | Inspection requirements vary by state. Check with the official state agency. | Massachusetts Registry of Moto ↗ |
| Michigan | ◆Conditional | No statewide safety inspection. However, Enhanced Vehicle Inspection (emissions)… | Michigan Secretary of State ↗ |
| Minnesota | ?Verify | Inspection requirements vary by state. Check with the official state agency. | Minnesota Driver and Vehicle S ↗ |
| Mississippi | ?Verify | Inspection requirements vary by state. Check with the official state agency. | Mississippi Department of Reve ↗ |
| Missouri | ?Verify | Inspection requirements vary by state. Check with the official state agency. | Missouri Department of Revenue ↗ |
| Montana | ?Verify | Inspection requirements vary by state. Check with the official state agency. | Montana Motor Vehicle Division ↗ |
| Nebraska | ?Verify | Inspection requirements vary by state. Check with the official state agency. | Nebraska Department of Motor V ↗ |
| Nevada | ?Verify | Inspection requirements vary by state. Check with the official state agency. | Nevada Department of Motor Veh ↗ |
| New Hampshire | ?Verify | Inspection requirements vary by state. Check with the official state agency. | New Hampshire Division of Moto ↗ |
| New Jersey | ◆Conditional | New Jersey requires a centralized state inspection, which is now emissions-only … | New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commi ↗ |
| New Mexico | ?Verify | Inspection requirements vary by state. Check with the official state agency. | New Mexico Motor Vehicle Divis ↗ |
| New York | ✓Yes | New York requires a NY safety and emissions inspection. After registering an out… | New York State Department of M ↗ |
| North Carolina | ✓Yes | North Carolina requires a safety and emissions inspection. Out-of-state vehicles… | North Carolina Division of Mot ↗ |
| North Dakota | ?Verify | Inspection requirements vary by state. Check with the official state agency. | North Dakota Department of Tra ↗ |
| Ohio | ◆Conditional | No statewide safety inspection required for registration. However, E-Check (emis… | Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles ↗ |
| Oklahoma | ?Verify | Inspection requirements vary by state. Check with the official state agency. | Oklahoma Tax Commission ↗ |
| Oregon | ?Verify | Inspection requirements vary by state. Check with the official state agency. | Oregon Department of Transport ↗ |
| Pennsylvania | ✓Yes | Pennsylvania generally requires a state safety inspection and, in some counties,… | Pennsylvania Department of Tra ↗ |
| Rhode Island | ?Verify | Inspection requirements vary by state. Check with the official state agency. | Rhode Island Division of Motor ↗ |
| South Carolina | ?Verify | Inspection requirements vary by state. Check with the official state agency. | South Carolina Department of M ↗ |
| South Dakota | ?Verify | Inspection requirements vary by state. Check with the official state agency. | South Dakota Division of Motor ↗ |
| Tennessee | ?Verify | Inspection requirements vary by state. Check with the official state agency. | Tennessee Department of Revenu ↗ |
| Texas | ✓Yes | Texas requires an annual safety inspection. Vehicles from other states must pass… | Texas Department of Motor Vehi ↗ |
| Utah | ?Verify | Inspection requirements vary by state. Check with the official state agency. | Utah Division of Motor Vehicle ↗ |
| Vermont | ?Verify | Inspection requirements vary by state. Check with the official state agency. | Vermont Department of Motor Ve ↗ |
| Virginia | ◆Conditional | Virginia requires an annual safety inspection for all vehicles, and an emissions… | Virginia Department of Motor V ↗ |
| Washington | ✗No | Washington ended statewide emissions testing in 2020; a VIN inspection may still… | Washington State Department of ↗ |
| West Virginia | ?Verify | Inspection requirements vary by state. Check with the official state agency. | West Virginia Division of Moto ↗ |
| Wisconsin | ?Verify | Inspection requirements vary by state. Check with the official state agency. | Wisconsin Division of Motor Ve ↗ |
| Wyoming | ?Verify | Inspection requirements vary by state. Check with the official state agency. | Wyoming Department of Transpor ↗ |