No, you do not need an annual car inspection in New Hampshire right now. The state suspended its vehicle inspection program until further notice on February 13, 2026, so stations cannot issue stickers and vehicles are not required to get an annual inspection, per the NH DMV's public guidance. Massachusetts residents are a different story: MA still requires an inspection within 7 days of registering the vehicle, and it has to happen in Massachusetts.
That answer changed twice in early 2026 and could change again, so here is the full picture as of July 1, 2026, with dates you can check for yourself.
What happened to NH inspections: the 2026 timeline
New Hampshire passed a law in 2025 ending the required annual inspection program on January 31, 2026. Before that date arrived, the program's testing vendor sued, and a federal court stepped in. The short version, sourced from the NH Department of Justice and NHPR's coverage:
| Date | What happened |
|---|---|
| Jan 31, 2026 | The date state law set for the annual inspection program to end |
| Jan 27, 2026 | A federal judge ordered the state to keep the program running while a vendor lawsuit proceeds |
| Jan 30, 2026 | State guidance: inspection deadline extended to Apr 10, 2026 for stickers expiring before March |
| Feb 4, 2026 | The Executive Council declined to extend the testing vendor's contract, leaving no approved vendor |
| Feb 13, 2026 | The state suspended the program until further notice; stations can no longer issue stickers |
| Apr 30, 2026 | The federal court declined to hold state officials in contempt; the suspension stayed in place |
| Jul 1, 2026 | Status today: still suspended, litigation and a federal EPA decision still pending |
The court fight is not over. The state has appealed, the vendor has asked the court to enforce its order, and the EPA has said it will fast-track a decision on the emissions side. If any of that changes what drivers must do, the NH DMV inspections page is where the state posts new guidance.
What this means for a used-car buyer in Salem today
- No inspection sticker is needed to register or drive a vehicle in New Hampshire right now
- You are still legally responsible for keeping your vehicle safe to operate under NH RSA Chapter 266, suspension or not
- The status can change with a court or EPA decision, so check the NH DMV page before relying on it months from now
- Every vehicle we sell still goes through our own on-site service center before it hits the lot, the same as it did when the state sticker existed
That last point matters more now, not less. With the state program suspended, the pre-sale inspection a dealer performs in its own shop is the safety check your next vehicle actually gets. Ours happens in the same service center that will maintain the vehicle for as long as you own it.
For Massachusetts residents buying in New Hampshire
Massachusetts kept its inspection program, and it applies no matter where you buy. Per Mass.gov, a newly purchased vehicle must be inspected within 7 days of the registration date at a licensed Massachusetts station. A New Hampshire dealer cannot issue a Massachusetts sticker, so the order goes like this:
- Complete your purchase and paperwork with us in New Hampshire
- Register and title the vehicle in your name in Massachusetts
- Get your Massachusetts inspection at a licensed MA station within 7 days of registering
- Keep the documents we give you handy for the RMV
Andover and other Massachusetts buyers do this with us regularly, and we make sure you leave with everything the RMV will ask for. If a question comes up after you get home, call us. We would rather you ask than guess.
Common questions
- Do I need an inspection sticker in New Hampshire right now?
- No. The state suspended the inspection program until further notice on February 13, 2026, so stations cannot issue stickers and no annual inspection is required. You are still responsible for keeping your vehicle safe to operate, and the NH DMV posts any status changes on its inspections page.
- Will New Hampshire inspections come back?
- Possibly. A federal lawsuit over the program is still active and the EPA is reviewing the emissions side, so a court or federal decision could revive some form of the program. Check the NH DMV inspections page for the current guidance before you rely on the suspension.
- Can a New Hampshire dealer give me a Massachusetts inspection sticker?
- No. A Massachusetts inspection has to be done at a licensed station in Massachusetts after you register the vehicle there. We walk you through the exact steps so it goes smoothly.
- How long does a Massachusetts buyer have to get the inspection?
- Massachusetts requires a newly purchased vehicle to be inspected within 7 days of the registration date. Register the vehicle first, then take it to any licensed MA inspection station in your area.