What is checked in a NY state inspection

A NY state inspection has a safety part and, for most cars, an emissions part. The safety part covers ten groups of equipment, from brakes to mirrors. The emissions part reads your car's OBD II computer, including the check engine light.

The safety checklist for cars and light trucks

Item	What the inspector checks
Seat belts	Proper operation and anchorage. Model year 1969 and newer: one belt for each seating position.
Brakes	At least one front wheel comes off. Pedal reserve of 1/3, a one-minute pedal hold, pads, linings (at least 1/16 inch bonded), drums, rotors, lines, hoses, the parking brake and a straight stop.
Steering, suspension and frame	Steering wheel play, linkages, power steering, shock absorbers, springs and torsion bars, and rust at the suspension attachment points.
Tires	Tread at least 2/32 inch in two adjacent major grooves, and no cuts over 1 inch, bumps, bulges or knots. The spare is not checked.
Lights	Headlamps (low and high beam), tail lamps, stop lamps, directional signals, backup lights (1969 and newer), plate lights and hazard flashers.
Windshield and glass	Approved safety glass and window tint. No crack 11 inches or longer where any part is inside the wiper area.
Wipers and blades	Present and working. Rear window and headlamp wipers are not checked.
Horn	Mounted and working.
Mirrors	Model year 1970 and newer: a left outside mirror plus an inside mirror, or both outside mirrors.
Fuel leaks	Any leak that drips or pools fails.

The station also tells you if the air bag warning lamp is on or not working, and if tire pressure is outside the manufacturer's range. Both are advisories only and do not fail the inspection.

The emissions part

Most 1996 and newer gas vehicles, and most 1997 and newer diesel vehicles under 8,501 lb, get the OBD II test. It checks that the check engine light works and reads the results of the car's own emissions diagnostics. Each gas vehicle's emissions test also checks the gas cap and the emissions control devices it was built with, such as the catalytic converter.

Will a check engine light fail a NY inspection?

The OBD II test examines the check engine light for operation and illumination. Have the problem repaired before the inspection.

What does "not ready" mean?

The car's readiness monitors have not finished their self tests, often after a battery change or cleared trouble codes. An OBD II vehicle does not pass unless the required monitors are ready. For 2001 and newer vehicles, one monitor may be not ready. If "not ready" is the only failure and your inspection has already expired, the inspector's computer issues a 10-day extension so you can complete a drive cycle.

If your car fails

You can have repairs done anywhere, or do them yourself. You do not have to return to the station that inspected the car. A station must get your permission before it starts repairs. Come back within 30 days and only the failed part is inspected again.

What a reinspection costs

Motorcycles, trailers and heavy vehicles

These get a different safety inspection and no OBD II test. See motorcycle inspection and diesel and heavy vehicle inspection.

Find a licensed station. 8,028 NYS inspection stations hold an active DMV license.

NY state inspection near me

Sources

New York State Vehicle Safety/Emissions Inspection Program, NYS DMV. Checked Nov 9, 2026.
What Do You Mean My Car's Not Ready?, NYS DMV. Checked Nov 9, 2026.
About New York State Inspections, NYS DMV. Checked Nov 9, 2026.
CR-79 Motor Vehicle Inspection Regulations (5/26), NYS DMV. Checked Nov 9, 2026.

This guide is written by an independent directory, not the DMV. Rules can change; the DMV pages above are the official word. Page last changed Nov 9, 2026.