Need Mass Car Inspection

bigdog · 07-12-2017, 09:07 AM

Need Mass Car Inspection !

My car is at the lake and need to find a inspection shop in Mass near the border, preferably close to US-3 or I93.

My home town is Central MA, 2 hours away, and don't want to make the drive back, just to get car inspected.

Suggestions ?

Phantom · 07-12-2017, 09:11 AM

Good lord...... just about any gas station across the border can do THAT !

.

thinkxingu · 07-12-2017, 09:15 AM

And unless it's a new car, you've got 19 more days!

bigdog · 07-12-2017, 11:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Phantom

Good lord...... just about any gas station across the border can do THAT !

.

You are correct, I just don't know locations over the boarder.

Up here in NH, believe it or not, some gas stations make appts for Inspections, at least around the lake.

Phantom · 07-12-2017, 12:00 PM

I am so confused ..... you live in Central MA and are asking this why ?

There is probably no less than 10 gas stations on Rte 3A near the Pheasant Lane Mall (on the MA side)

Same is true of Rte 213/28 in Methuen

.

CentHarb_Ray · 07-12-2017, 12:26 PM

Most Jiffy-Lube and other oil change places also do drive-up inspections, at least they do in NH.

CHR

8gv · 07-12-2017, 12:45 PM

MA has a website with all inspection locations listed. Happy googling!

LIforrelaxin · 07-12-2017, 12:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigdog

Need Mass Car Inspection !

My car is at the lake and need to find a inspection shop in Mass near the border, preferably close to US-3 or I93.

My home town is Central MA, 2 hours away, and don't want to make the drive back, just to get car inspected.

Suggestions ?

Bigdog,

Don't sweat the small details.... I am sure if you pull off the highway, there will be a place to do inspections.... Any car dealer for instance.....

beside which you have until the end of the month to get the inspection completed, I am sure there will be a few rainy days between now and then, and a drive home for a night will not be that much of an inconvenience.

Last unless you are a young Hooligan chances of getting caught in Aug, if you wait until then immediately as you come into the state are slim.... I have been known to miss my inspection by a month more then once....

tummyman · 07-12-2017, 01:50 PM

This is NOT AD ICE......but I would not sweat it......my son was three months over his date and nobody noticed. NH probably could care less unless you get pulled over for some other issue and then I don't think they can enforce it. Just do it the next time you are in MA....not worth the gas to drive an hour + to get to an inspection station. Letting it go for a month or two may get you a better monthly date for the future.

Biggd · 07-12-2017, 02:15 PM

I know when I use to be a Mass inspection station we could do inspections on out of state cars and put our Mass sticker on the car. I would think a NH inspection station could do the same although they get more money for there inspections than in Mass.

ITD · 07-12-2017, 06:02 PM

I do believe that Mass inspection ticket is a violation that counts toward a surcharge now.

Seaplane Pilot · 07-12-2017, 07:30 PM

In NH, you can go to DMV and get a "pass" of sorts, which allows you to drive your vehicle on a certain day without an inspection sticker, with the idea that you are taking the vehicle from one place to another. I did this once a few years ago, and sure enough got stopped by the local cops for an expired inspection sticker. I presented the DMV "pass" and the cop just shook his head and said he had never seen such a thing. Said have a nice day and walked away.

Maybe Mass offers something similar?

chipj29 · 07-13-2017, 08:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tummyman

This is NOT AD ICE......but I would not sweat it......my son was three months over his date and nobody noticed. NH probably could care less unless you get pulled over for some other issue and then I don't think they can enforce it. Just do it the next time you are in MA....not worth the gas to drive an hour + to get to an inspection station. Letting it go for a month or two may get you a better monthly date for the future.

No offense tummyman, but I don't think this is very good advice. NH can, and absolutely WILL enforce inspection sticker violations. Been there, done that, got the ticket to prove it.
Oh, and saving the $10 in gas to not drive to MA? Also not good advice, as my ticket was well over $10.

bigdog, as was suggested upthread, pick a rainy day (today might be good) and head south to the border.

