Please Prepare for Your Car Inspection Before You Arrive!
Facts and Expectation
An estimated 15,000 inspections are processed daily at over 1800 licensed locations across Massachusetts.
The exams are regulated and visually overseen via surveillance by the RMV to ensure thoroughness and by-the-book adherence to the law in inspecting vehicles for every safety and emissions requirement set by the state – if we find a reason for a vehicle to fail either part of the exam, we do so under fair, non-discriminatory reasoning. It is your safety, after all for your car to be working properly and out of harm's way while on the road.
The beginning and end of every month is always the busiest to cater to the demand of last-minute drivers with expiring stickers and punctual drivers looking to immediately obtain a new one.
To avoid the busy rush – we recommend that you come in for an inspection after the first week and before the last week of the month and ideally, on weekdays.
Quick Things to Know:
Our Location
We are located on 9 Short Street, Hingham (Route 228).
Parking spaces are LIMITED and our driveway is small; it is for this reason that we require all to WAIT inside the convenience store to pick up their vehicle IMMEDIATELY after we wrap up with an inspection.
Inspections on average take 7 minutes (10 for larger vehicles and 15 for TNC / ride share cars).
It is first come, first serve – no appointments. We do this to ensure the steady flow of processing inspections throughout the day.
Upon arrival, you must park in an available parking spot or near the air machine (but not blocking it). Do NOT park by the pumps unless planning to get gas. Please have your registration papers on the passenger seat for the inspector to access. Per Massachusetts law, the inspector is required to drive your vehicle into the garage before commencing and connecting to the system.
Keep in mind that your vehicle must clear 9 feet (height and width) for us to inspect at our location.
The Cost
We take cash or credit for inspections, charged at the end.
It is $35 for vehicles (price set by state since July 1, 2014), and $15 extra for TNC (ride-share vehicles).
Price does not include service for parts / fluids needed to be replaced to avoid failure on portions of the test.
If your car failed for safety or emissions or both, re-test is FREE if and ONLY IF, you return to our station within the allotted timeframe given by your inspection report (30 days for safety and 60 days for emissions) provided it passes.
Sticker Color and Number - Addressing the Confusion
The state has cracked down on drivers skipping on inspections and will fine any offender $40 for expired stickers or lack of one.
Parked cars in the city streets with expired stickers are routinely in the cross-hairs by police issuing citations. Other penalties may apply.
Firstly
Come on Time
Since November 1, 2022, the RMV has updated their issuance of new stickers and expiration of previous years' stickers. New stickers are only good for TWELVE months inclusive of the month number issued to you:
example 1 – a May sticker (5) will expire the following May (5) and will have to be replaced with a new sticker ONLY during May (any day will do, up to the last day).
Don't Come Early
All stickers issued are valid for TWELVE months and no more. Should you come a month or two early, you will receive a new sticker for that month, meaning that the previous sticker you paid for the previous year didn't last the full year on the month it was supposed to expire on:
example 2 – you come in April (4) with a car whose sticker was printed last May (5) and pass; the new sticker issued will change to April (4) and will expire next April (4) unless you come early again, where the sticker number changes to a new month.
And Don't Come Late
You will not get a new number for any month after your expiration month within the same year:
example 3 – you come in June or July, expecting a 6 or 7 sticker, but the expiring sticker is May (5), meaning that it will remain May when a new one is printed.
Additionally, if you have skipped a year of having your vehicle inspected, your sticker will be assigned / defaulted to a "1" (for the month January).
example 4 – a green November sticker issued in 2023 that hasn't been changed to red for 2024 will be given a blue JANUARY sticker for 2025 and will remain January issued for future years.
Additionally, if you have skipped a year of having your vehicle inspected, your sticker will be assigned / defaulted to a "1" (for the month January). example 4 – a green November sticker issued in 2023 that hasn't been changed to red for 2024 will be given a blue JANUARY sticker for 2025 and will remain January issued for future years.
Secondly
All new and pre-owned vehicles that have just been purchased must be inspected within 7 days of registration and will be issued a sticker of the month the inspection was done in.
Thirdly
If your vehicle failed for inspection (safety, emissions or both), you will get a temporary sticker until passing upon re-inspection.
A black number means vehicle has passed both parts of the test and is the month for the following year that you must return to have it re-inspected (any cars older than 15 years or from 2010 or before are exempt from the emissions portion of the exam).
A black "R" means vehicle has failed emissions. A red "R" means vehicle failed safety or both safety and emissions.
You have 30 days to have your vehicle repaired to be re-inspected for safety and 60 days for emissions. Re-inspection is FREE as long as you have it done at the same location AND within the timeframe allotted to you.
Safety Portion
All seatbelts are tested – SUVs in particular, CLEAN and UNBLOCK all seats.
Seatbelts must fasten and unfasten properly to pass.
This includes extendable / unused seats in SUVs and child / booster seats.
All brakes must stop and hold firmly – ELIMINATE poor, loose brake pads.
Both standard brakes and emergency (e-brakes) must function properly. Most vehicles fail for the e-brake.
Even if not used, the e-brake can get rusty and loose over time, which will lessen the hold on your car.
