In 1982, New York State instituted the vehicle inspection process to ensure that all vehicles on the road meet a minimum safety requirement. In addition, the Federal Clean Air Act of 1990 requires emissions inspection to protect the environment. So, what does all of that mean for drivers?
1. A vehicle must be inspected every 12 months by a licensed inspection station, usually a dealership or independent repair shop. You’ve got until the last day of the month on your sticker, but don’t wait until the last minute. You may not be able to get an appointment on the same day and you can get fined for driving with an expired inspection sticker.
Sticker expired 1-60 days- Fine of $25-50
Sticker expired over 60 days- Fine of $50-100
2. An inspection is also due when you buy a new car or register a car under a new name. Don’t forget!
3. Safety items checked during NYS inspection include:
Seat belts
Brakes
Steering system
Suspension
Chassis
Frame
Wheel Fasteners
Tires (except spare)
Lights
Windshield and other glass
Windshield wipers and blades
Lights
Horn
Fuel leaks
4. Emissions testing is done at the same time as the safety inspection. Once the vehicle passes, that information is sent to the NYS DMV. If your vehicle doesn’t pass or you fail to get a new inspection in the past 12 months, the DMV will not renew your registration. There is a waiver if the vehicle has had emissions repairs, but still doesn’t pass the emissions testing.
5. If your car is two years old or newer, it doesn’t need emissions testing. Same goes for vehicles 25 years or older, these are consider “classic.”
6. If a safety feature doesn’t pass inspection, you must have it repaired in order to pass. You do not need to have repairs completed at the shop where you had the inspection done. However, if your inspection sticker is expired it is NYS law to scrape the sticker off. This is another good reason not to wait for the last minute to have the inspection done.
7. If the check engine light is on, the vehicle will not pass inspection. However, other illuminated lights such as ABS and SRS will not fail.
8. The spare tire is not part of the safety inspection. However, this is a pretty important item in case of a blow out on a back road at midnight- so it’s not a bad idea to ask to have it checked out. Dry rot and deterioration can make a bad day worse.
9. You can currently sign up for reminders from the DMV for your inspection and registration renewals. However, Senate Bill S1242A is currently on the floor to amend the law and require the DMV to notify EVERYONE 30 days from the expiration date for vehicle inspection.
10. NYS sets the fee for inspections, not the auto shop. Some shops may charge a labor rate, so check into that before bringing your car in.
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