What is the Maryland State Vehicle Safety Inspection?
If you just bought a used car or moved to Maryland, the vehicle must pass the Maryland State safety inspection in order for you to register the vehicle in Maryland.
Sometimes people purchase used cars without a safety inspection. You can obtain a 30-day temporary registration from the MVA or a Tag and Title company so you can get tags to drive around and to get an inspection. Once you get the vehicle through the Maryland State Inspection, you are now able to receive a permanent registration for your vehicle.
If you fail the MD State Inspection, you have 30 days or 1,000 miles (whichever occurs first) to repair the failed components and get the vehicle re-inspected. If you attempt to re-inspect the vehicle after 30 days or you have driven over 1,000 miles, you will have to get another MD State Inspection. So it’s best to get the car fixed as soon as possible to avoid unnecessary expenses.
You will be given a MD State Inspection printout after the inspection. It will provide the vehicle owner with the items that failed the inspection, along with comments from the Inspector that he/she feels the vehicle owner should be aware of.
When you pass the MD State Inspection, you will be given a printout and email that contains the vehicle safety inspection Certification Number. When you register the vehicle at the MVA, simply provide them with the Certification Number to prove you have passed the safety inspection. The Maryland State Safety Inspection system is electronic; therefore, the certification number will already be attached to the vehicle’s VIN number.
You only have to obtain a MD State Safety Inspection once during the time of ownership, therefore the inspection is rigorous, providing the vehicle owner an in depth look into the vehicle’s overall safety.
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