Gasoline vehicles don’t need an emissions test for their first seven model years. Light-duty diesel vehicles with a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of up to 26,000 pounds don’t need one for their first four model years. Heavy-duty diesel vehicles with a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of up to 26,000 pounds don’t need one for their first six model years.
There’s one exception. If a vehicle’s ownership changes during the last year of its exemption, it needs an emissions test.
For example, in 2026, a 2020 model year gasoline vehicle needs an emissions test if its ownership changes. A 2023 model year light-duty diesel vehicle needs one too, since it’s in the last year of its four-year exemption.
Find more information about gas vehicle exemptions and diesel vehicle exemptions from the Colorado DMV.
The following vehicles are also exempt:
- Kit cars
- Electric vehicles
- Motorcycles and autocycles
- Horseless carriages
- Vehicles registered as street rods
- Farm trucks
