When your goal is to keep your family safe from every danger on the road, you are very worried about how often do you need to get your vehicle inspected. So, as a car owner, you must inspect your vehicle every 12 months.
However, the inspection date of your car can depend upon your living area, region, and state. Like in the different states of the USA, there are different deadlines for vehicle inspection.
So, keep reading this content till the end to get to know when you have to inspect your car in a different state such as Missouri, Maryland, or New York and, what the exact documents you have to bring out with you, and what should follow the rule if you could not pass the inspection exam.
How Often Do You Need to Get Your Vehicle Inspected?
Generally, you must inspect your car every 12 months or twice a year for your car’s good safety and strong roadworthiness. However, according to different states, the vehicle’s inspection expiration date would differ according to state rules and laws.
Inspection of the car is essential to keep you safe while driving; it includes checking out the tiers for tread depth and wear, headlights, indicators, and brake light for better and clear visibility. It also includes checking windshield wipers, side mirrors, back windows, steering, seatbelts, and other vehicle frames for structure integrity.
It does not mean that you have major problems in your car if you are going to inspect it, but it is also a good symbol for solving any minor issues occurring in your vehicle. Inspection of the car makes you a confident driver while driving on the road in large traffic, and it also gives you a cool satisfaction that your vehicle is totally safe from all dangers like failing the brakes, suddenly blinking the lights badly, and stuck the windshield wiper in speedy precipitation. Overall inspection can save you from any risk on the road.
Important Documents needed for Vehicle inspection
You do not have to take your home property or bank statements when you have to go for your vehicle inspection. These are very simple documents which you keep in your car every time with accessibility. So keep these documents in your hand and go to just the car inspector officer.
- Car Registration: You have to take your car registration form to show proof that your car is registered with your name and the state where you live.
- Proof of Insurance: This insurance form will show the coverage for your car in case of any damage or road accident.
- Driver’s license: You must take this government issued card (Driver’s license) with you so that the inspector can check your identification properly.
What should I do if my vehicle inspection sticker is missing?
A vehicle inspection sticker proves that your vehicle has passed the inspection exam; your car’s tire condition is good, brakes are perfect, strong windshield, clear lights, and side mirrors, and all the other parts of your car.
It also includes proof of your vehicle emissions inspection, which means your car is not polluting the dangerous smog or other emissions in the air that can create a hazardous environment for living things.
Vehicle inspection placed on your windshield corner (it might be placed at a different place according to your state like some states place it on the vehicle dashboard or, on the license plate, or on the corner of the windshield).
Unfortunately, if you lose your vehicle inspection sticker, then without any further delay, you have to replace it with a new one. So, Along with your vehicle insurance proof, driving license card, and vehicle registration, just go to the DMV (Department of Motor Vehicle) or the inspection station and request a new inspection sticker. You can also ask for a replacement if this sticker has expired.
Important Note: Don’t drive and go to another state if you have a lost or expired inspection sticker because you can face some legal issues or fines. So keep your vehicle inspection stickers active while driving your car.
You are out of state: Can any extension help during the last days of vehicle inspections?
If your vehicle inspection is approaching the deadline and, unfortunately, you are out of your state and can’t reach to replace your old inspection with a new one, then you must try to contact your home state DMV or inspection station.
Tell them you cannot renew your inspection until you return to your state. Attach your current location, traveling ticket, or other strong evidence as proof to show them your unavailability.
Show them your vehicle registration, driving license, and vehicle insurance and request them to give you an extension (Some extra time for days or weeks). They will approve and give you an extension after checking out all your documents and the circumstances behind your unavailability.
Be Aware: You have to return to your home state DMV when your extra time approaches the deadline; otherwise, you will have to pay a fine.
How often must you get your vehicle inspected in Missouri?
You must get your vehicle to the DMV in Missouri for safety and emission inspections. Most vehicles need safety inspection every two years to renew the vehicle registration, and an emission inspection is also required for the same time period.
However, your new car doesn’t need a safety inspection and emission inspection for the first four to five years, but if you purchased a vehicle from another state, then it might be possible you need to inspect it by DMV.
