More than 50,000 vehicles go through the vehicle safety and emissions inspection Bermuda every year.
So here is a brief breakdown to ensure that your vehicle or bike passes first time as Cool Wheels explains what you have to do and what the inspectors are looking for.
The tests have been conducted by Bermuda Emissions Control Limited since 2009 and take place at the three satellite centres in Hamilton, Rockaway and Southside.
The inspection applies to all road going vehicles, bikes, buses, trucks, trailers and construction equipment.
Brand new cars are exempt from the inspection on their second and fourth years. Bikes however need to be inspected every year.
To license your car or bike, it must first be insured and have passed the safety and emissions inspection.
Cool Wheels spoke to BECL boss Ian Hind and asked him to provide some simple steps to help get your car through the inspection.
He said: “Check the vehicle to ensure that all headlights, sidelights, brake lights, hazard lights, indicators, horn, front and rear wipers, and door window mechanisms are working.
“Check the instrument panel to ensure there are no warning lights on and that the speedometer is working.
“In the interior, the upholstery should be in good condition, in other words no major tears, the seats should be properly secure and the seat belts should be working.
“Check the tyres for damage, correct inflation and wear. Emergency ‘skinny’ or ‘doughnut’ tyres must not be fitted.
“When braking and steering there should be no juddering, shimmying, excessive noise or wobbling. The parking brake should hold your vehicle on a slope.
“Ensure there are no major leaks of fluid like oil or engine coolant from the vehicle.
“Check the exhaust for leaks. You can do this by briefly blocking the end of the exhaust pipe with a rag or heavy glove and listen for a leak.
“Check the body work for damage. There should be no major scratches or dents or visible rust, especially around structurally important areas like door pillars, suspension components and window frames.”
If you have tinted windows you have to make sure that it meets the legal minimum light levels.
Mr Hind added: “The strip across the front of the windscreen must be no more than 6-inch wide at any point.
“Window tint, if fitted, must permit at least 35 per cent light on the driver and front passenger windows and at least 30 per cent light on all other windows behind this point.
“All the window tint installers, including car dealers, bodyshops and retailers know this.
“And BECL have electronic tint level meters that measure the light levels accurately.”
If you are trying to get your bike through the inspection then here are a few more key inspection points from Mr Hind.
He told Cool Wheels: “The noise level must be under 93 decibels at 20 miles per hour in top gear.
“Check all headlights, rear and stop lights, indicators, horn and the brakes.
“The bodywork and paintwork should have no major dents or corrosion and seats, fenders and baskets should be in good condition and secure.
“The frame, front and rear wheels should be aligned, while spokes and forks in good condition.
“The handle bars should be no wider than 30 inches, have no excessive free play in the headstock and have a grip on each end of the handle.”
If your car or bike is coming up for its test then you should make an appointment to have the vehicle inspected.
You can easily do this online at www.etcd.gov.bm or by phoning the BECL office at 296 4232, or in person at the BECL offices which are on the east side of the TCD building on North St, Hamilton.
For more information you can visit http://www.tcd.gov.bm