FlyingScot · 07-13-2017, 10:47 AM

I'm with Chip and ITD. Actually, it's even worse. If you are pulled over in Mass without a valid inspection sticker, the police can impound the car. My wife was pulled over in her pristine looking car less than 1 mile from our Mass home, and they towed her. Unbelievable. If you can't get the sticker on time, sneak in to the closest station.

bigdog · 07-13-2017, 11:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chipj29

No offense tummyman, but I don't think this is very good advice. NH can, and absolutely WILL enforce inspection sticker violations. Been there, done that, got the ticket to prove it.
Oh, and saving the $10 in gas to not drive to MA? Also not good advice, as my ticket was well over $10.

bigdog, as was suggested upthread, pick a rainy day (today might be good) and head south to the border.

Thanks Chip, will make a run to Mass on a rainy day next week, and get the car inspected.

I found several places over the line in Mass one in Tyngsboro the other Methuen, both places mainly service Trucks but also will do cars.
Hope to get in-out quick !

Not sure if I mentioned, but the car is registered in Mass and current !

TheTimeTraveler · 07-13-2017, 01:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ITD

I do believe that Mass inspection ticket is a violation that counts toward a surcharge now.

YES, it is considered a moving violation and there is a surcharge on your insurance for three years.

With that said, it's better to get it on time than be late!

.

Biggd · 07-13-2017, 01:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PeterG

I'm with Chip and ITD. Actually, it's even worse. If you are pulled over in Mass without a valid inspection sticker, the police can impound the car. My wife was pulled over in her pristine looking car less than 1 mile from our Mass home, and they towed her. Unbelievable. If you can't get the sticker on time, sneak in to the closest station.

I never heard of anyone getting their car towed just because of an expired inspection sticker. Usually they will only tow your car if the registration or the insurance has expired unless they find something on the car that they feel is dangerous to drive. Or if it failed inspection for a safety item and it was not fixed.

FlyingScot · 07-13-2017, 02:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Biggd

I never heard of anyone getting their car towed just because of an expired inspection sticker. Usually they will only tow your car if the registration or the insurance has expired unless they find something on the car that they feel is dangerous to drive. Or if it failed inspection for a safety item and it was not fixed.

I'm not surprised you don't quite believe it, but as I noted above--car was pristine. And just to be clear--a late model BMW driven by a suburban Mom, not violating any (other) traffic laws, in Wayland, MA. Stopped because he saw her sticker was out of date. Moron of a police officer (and I generally like the police) refused to even let her drive 5 minutes to home or gas station because of PD "liability issues" if something happened.

Biggd · 07-13-2017, 06:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PeterG

I'm not surprised you don't quite believe it, but as I noted above--car was pristine. And just to be clear--a late model BMW driven by a suburban Mom, not violating any (other) traffic laws, in Wayland, MA. Stopped because he saw her sticker was out of date. Moron of a police officer (and I generally like the police) refused to even let her drive 5 minutes to home or gas station because of PD "liability issues" if something happened.

Now that you mention the town of Wayland I believe you. I use to have a gas station with an inspection station in Wayland. One day I was working on a customers car and I took it for my usual road test around the block. I was stopped by a Wayland cop a block from my shop because the registration was expired and he called a tow truck. They were going to impound the car but I did manage to convince him to have them tow it back to my shop after promising I would not let the customer drive it away with out a renewed registration.

Donzi Minx · 07-14-2017, 09:20 AM

I try and get it done as soon as the month turns, just the obsessive compulsive in me. Oldest son had a problem with his Taurus, (check engine light) and the car would not pass inspection.

After about two months time I finally asked him are you going to get it fixed or risk the fine. Bless the millennial thought process, "I'm all set Dad, the R stands for ready".

Biggd · 07-14-2017, 09:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Donzi Minx

I try and get it done as soon as the month turns, just the obsessive compulsive in me. Oldest son had a problem with his Taurus, (check engine light) and the car would not pass inspection.

