Maryland Safety Inspections
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What is a Maryland Safety Inspection?
A Maryland Safety Inspection checks that key parts of your vehicle are safe and working properly. Maryland law requires that vehicles pass a Maryland Safety Inspection and receive a certification before a motor vehicle can be sold, titled, or transferred in the State.
When your vehicle passes, your Maryland Safety Inspection Certificate will be sent electronically to the MVA. Your vehicle must pass and to title and register your vehicle with the MVA.
For more information, visit the Maryland State Police Automotive Safety Enforcement Division website.
Safety inspection vs. emissions inspection
A safety inspection is different from an emissions inspection:
- Safety inspection — Checks whether your vehicle is safe to drive
- Emissions inspection — Checks pollution levels
You complete a safety inspection only when initially titling an applicable vehicle in Maryland, but emissions inspections are completed on qualified vehicles every two years. Looking for emissions or VEIP test information? Visit the Emissions Inspections page.
How to get a safety inspection
For more detailed information, visit the Maryland State Police Automotive Safety Enforcement Division website.
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Make sure your vehicle is registered
Your vehicle must be properly registered in Maryland or in another state ahead of the safety inspection.
If you cannot register the vehicle because it has not yet passed a safety inspection, you may qualify for a 30-day temporary registration. This allows you to legally drive the vehicle to the inspection station.
It is the vehicle owner’s responsibility to ensure the vehicle is legally transported to the inspection station.
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Find a licensed inspection station
You must go to a station licensed by the Maryland State Police. Not all repair shops are one of the 1600 licensed inspection stations in Maryland. Use Maryland State Police's Inspection Station Lookup tool to find a licensed inspection station that is convenient for you.
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Take your vehicle for inspection
We recommend that you schedule an appointment at the inspection station ahead of time if possible. Always confirm that the inspection station is authorized to inspect your vehicle class before scheduling an inspection. Bring the vehicle and be prepared to pay the inspection fee. Fees are set by the inspection station.
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Get your results & next steps
If your vehicle passes:
- Your vehicle's inspection certificate will sent electronically to the MVA. Your inspection station may give you a paper or electronic receipt of the inspection.
- The certificate is valid for 90 days from the date issued.
- Title and register your vehicle before the certificate expires
- If your vehicle has a temporary registration and your vehicle passes inspection, you can complete your vehicle registration without visiting an MVA branch office.
- Visit myMVA Online Services on the next business day to finish registering your vehicle and request your one, two, or three-year registration card and stickers
If your vehicle does not pass:
- Your receipt will list what needs to be fixed.
- Repair all items listed yourself, at the inspection station if possible, or at another facility.
- Return to a licensed inspection station for reinspection within 30 days.
- Note that the inspection station can charge you for each reinspection, unless the repair can be visually verified. (Only the items that failed need to be rechecked.)
- If you miss the 30-day window or drive more than 1,000 miles before reinspection, you will need to pay for a full new inspection.
Received a SERO?
A law enforcement officer may issue a Safety Equipment Repair Order (SERO) during a traffic stop if they see that your vehicle has defective or non-functioning equipment. Visit the Maryland State Police SERO page for more information on what to do.
Need more help?
For more information on vehicle safety inspections, visit the Maryland State Police Automotive Safety Enforcement Division website. You'll find more details on inspections, SERO, and the lookup tool to find a licensed station.