What Is Checked in a New York Safety Inspection

The New York DMV publishes the items inspected on cars and light trucks. Here they are, grouped by system, with the specific limits the DMV states.

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.

Seat belts and air bag

• Seat belts are checked for proper operation and anchorage. For model years 1969 and newer, one seat belt is required for each seating position.
• The station checks that the air bag warning lamp works. If it is on or not working, the station tells you, but this is an advisement only and not a reason for rejection.

Brakes

• The inspector removes at least one front wheel to inspect the brakes.
• Brake pedal reserve: the pedal must have one third reserve. Brake pedal fade: the brake must hold for one minute without fading.
• Power brake unit, master cylinder (leakage and fluid level), disc brake pads, drum brake linings, drums and rotors, wheel cylinders and calipers, brake lines and hoses, parking brake.
• Drum brake lining thickness must be at least 1/16 inch on bonded linings, or at least 1/32 inch over the rivet head on riveted linings.
• The vehicle is tested for a straight stop without significant wheel pull.

Steering, suspension, frame and wheel fasteners

• Steering wheel play and all steering linkages, power steering (operation, belt, leakage).
• Shock absorbers, springs and torsion bars, chassis and frame (breaks, cracks or severe rust at suspension attachment points), wheel fasteners (missing or broken parts).

Tires

• Tread depth must be at least 2/32 inch, measured in two adjacent major tread grooves showing the most wear.
• Tire condition: any fabric break or cut over 1 inch in length or width, visible bumps, bulges or knots, or a restricted-use designation.
• Tire pressure outside the manufacturer's recommendation is an advisement only, not a reason for rejection.

Lights

All lighting must be of an approved type and is checked for operation, proper mounting and broken or missing lenses: headlamps (low and high beam), tail lamps, stop lamps, directional signals, backup lights (1969 and newer), license plate lights, hazard warning flashers (1966 and newer) and the directional signal indicator.

Windshield, glass, wipers and mirrors

• All windows: approved safety glass or rigid plastic and its condition, and window tint.
• Windshield: no crack 11 inches long or longer is allowed if any part of the crack is within the area cleared by the wiper.
• Wipers must be present and operate, and the blades must be in good condition (not including rear window or headlamp wipers).
• Mirrors, for model year 1970 and newer: a left outside mirror and an inside mirror, or both left and right outside mirrors.

Horn and fuel leaks

• The horn is checked for mounting and operation.
• Any fuel leak that causes dripping or pooling is not acceptable.

The emissions inspection is covered separately in our New York emissions inspection guide.

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