After about two months time I finally asked him are you going to get it fixed or risk the fine. Bless the millennial thought process, "I'm all set Dad, the R stands for ready".

Sounds like my daughter. Whenever she askes me to take her car for an oil change it's always on empty. One day I got in it and the gas light was flashing and it was on dead empty. I called her up and told her I didn't think I even had enough gas to make it to work, 10 miles. She says, "when it starts flashing I usually have another 30 miles".

ITD · 07-14-2017, 02:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Donzi Minx

I try and get it done as soon as the month turns, just the obsessive compulsive in me. Oldest son had a problem with his Taurus, (check engine light) and the car would not pass inspection.

After about two months time I finally asked him are you going to get it fixed or risk the fine. Bless the millennial thought process, "I'm all set Dad, the R stands for ready".

I usually end up doing it on the first or second day of the month following the expiration month. My inspection station is close by.

TiltonBB · 07-24-2017, 12:46 PM

Massachusetts can suspend your registration if your inspection is 60 days past due. Some people may think that the violation is for the inspection but the car may be unregistered if it is more than 60 days past the inspection due date.

You can fill out a waiver form if the vehicle is out of state and you must have it inspected within 3 days of your return to Massachusetts.

http://www.massrmv.com/Portals/30/docs/21307.pdf

NH has a similar program but I think it is 7 days after you return. I used it when bringing a NH registered vehicle back from Florida.

NIOMARVIN83 · 05-28-2024, 09:43 AM

In my experience, the Vehicle Inspection Report (VIR) is a crucial tool for ensuring your car meets safety standards before registration, especially when you're in a different location like at the lake. A few years back, I was in a similar situation needing a quick inspection while away from home. I found a local inspection station that provided a detailed VIR. This report not only helped me verify that my car was up to the state's safety standards but also identified some minor issues that I could address immediately, saving me from potential penalties or unsafe conditions on my drive back home.

Having that VIR before you attempt registration in a new place or before a long drive back to your home base can really provide peace of mind. It outlines exactly what’s in good shape and what might need work, ensuring you’re not caught off guard during the formal state safety inspection.

07-12-2017, 09:07 AM	#1
bigdog Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Central MA-Gilford Posts: 1,439 Thanks: 333 Thanked 117 Times in 94 Posts	Need Mass Car Inspection Need Mass Car Inspection ! My car is at the lake and need to find a inspection shop in Mass near the border, preferably close to US-3 or I93. My home town is Central MA, 2 hours away, and don't want to make the drive back, just to get car inspected. Suggestions ?

07-12-2017, 09:11 AM	#2
Phantom Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Berlin, Ma / Gilford Posts: 1,934 Thanks: 450 Thanked 605 Times in 341 Posts	Good lord...... just about any gas station across the border can do THAT ! . __________________ *A bad day on the Big Lake (although I've never had one) - Still beats a day at the office!!*

07-12-2017, 12:00 PM	#5
Phantom Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Berlin, Ma / Gilford Posts: 1,934 Thanks: 450 Thanked 605 Times in 341 Posts	I am so confused ..... you live in Central MA and are asking this why ? There is probably no less than 10 gas stations on Rte 3A near the Pheasant Lane Mall (on the MA side) Same is true of Rte 213/28 in Methuen . __________________ *A bad day on the Big Lake (although I've never had one) - Still beats a day at the office!!*

07-14-2017, 09:20 AM	#20
Donzi Minx Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Melrose, Mass. Posts: 191 Thanks: 0 Thanked 183 Times in 52 Posts	Need Mass Car Inspection I try and get it done as soon as the month turns, just the obsessive compulsive in me. Oldest son had a problem with his Taurus, (check engine light) and the car would not pass inspection. After about two months time I finally asked him are you going to get it fixed or risk the fine. Bless the millennial thought process, "I'm all set Dad, the R stands for ready".

