New York Car Inspection Laws

New York Car Inspection Laws

The State of New York requires annual car inspections. Vehicle owners who fail to obey New York car inspection laws could face penalties. Unsafe vehicles can increase the risk of car accidents. 

At Rosenbaum & Rosenbaum, P.C., we represent individuals who have been injured in traffic accidents. Our New York City car accident lawyers have over 40 years of experience handling personal injury cases. If you need a car accident lawyer in New York, NY, we can help.

Contact our law firm to schedule a free consultation with one of our New York personal injury lawyers to discuss your case. 

How Our New York City Personal Injury Lawyers Can Help if You’ve Been Injured in a Car Accident

How Our New York Personal Injury Lawyers Can Help if You've Been Injured in a Car Accident

Car crashes are common in New York City, New York. People injured in car wrecks can incur substantial damages. The legal team of Rosenbaum & Rosenbaum, P.C. fights to get you the compensation you deserve after a car crash. Our New York City personal injury attorneys are aggressive trial litigators who fight for our clients’ best interests inside and outside of the courtroom.

We have been recognized among The National Trial Lawyers Top 100 Trial Lawyers for our dedication to our clients.

When you hire our legal team, you can expect us to:

  • Conduct a comprehensive accident investigation 
  • Analyze your claim to determine who is liable for your damages
  • Calculate the maximum value for your damages and fight for that amount
  • Handle all aspects of your case, including filing insurance claims and personal injury lawsuits
  • Keep you informed about the progress of your case
  • Provide guidance and support to help lessen your stress so you can focus on your recovery

We use the skills, knowledge, and resources gained over four decades as personal injury lawyers to get you the compensation you deserve.

Call our office now to schedule your free consultation with one of our car accident lawyers in New York. We are committed to helping each client achieve the best possible outcome given the facts of their case. 

Overview of New York Car Inspection Laws

New York’s vehicle safety inspection program helps ensure that only safe vehicles are on the road. Each vehicle must meet minimum safety requirements to operate on public highways and streets. If a vehicle does not meet minimum standards, the owner cannot legally operate the vehicle on New York roads.

How Often Do You Need to Have Your Car Inspected in New York?

How Often Do You Need to Have Your Car Inspected in New York?

New York requires vehicle owners to obtain vehicle inspections every 12 months. A vehicle owner must get a new inspection sticker before the current inspection sticker expires. 

Other vehicles that might require an inspection include:

  • Cars purchased through a private sale
  • Vehicles recently transferred to a new owner 
  • Vehicles owned by new residents that do not have a valid out-of-state inspection sticker

An inspection station has eight days to schedule an inspection appointment once a vehicle inspection is requested. Only authorized, licensed inspection stations can perform vehicle inspections. The inspections must be performed by a certified motor vehicle inspector at the service center. 

If you do not have your vehicle inspected, you could be charged a fine or receive a ticket for failing to have a valid inspection sticker. This penalty could result in the suspension of your driver’s license if you do not pay the traffic ticket. You cannot renew your vehicle registration. 

If a vehicle is new and has less than 1,000 miles, it does not require an inspection sticker.

What Does New York Car Inspection Laws Require a Technician to Inspect?

Numerous safety items must be examined during a New York vehicle inspection. 

Items that are inspected on a motor vehicle include:

  • Seatbelts
  • Brakes
  • Steering system
  • Chassis and frame
  • Wheel fasteners
  • Tires
  • Lights
  • Windows and other glass
  • Windshield and windshield wipers
  • Horn
  • Mirrors
  • Fuel leaks
  • Emissions inspection (The emissions tested on vehicles covers the entire system. You must pass the vehicle emissions test to obtain a new inspection sticker.)

It is essential to maintain a current inspection sticker for car registration renewal requirements. If you have questions about a New York vehicle inspection, you can contact a branch office of the New York Department of Motor Vehicles

What Happens if Your Vehicle Fails Inspection?

You will be notified of any problems that cause your car to fail inspection. You do not have to hire the inspection station to repair your vehicle or re-inspect your vehicle. You may make the repairs personally or contact another repair shop. 

Once the required repairs are completed, you must have your vehicle re-inspected at an inspection station of your choice. 

Why Are Car Inspection Laws Important?

Why Are Car Inspection Laws Important?

Having safe vehicles on the road reduces the risk of car crashes. Unsafe or defective vehicles increase the likelihood of accidents and injuries to themselves and other drivers. Drivers can be held liable if their unsafe motor vehicle causes an accident. 

An accident victim can recover compensations for damages arising out of the unsafe motor vehicle accident, including:

Our lawyers help you file an insurance claim or personal injury lawsuit against the driver responsible for the accident. There are time limits in the New York statutes for filing car accident claims, so do not wait too long to seek legal advice after a car wreck.

Schedule a Free Consultation With Our NYC Car Crash Lawyers

You can get answers to your questions about a car accident claim by calling our office to schedule a free consultation with an experienced New York City car accident lawyer. Our attorneys will evaluate your personal injury case and advise you of your legal rights.

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