Post date: Apr 13, 2016 1:59:58 AM
If a vehicle owner moves to Pennsylvania, they must apply for vehicle registration within 20 days. After receiving registration, they have 10 days to have the safety inspection performed on their vehicle. Also, if they are registered in an emissions county, they will be required to have the emissions inspection performed first before a safety inspection sticker can be issued. PennDOT does have a fact sheet that answers some questions about Safety Inspection for vehicle motorists: http://www.dot.state.pa.us/public/dvspubsforms/FAQ/FAQ-VSIM.pdf
Also, for vehicle owner's unfamiliar with PA safety inspection requirements, it should be noted that Pennsylvania has a de-centralized inspection program, meaning you can have your vehicle inspected at a variety of locations or garages that are certified as "inspection stations". There is also no set price for inspection but it must be clearly posted (advertised) and inspection is just "Pass" or "Fail"; it does not include any repairs. If you do choose to have the shop perform the repairs, you also have a legal right to see any parts replaced because they failed inspection.
If you already reside in PA or move to a new county, emissions and inspection laws can be confusing, here is what is required:
If you live in a PA county and purchase a vehicle that does not bear a valid safety inspection sticker, you have 10 days from the date of sale, resale or entry into this Commonwealth, whichever occurs later.
If you live in a PA Emissions county and purchase a vehicle that does not bear a valid emissions inspection sticker, you have 10 days to have an emissions inspection performed after being registered.
If you move to a PA Emissions county (from a non-emissions county), you have until the current annual safety inspection sticker expires to have an emissions inspection performed.