Florida Inspections, Safety and Emissions

The state of Florida is one of the few states in the US that does not require that state registered vehicles be tested for auto emissions.  As of July 1, 2000 the state dismissed their testing program for auto emissions for registered vehicles in Florida.  The program lasted nine years before being abolished.

Florida is the Sunshine state and in many counties in Florida the air registered at a high enough quality to do away with the testing, but for the counties that are not as fortunate, Florida continues to look for alternatives to improve the air quality.

Just because the emission tests are obsolete does not mean that does not mean that you won’t occasionally spot a vehicle that is smoking on the highway.  This is the one downside of the tests being obsolete as the only recourse that other motorists on the road have is to hold their breath until they are safely away from the vehicle.

To encourage clean air, Florida rewards their motorists who purchase EPA certified vehicles that are Inherently Low Emission Vehicles (ILEV) which include hybrids.  Drivers of vehicles have their own special lane on the highway which they can drive in at any time regardless of the amount of people in the car.  If you are interested in what vehicles are included on this list, visit: Low Emission Vehicles (ILEV) /Hybrids.

If you find that your current vehicle happens to be on the list then you can complete an Application for HOV Decal and submit it to your local county Tax Collector’s office with a fee of $5.  You will then receive a decal for your car.  Each year, your decal will need to be renewed.  Visit to download an Application for HOV Decal.