In a sudden legal reversal that has left many Granite State drivers in a state of confusion, New Hampshire’s annual vehicle inspection program is staying put—at least for now.
The New Hampshire Department of Justice issued emergency guidance Jan. 30 after a federal judge ruled that the state’s plan to repeal its inspection law was illegal. The court found that the state cannot dismantle the program until the EPA officially approves a plan to end emissions testing.
The new law mainly affected safety inspections for passenger vehicles. Commercial vehicles are still subject to federal annual inspections, per 49 CFR 396.17.
The New Hampshire Motor Transport Association (NHMTA) on Monday sounded the alarm for commercial drivers, reminding fleets that 49 CFR 396.17 requires Commercial Motor Vehicles to be inspected at least once every 12 months. The state-level grace period may not protect truck drivers from federal fines or issues when traveling out of state.
"Law enforcement in other states may not be aware of the developments surrounding inspections in NH," the NHMTA cautioned in a statement. "If your trucks have February or March stickers, you should consider having them inspected sooner rather than later."
The state is currently working to extend contracts to keep the inspection program operational. Officials are urging residents to stay updated via the DMV website as the situation remains fluid.
Grace period for drivers
The repeal was originally scheduled to take effect last Friday. Because many residents had already planned on the program ending, the Department of Safety is offering a temporary buffer to help drivers catch up.
Any vehicle with an inspection expiring before March 2026 now has until April 10 to get a new sticker. Officials have voiced disagreement with the injunction and intend to appeal the ruling, seeking to pause the court's order while the legal process plays out.
