Rhode Island Inspection Checklist: What Gets Checked

The official inspection process lists the items below. The list says the inspection includes these items but is not limited to them, so treat it as a guide rather than a guarantee.

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.

Lights and signals

• Headlamps
• Parking lamps
• Tail lamps and stop lamps
• Back-up lamps
• Directional signals and hazard switch
• Side marker lamps, clearance lamps and reflectors
• Plates and plate light

Brakes

• Brake performance and brake pedal reserve
• Brake lining or pads, drums and discs
• Master cylinder
• Parking brake and emergency brake
• Brake failure warning lamp and ABS light

Steering, suspension, tires and wheels

• Steering, alignment and suspension
• Ball joints, universal joints
• Springs, torsion bars and shocks
• Tires and wheels
• Transmission

Glass, wipers and mirrors

• Windshield and other glass
• Windshield wipers
• Mirrors

Body and safety equipment

• Seat belts and seats
• Air bag light
• Horn
• Doors (front latches)
• Bumpers (rear end protection), fenders and flaps
• Floor and other panels, body items

Emissions-related items

• Check engine light (malfunction indicator lamp)
• Exhaust system
• Fuel tank and gas cap
• OBD-II readiness status

Paperwork

• Registration certificate

A five-minute pre-inspection check

1. Turn on the car and confirm the check engine light and other warning lights go off after start-up.
2. Have someone watch from outside while you test headlights, brake lights, turn signals, hazards and back-up lights.
3. Test the horn and the wipers. Replace wipers that streak or tear.
4. Look at the tires and wheels for damage, and at the windshield for cracks.
5. Tighten the gas cap until it clicks. A loose or damaged cap fails the gas cap test.
6. Do not disconnect the battery and do not clear trouble codes right before the test. See OBD-II readiness.
7. Bring your registration.

Fixing a burned-out bulb yourself is much cheaper than failing and coming back. A failure still has a free retest within 30 days at the same station (see cost and retest).

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