New Hampshire may have ended mandatory annual safety inspections, but keeping your vehicle safe and reliable is as important as ever.
New Hampshire’s vehicle safety laws still apply, which means driving an unsafe or defective vehicle puts you and your family at risk — physically and legally.
Ensure your vehicle remains safe, reliable, and road-ready. Protect your vehicle and your peace of mind with an Advanced Multi-Point Inspection at your closest VIP location.
While the state of New Hampshire no longer requires annual safety inspections for most passenger vehicles, drivers are still legally responsible for ensuring their vehicles are safe to operate. Although the state’s vehicle inspection program has been suspended and is set to expire on January 31, 2026, New Hampshire’s vehicle safety laws remain in effect. This includes ensuring that your vehicle complies with:
Driving a vehicle with an obvious defect — including excessive rust, structural damage, loose components, and other body defects — can result in a ticket or a misdemeanor offense, which could carry a fine and other penalties. Regular inspections can help identify potential issues early, keeping your vehicle safe, reliable, and performing at its best.
Proactively inspecting your vehicle makes good safety and financial sense. All parts wear over time, and leaving a minor issue unaddressed can turn into a major problem down the road. For example, ignoring a loose ball joint for too long could mean your tire completely disconnects while driving. A catastrophic failure can jeopardize your safety, endanger others on the road, and result in costly vehicle damage.
If you relied on the New Hampshire state inspection as your sign for a regular checkup, be sure to schedule an Advanced Multi-Point Inspection (MPI) at your local VIP location. It provides peace of mind by ensuring your vehicle’s key components are inspected and any potential safety concerns are identified.
VIP’s in-depth, hands-on Advanced MPI determines exactly what’s going on with your vehicle and if any parts need service. While complimentary MPIs are surface-level and visual, the Advanced MPI takes it a step further to provide specific measurements and actionable recommendations to ensure your car is in the safest and best possible operating condition.
To make things easier on your wallet, the cost of the Advanced MPI will be applied as a $50 credit toward any approved repairs completed that day. Our goal is to ensure your vehicle is in its best working condition so you can drive away with confidence.
VIP’s Certified Automotive Professionals inspect all major components of your vehicle during your Advanced MPI. They will inspect:
Dashboard Warning Lights
Tires
Tire Pressure Monitoring System
Tire Size
Wheel Alignment
TPMS Sensor Battery Life
Brakes
Brake Calipers
Horn Operation
Brake Lines & Hoses
Parking Brake
Windshield Condition
Tie Rods
Wiper Blades
Wheel Bearings
Window Operation
Ball Joints
Front Lights
Control Arms-Front
Headlight Lens Condition
Control Arms-Rear
Back Lights
Sway Bar Links & Bushings
Brake Fluid
Shocks/Struts
Antifreeze/Coolant
Coil/Leaf Springs
Power Steering Fluid
Idler/Pitman Arm
Transmission Fluid
Torsion Bar
Engine Oil Level/Condition
Leaks
Oil System Cleaning Service
Axle Seals
CV Axle
Fuel System Cleaning Service
Engine/Transmission Mounts
Steering Rack/Box
Heating & Air Conditioning System
Power Steering Lines/Hoses
Air Filter
Transmission Lines/Hoses
Cabin Air Filter
Front Differential Fluid
Charging & Starting Systems
Transfer Case Fluid
Battery & Terminal Condition
Rear Differential Fluid
Battery Hold Down
Driveshaft
Battery Hold Down
Spark Plugs
Serpentine Belt & Components
Fuel System Components
Power Steering Pump
Exhaust System Components
Water Pump
Frame Condition
Radiator & Coolant Hoses
At VIP we understand what your car means to you. All of our employees, from our customer service representatives to our world-class ASE-certified master technicians believe in getting the job done right. We walk you through the work to be done before we begin, including live-feed reviews of your vehicle and copies of your multipoint inspection sent straight to your phone.
