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Current as of January 01, 2025 | Updated by Findlaw Staff
(1) A peace officer may stop, inspect, and test a vehicle at any time upon reasonable cause to believe that:
(a) a vehicle is unsafe or not equipped as required by law;
(b) the vehicle's equipment is not in proper adjustment or repair; or
(c) the vehicle has been in an accident and a post accident investigation is necessary.
(2)(a)(i) If a vehicle is found to be in unsafe condition or any required part or equipment is not present or is not in proper repair and adjustment, the officer may give a written notice to the driver and shall send a copy to the division.
(ii) The notice shall:
(A) require that the vehicle be placed in safe condition and the vehicle's equipment in proper repair and adjustment;
(B) specify the repairs and adjustments needed; and
(C) require that a safety inspection certificate be obtained within 14 days.
(b) If a vehicle is, in the reasonable judgment of the peace officer, hazardous to operate, the peace officer may require that the vehicle:
(i) not be operated under its own power; or
(ii) be driven to the nearest garage or other place of safety.
(c)(i) If the owner or driver does not comply with the notice requirements and secure a safety inspection certificate within 14 days, the vehicle may not be operated on the highways of this state.
(ii) A violation of Subsection (2)(c)(i) is an infraction.
(3) An owner or driver of a vehicle is not guilty of an infraction and is not required to pay a fee or fine if the citation was issued for:
(a) expired registration in violation of Section 41-1a-201 or 41-1a-1303, and:
(i) the citation was issued within two months after the expiration of the vehicle's registration; and
(ii) the owner or driver registers the vehicle within 14 days after the citation was issued; or
(b) a violation of Section 41-1a-205, 41-6a-1601, or 53-8-205 or any other equipment related infraction under Title 41, Chapter 6a, Part 16, Vehicle Equipment, and the owner or driver obtains a safety inspection, emissions inspection, or proof of repair, as applicable, within 14 days after the citation was issued.
Cite this article: FindLaw.com - Utah Code Title 53. Public Safety Code § 53-8-209. Inspection by officers--Certificate of inspection - last updated January 01, 2025 | https://codes.findlaw.com/ut/title-53-public-safety-code/ut-code-sect-53-8-209/
FindLaw Codes may not reflect the most recent version of the law in your jurisdiction. Please verify the status of the code you are researching with the state legislature before relying on it for your legal needs.
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