Maryland's State Laws on an Auto Inspection

• Many vehicles in Maryland must be inspected by a licensed mechanic. Nicolas Loran/Photodisc/Getty Images

  Maryland requires a safety inspection on all used vehicles prior to obtaining a title transfer and new registration. This inspection requirement covers cars, trucks, tractors, motorcycles and certain "for hire" and specialized vehicles. If the vehicle does not have previous documentation from the state, you may acquire a 30-day temporary registration allowing you to obtain an inspection. The Maryland State Police administer the inspection program.

Inspection Procedure

• You must take your vehicle to a licensed inspection location to obtain a safety certificate. The majority of facilities inspect cars, trucks and sport utility vehicles with a gross weight rating of 10,000 pounds or less. Trailers without air brakes measuring 20 feet long or less also are inspected at most locations. In most cases, the inspection will check your vehicle's steering, suspension, brake, fuel and related systems. Safety personnel inspect the exhaust and emissions, electrical systems and the vehicle's hood and door latches. Interior safety checks include seat belts, driver seat and a speedometer and odometer inspection. Most inspections take approximately 1 1/2 hours to complete. You should make an appointment ahead of time to avoid a lengthy wait prior to the inspection. Once the procedure is complete, you receive a detailed report explaining the outcome of your inspection. If your inspection is successful, you receive two copies of the inspection certificate. Keep one copy for your records and use the other to obtain the title and registration at a Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration location.

Failed Inspections

• You have the option to repair the problems identified on the inspection report yourself, let inspection station personnel make repairs, or take the vehicle another facility to solve the problem. You must return to the same inspection station and have the same mechanic check your vehicle during your re-inspection. Only the original problem is checked, provided you return for re-inspection within 30 days of the first check and have traveled less than 1,000 miles since the original inspection. If new defects are visually found upon re-inspection, or the 30-day and mileage provision passes, a second full inspection takes place.

Fees

• Each inspection station is required to display the fee charged for vehicle inspections in an obvious manner. Individual inspection facilities set their own rates for the labor performed during a safety check. The state police regulate the amount of labor hours each station charges for the service. Re-inspection rates often are separate from initial inspection charges and vary depending on the vehicle system in need of a second test. You should not be charged a re-inspection fee if the repair can be confirmed visually, such as a non-working headlight. Any other type of re-inspection involving lifting, measuring or testing of your vehicle will incur a charge.