All automobiles registered in Massachusetts are required by state law to pass an annual emissions and safety check, which costs $35.
Driving with an expired sticker is a traffic offense punishable by a fine of $40. It can also have an impact on a driver’s auto insurance premiums.
During business shutdowns last year, the state granted motorists with expired stickers an extension of several months to avoid the spread of the coronavirus.
What happens if your inspection sticker is expired in Massachusetts?
Vehicles with expired inspection stickers from March and April 2021 will have until May 31 to be inspected, according to the RMV. People who bought a new vehicle after March 23 and registered it after that date will have until April 30 to get it inspected.
Is there a grace period for expired inspection stickers in Massachusetts?
For certain expired motor vehicle inspections, the RMV is giving a grace period. Vehicles having expired inspection stickers from March 2021 (“3” sticker on windshield) and April 2021 (“4” sticker on windshield) can get an inspection until May 31, 2021.
Is an expired inspection sticker a moving violation in Massachusetts?
If you are caught driving in Massachusetts with an expired inspection sticker, you will be charged with a moving violation. A fine is attached to the citation. A surcharge will be added to your auto insurance in addition to the fine.
What happens if you don’t inspect your car in Massachusetts?
If your car fails to pass inspection within 7 days of the date of sale and the projected costs of repairs or safety-related deficiencies exceed 10% of the purchase price, the Massachusetts Failed Inspection Law empowers you to nullify or terminate the contract or sale. Regardless of mileage or age, this law applies to both dealer and private party sales of cars and motorbikes acquired for personal or family use. It is not applicable to leased vehicles.
Before you start
- Your vehicle must be examined within 7 days of purchase (not the date of registration)
- A licensed Massachusetts Inspection Station must conduct the inspection.
Can your car get towed for expired inspection?
Aalsberg, H. Scott. Yes, non-inspection can result in a hazardous vehicle, and because the officer is responsible for public safety, he can have it towed.
Can your car be towed for expired registration in Massachusetts?
The officer will issue a “Massachusetts Uniform Citation” for Driving an Unregistered Motor Vehicle if the officer stops a car and discovers the driver does not have a valid registration or the registration was not properly updated. The driver will normally receive a traffic penalty at the spot, and the police will tow the unregistered vehicle. The offense will be listed on the citation, and the officer will mark the “crim” box to indicate that it is a criminal offense.
It is critical to act quickly when a Criminal Citation has been issued.
Drivers suspected of driving without a valid registration in Massachusetts have the option of having a Clerk Magistrate Hearing on an Application for a Criminal Complaint before being arraigned.
The operator must file the traffic citation with the appropriate District Court within four days in order to have a Clerk Magistrate Hearing.
Individuals facing allegations of driving with a revoked registration should contact a Defense Lawyer as soon as possible to discuss their case.
The District Court will send the operator a “Summons” to appear in District Court from an Arraignment if a Clerk Magistrate Hearing is not correctly sought. A judge in the District Court that has jurisdiction over the town or city where the ticket was issued will hear the case.
Why is my Registration Revoked in Massachusetts?
For a variety of reasons, the Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles, or RMV, can cancel a vehicle’s registration, including:
The matter must still be heard in District Court even if the driver takes the proper steps to renew his or her registration with the Massachusetts RMV after getting a citation for driving with a revoked or expired registration.
What color is the inspection sticker for 2021 in Massachusetts?
“All stations will be brought back online and will be able to conduct simultaneous inspections. When you are ready to begin testing, you will be alerted “officials penned
The Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles has extended a grace period for some motor vehicle inspections due to ongoing concerns with the company it contracts with as a result of a malware attack.
Motor vehicles with expired inspection stickers from March 2021 a blue “3” sticker and April 2021 a blue “4” sticker can acquire a new sticker until May 31.
Newly purchased automobiles that are registered on or after March 23, 2021, shall be given until April 30 to get inspected. Within seven days after registration, newly purchased automobiles must be inspected.
Customers who have recently had an inspection rejection and are within the 60-day free retest window will be given one additional day for each day the inspection was rejected. Applus’s system is still down, but they should plan to conduct their inspection as soon as possible once the system is back up and running.
Why are there no vehicle inspections in Massachusetts?
It will take at least another week for the Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles’ vendor to bring the equipment needed to conduct state-mandated car inspections back online, according to the agency.
On March 30, Applus Technologies, a Wisconsin-based company that handles car inspections in Massachusetts and several other states, was hacked, prohibiting the RMV’s vehicle inspection stations from conducting statewide vehicle inspections.
Does insurance cover uninspected car?
You’d be amazed how many folks neglect to have their car examined on a regular basis. Expiring registration and inspection stickers are two of the most typical tickets issued. It’s understandable that people are concerned that if their automobile hasn’t been examined, their insurance won’t cover their accident.
When you’ve been in a car accident, the last thing you want to hear is that your claim isn’t going to be paid. So you could be concerned if you learn that another motorist failed to have their vehicle examined as needed. You’re worried that because the vehicle wasn’t examined, their insurance won’t cover your claim.
Every state has its own regulations on how frequently a vehicle must be examined. It is dependent on the age of your vehicle. Newer vehicles can go for years without being inspected. Every few of years, older cars should be evaluated.
Indianapolis wants to ensure that the vehicles that its inhabitants drive are safe. Having them inspected on a regular basis is one way to do this. They’re put through pollution and safety tests. They don’t want individuals driving about in automobiles that aren’t safe to drive.
You should be allowed to submit a claim against their insurance even if the car that hit you has an expired inspection sticker. To be certain, you should contact and consult with an expert Indianapolis automobile accident lawyer.
What Do I Do Now?
Follow these actions to prepare for a re-test if your car fails its inspection:
If a vehicle fails a safety check, it must be repaired right away. You put yourself and others in danger when you drive a car, truck, SUV, or bus with safety faults. Police may also issue you a citation, which could result in insurance surcharges.
If you are referred to a Motorist Assistance Center (MAC) following your vehicle’s initial inspection, please check with the professionals there before having your car fixed.
Keep the repair invoices in your car until your vehicle is re-inspected as proof that you are in compliance with the law. This is especially critical in the case of safety issues, which must be remedied very away. It’s also a good idea to maintain receipts for emissions-related repairs in case your car fails its re-test and you need to seek for a waiver or an extension due to economic hardship.
If your vehicle fails an emissions inspection, you must have it repaired and re-tested within 60 days of the initial inspection. Because these faults can have a significant impact on your vehicle’s gas mileage and our air quality, it’s best to have them fixed as soon as possible, ideally by a Registered Emissions Repair Technician (RERT). They are the only ones who can help you and your vehicle qualify for an emissions waiver or an extension due to economic hardship.
Make sure your car is in good working order before the re-test. Vehicles must be driven under specified highway and city circumstances after certain emissions fixes are made to have their internal computers ready. For more information, contact your RERT or the vehicle’s dealer.
Within 60 days of the initial inspection, your car must pass a re-test. If you return your car to the same place where your initial inspection was completed within those 60 days, the re-test is free.
If your vehicle fails both the emissions test and the safety inspection, it will be re-inspected for both.
Your vehicle may be eligible for a one-year emissions waiver if it is fixed by an RERT and fails its re-test. You may be eligible for a non-renewable one-year economic hardship extension if your car requires extensive repairs, such as a transmission or engine overhaul. Obtaining a waiver or an extension will satisfy program requirements, but only if done within 60 days of the initial inspection.