Rhode Island Code of Regulations
Title 280 - Department of Revenue
Chapter 30 - Division of Motor Vehicles
Subchapter 15 - Safety and Emissions
Part 1 - Rhode Island Motor Vehicle Safety and Emission Control Regulation No.1
Section 280-RICR-30-15-1.4 - Applicability

1. All vehicles will be subject to inspection every two years. Model year 1996 and newer vehicles shall undergo an OBD inspection in addition to, a gas cap inspection, and a safety inspection. Vehicles undergoing an OBD inspection shall not be subject to an emissions inspection except as provided in the Department of Environmental Management's Air Pollution Control Regulation No. 34, 250-RICR- 120-05-34.

2. For gasoline-powered vehicles, all 1996 and newer vehicles should be tested with OBD. If a gasoline powered vehicle not originally designed to have OBD is presented a visual inspection of the emission control components shall be performed to determine if the equipment is present and functional as originally equipped by the manufacturer.

3. OBD-equipped diesel vehicles should be tested with OBD. If the vehicle is diesel and cannot be tested using OBD, a visual inspection of the emission control components shall be performed to determine if the equipment is present and functional as originally equipped by the manufacturer.

1. motor vehicles of all weight classes and model years; and,

2. all motorcycles shall be inspected for safety items before the end of June of each year; and,

3. all trailers, except trailers and semi-trailers used to transport horses or other livestock, registered with a gross weight of more than 1,000 pounds, shall be inspected for safety items before the end of June of each year; and,

4. all trailers and semi-trailers used to transport horses or other livestock, irrespective of the registered gross weight, shall be inspected for safety items before the end of June of each year.

1. any motor vehicle fleet owner or operator including all federal, state and municipal fleets;

2. any motor vehicle owned or controlled by a dealer when operating on the highways of Rhode Island with a dealer registration, loan agreement, or as a demonstration vehicle;

3. motor vehicles capable of operating on gasoline or another fuel, excluding diesel, shall be tested for emissions when the vehicles is operating on gasoline;

4. a voluntary inspection of Rhode Island registered vehicles and vehicles registered in other states is allowed. Rhode Island registered vehicles may be presented for voluntary inspection at any time prior to expiration date of the inspection sticker which is affixed to the vehicle or before the expiration of a manufacturer's safety and/or emissions warranty. Vehicles not registered in Rhode Island which are presented for inspection shall be inspected in accordance with all regulations for Rhode Island registered vehicles;

5. owners and lessees of Rhode Island registered motor vehicles subject to this regulation, registered in the Town of New Shoreham, (Block Island) with a New Shoreham address, shall have their vehicle undergo an official safety inspection as required but may be subject to an alternative emissions inspection of a type and frequency to be determined by the Administer of Motor Vehicles;

6. owners and lessees of diesel fueled vehicles subject to these regulations shall be required to have their vehicles inspected thirty (30) days after DMV publicly announces that diesel inspection equipment has been approved by DMV and installed by the Program Manager and in subsequent years on the biennial anniversary of that inspection.