Mechanical Shop

New York State Inspection Information

    How often must I get a vehicle inspection?
    All vehicles registered in New York State must get a safety inspection and an emissions inspection every 12 months. Both inspections are also required when the ownership of a vehicle is transferred. (Some vehicles are exempt from emissions inspections.) Both inspections are done at the same time by a DMV-certified inspector at privately-owned inspection stations licensed by DMV.
    What are the fees for the inspection?
The safety inspection fee is $10.

The emissions inspection fee is $11.

    Emissions Inspection for Gas-powered Vehicles

    New York State has a new program for annual vehicle inspection (NYVIP).

    The NYVIP is a program that includes a new inspection of the emissions control systems on gas-powered vehicles that have a model year of 1996 and newer. The NYVIP inspection also includes:

    • The current safety inspection,
    • The current gas cap check, and
    • The current visual inspection of the emission control devices.

    The NYVIP will help NYS to comply with the Federal Clean Air Act, decrease the emissions from motor vehicles, and reduce air pollution.

    Below are FAQs about the NYVIP inspection:

    When will the NYVIP begin?

    All NYS-licensed inspection stations must begin the new program no later than April 1, 2005.

    For NYVIP inspection, the NYS-licensed inspection station uses new equipment to monitor the on-board diagnostic system (OBDII) of your vehicle.  The station uses the new equipment, a modem, and a dedicated telephone line to report the inspection results to the DMV.  The dedicated telephone line must be an analog telephone line; it cannot be a digital telephone line.

    The inspection station also uses the NYVIP equipment to conduct the inspections for motorcycles, trailers, and vehicles that have a model year of 1995 and older, but the station does not conduct the ODBII inspection for these vehicles.

    What is "OBDII"?

    "OBDII" is the acronym that indicates "on-board diagnostics - version two". The OBDII is a computer system that monitors the correct operation of the engine and the emissions control systems of the vehicle. Vehicles that have a model year of 1996 or newer and that weigh 8,500 lbs. or less have the OBDII. If the OBDII detects a problem that can result in excessive emissions, a malfunction indicator light (MIL) illuminates to inform the driver or automotive technician.

    Which vehicles must get the new OBDII test?

    The new OBDII test is required for any gas-powered vehicle that is not exempt from emissions inspection and that:

    • Has a model year of 1996 or newer, and
    • Is more than two model years old, and
    • Displays a weight that is less than 8,501 lbs. on the vehicle registration.

    What motor vehicles are exempt from emissions inspection for gas-powered vehicles?

    • Vehicles that are less than two model years old, or more than 25 model years old (for example, a 1975 model in 2001)
    • Diesel-powered vehicles 8500 lbs. or less and Diesel-powered vehicles 8501 lbs. and more registered in the NYCMA area that are required to have the emissions inspection for diesel-powered vehicles.
    • Electric-powered vehicles.
    • Motorcycles.
    • Vehicles that are registered as farm equipment or that have historical plates.
    • Homemade vehicles or custom vehicles that are registered in the Upstate Area.

    What emissions inspection is required if a gas-powered vehicle is not required to have the OBDII test and is not exempt from emissions inspection?

    If a vehicle is a 1995 or older model gas-powered vehicle that is not exempt from emissions inspection the vehicle receives:

    • A high-enhanced emissions inspection if the vehicle is registered in the NYCMA, or
    • A low-enhanced emissions inspection if the vehicle is registered in the Upstate Area.

    What is the fee for a NYVIP inspection?

    In the Upstate Area, the total fee for a NYVIP safety and emissions inspection is $21.  In the NYCMA, the total fee for a NYVIP safety and emissions inspection is $37.

    How much additional time will the OBDII test require?

    The OBDII test will require less than five minutes. The inspector will conduct the safety inspection, the gas cap check and the visual inspection of the emissions control devices, and then the OBDII test, to complete the inspection.

    How will I know if my vehicle passed or failed the OBDII test?

