MARYLAND SAFETY
INSPECTION PROCEDURES
Maryland requires a safety inspection; checking over 100 components for all used motor vehicles being purchased, sold, or transferred including out-of-state vehicles being registered for vehicles under 10,000 pounds.
Private sale motor vehicle and/or trailer inspections are valid for 90 days and dealer purchased motor vehicles and/or trailer safety inspections are valid for 6 months. Once the motor vehicle and/or trailer passes safety inspection, the certification is electronically sent to the MVA.
IMPORTANT NOTES
- Vehicles that are either 4-wheel drive, Full floating axles over 10,000 GVWR With front and rear brakes or have more than 2-axles will have a higher inspection fee
- If vehicle is returned within 30-days and within 1,000 miles only rejected items or new visual defects will be re-inspected
- A prorated inspection fee may be charged for the re-inspection of defects requiring jacking, lifting measuring or testing
- Complaints involving improper vehicle inspections must be reported to the Maryland State Police within 30 days of the purchase date of the vehicle and not have been driven in excess of 1,000 miles
- The vehicle must be in its original post inspection condition at the time of the complaint no repairs to be made prior to reporting the complaint
Click here to find an approved safety inspection station and/or check to confirm the results of the safety inspection.
MARYLAND SAFETY INSPECTION CONSISTS OF THE FOLLOWING ITEMS
For further details, consult the “Vehicle Inspection Handbook.”
OBTAIN VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER (VIN AND ODOMETER READING
- Steering Wheel Condition
- Steering Column Condition
- Lash
- Travel for Jamming or Binding
- Linkage for Excessive Free Play
- Power Steering Condition
- Vehicle Must Be Road Tested
INSPECT STEERING FOR:
- Toe Reading
- Caster and Camber Only If Road Toast Indicates
- Rear Wheel Alignment & Axle
INSPECT SUSPENSION FOR:
- Ball Joint Wear
- King Pin OR Spindle Bolt Condition
- Wheel Bearing Condition
- Springs and Torsion Bar Condition
- Shock Absorber or Strut Condition
INSPECT BRAKE SYSTEM FOR:
- Stopping Difference, Either Road Test or Decelerometer
- Hydraulic System Condition
- Drum and Disc Condition
- Lining and Pad Condition 2/32 General Minimum
- Condition of Mechanical Linkage
- Vacuum or Hydraulic Booster System Condition
- Parking Brake Function
INSPECT TIRES & WHEELS FOR:
- Condition of Tires [Size, Type & Tread Depth]
- Condition of Wheels, Nuts, Studs or Lugs
INSPECT FUEL SYSTEM FOR:
- Fuel Tank Condition & System Leaks
- Choke, Hand Throttle & Accelerator Operation
INSPECT EXHAUST SYSTEM FOR:
- Condition of Manifold, All Piping Muffler, Resonator and the Tail Piping. To Include Leaks And Proper Mounting
INSPECT BUMPERS FOR:
- Condition of Bumpers Including Height and Proper Mounting
INSPECT FENDERS FOR:
- Condition of Fenders to Include Mounting and Coverage of Wheels and Tires
INSPECT LIGHTING FOR:
- Condition and Function of All Original Equipment Lighting And Whatever Added Lights Are Authorized
- Inspect Headlights for Condition, Candle Power Output And Aim
- Inspect Auxiliary or Fog Lamps For Aim and Proper Mounting
INSPECT MIRRORS FOR:
- Condition of Mirrors to Include Unobstructed View of Both Inside and Outside Mirrors When Required
INSPECT VEHICLE GLAZING FOR:
- Proper Materials Used for Specific Locations
- Operation of Drivers Window
- Damage that Exceeds Allowable Limits
- Tinting Not Incorporated Into the Glazing Except as Noted in the Procedures
INSPECT WINDSHIELD WIPERS FOR:
- Satisfactory Operation And Condition of Arms and Blades
INSPECT HOOD/CATCHES FOR:
- Condition and Proper Operation Of Hood for Full Closure
INSPECT DOORS, HANDLES AND LATCHES FOR:
- Condition and Proper Function Of All Doors, Latches, Hinges And Handles
INSPECT FLOOR AND TRUNK FOR:
- Holes or Rusted Out And Weakened Conditions in the Floor or Trunk Pans
INSPECT SPEEDOMETER AND ODOMETER FOR:
- Operation and Legibility
- Register in MPH or Kilometers
INSPECT ELECTRICAL SYSTEM FOR:
- Proper Condition and Function of Horn
- Condition of Wiring and Switches
- Neutral Safety Switch In Automatic Transmission Only
- Condition of Battery Cables And Hold-Down
INSPECT DRIVERS SEAT FOR:
- Presence, Condition And Mounting
INSPECT SAFETY BELTS FOR:
- Pressure Condition And Operation and Mounting
INSPECT MOTOR MOUNTS:
- If Originally Manufactured With Check Pressure and Condition
INSPECT GEAR SELECTION INDICATOR FOR:
- Proper Indication of Correct Position
INSPECT UNIVERSAL JOINTS/CONSTANT VELOCITY JOINTS FOR:
- Attachment and Worn, Damaged Or Loose Joints
- Torn or Damaged CV Joint Boots
INSPECT EMISSIONS EQUIPMENT FOR PRESENCE AND PROPER CONNECTION:
- Catalytic Converter
- Positive Crankcase Ventilation
- Air Injection System
- Exhaust Gas Recirculation System
- Evaporative Emissions System
- Catalytic Converter
- Positive Crankcase Ventilation
- Air Injection System
- Exhaust Gas Recirculation System
- Evaporative Emissions System
