Vehicles must be inspected

• every 12 months
• when the ownership of the vehicle is transferred

A valid inspection sticker must be displayed on your vehicle. Inspections expire on the last day of the month punched on the inspection sticker. Keep the receipt of your emissions inspection sticker to prove that your vehicle was inspected.

If your inspection is expired you can receive a fine or a parking ticket. If the inspection sticker on your vehicle has expired in the past 60 days, you can receive a fine of $25 to $50. If the inspection sticker is expired more than 60 days, the fine is between $50 and $100. If there is no inspection sticker, the fine is between $50 and $100. A mandatory state surcharge of $88 ($93 in town and village courts) is added to the fine. A parked vehicle with no inspection sticker, or with an expired inspection sticker, can receive a parking ticket.

Most New York State vehicle inspections include a check of the onboard diagnostic system (OBDII). This includes a test of vehicle emissions control systems, designed to reduce air pollution and keep New York State in compliance with the Federal Clean Air Act. Diesel vehicles receive a diesel emissions inspection at the time of the safety inspection.

Vehicles are exempt from emissions inspection if they are

• motorcycles
• less than two model years old (the model year is greater than or equal to the calendar year minus one)
• more than 25 model years old (the model year is less than or equal to the calendar year minus 25 )
• diesel-powered, except diesel-powered vehicles that are 1997 or newer and that have a gross vehicle weight rating (GVRW) of less than 8,501 pounds
• electric-powered
• issued historical plates
• subject to the heavy vehicle safety inspection

Step 1: Know the cost

See the Inspection Groups and Fee Chart (PDF) (VS-77).

Step 2: Know what will be checked

The DMV brochure New York State Vehicle Safety/Emissions Inspection Program for Cars and Light Trucks lists the equipment items checked during a safety inspection, and a description of the safety inspection.

Step 3: Find an inspection location

Search by facility type and location to find an inspection station or other DMV-regulated business near you.

• Licensed stations display a yellow and black sign that reads, 'Official Inspection Station.'
• Motorcycle inspection stations display a blue and orange sign.

Find an inspection station

Vehicles Purchased From a Dealer

The dealer must have the vehicle inspected within 30 days of the date of sale and prior to delivery.

Vehicles Purchased from a Private Seller

If you buy or get a vehicle from someone other than a dealer registered with the New York State DMV, you will receive an inspection extension that will last 10 days from the date of the registration.

An inspection issued to the previous registrant is not valid.

Moving to New York State

If your vehicle was registered in another state which issues an inspection sticker, you do not need to have your vehicle inspected immediately. Your out-of-state inspection remains valid until it expires or for one year after the registration date, whichever comes first. When your out-of-state inspection expires, you must get a New York State vehicle inspection.

If the previous inspection was performed in a jurisdiction that does not issue an inspection sticker, you must have your vehicle inspected in New York.

Inspection Sticker Came Off the Windshield

You can attach it to the windshield again with clear tape or a small amount of clear adhesive. Remember that an inspection station must be able to remove the sticker during your next inspection.

If the sticker is not usable, you can have your vehicle re-inspected or order a replacement sticker using the form Request for Replacement Inspection Sticker (PDF) (VS-118).  Complete the form and mail it to the address on the form.

Inspection Sticker is Missing

I need to replace my inspection sticker. You can have your vehicle re-inspected or order a replacement sticker using the form Request for Replacement Inspection Sticker (PDF) (VS-118).  Complete the form and mail it to the address on the form.

If you are out of state when your inspection will expire, you can apply for an extension. First, determine if an expired out-of-state inspection is a violation of law in that state. Ask the authorities if a New York State inspection extension sticker prevents a ticket for the violation. The extension allows you 10 days from the date the vehicle returns to New York State to get an inspection.

Allow 14 days for the DMV to process and mail your extension sticker. You will need it before you return your vehicle to New York.

To receive an extension, mail

• your name and current out-of-state mailing address
• the year and make of your vehicle
• the vehicle plate number
• the inspection sticker number and expiration date

to

NYS DMV
Bureau of Consumer and Facility Services
Inspection Extension
P.O. Box 2700-ESP
Albany, NY 12220-0700

When you receive your extension sticker, do not put it on your windshield while your vehicle is out of state. Keep the sticker and the instructions in your vehicle to show to an out-of-state police officer. The sticker is not a guarantee that a police officer will not issue you a traffic ticket.

There will be no record of an inspection on New York State DMV records. You cannot renew the registration if there is no DMV record of an inspection within the past 12 months. If you must renew the registration before you get a New York State inspection, call  518-486-9786.

After you return your vehicle to New York State

• write the date the vehicle returned to New York on the extension sticker
• attach the sticker to your windshield
• get your vehicle inspected within 10 days