Operating An Uninspected Motor Vehicle In New York – VTL 306

Posted on 
January 21, 2013
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51 Comments

Life can get pretty busy, so for many drivers one of the last things on your mind is making sure your car has been inspected.  In New York if you are a car owner you are required to have a safety and emissions inspections once every year.  The inspection must be done before the expiration date that is listed on your current inspection sticker and whenever there is a transfer in ownership of the vehicle.  States across America require that vehicles are regularly inspected to make sure that vehicles are both safe and do not contribute to air pollution.

In 1990 New York began a campaign known as “Drive New York Clean” under the Federal Clean Air Act which requires New York State to conduct an inspection program to help reduce harmful emissions from most gasoline-powered passenger cars and light-duty trucks. The emissions inspection is done at the same time as the annual safety inspection. Vehicles that fail the emissions inspection may not be able to become registered or, if already registered, the registration may not be renewed.

Regular inspections not only help in overall air quality but ensure motorists drive efficient and safe vehicles that perform better, reduce costly repairs, reduce fuel costs and help extend the life of your vehicle.   Inspections must be performed by a licensed inspection station (look for official sign) and must be performed by a certified motor vehicle inspector.  You should make sure that your vehicle inspection sticker has not expired and continue to regularly maintain your vehicle.

What Is The Fine For Failing to Have My Vehicle Inspected?

If the inspection sticker on your vehicle has expired in the past 60 days, you can receive a fine of $50. If the inspection sticker is expired more than 60 days, or you fail to affix an inspection sticker the fine is $100. The mandatory state surcharge is $85, plus additional fees, are added to the fine.  Also, a parked vehicle with no inspection sticker, or with an expired inspection sticker, can receive a parking ticket. It is a misdemeanor for an inspector to knowingly issue or for a motorist to knowingly accept an inspection sticker unless a proper inspection has been performed.

Many drivers are worried about getting a ticket for bringing their car in for inspection after expiration date.  However there is no automatic penalty if your car is past its inspection and you will only be fined if an officer issues you a ticket.  If you have not been issued a ticket for operating an uninspected vehicle, go have your car inspected by an authorized agent and make sure to only operate your vehicle with a valid inspection sticker.

 What Happens If I Have A False Sticker?

New York is cracking down on unauthorized private inspection facilities that are issuing fictitious inspection stickers.  Motorists who do not do their research and affix a fictitious sticker to their car from an unauthorized inspection station are left fighting a $300 ticket, $85 surcharge and possibly 30 days in jail under V&T Law section 306-f.  For a second violation the fine is $525 and a third offense the fine is $1125.

How Do I Get A Replacement Inspection Sticker?

To get a replacement inspection sticker you must have your car inspected by either an authorized private inspection facility.   If you fail inspection it means that your car is emitting more pollutants than the standard that is required for your vehicle.  An inspector will give you an emissions repair report so that if your car fails inspection, you have an opportunity to bring your car to a mechanic to fix the problem and bring your vehicle to the appropriate standards.  In the meantime the inspector will issue you a sticker which should give you about a month or two bring your vehicle to emission standards and help you avoid being ticketed by the police.

Should I Hire An Attorney?

If you have been charged with a misdemeanor related to your car inspection, ticketed for affixing a false inspection sticker or operating a motor vehicle with a sticker that has expired, an attorney can help you fight the charges.  Do not pay the fines and incur the penalties.   An attorney can work to help get you a reduction in your case and save you money.

Call Rosenblum Law today to help you fight the charges and get you results!  We are available via Email or Toll Free at 1-888-883-5529

 

Author Bio

Adam H. Rosenblum

Founding Attorney Of Rosenblum Law

Adam H. Rosenblum is an experienced and skilled traffic violations and criminal defense attorney. Mr. Rosenblum provides expert and aggressive representation to those facing points on their drivers’ licenses and the associated fines and surcharges.

