Safety Inspection
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.
Where can I get a vehicle inspected?
You must have a vehicle inspected at a DMV-licensed inspection station. These inspection stations display a yellow and black sign that reads, "Official Inspection Station." A motorcycle inspection station displays a blue and orange sign.
What equipment is checked during a safety inspection?
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.
What are the fees for the inspection?
Inspection fees can be found on the Inspection Groups and Fee Chart.
OBDII Emissions Inspections and Low-enhanced Emissions Inspections
THE NEW YORK VEHICLE INSPECTION PROGRAM (NYVIP)
The NYVIP is a program that includes a check of on-board diagnostic system (OBDII) on non-exempt vehicles that have a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) less than 8,501 pounds and that are:
- Model year 1996 or newer gas-powered vehicles; or,
- Model year 1997 or newer diesel-powered vehicles.
The NYVIP inspection also includes:
- The current safety inspection,
- The current gas cap check (gas-powered vehicles only), and
- The current visual inspection of the emission control devices (gas-powered vehicles only).
The NYVIP helps NYS to comply with the Federal Clean Air Act, decrease the emissions from motor vehicles, and reduce air pollution.
For NYVIP inspection, the NYS-licensed inspection station uses the NYVIP equipment to monitor the on-board diagnostic system (OBDII) of your vehicle. The equipment uses an approved communications system to report the inspection results to the DMV.
The inspection station also uses the NYVIP equipment to record most other safety and low-enhanced emissions inspections.
Below are FAQs about the NYVIP inspection:
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. All vehicles that have a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) less than 8,501 pounds and that are model year 1996 or newer gas-powered vehicles or 1997 or newer diesel-powered vehicles are equipped with 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 OBDII test?
The OBDII test is required for any vehicle that is not exempt from emissions inspection and that has a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) less than 8,501 pounds and that is:
- Model year 1996 or newer gas-powered vehicles; or,
- Model year 1997 or newer diesel-powered vehicles.
What motor vehicles are exempt from the OBDII and low-enhanced emissions inspection?
These motor vehicles are exempt from the OBDII and low-enhanced emissions inspection:
- Vehicles that are less than two model years old (formula: model year is greater than or equal to calendar year minus one).
- Vehicles that are more than 25 model years old (formula: model year is less than or equal to calendar year minus 25).
- Diesel-powered vehicles, except those diesel-powered vehicles that are model year 1997 or newer and that have a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) less than 8,501 pounds.
- Electric-powered vehicles.
- Motorcycles.
- Vehicles that have historical plates.
- Vehicles that are subject to the heavy vehicle safety inspection.
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?
A non-exempt gas-powered vehicle that is not subject to the OBDII emissions inspection is subject to the low-enhanced emissions inspection. Diesel-powered vehicles are exempt from the low-enhanced emissions inspection.
What is the fee for a NYVIP inspection?
In the Upstate Area, the total fee for a NYVIP safety and OBDII emissions inspection is $21. In the NYMA, the total fee for a NYVIP safety and OBDII emissions inspection is $37.
Statewide, the total fee for a NYVIP safety and low-enhanced emissions inspection is $21.
How much time does the OBDII test require?
The OBDII test requires less than five minutes. The inspector conducts the safety inspection, the gas cap check (gas-powered vehicles only) and the visual inspection of the emissions control devices (gas-powered vehicles only), 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.
If my vehicle requires repairs, will the warranty on my vehicle cover the repairs?
Read the owner manual and other documents for your vehicle to get information about the warranty on the emissions control equipment. The vehicle manufacturer is required to warranty emissions failures for the first 2 years or 24,000 miles and specified major emission components for 8 years or 80,000 miles. If you have questions, contact the automobile dealer or the vehicle manufacturer.
What can occur if my vehicle fails the OBDII test?
If the NYVIP requires a vehicle to receive an OBDII emissions test, 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. See the information about registration-based enforcement of the emissions inspection requirements. You must have the vehicle repaired to meet the standards and pass a re-inspection.
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 ultimately passes the safety inspection, the gas cap check (gas-powered vehicles only) and the visual inspection of the emissions control devices (gas-powered vehicles only), 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 re-inspection.
The waiver is valid for one year.
After the re-inspection, 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 the inspection sticker for your vehicle. The sticker is valid for one year.
To qualify for a waiver:
- You must have the inspection report that shows the failure from the initial NYVIP inspection station.
- The inspection report for the re-inspection must show that your vehicle failed the OBDII test, but that your vehicle passed the safety inspection, the gas cap check (gas-powered vehicles only), and the visual inspection of the emissions control devices (gas-powered vehicles only).
- The emissions control system of your vehicle must be intact, and must not show any evidence of tampering (gas-powered vehicles only).
- You must have work orders and receipts that prove that repairs related to the vehicle emissions system were completed at a NYS-registered repair shop, or at an out-of-state repair shop. The work orders and the receipts must document that the cost of the repairs, parts, labor, and related sales tax 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 vehicles 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, your OBDII system has a problem.
The problem may reduce fuel efficiency, increase air pollution, or cause harm to your vehicle. Take your vehicle to a qualified automotive technician to determine the severity of the problem and what 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 monitors.
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.
How can I find the locations of NYVIP inspection stations?
You can search by ZIP Code or by county for the locations of NYVIP emissions inspection stations.
How can I learn more about OBDII?
To get more information about OBDII, you can visit the web sites of these organizations:
What motor vehicles are exempt from the OBDII and low-enhanced emissions inspection?
These motor vehicles are exempt from the OBDII and low-enhanced emissions inspection:
- Vehicles that are less than two model years old (formula: model year is greater than or equal to calendar year minus one).
- Vehicles that are more than 25 model years old (formula: model year is less than or equal to calendar year minus 25).
- Diesel-powered vehicles, except those diesel-powered vehicles that are model year 1997 or newer and that have a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) less than 8,501 pounds.
- Electric-powered vehicles.
- Motorcycles.
- Vehicles that have historical plates.
- Vehicles that are subject to the heavy vehicle safety inspection.
Annual safety inspections are required for all vehicles that the law does not exempt. To learn more about safety inspections, read the DMV brochure, New York State Vehicle Safety/Emissions Inspection Program for Cars and Light Trucks.
THE LOW-ENHANCED EMISSIONS INSPECTION
If the vehicle is not otherwise exempt from emissions inspection, the following gas-powered vehicles are subject to the low-enhanced emissions inspection:
- Model year 1995 or older vehicles, and
- Vehicles that have a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) greater than 8,500 pounds.
What does the low-enhanced emissions inspection include?
The low-enhanced emissions inspection includes a gas cap check and a visual inspection to find evidence of tampering and to prevent malfunctions in the air pollution control devices. The test is done annually at the same time as the safety inspection.
What motor vehicles are exempt from the OBDII and low-enhanced emissions inspection?
These motor vehicles are exempt from the OBDII and low-enhanced emissions inspection:
- Vehicles that are less than two model years old (formula: model year is greater than or equal to calendar year minus one).
- Vehicles that are more than 25 model years old (formula: model year is less than or equal to calendar year minus 25).
- Diesel-powered vehicles, except those diesel-powered vehicles that are model year 1997 or newer and that have a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) less than 8,501 pounds.
- Electric-powered vehicles.
- Motorcycles.
- Vehicles that have historical plates.
- Vehicles that are subject to the heavy vehicle safety inspection.
What is the fee for the low-enhanced emissions inspection?
The fee for a low-enhanced emissions inspection and the safety inspection is $21.