Driving without a valid inspection sticker or with an expired inspection sticker in New York State can be a costly mistake. Not only will you have to pay for the inspection, but you may also face fines and mandatory state surcharge. Read on to learn about the penalties for driving without an inspection sticker in NY.Skip to article
Written by: Mel Duvall Contributing ResearcherMel Duvall is an award-winning senior business writer and communications professional. He served as Senior Media Manager for Husky Energy, a fully integrated energy company with operations in Canada, the United States, China and Indonesia. Mel also served a three-year term on the Mount Royal University Journalism Committee.
Reviewed by: Nupur Gambhir Managing EditorNupur Gambhir is a content editor and licensed life, health, and disability insurance expert. She has extensive experience bringing brands to life and has built award-nominated campaigns for travel and tech. Her insurance expertise has been featured in Bloomberg News, Forbes Advisor, CNET, Fortune, Slate, Real Simple, Lifehacker, The Financial Gym, and the end-of-life planning service.
In New York, the inspection sticker is a part of the inspection process conducted at an inspection station and is necessary for safety reasons. Driving with an expired inspection sticker or not having an inspection sticker at all is a serious offense and can result in a fine between $50 and $100.
If you’ve been pulled over for driving without an inspection sticker, be prepared for penalties imposed by the officer plus any additional fees. Keep reading this guide to get more information on car inspection in New York.
Key HighlightsMel Duvall is an award-winning senior business writer and communications professional. He served as Senior Media Manager for Husky Energy, a fully integrated energy company with operations in Canada, the United States, China and Indonesia. Mel also served a three-year term on the Mount Royal University Journalism Committee.
Reviewed by: Nupur Gambhir Managing EditorNupur Gambhir is a content editor and licensed life, health, and disability insurance expert. She has extensive experience bringing brands to life and has built award-nominated campaigns for travel and tech. Her insurance expertise has been featured in Bloomberg News, Forbes Advisor, CNET, Fortune, Slate, Real Simple, Lifehacker, The Financial Gym, and the end-of-life planning service.
Table of Contents Table of ContentsIn New York, it is required by state and DMV rules that all motor vehicles more than two model years old but less than 25 years old undergo safety and emissions inspection. After the car passes the safety inspection, they are given an inspection sticker in New York. The owner must display this sticker on their vehicle with the expiration date punched on the front.
All vehicles registered in New York State must get a safety and emissions inspection every 12 months. Both inspections are also required when the ownership of a vehicle is transferred. Both inspections are done simultaneously by a DMV-certified inspector at privately-owned inspection stations licensed by DMV.
The DMV-licensed inspection station electronically sends a record of all emissions inspections to the DMV. The DMV must have a record that your vehicle passed an emissions inspection during the previous year or you will not be able to renew your motor vehicle registration.
It is mandatory for all vehicles registered in New York to get a safety inspection done at any DMV-licensed inspection station
You must ensure you have a valid New York inspection sticker displayed on your motor vehicle. The inspection sticker has an expiration date, which is the last day of the month that was punched on the sticker.
Vehicle inspections can be carried out by any DMV licensed inspection station. Licensed stations display a yellow and black sign that reads “Official Inspection Station”. Motorcycle inspection stations display a blue and orange sign.
You can locate a licensed inspection station near you through the New York DMV’s web site and by entering your ZIP code or the county you live in. Your preferred garage or mechanic may not always be licensed to carry out inspections, but they may be able to ensure your vehicle is in the right condition to pass the final official inspection.
A full NYS car inspection can take anywhere from 30 minutes to several hours to complete. If there are no major issues the inspection will usually take much less time. Factors such as the vehicle’s condition, the complexity of required tests, and the workload at the inspection station can impact the overall duration of the inspection process.
If your vehicle fails the safety and emissions inspection, you should get your motor vehicle inspected again to receive an inspection sticker. But the inspection station will require your consent before they begin the re-inspection.
There is no obligation to take your motor vehicle for repairs to the station that carried out the initial inspection after your car fails inspection. You can have your motor vehicle repaired or re-inspected at any licensed repair shop or do the necessary repairs yourself. And before you get an inspection sticker, your vehicle must pass a new inspection at your chosen inspection station.
No. In New York, drivers driving with an expired inspection ticket may face fines and suspension of their car insurance. As such, it is essential to check your inspection date regularly and ensure it is kept up to date. Always ensure that your car has a valid inspection and relevant car insurance.
The fine for an expired inspection sticker in the state of New York depends on how long the sticker has been expired.
In all cases, the state adds a mandatory state surcharge of $88 ($93 in town and village courts).
Once you are ticketed for the expired inspection sticker, you’re warned to get a new one or to continue to be ticketed for driving without one or parking on public streets if you do not.
Having fictitious inspection stickers on your vehicle is illegal and against the law. And if you’re caught with a false inspection sticker on your motor vehicle, you are subject to a fine of $300, an $85 surcharge, and perhaps 30 days in jail under V&T Law section 306-f.
In New York, you can also receive an expired inspection parking ticket for having an expired inspection sticker. You can avoid an expensive parking ticket by updating your current inspection sticker and paying the fine immediately.
Failure to do so will result in more parking tickets, and you may be subject to additional fines and late fees if you don’t pay the parking ticket.
You may be tempted to run the risk of driving with an expired inspection sticker, but that comes with the potential for fines.
If you get pulled over and your inspection sticker expired within the past 60 days, you’ll receive a fine of $25 to $50. If the inspection sticker is expired more than 60 days, the fine will be between $50 and $100. If there is no inspection sticker, the fine is $50 to $100.
In addition, a mandatory state surcharge of $88 ($93 in town and village courts) is added to the fine.
An expired inspection sticker infraction does not carry points and is considered a non-moving violation.
There is no official grace period for getting a car inspection in New York, but there are a variety of circumstances where you are granted time to get the inspection done.
If you buy a vehicle from a dealer, the dealer is required to have the vehicle inspected within 30 days of the date of sale and prior to delivery. If you buy or get a vehicle privately, you are provided an inspection extension for up to 10 days from the date of registration.
If you recently moved to New York and your vehicle has a valid inspection sticker from another state, you do not have to get your vehicle inspected in New York until that inspection sticker expires, or one year after the registration state, whichever comes first.
If the vehicle inspection was performed in a jurisdiction that does not issue an inspection sticker, you must have your vehicle inspected in New York.
If you happen to be out of state when your inspection expires, you can apply for an extension. The date allows you 10 days from the date the vehicle returns to New York to get an inspection.
Keep in mind, however, that your out-of-state inspection sticker may be in violation of the regulations in the state you are currently in.
Yes. A parked vehicle without an inspection sticker or an expired inspection sticker can receive a parking ticket.
If the vehicle is parked on the street or a public parking lot, you also run the risk that the vehicle may be towed and you will incur the accompanying impound charges.
The DMV does not list a temporary inspection sticker as an offered service, so the only way to get the inspection completed without any risk of being ticketed is to have it towed.
In New York you cannot reregister the car without a valid vehicle inspection. So, to keep on the right side of the law, you will need to have it towed to an inspection station, have it inspected and approved, and then reregister the vehicle after paying the associated fines and fees.
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Mel Duvall is an award-winning senior business writer and communications professional. He served as Senior Media Manager for Husky Energy, a fully integrated energy company with operations in Canada, the United States, China and Indonesia. Mel also served a three-year term on the Mount Royal University Journalism Committee.
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