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51 Comments

  1. my inspection ticket is more than 60 days i inspected it and it pass i have proof can i plead not guilty and send a copy of the receipt of the inspection sticker also do i get points in my lic

  2. I got a parking violation ticket for expired Inspection sticker more than 60 days (VTL 306B). I am ready to pay the fine, but I want to know - will I get points in my license and reported to DMV? Will this affect my insurance premium? How to avoid getting points on this NO Inspection sticker violation.

  3. I was driving someone else car and got charged with a 306e violation of a fictitious inspection cert being displayed and for driving and uninspected vehicle? whats the odds of jail time? I think I should fight it but I am afraid that would make it worse. Also the person who owns the car said they would go to court with me and say they swapped the stickers between two of there vehicles but they are close family and if they just get a fine that's one thing but I don't want them imprisoned either. what would that odds of that happening be?

  4. I was on my way over to the garage to get my vehicle check engine light off and also get an inspection sticker when I was pulled over for no inspection however my inspection was at 7 months ago in the vehicle was not on the road at the time what is the penalties for that please

  5. I was on my way over to the garage to get my vehicle check engine light off and also get an inspection sticker when I was pulled over for no inspection however my inspection was out7 months ago in the vehicle was not on the road at the time, what is the penalties for that please, I'm also operating under the in A2 restricted license with anti blowing device in it.

    1. Hi George, you are currently facing a minimum of $185 fine. Having an expired inspection is not considered a moving violation so it is not considered violation the restriction. If you would like to have your fees reduced please contact our office at 888-883-5529 for a free consultation.

  6. I got a ticket in the 60 days for my I uninspected vehicle 306B, I just got it inspected a week after, should I just play guilty and pay the fine? Or will it be points on my license?

  7. I am from Vt and was traveling thought the state. the week before I tried to get my vehical inspected but the shop was out of stickers and told me to stop back next week. My inspection is out of date by over 60 days and I plan on getting it inspected in the next week. does it help to have the inspection station state that I was trying to get inspected and there is nothing wrong with my car and they just didn't have any stickers at the moment?

    1. Hello Brian, the information you have provided is not sufficient enough to provide you with assistance. Please contact our office for a free consultation providing all the details at 888-883-5529.

  8. My vehicle registration expired. I went to renew my registration online but my car is not inspected so it will not let me renew.

    My car will need to pass through a drive cycle to pass inspection, which can take a few days. However, since my car is not registered, how can I drive it to pass the inspection legally? If i register at the DMV will they provide me with the registration and a ten day temp inspection?

  9. I got a ticket for an uninspected motor vehicle (306B). I'm worried if there was any points and was wondering about the fee.

    1. Hi Deanna, the ticket for an uninspected motor vehicle barres no points. If the inspection sticker on your vehicle has expired in the past 60 days, you will receive a maximum fine of $50. If the inspection sticker has expired more than 60 days, or you fail to affix an inspection sticker the fine is $100. The mandatory state surcharge is $85, plus additional fees, are added to the fine.

  10. I just got a new lease from a CT dealer and live in NY. I just received the NY Registration but didn't realize I needed to do an inspection. I received a ticket in White Plains for a 306B on Thursday and immediately got an inspection on Friday (today). I thought I had a 10 day grace period to get an inspection from the date i received my registration. How should I proceed?

  11. My inspection is up and my registration, which is under my mothers name, will be up in a week, online it says registering a car will invalidate the inspection but it also says it has to be inspected to get it registered, will I need to get it inspected twice?

  12. I got a ticket within the 60 days for an unspectacular vehicle 306B and the car wouldn't pass inspection so I took it off the road. Will I still have to pay the fines or is there a chance that they'll drop the ticket since I took it off the road?

  13. I received a ticket for driving an uninspected vehicle over the weekend (Saturday) in New York State. My car is being inspected today (Monday).
    Should I plead Guilty and send the ticket in by mail or go to court and show them I got it inspected and hope for a reduced fine?

