Massachusetts Vehicle Inspection
PROCESS, UPDATES & F.A.Q
Due to rules by the Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles, we DO NOT take appointments for vehicle inspections
To minimize your wait time, we suggest getting your inspection done during the middle of the month.
UPDATE: Starting November 1, vehicles passing inspection will get a new sticker with the month the last sticker expired, valid for one year. Starting October 1, vehicle owners will no longer receive a printed inspection report when a vehicle passes inspection.
or visit www.mavehiclecheck.com
The Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV) is announcing, effective November 1, 2022, motor vehicles passing required inspections will get a new sticker with the month the last sticker expired, valid for one year. Any vehicle owner late in getting a vehicle inspected, beyond one year from the last inspection, will no longer get a sticker displaying the month the new inspection occurred.
Vehicles with inspection stickers that expired last year will receive a January sticker of the current year the vehicle is being inspected, no matter the month the vehicle is inspected this year. This change does not impact the requirements for newly purchased vehicles. All newly purchased vehicles must be inspected within seven days of the vehicle registration date and will receive a sticker of the month in which it was inspected and is valid for one year.
The penalty for driving vehicles with an expired sticker, or driving an uninspected vehicle, may result in a moving violation and lead to additional fines, or suspension if unpaid, and even a surchargeable incident which increases the vehicle owner’s insurance costs. There is no change for owners who get their vehicles inspected on time or before the due date. Owners will continue to receive the sticker with the number of the month in which the vehicle was inspected.
In addition, starting October 1, 2022, in an effort to reduce paper waste in the environment, vehicle owners will no longer receive a printed inspection report when a vehicle passes inspection. Instead, owners can easily access and print a report by going online to Mass Vehicle Check or by using a cell phone and scanning the QR code on the poster displayed at the inspection site. If a vehicle fails the inspection, the owner will be provided with a printed vehicle inspection report by the inspection station.
- Frequently Asked Questions
- We’re saving paper, which is better for the environment and means less paper in landfills.
- Why can’t I get a printed copy of my Vehicle Inspection Report if my vehicle passes inspection?
- There are no changes to inspection fees.
- Are there any changes to fees for vehicle inspections?
- Vehicles with an expired sticker at the time of inspection may not receive a new sticker that's valid for a full calendar year.
- If your vehicle inspection was due in any month prior to the time of inspection, and within this calendar year, the vehicle will get the sticker with the month the inspection was due.
- If your vehicle inspection was due last calendar year or any prior year, the vehicle will get a January sticker of the current calendar year.
- What is new with the expiration sticker?
- It’s essential to the safety of the Commonwealth's environment and roadways that customers have their vehicles inspected in a timely manner and it's the law. (Per MA General Law c.90s.7A)
- Why change the inspection calendar for vehicles with an expired sticker?
- No, the sticker expiration calendar remains the same for vehicles inspected on time or before the due date.
- Does the sticker expiration change affect customers who have their vehicles inspected on time or before their sticker expires?
- If your vehicle is inspected after the month that it is due, yet in the same year, such as your vehicle has a sticker with an expiration of September 2022 and your vehicle is inspected (after the due date) in October 2022 – you will receive a sticker with a September 2023 expiration date.
- If your vehicle is inspected beyond the next calendar year after expiration, such as your vehicle has a sticker with an expiration date of October 2021 and your vehicle is inspected (after the due date) in June 2022 - you will receive sticker with a January 2023 expiration date.
- What are some examples of vehicles not receiving a sticker for a full calendar year?
Have questions about your vehicles inspection?
Call our Service Department at 508-759-1900 to talk to a knowledgable and friendly service advisor today!
