NH State Vehicle Inspections

It is essential to make sure you are properly licensed and registered for your driving. Every state has different rules when it comes to driving, vehicle registration, and even auto insurance. That is why it is important to check in with what you need to be doing for your state. You need to know what is and isn’t allowed and what is expected of you as a driver.

In New Hampshire, you must have a yearly auto inspection for your vehicle. This is essential to remaining a properly registered vehicle in New Hampshire, so it is not something you want to forget. Learn more about the NH car inspection requirements below.

What is the NH Vehicle State Inspection?

When you register your vehicle for the first time in the state of New Hampshire, you are required to get a vehicle safety inspection. You have to get this safety inspection within 10 days of the time you register your vehicle. Then, you are also required to get this same safety inspection again every year. A safety inspection is also required each time a vehicle changes owners, even if it has been inspected with the previous owner. This safety inspection helps to ensure your vehicle is safe to drive, and it is safe to be out on the road in New Hampshire and beyond. Learn more about what is included in the safety inspection below.

What is Included in the Inspection Process:

As mentioned above, a vehicle safety inspection is required for vehicle registration in New Hampshire. What is exactly included in this safety inspection?

According to the New Hampshire Division of Motor Vehicles, below is a list of items that are included in the general inspection process:

• Registration, plates, registration certificate, and vehicle identification number.
• Steering, front end, and suspension.
• Brakes, including parking brakes.
• Odometer and speedometer.
• Electrical system, horn, and defroster.
• Lights and reflectors, including headlight aim.
• Glass, glazing, and mirrors.
• Wipers.
• Exhaust system.
• On-board diagnostics system.
• Body, chassis, and bumper height.
• Fuel system.
• Tires and wheels.

Your car inspection will include taking a look at all the systems discussed above. Also, if your vehicle is less than 20 years old, you will need an On-Board Diagnostics (OBD) test to look at emissions and emission components to find out if your vehicle is causing excess pollution.

The inspection of all of these items helps to make sure your vehicle is safe to be driving. These things are important to be aware of with your vehicle. You can find out more about why this yearly inspection is required in New Hampshire below.

Why Does Your Vehicle Need to Be Inspected Yearly?

Not every state requires a yearly vehicle inspection, so you might be wondering why New Hampshire requires this. There are a few different reasons that this is a requirement.

One big reason why NH car inspections are required is that they can help with accident prevention. If there is something wrong with your vehicle that could cause issues for you or for other drivers on the road, hopefully, the safety inspection can find that issue and get it fixed. These safety inspections can keep you and your vehicle safer, and they can also keep other people safer and New Hampshire roads safer. For example, your vehicle may have faulty brakes which could cause a dangerous collision that could hurt people, but brakes are something that is checked out in the inspection, so that is something that could be caught before it causes an issue.

Another reason for the safety inspection of your vehicle is that it can help with preventative maintenance. You can make sure your vehicle is in top shape and is performing for you how it should be. The safety inspection ensures that your vehicle is road ready, and this can give you great peace of mind, especially if it is a used vehicle you just purchased.

These safety inspections can give you peace of mind. You can rest easy knowing that your vehicle is in good condition and is ready to take on the road with you and your loved ones in New Hampshire. Those are a few reasons why the safety inspection is in place for you and your vehicle yearly. These safety inspections can help you catch potential problems with your vehicle before you run into car trouble down the road, so they can be well worth the time it takes.

Where Can You Get Your Vehicle Inspected?

Now that we’ve talked a little bit about what is involved with a NH car inspection and why it needs to happen, let’s talk about where you can get your vehicle inspected. You cannot just get a vehicle inspection anywhere, there are some limits to where you can do this because not every mechanic is certified to perform this type of inspection.

However, you can get your car inspected at any state licensed inspection station or an authorized New Hampshire auto dealer. Any place that is authorized to perform this inspection will have a notice posted that they have that ability so that you are aware if a place is able to perform that inspection for you.

Service at Seacoast Mazda

At Seacoast Mazda, we can help you with vehicle service like a safety inspection for your vehicle. We have mechanics who are trained on the latest vehicles and newest techniques to make sure your vehicle is in great condition for you. We can also help you with any regular maintenance your vehicle may need like oil changes, tire rotations, and more.

Reach out to us today to schedule a service appointment. We will work effectively and efficiently to get your vehicle inspected or fixed. Our goal is to get you back on the road safely, as soon as we can. We care about you and the safety of your vehicle. Reach out to us with any questions you may have about the New Hampshire yearly safety inspection or any other mechanic questions about your vehicle.