New York Inspection Rules After Buying, Moving or Losing a Sticker

Special cases from the New York DMV: newly bought vehicles, vehicles coming from another state, damaged or missing stickers and vehicles that are out of state when the inspection expires.

Information checked against official sources on October 24, 2026.

Independent guide. This site is not run by any state DMV, state police or environmental agency, and it is not affiliated with any repair shop or inspection station, including any business with a similar name. Rules and fees change, so confirm anything important with the official source linked at the bottom of each page.

Vehicle bought from a dealer

A dealer registered with the New York DMV must have the vehicle inspected within 30 days of the date of sale and before delivery.

Vehicle bought from a private seller

If you buy or receive a vehicle from someone other than a dealer registered with the New York DMV, you receive an inspection extension that lasts 10 days from the date of the registration. An inspection issued to the previous registrant is not valid.

Moving to New York

• If your vehicle was registered in another state that issues an inspection sticker, you do not need to inspect it immediately. The out-of-state inspection remains valid until it expires or for one year after the registration date, whichever comes first. After that you need a New York State inspection.
• If the previous inspection was done in a jurisdiction that does not issue an inspection sticker, the vehicle must be inspected in New York.

Sticker came off or is missing

• If the sticker came off the windshield, you can reattach it with clear tape or a small amount of clear adhesive. An inspection station must be able to remove it at your next inspection.
• If it is unusable or missing, you can have the vehicle reinspected or order a replacement with form VS-118 (Request for Replacement Inspection Sticker).

Out of state when the inspection expires

You can apply for an extension by mail to the DMV. It gives you 10 days from the date the vehicle returns to New York to get an inspection. Allow 14 days for processing. The DMV cautions that the extension is not a guarantee that an out-of-state police officer will not issue a ticket. You cannot renew the registration if there is no DMV record of an inspection in the past 12 months. If you must renew before you can inspect, call 518-486-9786.

Back to the main New York inspection guide.

Related guides