    The NYVIP equipment at the inspection station prints a document that is a report of the test results and a receipt. If your vehicle fails the test, the report indicates the reason for the failure. The report can provide helpful information to an automotive technician who repairs the vehicle.

    What can occur if my vehicle fails the OBDII test?

    If the NYVIP requires a vehicle to receive an OBDII emissions inspection, and the vehicle does not qualify for a waiver (see below), the vehicle must pass that inspection in order to receive an inspection sticker. The failure of the vehicle to pass the inspection can prevent the renewal of the vehicle registration. You must have the vehicle repaired to meet the standards and pass a reinspection.

    Inspection Waiver. A vehicle that is required to have the OBDII inspection can qualify for a waiver if:

    • The vehicle fails the OBDII inspection, but passes the safety inspection, the gas cap check, and the visual inspection of the emission control devices, and
    • The vehicle receives repairs that are related to the failure of the OBDII inspection and the cost of the repairs is at least $450, and
    • The vehicle does not pass the OBDII inspection during a reinspection.

    The waiver is valid for one year.

    After the reinspection, the inspector enters the repair information that you provide into the NYVIP equipment. The NYVIP equipment then notifies the inspector if the vehicle qualifies for a waiver. If the vehicle qualifies, the inspector can use the NYVIP equipment to print a waiver form. You must sign the waiver form, and the inspector must sign the waiver form. The inspection station keeps the waiver form and other documents related to the waiver. The inspector then issues your inspection sticker, and the sticker is valid for one year.

    To qualify for a waiver:

    • You must have the inspection report from the original NYVIP inspection station.
    • The inspection report must show that your vehicle failed the original OBDII test, but that your vehicle passed the safety inspection, the gas cap check, and the visual inspection of the emission control devices.
    • The emissions control system of your vehicle must be intact. The system must not show any evidence of tampering.
    • You must have work orders and receipts that prove that repairs related to the vehicle emissions system were completed at a NYS-licensed repair shop. The work orders and the receipts must prove that the cost of the repairs, parts and labor, was at least $450. If you complete the repairs yourself, the calculation of the cost of the repairs includes only the cost of the parts that were used and does not include any amount for your labor.

    What is the warning light on my dashboard that displays the words, "Check Engine", or similar words?  What can I do if the warning light illuminates?

    The warning light is the malfunction indicator light (MIL) of the OBDII system. The color of the MIL is red or yellow. The MIL can display the words, "check engine soon", "service engine soon", or words that are similar. The MIL on some vehicle displays the image of an engine with the word, "check".

    The MIL normally illuminates when you insert the key and turn the vehicle ignition toward the position that starts the vehicle engine. If there is no problem, the MIL does not remain illuminated while the engine operates. If you start your engine and the MIL remains illuminated, the OBDII system has found a problem.

    The problem may reduce fuel efficiency, increase air pollution, or cause harm to the engine. Take your vehicle to a qualified automotive technician to determine the severity of the problem and if service or repairs are required. Normally the illumination of the MIL is not an indication of a malfunction that requires immediate attention, but an unresolved malfunction may lead to more serious problems or costly repairs.

    To indicate a possible serious malfunction, the MIL flashes on and flashes off while the engine operates. Take your vehicle to an automotive technician immediately, and only operate your vehicle if necessary. Do not operate your vehicle at fast speeds, and do not use your vehicle to carry or tow a heavy load.

    How do I get a 10-day extension of my current inspection?

    You can receive from the NYVIP inspection station an inspection receipt that includes a 10-day extension of your previous inspection only if:

    • the previous inspection was expired at the time of the inspection, and
    • your vehicle passed all parts of the inspection except the test of the OBD II readiness monitor.

    You cannot get an extension in any other circumstances.  You cannot get more than one extension.  You cannot get an extension from the DMV.

    What if the inspection indicates that my vehicle is "not ready" for the OBD II test?  Where can I get information about the OBD II readiness monitor status of my vehicle?

    Read the brochure about the status of the OBD II readiness monitor.  You can read the brochure in English or in Spanish.

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