Michael D. Kelly, ESQ 
In the hectic flow of life, it is possible to forget about some routine tasks and miss their deadlines. Vehicle maintenance is one thing that is easy to forget, but the consequences can get serious: an expired inspection can become a legal problem.
This can happen to anyone. You might not notice it’s time for the inspection, just jump in the car and head out. But driving with an expired inspection is illegal in Massachusetts. Besides, you don’t even need to be pulled over — you might park your car and return to find a ticket on your windshield.
So, what happens next? Let’s break down exactly how the state handles such violations, the rules behind them, and the steps you need to take to avoid additional penalties.
What Is a Vehicle Inspection Sticker in Massachusetts?
All drivers in the state must ensure that their motor vehicles are safe to drive and do not pose a danger to other people. A valid vehicle inspection sticker is the official proof of that. The state requires local motorists to inspect cars for safety features and emissions annually.
Once you bring the car to an authorized inspection station, the trained personnel will check all the critical systems and components to make sure they operate well. If everything is in order, your vehicle will receive a new sticker. It will be placed in the bottom left corner of the windshield.
The sticker must be visible from the outside. The month and year of the previous sticker’s expiration will be printed in a large font so that the police or parking officer can easily verify the validity of your inspection.
How Long Is a Massachusetts Car Inspection Valid?
A vehicle inspection is valid for a year in Massachusetts, and the best practice would be to inspect the vehicle on the month the previous one expires. If you do that before or after the due date, the sticker will still feature the month it was originally due.
For instance, if your inspection ends in May, but you reinspect in April, the new sticker will still reflect 12 months and be valid till next May. Or, say you were away and got back home in July and decided to renew the sticker. The new sticker will also be valid till May.
Can You Get an Expired Inspection Ticket While Parked?
Yes, you can get a ticket even if your car isn’t moving at the moment of the inspection. The fact that you are legally parked does not mean that a parking officer won’t cite you if they spot an expired inspection sticker. On the contrary, the parking enforcement usually specifically checks for expired stickers when on patrol.
Many people unknowingly assume that only driving with an expired inspection is a violation, and as long as the vehicle is stationary, it is in the clear. However, the risk is equally high. Here are a few examples for different locations:
| Location | Can You Get a Ticket? | Local Example |
| City street | Yes | Boston: City of Boston Traffic Rules and Regulations (Art. IV, Sect. 1, Part 26) |
| Municipality lot | Yes | Attleboro: City Ordinance 10-5.1 |
| Authority-run lot | Yes | MBTA: 703 CMR, § 2.04 |
| Private driveway | No | N/A |
Where Parked Cars Are Most Likely to Get Expired Inspection Citations?
Let’s review a few practical scenarios to give you a better idea of where you can get cited with an expired inspection sticker in Massachusetts:
- Public streets: No car can be parked on a public street without a valid inspection in the state.
- Municipal lot: A municipal lot is technically an extension of a public way, so a vehicle can and will be cited there.
- Authority-run lot: These lots are subject to statewide regulations, and parking with an expired sticker is a fineable offense.
- Driveway: This is the only potential parking space where the violations aren’t enforceable.
Fines and Legal Consequences of an Expired Inspection Sticker
How serious a violation is an expired inspection in Massachusetts? It depends. The primary factor that plays a part is whether your vehicle is stationary or moving.
If it is the first case scenario, the offense will be viewed as a parking violation, which often leads to a monetary penalty. The initial fine is $50. However, the amount might increase the longer you postpone the payment. For instance, in New Bedford, $50 will become $55 after 21 days, $75 after 30 days, and $95 after 60 days.
In case it is a moving violation, you can also get a fine of $50, with a surcharge of $5. However, you might also receive a suspension. As you can see, getting your car inspected on time can help you avoid a lot of financial and legal trouble.
Will an Expired Inspection Ticket Affect My Insurance?
An expired inspection may not affect your auto insurance if the vehicle is cited when parked. However, a ticket issued when you are behind the wheel and moving can impact your insurance premiums. Failure to comply with the law can be qualified as a surchargeable incident. The insurer may consider the expired inspection sticker fine when they calculate your premiums. The situation gets worse if you have additional fines, such as speeding or ignoring the Massachusetts car seat laws.
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What to Do After Receiving an Expired Inspection Ticket?
If it is your first time dealing with such a ticket, you need to know how you should act so as not to worsen the case:
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Assessment
Inspect the ticket and check if it is actually yours (human errors happen). Make sure that the date, car info (like license plate number), and violation type are correct.
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Inspection
Head on for a car inspection at a licensed station in your area. Those of you who think, “What’s the point? The ticket has been written”, should know that in some cases, a valid inspection can reduce potential implications and costs should you decide to file an appeal.
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Finalization
You can decide to pay the ticket or to appeal it. You may consult an attorney to figure out the direction to proceed.
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Proof
You should always keep the proof of your new inspection at hand. It will serve as valid evidence that you acted on the issue promptly when you stand in court.
Finally, you shouldn’t forget about the deadlines. You will find all the necessary information on the payment or appeal dates at your disposal.
Expired Inspection and Car Accidents: Can It Hurt Your Claim?
The influence of an expired inspection depends on other circumstances of your accident. An expired inspection sticker does not automatically make you guilty in a car accident, and it might not affect cases with no shared fault, like a hit-and-run crash with a parked car.
However, you should remember that insurers often use all means available to reduce the compensation. They may argue that a mechanical problem, which an on-time inspection could have detected, contributed to the crash. Instances like that can not only affect the compensation amount but also extend the injury case timeline.
When to Talk to a Lawyer About an Expired Inspection Issue?
Most expired inspection sticker violations are minor and easy to resolve. However, some cases can get complex, especially if you’ve suffered damages in an accident, and the insurer tries to reduce the compensation due to this issue. That is when you may want to consult a Massachusetts car accident lawyer as soon as possible.
Many law firms, such as Michael Kelly Injury Lawyers, offer free case reviews, so you don’t risk losing money in the process. Don’t hesitate to reach out to understand your options and prevent bigger problems.
