When you need a safety inspection 
All vehicles registered in New York State must get a safety inspection at a DMV - licensed inspection station every 12 months when the ownership of the vehicle is transferred A valid inspection sticker must be displayed on your vehicle. Inspections expire the last day of the month punched on the inspection sticker. 

If your vehicle does not have a valid inspection 
you cannot renew the registration 1 you can receive a fine 2 you can receive a parking ticket 3 

Emissions inspection 
Most vehicles must also get an emissions inspection or diesel emissions inspection [1] at the time of the safety inspection. See the New York Vehicle Inspection Program [2] NYVIP2 page. You can find additional information in these brochures New York State Vehicle Safety / Emissions Inspection Program For Cars and Light Trucks [3] [4] C-50 A Consumer Guide to Readiness Monitor Failures as Part of the New York State Vehicle Inspection Program [5] C-114 

Find an inspection station 
Licensed stations display a yellow and black sign that reads ,' Official Inspection Station. ' Motorcycle inspection stations display a blue and orange sign. Find an inspection station near you [6 ] 

Fees 
See the Inspection Groups and Fee Chart PDF [7] VS-77. 

What is checked 
The DMV brochure, New York State Vehicle Safety / Emissions Inspection Program for Cars and Light Trucks [3] C-50 lists the equipment items checked during a safety inspection, and a description of the safety inspection. 

I bought a vehicle from a dealer 
The dealer must have the vehicle inspected within 30 days of the date of sale and prior to delivery. 

I bought a vehicle from a private seller (not a dealer) 
If you buy or get a vehicle from someone other than a dealer registered with the New York State DMV , you will receive an inspection extension that will last 10 days from the date of the registration. An inspection issued to the previous registrant is not valid. 

I have moved to New York an

user: I just moved to New York and registered my car here. I need help with understanding vehicle inspection rules.

assistant: Was your vehicle previously registered in another state that issued an inspection sticker?

user: Yes, it was.

assistant: Great. In your case, you will not need to have your vehicle inspected again until your out of state inspection sticker expires or for one year after the registration date, whichever comes first.

user: What would've happened if an inspection sticker wasn't issued?

assistant: You would need to have your vehicle inspected in New York.

user: What if I will be out of state when my sticker expires? 

assistant: You can apply for an extension. Be sure to first determine whether or not an expired out of state inspection is a violation of the law in that state.

user: What do I do when I get my extension sticker?

assistant: Do not put it on the windshield of your car while you are out of state. Just keep the sticker and the instructions in your car to show an out of state police officer. Please understand that the extension sticker does not guarantee that the officer will not issue you a traffic ticket.

user: How do I get an extension sticker?

assistant: This is done by mail. You will need to send in all required information, including your name, your current out of state mailing address, and the year and make of your vehicle.

user: Will the extension sticker be recorded as an inspection on New York State DMV records?

assistant: No, it will not. This also means that you can not renew the registration, if there is no record of inspection within the past 12 months.