NY inspection rules for new residents and out-of-state cars

If you move to New York from a state that issues inspection stickers, your old inspection stays valid until it expires or one year after your New York registration date, whichever comes first. If your old state does not issue stickers, you must get a New York inspection.

Moving to New York

• Old state issues stickers: no immediate inspection. Get a New York inspection when the old sticker expires, or one year after registration.
• Old state has no stickers: get the vehicle inspected in New York.
• Diesel vehicles over 8,500 lb registered in New York City, Nassau, Suffolk, Rockland or Westchester need the annual diesel emissions test.

Your New York car is out of state when the sticker expires

Students, travelers and people working away can ask the DMV for a temporary extension by mail. Send your name and out-of-state mailing address, the year and make of the vehicle, the plate number, and the inspection sticker number and expiration date to:

NYS DMV Bureau of Consumer and Facility Services, Inspection Extension, P.O. Box 2700-ESP, Albany, NY 12220-0700.

• Allow 14 days for processing. You need the extension sticker before the vehicle returns.
• Keep it in the car while away. Do not put it on the windshield until you are back in New York.
• Write the return date on it, attach it, and get inspected within 10 days of returning.
• The extension does not guarantee you will not get a ticket in another state, and it does not create an inspection record.

Registration renewal while away

The DMV will not renew a registration without an inspection record from the past 12 months. If you must renew before you can get a New York inspection, the DMV asks you to call 518-486-9786.

Buying a car

From a private seller, you get a 10-day inspection extension from the registration date. From a dealer, the dealer must inspect the vehicle within 30 days of sale and before delivery. Expired sticker rules.