07-24-2017, 12:46 PM	#23
TiltonBB Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Gilford, NH and Florida Posts: 2,965 Thanks: 679 Thanked 2,182 Times in 919 Posts	Waiver Available Massachusetts can suspend your registration if your inspection is 60 days past due. Some people may think that the violation is for the inspection but the car may be unregistered if it is more than 60 days past the inspection due date. You can fill out a waiver form if the vehicle is out of state and you must have it inspected within 3 days of your return to Massachusetts. http://www.massrmv.com/Portals/30/docs/21307.pdf NH has a similar program but I think it is 7 days after you return. I used it when bringing a NH registered vehicle back from Florida.

07-12-2017, 09:15 AM	#3
thinkxingu Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2014 Posts: 6,151 Thanks: 1,161 Thanked 2,033 Times in 1,257 Posts	And unless it's a new car, you've got 19 more days!

07-12-2017, 12:26 PM	#6
CentHarb_Ray Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: Center Harbor Posts: 14 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Most Jiffy-Lube and other oil change places also do drive-up inspections, at least they do in NH. CHR

07-12-2017, 12:45 PM	#7
8gv Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Posts: 2,069 Thanks: 63 Thanked 721 Times in 470 Posts	MA has a website with all inspection locations listed. Happy googling!

07-12-2017, 01:50 PM	#9
tummyman Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Moultonborough Posts: 825 Thanks: 255 Thanked 669 Times in 240 Posts	This is NOT AD ICE......but I would not sweat it......my son was three months over his date and nobody noticed. NH probably could care less unless you get pulled over for some other issue and then I don't think they can enforce it. Just do it the next time you are in MA....not worth the gas to drive an hour + to get to an inspection station. Letting it go for a month or two may get you a better monthly date for the future.

07-12-2017, 02:15 PM	#10
Biggd Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2016 Location: Waltham Ma./Meredith NH Posts: 3,978 Thanks: 2,134 Thanked 1,153 Times in 731 Posts	I know when I use to be a Mass inspection station we could do inspections on out of state cars and put our Mass sticker on the car. I would think a NH inspection station could do the same although they get more money for there inspections than in Mass.

07-12-2017, 06:02 PM	#11
ITD Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Moultonboro, NH Posts: 2,913 Thanks: 474 Thanked 684 Times in 382 Posts	I do believe that Mass inspection ticket is a violation that counts toward a surcharge now.

07-12-2017, 07:30 PM	#12
Seaplane Pilot Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 1,177 Thanks: 664 Thanked 943 Times in 368 Posts	In NH, you can go to DMV and get a "pass" of sorts, which allows you to drive your vehicle on a certain day without an inspection sticker, with the idea that you are taking the vehicle from one place to another. I did this once a few years ago, and sure enough got stopped by the local cops for an expired inspection sticker. I presented the DMV "pass" and the cop just shook his head and said he had never seen such a thing. Said have a nice day and walked away. Maybe Mass offers something similar?

07-13-2017, 10:47 AM	#14
FlyingScot Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2016 Location: Tuftonboro and Sudbury, MA Posts: 2,327 Thanks: 1,238 Thanked 987 Times in 608 Posts	I'm with Chip and ITD. Actually, it's even worse. If you are pulled over in Mass without a valid inspection sticker, the police can impound the car. My wife was pulled over in her pristine looking car less than 1 mile from our Mass home, and they towed her. Unbelievable. If you can't get the sticker on time, sneak in to the closest station.

05-28-2024, 09:43 AM	#24
NIOMARVIN83 Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2024 Posts: 17 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	In my experience, the Vehicle Inspection Report (VIR) is a crucial tool for ensuring your car meets safety standards before registration, especially when you're in a different location like at the lake. A few years back, I was in a similar situation needing a quick inspection while away from home. I found a local inspection station that provided a detailed VIR. This report not only helped me verify that my car was up to the state's safety standards but also identified some minor issues that I could address immediately, saving me from potential penalties or unsafe conditions on my drive back home. Having that VIR before you attempt registration in a new place or before a long drive back to your home base can really provide peace of mind. It outlines exactly what’s in good shape and what might need work, ensuring you’re not caught off guard during the formal state safety inspection.