How much is a NYS inspection in Suffolk County?

Which inspection does your car get?

Most cars get two checks in one visit: the safety inspection, and the emissions check, where the station plugs into the car's computer (the OBD II port under the dash).

Some cars get the safety inspection only:

• Cars in their first two model years (in 2026: model year 2025 and newer)
• Cars 26 or more model years old (in 2026: model year 2001 and older)
• Electric cars
• Cars with historic plates

Trucks and vans over 8,500 pounds have their own fees and tests. Call us and tell us what you drive.

What the inspector checks

• Brakes, including the parking brake
• Tires: tread worn below 2/32 of an inch fails (the spare isn't checked)
• Steering, suspension, front end and frame
• Lights, horn, wipers, mirrors and glass
• Seat belts
• Fuel leaks
• On the emissions part: the check engine light and the car's self-tests

Low tire pressure and an airbag warning light are noted on the report, but they don't fail the car by themselves.

How often, and what if your sticker runs out

Every 12 months. The sticker is good through the last day of the month punched on it.

There is no grace period. Up to 60 days past the sticker, the ticket is $25 to $50; after 60 days it's $50 to $100, plus a state surcharge. A parked car can get a ticket too.

Bought a car from a private seller? The old sticker doesn't carry over to you: you have 10 days from the day you register the car to get it inspected.

Bought from a dealer? New York requires the dealer to inspect the car before you take it home.

If your car fails

You leave with a written list of what failed. Then:

• If the repair is done at the station and the car never leaves, the state doesn't allow a second inspection fee.
• If you take the car away and bring it back, the station may charge for the re-inspection.
• Back within 30 days, only the part that failed is checked again. After 30 days, the whole inspection is done again.
• You can have the repair done anywhere you like.

The fails we see most: a check engine light that's on, brake pads worn too thin, worn-out tires, a cracked windshield in the driver's view, and burnt-out bulbs (the license plate light gets missed a lot).

Before you come in

Bring the car, its registration and your license.

If the check engine light is on, the car will fail the emissions part. Get the light checked first.

Just replaced the battery, or had codes cleared? Drive normally for a few days before the inspection. The car's self-tests reset and need some city and highway driving to finish.