  14. My vehicle is disabled in front my house, and the inspection sticker is expired. In the past month I have gotten 4 tickets for having expired inspection stickers. Is their anything I can do about this? My vehicle is disable and can't be moved.

  15. I just got a ticket on 306B VTL under uninspected charges for my car registered here in NY recently but i have 2-year valid inspection sticker from New Jersey before registration .
    NYS DMV website stated that "out-of-state sticker will be valid until it expires, or for 1 year from establishing NY residency—whichever comes first" which is the reason why i did not go for inspection.
    Are there any exceptions to this to plead not guilty ? Thanks

    1. As this is a 0 point violation, I would generally suggest pleading guilty as contesting a violation such as this will frequently cost more than the ticket itself.

  16. I got a ticket for an uninspected vehicle (306B) in a rental vehicle from Enterprise. The company assured me that they would take care of it, but the court date is now only a couple of days away and they still haven't resolved this. What are my options if they don't take care of it in a timely fashion?

    1. Ben, thank you for your inquiry. Where did you receive this ticket? In order to provide any assistance, please advise us of the location of the offense.

  17. Any points accure when the vehicle. is not inspected? I remember when it was an Equipment violation now I was told it's a moving violation!

  18. I received a uniform traffic ticket for driving an uninspected motor vehicle. The ticket does not say how much it costs, rather it gives a court date and asks if plead guilty or not guilty. On top of this, I accidentally gave the cop an expired insurance card. My car is insured and I already have the letter from Geico signed by an underwriter acknowledging current insurance. I am going to take my car in for an inspection today to my regular mechanic but the check engine light is on, and I don't think it will pass an inspection without first resolving the issue.

    Should I plead guilty and send in the letter confirming the insurance and also my updated inspection?

    Please advise.

    1. Alexis - please advise us of the violation codes that are associated with these tickets so we may advise further.

  19. I received a parking ticket yesterday in Suffolk County, NY. My inspection sticker was expired. The violation listed on the ticket is 306B. I am not disputing this, it was completely an oversight and I take full responsibility. But...I can’t pay the ticket online or over the phone...the ticket says I have to appear in court. I have never received a ticket before in my life. Why would this require me to have to go to court, which I’ve also never been to a court in my life. This has me very upset, I will gladly pay the fine, but there’s no fine listed on the ticket???

    1. Patricia - the fine for a no-inspection sticker is approximately $100.00. You may contact us at 888-883-5529 to clarify your appearance requirements.

  20. I got a uninspected ticket in Sullivan, NY in a friends car because of his false inspection sticker. Yesterday I got stopped for speeding on his car and the police officer notice the false inspection and gave me uninspected ticket. Should I just plead guilt and make my friend pay the ticket or not plead guilty to not affect my record ?

    1. Jose - Please confirm the violation code(s) for any violations that you have been issued that that stop.

  21. Took my car to get repaired and inspected at a shop that caught fire, while my car was parked legally in front of shop and home of repair shop owner.... one cop came by over a dozen times and gave me tickets for out of date inspection sticker ...after speaking to owner about the fire and why my car is parked legally in front of his business, after that the same cop came and had my car towed stating that it was obstruct of plow when my car was parked in a legal parking spot. now my car is in danger of getting scrapped because of this cop abuse of authority

    1. James - I would suggest contacting us to provide us with more details - as we would require the specific violations charged, as well as the location of the incident.

  22. Today while driving home in Orange County, I was stopped on the highway by a NYS Trooper . I received a ticket for expired inspections sticker over 60 days . Is this a moving violation with points on my license and insurance rates being raised ? I got new inspection sticker immediately from registered mechanic. The ticket has only a court date and guilty or not guilty box. Does not have any fine amount. Should I go to court and fight the ticket

  23. I failed a N.Y. inspection. I was told I would have to drive at least 100 miles to reset the on board computer. They removed my old sticker and now I have no sticker on my vehicle. How do I drive to get the miles on without being ticketed ?

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