With over 32,000 positive Yelp and Google reviews you know you can trust us to be reliable, transparent, and sincere
Technically you can drive with a expired sticker, but it’s not worth the risk. In Maine, fines generally range from $25–$250 and, in rare cases, can be classified as a Class E crime with fines up to $500 or jail time. In Massachusetts, the first offense is a flat $40 fine, but because it counts as a moving violation, it can raise your insurance rates, and unpaid fines can lead to a suspended license or registration. In Vermont, if you’re cited within 14 days of expiration, the civil penalty is no more than $5. After 14 days, fines can range anywhere from $105–$250.
The short answer is no, state inspections are not still required in New Hampshire. A federal court order suspended the inspection program, and inspection stations are no longer authorized to issue stickers. That said, vehicle safety laws remain in effect, meaning a police officer can’t pull you over for a missing sticker, but they can still cite you for an obvious safety violation. Commercial vehicles are still required to obtain state inspections under NH law.
New Hampshire’s annual safety and emissions inspection requirement was repealed as part of the state’s two-year budget agreement in June 2025, with the repeal originally set to take effect on January 31, 2026.
No, New Hampshire no longer legally requires annual vehicle inspections. But skipping them altogether isn’t without risk. Regular inspections catch safety concerns and wear and tear early, and addressing small problems before they grow is almost always cheaper than waiting.
Yes, commercial vehicles are still required to have a New Hampshire state inspection sticker and must have an annual inspection.
Under current New Hampshire law, drivers are responsible for ensuring that any vehicle they drive in New Hampshire is safe to operate, regardless of the inspection program’s status. You’re still required to have safe tires, working brakes and lights, no fuel leaks or exhaust/muffler leaks, windshield and wipers, mirrors, and a functional horn and defroster.
If you live in Maine, Massachusetts, or Vermont, then yes, your state requires annual vehicle safety inspections. Connecticut does not require annual or periodic safety inspections, but they do require biennial emissions testing. New Hampshire has repealed their state inspection law and no longer requires passenger vehicles to have an annual safety inspection. However, commercial vehicles are still required to have a safety inspection to operate in New Hamphire.
How often you need to get your car inspected depends on where you’re registered. In New England, Maine, Massachusetts, and Vermont require annual safety inspections. Connecticut and New Hampshire currently do not. When in doubt, stop into your nearest VIP location and our Certified Automotive Professionals will help you figure out what applies to your vehicle.
Each state has different requirements for what is inspected during an annual safety inspection. Refer to your state government website for more in-depth information.
State inspection costs vary from state to state. In Maine, it can range from $12.50–$18.50. In Vermont, it’s anywhere between $50–$75 (at VIP, we charge $60 for Vermont State Inspections). It varies in Massachusetts, as well, but VIP does not offer MA state inspections. New Hampshire and Connecticut do not require annual inspections and thus do not have a cost, but CT emissions testing is $20.
If your vehicle fails inspection, the technician who performed your inspection will provide you with a list of items that need to be addressed before the vehicle can pass. At VIP, we give you 30 days to address the issues. Return to us in that time, and we’ll reinspect your vehicle for free so you can get your sticker.
Your inspection sticker has a small cut or punch mark along its edge indicating the month your inspection is due. That’s your reminder of when you need to come back in. There are no grace periods. If your vehicle isn’t inspected by the end of that month, you’re in violation of state law and can be ticketed or fined. Don’t wait until the last minute. Stop into any VIP location and our Certified Automotive Professionals will get you taken care of quickly, seven days a week.
All-Season tires are versatile and suitable for warm and cool climates, but not recommended for extreme hot or cold weather conditions because of specific rubber components.
Like their name suggests, all-weather tires are versatile and can perform well in a variety of weather conditions and can be severe snow-rated.
With bigger treads than traditional all-season tires, all-terrain tires allow for both on and off-roading capabilities.
Winter tires are manufactured to perform well in snow, ice, sleet and other cold weather conditions. Winter tires are typically soft, with an intricate grooved tread pattern — made for holding compacted snow and creating traction — and are severe snow-rated.
All-Season
All-Weather
All-Terrain
Winter