NH State Inspections Are No Longer Required.

This post was written prior to NH no longer requiring vehicle inspections.

If you've heard that New Hampshire is ending its vehicle inspection program on January 31, 2026, you're not alone. But here's the important update: a federal court has blocked that change, and inspections are still required.

✓ We confirmed directly with the NH DMV — you still need to get your vehicle inspected.

What Happened?

In June 2025, New Hampshire passed House Bill 2 (HB2), which was set to eliminate the state's mandatory vehicle inspection program starting January 31, 2026. The state began notifying the public and inspection stations that inspections would no longer be required after that date.

However, there's a problem: federal law still requires New Hampshire to maintain its inspection program.

Under the Clean Air Act, New Hampshire's vehicle inspection and maintenance (I/M) program is part of the state's federally-approved State Implementation Plan (SIP). The state can't simply eliminate the program without EPA approval — which hasn't happened.

The Court Ruling

On January 27, 2026, U.S. District Judge Landya McCafferty issued a preliminary injunction in the case Gordon-Darby Holdings, Inc. v. NH Department of Safety (Case No. 25-cv-508-LM-AJ).

The ruling:

Blocks the state from ending the inspection program
Orders the state to continue implementing and enforcing vehicle inspections
Remains in effect until the EPA approves changes to New Hampshire's plan (which has not occurred)

📄 Read the Full Court Ruling

Don't just take our word for it — here's the actual federal court order issued January 27, 2026:

Can't see the document above? View or download the PDF directly:

Download Court Ruling (PDF) ↓

What This Means for NH Drivers

Bottom line: You still need to get your vehicle inspected.

Nothing has changed from the inspection requirements you've followed in previous years:

📅

Annual inspections are still required

🎂

Due during your birthday month

🔧

Safety & emissions checks included

⚠️

No sticker = still a violation

Why the Confusion?

The state had been actively communicating that inspections were ending:

The NH DMV posted FAQs stating inspections wouldn't be required after January 31
Letters were sent to inspection stations telling them to return inspection stickers
Public statements were made that the program was being abolished

This messaging led many NH residents to believe they could skip their inspections. In fact, the court noted that monthly inspection rates dropped by as much as 33% compared to the previous year after the law passed.

⚠️ Important: That earlier guidance is now outdated. The federal court ruling supersedes the state's previous communications.

Do I Need to Get My Inspection Done?

Yes. If your inspection is due, get it done as you normally would. The program is continuing.

If you skipped or delayed your inspection based on earlier news reports, schedule your inspection now to avoid potential fines or other penalties.

Need to get your vehicle inspected?

Schedule an Appointment →

What Happens Next?

The inspection program will remain in place unless and until:

The EPA approves New Hampshire's request to amend its State Implementation Plan

The U.S. District Court for New Hampshire lifts the injunction

As of now, neither has happened. The EPA has not acted on New Hampshire's December 2025 submission requesting to end the program.

Key Takeaways

❌ What You May Have Heard	✓ What's Actually True
NH inspections end January 31, 2026	Inspections are still required — court blocked the change
You don't need an inspection sticker anymore	You still need a valid inspection sticker
The inspection program is abolished	The program continues under federal law

Frequently Asked Questions

Are NH vehicle inspections still required in 2026? +

Yes. A federal court issued a preliminary injunction on January 27, 2026 blocking New Hampshire from ending its vehicle inspection program. Inspections are still required under federal law until the EPA approves changes to the state's implementation plan.

Do I still need to get my car inspected in New Hampshire? +

Yes. If your inspection is due, get it done as you normally would. Annual inspections are still required during your birthday month, including both safety and emissions checks. Driving without a valid inspection sticker is still a violation.

Why did New Hampshire say inspections were ending? +

In June 2025, New Hampshire passed House Bill 2 (HB2) which was set to eliminate the inspection program starting January 31, 2026. The state communicated this to the public and inspection stations. However, federal law through the Clean Air Act still requires New Hampshire to maintain its inspection program, and the EPA has not approved the change.

What was the court ruling about NH inspections? +

On January 27, 2026, U.S. District Judge Landya McCafferty issued a preliminary injunction in Gordon-Darby Holdings, Inc. v. NH Department of Safety (Case No. 25-cv-508-LM-AJ). The ruling blocks the state from ending the inspection program and orders continued implementation until the EPA approves changes to New Hampshire's State Implementation Plan.

When will NH inspections actually end? +

The inspection program will remain in place unless and until two things happen: (1) the EPA approves New Hampshire's request to amend its State Implementation Plan, and (2) the court lifts the injunction. As of January 29, 2026, neither has happened. The EPA has not acted on New Hampshire's December 2025 submission.

What happens if I skipped my NH vehicle inspection? +

If you skipped or delayed your inspection based on earlier news reports that the program was ending, you should schedule your inspection now to avoid potential fines or other penalties. The inspection requirement remains in effect.