Want To Avoid Towing? Keep Your Car’s Paperwork Up To Date

In general, it’s great to have a top-notch towing company’s number in your phone, but you don’t want to have to call them too often.

When you need towing, it’s usually because your car has broken down or you have been involved in an accident, and neither scenario is positive.

However, even though those two situations may be the most common, you might need towing for other reasons. A perfect example? When you let your car’s paperwork expire. 

Don’t wait until you’re pulled over by the police and they notice the lapse in paperwork and tow your car. Make sure you meet the requirements today.

Does Your State Require a Safety Inspection?

Not every state requires your vehicle to pass a safety inspection, but Utah is one of the 17 that does. If your car is over 10 years old, you have to pass the safety inspection every year. When your car turns 4 years old, it also is required to pass the safety inspection, and again when it is 8 years old.

Inspection can’t be done more than two months before or after your registration renewal. You have to bring your current registration documents with you, and if your car fails the test, you have to make sure the problem is repaired within 15 days and the vehicle is re-checked to ensure it is in compliance with the law.

Make Sure You Pass Emissions Testing

Vehicle safety isn’t the only concern in many states — emissions laws are put in place to regulate smog as well. Every state has different rules regarding emissions testing, and it can be confusing.

For example, in Utah, if your car is less than 2 years old, you don’t have to have an emissions test. But if it is between 2 and 6 years old, you must have it tested every other year. Even-numbered model years are tested in even-numbered years, and it’s the same for odd numbers. Once your car is 6 years old or older, emissions testing is required every year.

Check Your Registration Expiration

With the varied requirements, it’s no wonder you may forget to schedule a safety inspection or emissions test. But staying up to date is important. Otherwise, you may be unable to renew your registration in time, especially if you wait until the deadline.

Stay aware of the month your registration expires so you aren’t stuck in a long line at the DMV on the last day of the month. You will help avoid the need for towing if you make keeping up your auto paperwork a priority.

Let Stauffer’s Towing be the team you turn to when any towing needs arise, from emergency to routine transport.