New York law requires motorists to regularly inspect their vehicles. These safety inspections are mandated to help reduce harmful automobile emissions and ensure that vehicles are safe to operate on the state’s roads and highways. Although it is easy to overlook this obligation, failure to abide by it could spell serious penalties. Here, the legal team of New York Traffic Ticket Lawyers explains what drivers in our state should know about inspections and potential punishments. If you’ve received a no-inspection ticket, talk to us.
How Often Are Emissions Inspections Required?
In New York, an automobile must be inspected:
- Every 12 months
- Any time the ownership of the automobile is transferred
Drivers must display a valid emissions inspection sticker on their vehicles. Inspections expire on the last day of the month that is punched on the inspection sticker. Drivers should also keep a receipt from their emissions inspection to prove that they are in compliance with the law.
Having an expired inspection sticker can result in a fine or a parking ticket. The amount of the fine will vary, depending on how long the sticker has been expired:
- If the sticker has expired in the past 60 days: $25 to $50
- If it has been more than 60 days since expiration: $50 to $100
- If the driver has no inspection sticker: $50 and $100
There is also a mandatory state surcharge of $88 ($93 in town and village courts) that is added to the fine. A vehicle does not have to be driving for the driver to receive a ticket; a parked vehicle with no inspection sticker, or with an expired inspection sticker, can still receive a parking ticket.
Other Consequences of Inspection Violations
Fines are not necessarily the only negative consequence of failure to obtain an inspection. If an emissions report is sent to the New York DMV, you will not be allowed to renew your vehicle registration. This will lead to additional citations, and perhaps even jail time. Your insurance company may also assess your failure to inspect because non-moving violations like this are still reported on your driving record.
For many drivers, the thought of insurance penalties is bad enough to prompt them to get the inspection. Although it is unlikely that your insurer will drop you for failure to have the inspection, the company will probably use this as an excuse to raise rates. This is on top of any other insurance-related problems you may experience due to your driving record.
How To Handle a No-Inspection Ticket
You have some options for how to deal with a ticket for failure to inspect. You might have proof that you tried to fix the problem with repairs to the automobile or by ordering a replacement sticker for the one that was lost or damaged. Another option is to fight the ticket if it is missing important details like the correct inspection sticker number or expiration date. If you actually had the vehicle inspected but, for some reason, it did not come up in the traffic officer’s computer, you can present proof such as a receipt.
We’re Ready To Represent You
Your best bet, regardless, is to speak with a knowledgeable New York traffic law attorney. Your lawyer can determine the most advantageous strategy for handling the inspection issue, along with any fines or other penalties you may have incurred. We can also take care of other traffic tickets you may have, whether they are for moving or non-moving violations. Reach out to The New York Traffic Ticket Lawyers today.
