New York Emissions Test
New York Vehicle Inspection Program testing covers gas, hybrid, and diesel cars across New York. For 2026, the covered model years run from 2002 to 2024. This test comes due every year during the safety inspection visit.
Which cars have to take the test?
Model years that New York tests in 2026 are marked by the green band. If your car is under 2 model years old, it's exempt. Once a car passes 25 model years old, it's exempt too.
Use the model year and fuel type to check your car.
New York emissions test at a glance
| Program | The New York Vehicle Inspection Program |
|---|---|
| Where | Statewide |
| Fuels tested | Gas, hybrid, diesel |
| Model years tested in 2026 | 2002 to 2024 (diesels from 1997) |
| How often | Every year, with the safety inspection |
| The test | A plug-in OBD test, along with a check of the gas cap and emission parts |
| Fee | The OBD test costs up to $27 around New York City and $11 anywhere else, and the safety inspection fee is extra |
| New cars | A car under 2 model years old doesn't have to be tested |
| Older cars | A car over 25 model years old is exempt as well |
| Waiver | A one-year waiver once you've spent at least $450 on emissions repairs and failed the re-inspection |
How the test works, and what if the car fails?
The inspector connects a reader to the port below the dashboard during an OBD plug-in check, then reads the data stored by the car computer. Your check engine light must stay off, with the car’s self-checks (readiness monitors) fully done.
A loose cap lets fuel vapor escape, so the gas cap check confirms the cap still seals.
When a car fails, the report spells out what didn't pass. Fix that problem first, then return for the retest.
New York allows a one-year waiver when a car still fails after repairs: at least $450 in emissions work plus a failed re-inspection must come first.