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Delaware emissions test: the official wording
Everything in quotation marks here is from 2 sources and was matched to them on November 11, 2026. The quotes are the sources’ words; ours only label them.
About these quotes.
Two agencies’ lines on vehicle weight are both shown.
On this page: where · how often · fee · new and older vehicles · diesel, electric, hybrid · check a vehicle · sources
What does the text call it?
The Delaware Vehicle Inspection and Maintenance (I/M) program is a mandatory control measure to help the State of Delaware meet the National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS) for ozone.
The page we point to: Delaware DMV, Vehicle Inspection Program FAQs.
Which counties does the text name?
The quoted text names 3 counties:
- Sussex County
- Kent County
- New Castle County
The program is managed under two regulations, the Motor Vehicle Emissions Inspection Program (Sussex County) ( 7 DE Admin. Code 1126 ) and the Low Enhanced Inspection and Maintenance Program (Kent and New Castle Counties) ( 7 DE Admin. Code 1131 ), and the Motor Vehicle Emissions Inspection Program; Plan for Implementation (PFI).
How often is the test?
The inspection requirement is biennial, requiring vehicles to pass safety and emission inspections once every other year.
Typically, vehicles are tested biennially based upon the model year "and vehicles being titled/registered for the first time in Delaware".
What does the test cost?
Inspections are performed at no charge to the vehicle owner.
All required inspections are without charge to Delaware residents.
What does the text say about new and older vehicles?
The first seven model years are exempt from emissions testing.
Shown with it, so that neither is read alone:
Vehicles in the first 7 model years are excluded from testing.
Listed under:
Per Regulation 7 DE Admin. Code 1126 and 7 DE Admin. Code 1131
some exemptions are motorcycles, mopeds, vehicles powered solely by electricity generated from solar cells or stored in batteries, vehicles manufactured before 1968, and diesel-fueled vehicles manufactured before 1997.
What about diesel, electric and hybrid vehicles?
Every current line we hold for Delaware that uses the word diesel, electric or hybrid. Some are about one place or one kind of test; each speaks for itself.
Motor vehicle emissions testing is performed on all gasoline and diesel-powered light-duty vehicles weighing up to 8,500 pounds gross vehicle weight at Delaware Division of Motor Vehicles inspection facilities.
Listed under:
Per Regulation 7 DE Admin. Code 1126 and 7 DE Admin. Code 1131
some exemptions are motorcycles, mopeds, vehicles powered solely by electricity generated from solar cells or stored in batteries, vehicles manufactured before 1968, and diesel-fueled vehicles manufactured before 1997.
What about heavier vehicles?
Emissions tests are required on automobiles and on trucks with a manufacturer’s gross vehicle weight rating (MGVWR) of 14,000 pounds or less.
Motor vehicle emissions testing is performed on all gasoline and diesel-powered light-duty vehicles weighing up to 8,500 pounds gross vehicle weight at Delaware Division of Motor Vehicles inspection facilities.
What else does the text say?
Listed under:
The amendments to the Motor Vehicle Emissions I/M Programs include:
An increase for vehicles that weigh 8,501 up to 14,000 pounds gross vehicle weight beginning with model year 2008 for the On-Board Diagnostic (OBD) test in all counties;
There is no charge to the motorist for retesting failed vehicles.
Listed under:
The amendments to the Motor Vehicle Emissions I/M Programs include:
A model year exemption that expands each program from five to seven years to align with Delaware Code;
Check a vehicle against these quotes
Enter a model year, a fuel and a weight rating, and choose the county. The checker repeats the quotes above and, where a figure can be compared, says where your entry falls against it. It does not decide anything about your vehicle.
Which pages could we not read?
We ask for each page with a plain request that names this site, and we don’t work around a refusal. These pages matter for Delaware and did not open for us:
- 7 DE Admin. Code 1131 on the Delaware regulations site (returned next to no readable text to our reader on November 11, 2026)
Where do these quotes come from?
- DNREC, Vehicle Inspection and Maintenance (dnrec.delaware.gov; state agency page; read November 11, 2026)
- Delaware DMV, Vehicle Inspection Program FAQs (dmv.de.gov; state agency page; read November 11, 2026)
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