If you would like to apply to have an official public emissions inspection station you may be subject to the Public Emissions Inspection State Cap.  Please read Inspection Station Cap Information before you apply. You should also read the DMV Commissioner’s Motor Vehicle Inspection Regulations (PDF) (CR-79) and Facility Requirements – Inspection Stations (PDF) (VS-143) for information on opening an inspection station. If you are applying to be a Public Inspection Station you must also have a registered repair shop at that location. See Open a Repair Shop or Body Shop for further requirements.

You must submit:

• Original Facility Application (PDF) (VS-1) 
• proof that you have permission to use the property at the business location (notarized statement from property owner, lease (may be contingent on facility approval), sub-lease with primary lease, mortgage, deed, or receipted tax bill)
• your Sales Tax ID number and a copy of your Sales Tax Certificate of Authority found on the Department of Tax and Finance website (you may need a FEIN from the IRS before this step) 
• proof of Workers' Compensation Insurance for your employees (if you do not have employees, indicate that on the application) You can visit the New York State Workers Compensation Board website for instructions on this process
• a photocopy of the driver license(s) or other government-issued photo ID for everyone listed on the application
• all required fees, via a check payable to the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles
• a Filing Receipt found on the New York State Department of State website (Corporation or LLC) or a Business Certificate from the County Clerk (individual using assumed name or partnership)
• any additional requirements if you are also applying to be a repair shop (required for public inspection stations). 

You must submit a hard copy of your application, associated documents, and fee to the Bureau of Consumer & Facility Services at the address below. DMV's Vehicle Safety’s Application Processing Unit will contact you. Once your application is reviewed for completeness at our Albany office, it will be sent to a regional office for review. The regional office will contact you to schedule an on-site investigation.

When the automotive facilities inspector (AFI) arrives to inspect your facility, they will be checking that you have the following items:

• permanently mounted signs visible from the street (the AFI will deny your application if the signs are not clearly visible)
• proof of identification for everyone named on the application (driver license or other government-issued photo ID)

DMV does not provide official inspection station signs. You may purchase these signs from various sign shops and automotive supply stores.  Your sign requirements will differ based on the types of vehicles you will be inspecting.  See Motor Vehicle Inspection Regulations (PDF) CR-79 (79.13) for specific requirements.

In addition to the items listed above, the AFI will examine your location for these characteristics:

• a mailbox at the business address dedicated to your business only (mailboxes shared with other businesses or entities are not acceptable)
• a method of locking security items (locking cabinet, safe, etc.)
• heat, electricity, desk, and chairs
• a business phone (cell phone is acceptable)
• sufficient space to perform inspections. See Motor Vehicle Inspection Regulations (PDF) (CR-79.9) for specific requirements.
• tools required to perform inspections for the inspection groups you are applying for. 
• the name and ID number of the certified inspector
  • It may be beneficial to have your certified inspector present so that they can review procedures and any questions they may have with the Automotive Facilities Inspector

Important:
As of 12/1/2023 all inspections stations are required to have a computerized vehicle inspection system. Failure to either have the appropriate NYVIP3 (New York State Vehicle Inspection Program) Equipment for the licenses applied for or proof that the appropriate NYVIP3 equipment has been ordered at the time of your On-Site Investigation may result in your application being denied.

All Inspection stations are required to have a CVIS to perform inspections and to print the inspection certificate for all passing inspections in the New York State Vehicle Inspection Program. NYVIP3 equipment has been designed in a modular format to allow stations the ability to purchase only the components needed for the types of inspections they will be performing. Valid inspection stations are limited to perform certain types of inspections based on what inspection groups they are approved to inspect. Beyond the capabilities to perform the inspections and print the certificates, the CVIS also provides stations with accurate records, more control over who conducts the inspections, provides standardization for all inspection information and results to be recorded, and provides the results of inspections to both inspection stations and customers with the Vehicle Inspection Report. NYVIP3 equipment must be purchased through Opus Inspection, Inc. For more information, visit the Opus website or call 1-866-623-8378. If you need assistance determining the specific level of NYVIP3 equipment to order, you may contact the Office of Clean Air at 518-473-0597, option 4.

All non-exempt diesel-powered motor vehicles with Gross Vehicle Weight Ratings (GVWR) over 8,500 pounds registered in the New York Metropolitan Area (NYMA) are subject to diesel emissions testing. These vehicles are issued a Safety/Diesel Emissions Inspection Certificate.

To be able to conduct diesel emissions testing, an inspection station must purchase the NYVIP3 Integrated Diesel Emissions Opacity equipment from Opus Inspection Inc. A station can only conduct the emissions inspection on a diesel-powered vehicle if that station is also licensed to conduct the appropriate safety inspection for that specific type of vehicle.

The items in the following list are not a required part of a safety inspection for light-duty and medium-duty vehicles. While some of the items are illegal equipment, the inspection station is not required to inspect the items. You can inform the customer that the item is illegal or that the item does not function. These items cannot cause you to reject a vehicle. The items are:

• bumpers
• fog lights
• studded snow tires (tires must pass other inspection standards)
• rear window defogger or rear window defroster
• rear window wiper
• ball joints
• CV joints and boots
• the thickness of brake rotors
• activated Anti-Lock Brakes (ABS) Warning Light
• activated Airbag Readiness Warning Light (you must use a rejection notice to inform the customer, but do not reject for inspection)
• a rearview mirror that is mounted on the outside of the passenger side of the vehicle (unless the rear window is obstructed. The customer must remove the mirror or the mirror must meet inspection standards to pass the inspection)
• brakes on a trailer (the brakes are not required, but you must inspect the brakes if they exist)

You can reject the serpentine belt if any pieces of the serpentine belt between the grooves are absent or any part of the serpentine belt is frayed or the flat outer surface is cracked or frayed.

DMV Regulation 79.8(b)(1) requires an inspection station to inspect any vehicle it is qualified to inspect and includes vehicles registered in other states. Advise the customer that not all states recognize the New York State inspection.

If a vehicle does not have a valid registration and does not have vehicle plates; you can still complete a New York State inspection. The customer must present a proper vehicle ownership document.