Delaware Emissions Test
Statewide, the Delaware Vehicle Inspection and Maintenance program checks gas, hybrid, and diesel cars. That covers model years 1968 to 2019 for 2026. Every 2 years the test comes due.
Which cars have to be tested?
Model years Delaware tests in 2026 appear in the green band. No test is needed for the 7 newest model years. Cars from 1967 or earlier don't need the test.
Use the model year and fuel to check your car.
Delaware emissions test at a glance
| Program | The Delaware Vehicle Inspection and Maintenance program |
|---|---|
| Where | Statewide |
| Fuels tested | Gas, hybrid, diesel |
| Model years tested in 2026 | 1968 to 2019 (diesels from 1997) |
| How often | Every 2 years |
| The test | Gas cars from 1996 and newer and diesels from 1997 and newer get an OBD plug-in test; older cars get an idle tailpipe test |
| Fee | Free |
| Retest | Free after emissions repairs |
| New cars | The 7 newest model years are exempt |
| Older cars | 1967 and older are exempt |
| Waiver | A waiver once three exhaust tests have failed and repair bills go over the cost limit ($75 for cars built 1968 to 1980) |
How the test works, and what if the car fails?
With an OBD plug-in test, the inspector connects a reader to the port under the dashboard to see what the car's computer has stored. Make sure the check engine light is off and the self-checks (readiness monitors) are complete.
A tailpipe test uses a probe placed in the exhaust to measure what comes out, and older cars are usually the ones tested.
When a car does not pass, the report lists what failed. Fix that first; then return for the retest, which is free after emissions repairs.
Delaware offers a waiver if the car keeps failing after repairs: three failed exhaust tests plus repair costs over the cost limit ($75 for cars built 1968 to 1980).