# NYS auto inspection expires when? Start or end of sticker date? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [May 18, 2004, 11:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nys-auto-inspection-expires-when-start-or-end-of-sticker-date/245863 "2004-05-18T23:32:55Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 8\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![stuyguy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ec9cab/32.png) [@stuyguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/stuyguy)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2004, 11:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nys-auto-inspection-expires-when-start-or-end-of-sticker-date/245863/1 "2004-05-18T23:32:55Z")
This question will seem nuts to most Dopers who probably only fret their auto inspection stickers during speed stops and registration renewals. But here in NYC the NYPD trolls the curbs during the wee hours ticketing parked cars literally minutes after their inspection stickers expire. Don’t laugh. It’s happened to me and friends I know. Well, stupid me has waited until the last minute _again_. My inspection sticker reads “EXPIRES 5/19/04” – tomorrow, as of this posting. My question: Am I in violation of the law as of the first moment the clock turns 5/19? Or the first moment the clock turns 5/20? Informed answers only please. I can WAG up a storm all by myself, so you WAGers need not apply. Thanks all. ---
**Author:** ![ltfire](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7ea924/32.png) [@ltfire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ltfire)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2004, 11:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nys-auto-inspection-expires-when-start-or-end-of-sticker-date/245863/2 "2004-05-18T23:53:24Z")
> [@stuyguy](#): > > This question will seem nuts to most Dopers who probably only fret their auto inspection stickers during speed stops and registration renewals. But here in NYC the NYPD trolls the curbs during the wee hours ticketing parked cars literally minutes after their inspection stickers expire. Don’t laugh. It’s happened to me and friends I know. > > Well, stupid me has waited until the last minute _again_. My inspection sticker reads “EXPIRES 5/19/04” – tomorrow, as of this posting. > > My question: Am I in violation of the law as of the first moment the clock turns 5/19? Or the first moment the clock turns 5/20? > > Informed answers only please. I can WAG up a storm all by myself, so you WAGers need not apply. > > Thanks all. I just went out to my driveway to look at the windshields of 3 cars. The INSPECTION sticker has no numbered day. It expires on the last day of that month. The REGISTRATION sticker, on the other hand, does have a numbered date. ---
**Author:** ![stuyguy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ec9cab/32.png) [@stuyguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/stuyguy)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2004, 12:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nys-auto-inspection-expires-when-start-or-end-of-sticker-date/245863/3 "2004-05-19T00:31:13Z")
> [@ltfire](#): > > I just went out to my driveway to look at the windshields of 3 cars. The INSPECTION sticker has no numbered day. It expires on the last day of that month. The REGISTRATION sticker, on the other hand, does have a numbered date. I think the last-day-of-the-month method is being phased in, but my sticker is still on the old odd-day system. ---
**Author:** ![ltfire](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7ea924/32.png) [@ltfire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ltfire)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2004, 12:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nys-auto-inspection-expires-when-start-or-end-of-sticker-date/245863/4 "2004-05-19T00:35:29Z")
> [@stuyguy](#): > > I think the last-day-of-the-month method is being phased in, but my sticker is still on the old odd-day system. You got me thinking. I’m up in Dutchess County, where there are no emissions testing. I’ll bet if you have a certain date on your sticker, that’s the reason. ---
**Author:** ![FatBaldGuy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/ecd19e/32.png) [@FatBaldGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FatBaldGuy)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2004, 12:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nys-auto-inspection-expires-when-start-or-end-of-sticker-date/245863/5 "2004-05-19T00:44:26Z")
[Here is a site](http://www.nydmv.state.ny.us/vehsafe.htm#einspect) from the NY DMV with information about inspections. I don’t see a specific answer to your question, but you may be able to poke around a little and see. You might also look at the back of the sticker, or the paperwork that came with the sticker for more enlightenment. In my experience in other states, you always have until the **end** of the expiration date to get it renewed. ---
**Author:** ![stuyguy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ec9cab/32.png) [@stuyguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/stuyguy)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2004, 12:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nys-auto-inspection-expires-when-start-or-end-of-sticker-date/245863/6 "2004-05-19T00:45:17Z")
> [@ltfire](#): > > You got me thinking. I’m up in Dutchess County, where there are no emissions testing. I’ll bet if you have a certain date on your sticker, that’s the reason. Yes, you are probably correct. Metro area inspections include emissions testing. (NYS calls it an “enhanced inspection” and charges 3 times the safety inspection alone.) ---
**Author:** ![stuyguy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ec9cab/32.png) [@stuyguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/stuyguy)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2004, 12:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nys-auto-inspection-expires-when-start-or-end-of-sticker-date/245863/7 "2004-05-19T00:49:42Z")
> [@Fat Bald Guy](#): > > [Here is a site](http://www.nydmv.state.ny.us/vehsafe.htm#einspect) from the NY DMV with information about inspections. I don’t see a specific answer to your question, but you may be able to poke around a little and see. You might also look at the back of the sticker, or the paperwork that came with the sticker for more enlightenment. I already poked there before I posted and found no answers; and a check of the inspection paperwork I have in my files reveals nothing. Thanks for the suggestions though, FBG. ---
**Author:** ![ltfire](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7ea924/32.png) [@ltfire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ltfire)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2004, 1:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nys-auto-inspection-expires-when-start-or-end-of-sticker-date/245863/8 "2004-05-19T01:02:17Z")
I’m remembering a few years ago, my uncle, who lives in, and has his car registered, in the Bronx. He was going on a month long cruise, and didn’t want to leave the car on the street (smart move) so I let him leave it here. He asked me to get it inspected while he was away, and I agreed. Guess what…it couldn’t be done in an area that doesn’t do the emission thing. Apparently, the registration and the inspection sticker match up as to location of the registration. This stops…you, for instance…of trying to get a sticker while skipping the more expensive emission test.