New York emissions testing rules

The program is statewide: the emissions check is done during the same annual visit as the safety inspection.

“The emissions inspection is done at the same time as the annual safety inspection.”

Every vehicle registered in New York must be inspected at least once every 12 months, and again when it is registered to a new owner.

“Each vehicle registered in New York State must be inspected at least every 12 months. You must have your vehicle inspected before the expiration date of the current inspection sticker. When the vehicle is registered in a different name, the new registrant must have the vehicle inspected.”

The DMV's fee chart caps the OBDII emissions inspection at $27.00 at stations inside the New York Metropolitan Area and $11.00 outside it; stations may charge less, never more.

“All 1996 and newer non-exempt vehicles that have a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) under 8,501 pounds. $27.00 $11.00 performed at an inspection station located within the New York Metropolitan Area (NYMA) performed at an inspection station located outside of the NYMA”

The safety inspection is a separate charge of up to $10.00 for most cars and light trucks (under 10,001 pounds and fewer than fifteen passengers), on top of the OBDII emissions inspection of up to $27.00 inside the New York Metropolitan Area or $11.00 outside it.

“All motor vehicles that have a seating capacity, as indicated on the vehicle registration certificate, under fifteen passengers, and all motor vehicles, except trailers and motorcycles, that have an MGW, as indicated on the vehicle registration certificate, under 10,001 pounds. $10.00”

• “$27.00 $11.00 performed at an inspection station located within the New York Metropolitan Area (NYMA) performed at an inspection station located outside of the NYMA”

Non-exempt diesel vehicles registered in the New York Metropolitan Area with a maximum gross weight over 8,500 pounds get a diesel emissions inspection, capped at $25.00.

“All non-exempt diesel-powered vehicles registered in the NYMA that have an MGW over 8,500 pounds. $25.00”

• “Diesel Emissions Inspection”

Most 1996 or newer gasoline vehicles and most 1997 or newer diesels under 8,501 pounds GVWR get the OBDII test, which checks the check-engine light and the car's own diagnostic results.

“Most 1996 or newer gasoline-powered vehicles and most 1997 or newer diesel-powered vehicles that have a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) less than 8,501 pounds are subject to the OBDII emissions inspection.”

Exempt from the emissions inspection: motorcycles, vehicles less than two model years old or more than 25 model years old, electric vehicles, vehicles with historical plates, vehicles subject to the heavy vehicle safety inspection, and diesels other than 1997-or-newer diesels under 8,501 pounds GVWR (those get the OBDII test). Heavier non-exempt diesels registered in the New York Metropolitan Area get a separate diesel emissions inspection.

“Vehicles are exempt from emissions inspection if they are”

• “motorcycles”
• “less than two model years old (the model year is greater than or equal to the calendar year minus one)”
• “more than 25 model years old (the model year is less than or equal to the calendar year minus 25 )”
• “diesel-powered, except diesel-powered vehicles that are 1997 or newer and that have a gross vehicle weight rating (GVRW) of less than 8,501 pounds”
• “electric-powered”
• “issued historical plates”
• “subject to the heavy vehicle safety inspection”
• “Diesel vehicles receive a diesel emissions inspection at the time of the safety inspection.”

You cannot renew a registration unless the DMV has a record of a passing emissions inspection within the last 12 months.

“You cannot renew a vehicle registration unless the DMV has a computer record that the vehicle passed the required emissions inspection within the last 12 months or you can provide proof of the inspection by providing a copy of the vehicle inspection report.”

A dealer must have a vehicle inspected within 30 days of the sale and before it is delivered to the buyer.

“The dealer must have the vehicle inspected within 30 days of the date of sale and prior to delivery.”

Inspections are done by certified inspectors at licensed stations showing the official sign, and repairs after a failure can be done anywhere you choose.

“You are not required to have your vehicle repaired or re-inspected at the station that performed the initial inspection.”