Composite Vehicle Inspection – What to do:
• Vehicle must pass a composite vehicle inspection. All composite inspections are done at
the Wethersfield inspection lane between 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. (Note: all lanes will be closed
from noon to 1 p.m.) Note: Composite motor vehicles must be transported on a flat bed
trailer or car carrier to the inspection site (not to be driven or towed; no wheel of the
vehicle may touch the ground) except if validly registered in another state or if the
owner is a licensed dealer or repairer. If vehicle is validly registered and titled out of
state as "composite", then only a courtesy inspection is required at no charge. Weth.
only.
• All composite vehicles are exempt from an emissions test.
• Bring the Certificate of Titles of all vehicles used for major component part
OR
• Bring one Title, plus receipts for the parts of the other vehicles used. If the parts are
from used vehicles, make sure the receipts specify the Vehicle Identification Number
(VIN). No Title is needed for non-major component parts (examples of major parts are:
engine, cowls, transmission, frame, doors, trunk lid, front and rear fenders and quarter
panels).
• Complete an Application for Inspection of Composite Motor Vehicle (form R-95)
• Two photographs of the vehicle as well as supporting documents showing proof of
ownership.
• Complete an Application for Registration and Title (form H-13B)
• At the time of inspection a VIN will be assigned by the Inspector. The year assigned to
the vehicle will be the year in which the vehicle was built or the year of a previously
manufactured vehicle that it most closely resembles. On your registration and title
documents, the make will be specified as "Composite."
What it will cost:
• $88
• A fee of $50 is charged for the assignment of a VIN.
All composite vehicles (except motorcycles) presented for a composite inspection will be
required to be equipped with the following emissions systems based on the year of
manufacture of the engine used in construction.
Emissions controls must match the year of the engine used in the composite vehicle.
Documented proof of engine year must be provided by the applicant. This information will be
verified for accuracy and the presence of all required components will be verified during the
inspection.
Note: This requirement will not apply to vehicles with engines purchased prior to August 1,
2008. Documented proof of engine year and purchase date must still be provided at time of
inspection.
All Light Duty Vehicles with Gasoline Engines were equipped with the controls indicated below
(Lt. Duty = below 6001 lbs GVWR till 1978 & below 8501 lbs GVWR after):
Year of Engine Emissions Controls Required of All Vehicles That Year
Pre - 1966 None
1966 - 1970 PCV, Variable Advance Distributor
1971 – 1978 PCV, Variable Advance Distributor, Evap. Canister, and Thermostatic Air Cleaner or
Air Injection System
1979 – 1988 PCV, Variable Advance Distributor, Evap. Canister, Thermostatic Air Cleaner or Air
Injection System, and CAT
1989 – 1995 PCV, Variable Advance Distributor, Evap. Canister, CAT, Computerized Engine
Management, O2 sensor
1996 – current PCV, Electronic Spark Control, Evap. Canister, CAT, Closed Loop Computerized
Engine Management, O2 sensors, Fuel Injection
All Medium Duty Vehicles (under 10,001 lbs GVWR but greater than Lt. Duty till 2004 then
under 14,001 but greater than Lt. Duty) with Gasoline Engine were equipped with the controls
indicated below:
Pre - 1966 None
1966 – 1979 PCV, Variable Advance Distributor
1980 – 1984 PCV, Variable Advance Distributor, and Thermostatic Air Cleaner or Air Injection
System
1985 – 1992 PCV, Variable Advance Distributor, Evap. Canister, Thermostatic Air Cleaner or Air
Injection System
1993 – 2004 PCV, Variable Advance Distributor, Evap. Canister, CAT, Computerized Engine
Management, O2 sensor
2005 – current PCV, Electronic Spark Control, Evap. Canister, CAT, Closed Loop Computerized
Engine Management, O2 sensors, Fuel Injection
VIN Verifications
Vehicle types listed below must have a VIN verified at a DMV Inspection Lane - all other vehicles
must be verified at a VIN verification test center. PLEASE NOTE: When coming to DMV for a VIN
verification please be prepared for a full safety inspection of the vehicle. Prior to any VIN
verification being performed, all vehicles, trailers, motorcycles, etc must be fully operational
and in compliance with all Connecticut laws and regulations. All vehicles, trailers and
motorcycles arriving on top of or within trailers, or in the back of trucks must be off-loaded by
the customer and equipped so as to be able to test the brakes, lights, horn and all other legally
required equipment. VIN verifications will NOT be performed on vehicles that are not legal for
the road or that are presented in such manner as to prevent a safety inspection from being
conducted by DMV personnel.
Vehicle types that must have a VIN verified at a DMV Inspection Lane:
• Vehicles that have missing, altered, or otherwise undetectable VINs;
• Composite motor vehicles or trailers, including any homemade motor vehicles or
trailers, dune buggies, and kit cars;
• Salvage vehicles;
• Grey market vehicles (vehicles that are imported from other countries, including
Canada, and may not conform to the federal safety standards);
• Amphibious vehicles;
• Former military vehicles;
• Motorcycles with model years 1980 or older;
• Three-wheeled vehicles, except Harley Davidson, and Can Am (Spyder);
• Vehicles that are not listed on our approved list of manufacturers. (except utility trailers)
• ANY dirt bike or motorcycle that closely resembles a dirt bike regardless of whether the
manufacturer is listed on the CT manufacturer's list MUST be brought to the
Wethersfield DMV for a courtesy inspection.
What to do:
• Bring your vehicle to a DMV Inspection Lane. See locations and hours.
• After VIN is verified, you will receive a verification form, which will be required to
register your vehicle at DMV. If your verification form is lost 30 days or more after the
date of verification, you must have your VIN verified again and pay the $10 fee. You can
obtain a copy of the form at the station that verified the VIN.
• Proceed to a DMV Hub Office or Limited Service Office to register your vehicle with your
verification form.
What to bring:
• The vehicle you want to register.
What it will cost:
• There is no fee for a VIN verification conducted at a DMV Inspection Lane.