Vehicle inspection is a procedure mandated by national or subnational governments in many countries, in which a vehicle is inspected to ensure that it conforms to regulations governing safety, emissions, or both. Inspection can be required at various times, e.g., periodically or on transfer of title to a vehicle. If required periodically, it is often termed periodic motor vehicle inspection; typical intervals are every two years and every year.

In some jurisdictions, proof of inspection is required before a vehicle licence or license plate can be issued or renewed. In others, once a vehicle passes inspection, a decal is attached to the windshield, and police can enforce the inspection law by seeing whether the vehicle displays an up-to-date decal. In the case of a vehicle lacking a windshield (e.g., a trailer or motorcycle), the decal is typically attached to the vehicle body or license plate.

With regard to safety inspection, there is some controversy over whether it is a cost-effective way to improve road-traffic safety.

United States

Vehicle emissions inspection station

Main article: Vehicle inspection in the United States

In the United States, each state government is free to decide whether to require vehicle safety inspection, as well as the specifics of the inspection program. 18 states and the District of Columbia have a periodic (annual or biannual) safety inspection program, while Maryland requires an inspection prior to registration or transfer of ownership only.[citation needed]

Under the Clean Air Act (1990), states are required to implement vehicle emission inspection programs in metropolitan areas whose air quality does not meet federal standards. The specifics of those programs vary from state to state. Some states, including Florida, Kentucky and Minnesota, have discontinued their testing programs in recent years with approval from the federal government.[citation needed]

In most states, such inspections are done at state-operated garages, usually near the local DMV office. Pennsylvania, Texas and Virginia are a notable exceptions, instead opting to have privately-owned garages doing inspections with approval from state DOT. In Pennsylvania, some independently-run garages have been caught doing what is commonly known as a "lick-'em-and-stick-'em", which simply has the person pay the inspection fee and has the sticker replaced without actually checking the vehicle. This is illegal in Pennsylvania, which among other penalties could lead to a fine for the garage and a revocation of their inspection privileges. Other independently-run garages as well as chains like Pep Boys, Midas, and car dealerships are more stringent and follow PennDOT guidelines for inspections.