So, new vehicles, vehicles older than 25 years, and electric vehicles are exempted from inspection.
Cost of vehicle inspection in Missouri
According to different counties’ rules, there might be different vehicle inspection costs in Missouri. Every county has different inspection rules and regulations, but if we talk about overall Missouri, then the estimated cost can you face such as:
- Cost for safety Inspection: Typically costs $12
- Costs for emissions inspection: usually costs $24
What to do if you don’t pass emission inspection?
First, get a deep explanation of your emission result from the mechanic or inspection station if your car fails the emission exam. Get notice of the reason behind this failure and go to the mechanics.
Repair your car’s exhaust system and catalytic converter, and check engine light to address the problem. After repairing, get your vehicle again for emission inspection at another trusty DMV or inspection station for more satisfaction and confidence on the road with your drive.
To ensure your car doesn’t face any issues during the inspection and passes easily, you should always focus on knowing what gas Is best for my vehicle. Using the correct fuel type will keep your car in great condition, prevent unexpected failures, and make passing the inspection much easier.
Will You Lose Your Vehicle If You Can’t Afford Repairs?
No, you will not lose your car if you can’t afford all the repairs that are required for the inspection exam to pass, but along with this, you might face some major issues or penalties, such as:
- You cannot renew your car’s registration until your vehicle doesn’t pass the inspection
- You can face penalties or fines if you drive without a valid inspection or registration.
- Your vehicle might be considered illegal if you keep it non-registered with passed inspection.
- You can feel uncomfortable, unsafety, and dissatisfied while driving as you want never see your family in trouble because of your car’s internal structure issues
You can get help: Some DMV or inspection states and mechanical agencies allow payment plans. To reach out to these individuals or agencies, you can afford your vehicle repair expense and can easily pay the amount in installments.
How often do you need to inspect your vehicle in Maryland?
In MD, you have to inspect your vehicle once or twice a year to know that your car is still running safely without any issues. You need to check out your car to prevent every type of risk and danger on the road.
However, you have to inspect your car before buying or selling it, and you also have to register your car if you are moving from another state to Maryland.
Average cost to inspect your vehicle in Maryland?
In MD, there can be different costs for different inspection stations; typically, it can be an average cost between $50 to $100. Along with this, you have to bear some extra charges for repairing your car if it fails the inspection test.
Conclusion
To reach your destination safely by your vehicle, you should inspect your car. If you think about how often do you need to get your vehicle inspected, then the straightforward answer is that you have to examine your car every 12 months.
However, this time period is different in different states; as mentioned above in the content, in Maryland and Missouri, you have to inspect your car once a year. You can also get some extra days or weeks if you are out of your home state and your inspection expiry date is approaching.
FAQs
Difference between vehicle safety and emissions inspection
Safety inspection includes checking all the external structures of your car, like tiers, steering, windshield, wiper, side mirrors, lights, brakes, and other safety components. Emission inspection includes checking your car’s exhaust system, catalytic converter, engine, and other emissions-related components.
Which thing do mechanics check out in your vehicle during vehicle inspection?
Mechanics check out in your vehicle these things like tiers, brakes, suspension system, seat belts, windshield, wiper, exhaust system, emissions system, engine, battery, mirrors and windows, light, horns, frame, and other structural integrity.
At which station should I take my car for inspection?
You should always choose authorized stations for your vehicle inspection, like government-approved stations, or you can visit your state DMV-approved inspection centers to inspect your car. Some repair shops also have an authority license from the DMV, so you can also trust on them and inspect your car confidently.
Can a vehicle pass inspection with engine light on in Missouri?
While inspecting your car, if the engine light is on, your car has a problem and is not eligible to pass the inspection. So, a light-off in the inspection process is a good symbol for passing this exam.
Can a temporary permit inspect your car?
Yes, a temporary permit can help you to inspect your car. However, these rules might differ from one state to another state. You can contact your home state’s DMV for this temporary permit inspection.
Do electric cars need inspections?
Electric cars don’t need an inspection in any state; also, new vehicles do not need any inspection for the first five years after manufacturing.