All tires are physically checked – REPLACE any completely worn out, shredded tires.
Tire treads must be visible and tangible, providing solid contact with the ground to pass.
All lights must be working, flashing and steady – CHANGE all burnt, faulty lightbulbs.
Lights are for your benefit and others' in guiding traffic and hazards.
We can often swap out bulbs during an inspection to ensure you don't fail in this area.
All windshield wipers must operate smoothly – INSTALL new blades if rubber is deteriorated.
Both front and rear blades need to properly wipe away liquid from the windsheilds.
We test by spraying washer fluid – if your level is too low, we have to supply you with a gallon. We may be able to replace your blades depending on the vehicle if needed.
No cracks none-whatsoever are permitted on any windows – REMOVE damaged, shattered glass.
Vehicles often fail for cracks on the rear view mirror, make sure these are replaced.
Overly tinted windows are not allowed – TAKE OUT tint if less than 35% of light passes through.
Massachusetts is VERY strict about tinting (any cars out of state, take note).
We WILL turn away vehicles with obviously dark windows. Otherwise, we will test windows with a scanner to make sure they adhere to the maximum percentage allowed.
Horn must be adequately audible – Horn needs REPAIR if sound is not loud enough.
The horn is essential for alerting other drivers for danger and emergencies.
Emissions portion
OBD (on boarding diagnostics) determine whether or not your vehicle is ready in meeting emission standards – if car is "not ready," it needs to be DRIVEN more to provide sufficient driving data to the system when scanned.
Cars often fail for "not being ready" when brought immediately following a repair. Avoid bringing in your vehicle too soon.
OBD2 serial port must properly connect to our system via cable – if defective, CONTACT your local dealership or vehicle manufacturer for repair or replacement options.
While this occurrence is seldom, we do get cars that fail for this issue. We thoroughly and repetitively test all vehicles and our equipment to ensure that if the problem happens, it should be escalated beyond our services.
We apologize for the inconvenience but, you will be turned away if:
You do NOT renew your vehicle registration
We cannot perform an inspection as we have to connect your vehicle to our system, which will access the RMV's active registry.
You do NOT have TWO license plates – front and back.
Massachusetts state law requires both plates and we are required to photograph these as part of the inspection, as the system will need to verify that they are present. Green plates are exempt.
You bring a vehicle OVER 10,001 lbs.
We are only licensed to inspect passenger vehicles, minivans, TNC (ride-share) vehicles, pickup trucks, and SUVs (running on gas, diesel, electric and hybrid) under this weight limit set by Massachusetts.
In addition, some larger vehicles (please check before coming) such as motorhomes that are under the weight limit may not fit in our garage (9 feet by 9 feet).
You bring a motorcycle.
We are not currently licensed to inspect motorcycles.
What To Do if Your Car Has Failed?
If for Safety:
Have your vehicle repaired for any defects as soon as possible that cannot be done on-site immediately (we will try to fix / replace light bulbs and windshield wipers if possible).
Anything major such as faulty seatbelts, worn out tires, and broken mirrors must be serviced within 30 days at the same location as the original inspection to be eligible for a free re-inspection.
If for Emissions:
Have your vehicle repaired for any defects through a registered emissions repair technician within 60 days and return to the same location as the original inspection to be eligible for a free re-inspection.
Even after certain emissions repair has been done, the vehicle's internal computers must be "ready" to pass the re-test, hence you must drive your car under specific highway and city conditions for a duration of time (a drive cycle) specified by an emissions repair technician or your vehicle's dealer.
You may also find instructions on how to complete the drive cycle by consulting your vehicle's manual.
In the extreme case where your vehicle requires a major repair such as a transmission or engine overhaul, you may qualify for a non-renewable, 1-year economic hardship extension.¹
For Both:
You will receive a printed vehicle inspection report (VIR) upon failing, which must be given to a repair technician so that they can properly assist in repairing your vehicle and/or appraising repair costs.
Make sure to hold on to repair receipts as proof that you are in compliance of the law and of proper action subsequent to our assessment of failure of your vehicle, for one or both parts of the exam.
To avoid traffic citations and insurance surcharges, it is imperative that you have your car inspected / re-inspected within the proper timeframe allotted by your sticker number / letter and color (or date specified by your VIR if failed). In extreme cases, the RMV may suspend your registration if 60 days pass without a re-inspection.
Should your vehicle fail the re-test subsequent to repair by a registered technician, you may qualify for a one-year emissions waiver.²
¹ ² Registered emission repair technicians are the only ones who can provide the necessary documents required for an emissions waiver or extension. They are certified by the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence and have completed specialized courses in emissions repairs.
To inquire about the waiver or extension, contact the RMV customer service line at 1-844-358-0135. They are open between 7 am to 5 pm, Monday through Saturday with extended hours until 8 pm on Tuesday and Thursday.
Need a Friendly Reminder on Your Car Inspection?
Please fill out this form below upon getting your vehicle inspected on location or to set a date during the month your sticker expires.
All subscribers will receive a yearly reminder to obtain a new inspection sticker (any day of the expiration month will suffice). Tip: aim for the middle of the month and on weekdays to avoid a long wait.
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