Vehicle inspections

All vehicles registered in Massachusetts must pass a yearly vehicle inspection.

• Newly purchased vehicles must be inspected within 7 days of registration
• Inspections cost $35 for most vehicles. Inspection stations can charge more for commercial inspection.
• Motorcycle inspections cost $15, and must be done at a licensed Class M motorcycle inspection station

Driving any motor vehicle without a valid inspection sticker is a traffic violation. It may result in a fine and affect your insurance rate.

Inspection procedures

The Massachusetts Vehicle Check program is the vehicle emissions testing and safety inspection program for the Commonwealth. You can get an inspection at any of the 1,800 licensed inspection stations in Massachusetts from their Inspection Station Locator.

• Effective November 1, 2022, motor vehicles passing an inspection will get a new sticker with the month the last sticker expired. If the last sticker expired in a previous month, the new sticker will have that same previous month. If the last sticker expired the previous year, the vehicle will get a January sticker of the current year the vehicle is being inspected, no matter the month the vehicle is inspected
• If your vehicle fails inspection, you'll get a "reject" sticker and will be provided with a printed vehicle inspection report by the inspection station. Failed motorcycles don't receive a new sticker. 

• If you have been out of state for one or more years and have an expired sticker, your vehicle will be treated as a late inspection and receive the January sticker of the current year. If you have submitted the proper Out of State Inspection Form as outlined on the form, you will receive credit for that and receive a sticker with the month in which it is being inspected.

• Vehicles with onboard diagnostic systems that are less than 15 years old must pass an annual emissions test.
• Fleets of commercial motor vehicles can be tested by mobile inspectors, who bring testing equipment to company lots, or by a licensed company employee
• The Massachusetts Commercial Motor Vehicle Inspection is equivalent to the annual Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) inspection. Your commercial vehicle will be tested against state and federal requirements at the same time.

Inspection Station Complaints

To file a complaint against an inspection station, use our Inspection Station Complaint form.

• For a Safety issue this form must be submitted within 30 days of inspection date.
• For an Emissions issue, this form must be submitted within 2 days of the inspection date.