What Year are Cars Exempt from Inspection in NYS?

There is no blanket age-based exemption for NYS inspection in Suffolk County. Cars from the 2000 model year or earlier are exempt only from emissions inspections, but must pass all safety tests.

Special NYS Inspection Notes for Old and Special Vehicles

The exemption rules can be confusing if you have a special or classic car. The emissions exemption only covers one aspect of vehicle testing. Standard safety features like lights, brakes, tires, suspension, and the car’s computer must still be tested in most cases.

There are some very specific exemption categories for vehicles in Suffolk County, but they only cover specific systems:

• Vehicles over 25 years old are exempt from OBDII emissions testing as they don’t have modern computers. They must still pass safety standards.
• New vehicles are also exempt from emissions testing for two model years.
• Vehicles with historical plates are exempt from emissions testing.
• Electric vehicles don’t need emissions testing, but must still pass for brakes, tires, suspension, lights, and all other safety features.

There have been early legislative discussions in some areas of New York State to move antique vehicles to a 2-year inspection cycle, but so far, nothing has changed in Suffolk County. If you own a vehicle and drive it on the road, it needs a yearly inspection to stay registered.

Can I Renew My Registration Without a NYS Inspection in Suffolk County?

Unfortunately, no. You cannot renew your vehicle’s registration without having a state inspection in the last 12 months. The state’s DMV records are linked to your vehicle’s identification (VIN), which includes the inspection record.

If you try to renew your registration, the system will check for a valid inspection and block renewal if the vehicle hasn’t passed in the last 12 months.

You should never skip a state inspection in Suffolk County. In addition to the registration block, you could experience:

• Parking and traffic tickets from police and parking enforcement. Fines aren’t trivial. They can range from around $65 and up to $150 and may include surcharges.
• There is no grace period for expired state inspection stickers, unless your vehicle registration has had a long lapse. In this case, the DMV could issue an extension to give you the opportunity to reach an auto shop.

Dee Pat’s Awsomotive is a highly-rated auto repair shop in Suffolk County. Our Selden service center is trusted for transparent state inspections and repairs at fair prices.

Regular Car Maintenance is Crucial for Compliance

The easiest way to stop worrying about inspections is to book regular tune-ups and maintenance for your vehicle. At Dee Pat’s Awsomotive, whenever we work on a car or truck, we inspect it for common failure points. Even a routine oil change in Selden will include a visual inspection of safety features and components. We will let you know in advance if your vehicle is likely to fail its next inspection, ensuring you can get the necessary work done to keep it compliant.

We inspect all cars and trucks from any brand, in compliance with state law.

Book a NYS Vehicle Inspection at Dee Pat’s Awsomotive

Our experienced team offers accurate and transparent state vehicle inspections from our Selden auto repair shop. Ensure your car is safe and compliant. Schedule your Suffolk County car inspection by calling us at (631) 538-4441.