The New York State Vehicle Safety Inspection Program for cars and light trucks helps make sure every vehicle registered in this state meets the minimum standard for safe operation on public streets and highways. In addition, most vehicles are subject to an emissions inspection to help reduce air pollution. A properly maintained vehicle is safer, performs better, uses fuel more efficiently, and saves the owner money.
You can help by doing your own equipment safety checks between annual inspections, and by following a program of regular vehicle maintenance as recommended by the manufacturer. New York State motorists are required by law to keep their motor vehicles in safe operating condition when they drive on a public street or roadway. Each vehicle must pass inspection every 12 months and whenever there is a change of ownership which the vehicle is registered in another name.
Upon recieving a request for inspection, an inspection station must inspect any vehicle it is licensed to inspect or must provide, in writing, an appointment date that is within 8 working days of the request. If an appointment is made, the station may require a deposit that cannot exceed the inspection fee. An inspection must be done in a licensed inspection station displaying an official sign, and must be performed by a certified motor vehicle inspector. If your vehicle fails the safety and/or emissions inspection, the inspection station may not repair it, or attempt to repair it, without your authorization. You are not required to have your vehicle repaired or reinspected at the station that performed the inspection. It is a misdemeanor for an inspector to knowingly issue, or a motorist to knowingly accept, an inspection sticker unless a full and proper inspection has been performed.