Maryland Vehicle Inspection
How do I get a Maryland Inspection Certificate for my vehicle?
To obtain a Maryland Vehicle Inspection Certificate, you must have your vehicle inspected at an authorized inspection station Maryland. There are over 1,600 inspection facilities within the state that have been licensed by the Maryland State Police. To find a location near you, click here.
Stations are authorized to inspect passenger cars, light trucks and SUVs with a gross vehicle rating of 10,000 pounds or less, and trailers up to 20 feet in length or less and without air brakes.
Scheduling by phone is the most convenient. Before your appointment, be sure that your vehicle is properly registered in Maryland or another state. If you are unable to register your vehicle due to not receiving a safety inspection, you may qualify for a 30-day temporary registration that allows you to legally drive the vehicle to the inspection station.
When does my vehicle need to be inspected?
If you just moved to Maryland and your vehicle is registered in another state, or, you just bought a used vehicle (including receiving the vehicle as a gift or an inheritance). If you just relocated to Maryland, you have 60 days to register your vehicle and pass the Maryland state inspection before registering your vehicle. For newly purchased used vehicles (including gifts or inheritance), you have 90 days to register your vehicle.
What happens when my vehicle fails a Vehicle Safety Inspection?
If your vehicle fails to meet vehicle safety standards, the Maryland Inspection Certification cannot be given. You will have a vehicle inspection report outlining the needed fixes, and your vehicle must be re-inspected by the same registered inspection mechanic at the same station in order to pass. You may then decide how to proceed: either to fix the problem on your own, or take your vehicle to another facility for repairs. If the vehicle is re-inspected within 30 days after original inspection, and you have driven less than 1,000 miles, the inspection station will only need to inspect the original defective equipment. Any newly discovered defect must also be repaired and re-inspected.
What happens when my vehicle passes a Vehicle Safety Inspection?
If your vehicle meets all safety standards, the registered safety mechanic will give you two copies of the Maryland Inspection Certificate, or send the certification electronically to the MVA. From there, take your passing certification and head to any full service MVA branch office or licensed tag and title service and submit it with any other documents needed to title and register your vehicle in Maryland.
What are the Maryland Vehicle Safety Inspection fees?
Fees for an initial vehicle safety inspection vary with the inspection station’s labor rate. The fee charged for a safety inspection must be displayed prominently at each station. A re-inspection fee also varies with the station’s labor rate. A re-inspection fee isn’t charged if a repair can be confirmed visually, like a burned out light, unless the inspection requires lifting, measuring, or testing your vehicle. A re-inspection fee for a non-visual defect may be charged at 1.5 times the hourly rate if the vehicle requires jacking or lifting. Always inquire about the re-inspection fee before leaving the station.
To obtain a Maryland Vehicle Inspection Certificate, you must have your vehicle inspected at an authorized inspection station Maryland. There are over 1,600 inspection facilities within the state that have been licensed by the Maryland State Police. To find a location near you, click here.
Stations are authorized to inspect passenger cars, light trucks and SUVs with a gross vehicle rating of 10,000 pounds or less, and trailers up to 20 feet in length or less and without air brakes.
Scheduling by phone is the most convenient. Before your appointment, be sure that your vehicle is properly registered in Maryland or another state. If you are unable to register your vehicle due to not receiving a safety inspection, you may qualify for a 30-day temporary registration that allows you to legally drive the vehicle to the inspection station.
When does my vehicle need to be inspected?
If you just moved to Maryland and your vehicle is registered in another state, or, you just bought a used vehicle (including receiving the vehicle as a gift or an inheritance). If you just relocated to Maryland, you have 60 days to register your vehicle and pass the Maryland state inspection before registering your vehicle. For newly purchased used vehicles (including gifts or inheritance), you have 90 days to register your vehicle.
What happens when my vehicle fails a Vehicle Safety Inspection?
If your vehicle fails to meet vehicle safety standards, the Maryland Inspection Certification cannot be given. You will have a vehicle inspection report outlining the needed fixes, and your vehicle must be re-inspected by the same registered inspection mechanic at the same station in order to pass. You may then decide how to proceed: either to fix the problem on your own, or take your vehicle to another facility for repairs. If the vehicle is re-inspected within 30 days after original inspection, and you have driven less than 1,000 miles, the inspection station will only need to inspect the original defective equipment. Any newly discovered defect must also be repaired and re-inspected.
What happens when my vehicle passes a Vehicle Safety Inspection?
If your vehicle meets all safety standards, the registered safety mechanic will give you two copies of the Maryland Inspection Certificate, or send the certification electronically to the MVA. From there, take your passing certification and head to any full service MVA branch office or licensed tag and title service and submit it with any other documents needed to title and register your vehicle in Maryland.
What are the Maryland Vehicle Safety Inspection fees?
Fees for an initial vehicle safety inspection vary with the inspection station’s labor rate. The fee charged for a safety inspection must be displayed prominently at each station. A re-inspection fee also varies with the station’s labor rate. A re-inspection fee isn’t charged if a repair can be confirmed visually, like a burned out light, unless the inspection requires lifting, measuring, or testing your vehicle. A re-inspection fee for a non-visual defect may be charged at 1.5 times the hourly rate if the vehicle requires jacking or lifting. Always inquire about the re-inspection fee before leaving the station.
