Maryland State Inspection

All four Hillmuth Auto Care locations in Columbia, Gaithersburg. Clarksville and Glenwood are authorized Maryland safety inspection stations.

Booking your service online at Hillmuth Auto Care streamlines your in-store experience, saving you valuable time and getting you back on the road faster.

Schedule An Appointment

New to Maryland?

Here's what you need to know about this process. Follow the 6 steps below.

Step 1

Schedule your Vehicle for a MD State Inspection with Hillmuth Auto Care

Note: you have 60 days from the time you move into the state to register your vehicle

Step 2

Gather the following documents

Vehicle Title
Lien Release

Don’t have these documents?

You will need them to register your vehicle and get tags.

VR005 Application for Certificate of title

VR056 Out of State Lien Letter Release

Step 3

Complete Safety Inspection, and Pay Inspection Fee at Hillmuth Auto Care

Step 4

When your vehicle passes the MD State Inspection, your Inspection Report will be uploaded to the MVA electronically.

When your vehicle PASSES the MD State Inspection, your Inspection Report will be uploaded to the MVA
If your vehicle FAILS the MD State Inspection you will have 30 Days or 1,000 Miles to make the necessary repairs.
You have the option to have those repairs completed by Hillmuth Auto Care, or you can choose to have those repairs completed elsewhere.
After the necessary repairs have been completed, you will need to return back to Hillmuth Auto Care for a re-inspection, and certification. Some re-inspections will have an additional cost to have the vehicle reinspected.

Step 5

Bring your vehicle title, lien release, proof of vehicle insurance, and your driver's license to Terry’s Tag and Title. Pay Fees, and Receive Tags.

Terry's is a quick and convenient alternative solution instead of going to your local MVA.

Step 6

After 30 days from registering your vehicle with the state of Maryland, you should receive by mail a notification to visit your local VEIP Station to check your vehicle's emissions. Here are your local Emissions Test VEIP Locations.

Vehicles of 7 Years DO NOT need a Bill of Sale

Bought a used Vehicle?

Here's what you need to know about this process

Step 1

Schedule your Vehicle for a MD State Inspection with Hillmuth Auto Care

Note: you have 60 days from the time you move into the state to register your vehicle

Step 2

Complete Safety Inspection, and Pay Inspection Fee at Hillmuth Auto Care

Step 3

When your vehicle passes the MD State Inspection, your Inspection Report will be uploaded to the MVA electronically.

When your vehicle PASSES the MD State Inspection, your Inspection Report will be uploaded to the MVA
If your vehicle FAILS the MD State Inspection you will have 30 Days or 1,000 Miles to make the necessary repairs.
You have the option to have those repairs completed by Hillmuth Auto Care, or you can choose to have those repairs completed elsewhere.
After the necessary repairs have been completed, you will need to return back to Hillmuth Auto Care for a re-inspection, and certification. Some re-inspections will have an additional cost to have the vehicle reinspected.

Step 4

Fill out Bill of Sale and have it Notarized

Note: Vehicle Older than 7 Years? No Bill of Sale Required, unless the vehicle is 7 years old or newer and the vehicle is being sold for less than the book value.

Step 5

Bring your vehicle title, lien release, proof of vehicle insurance, and your driver's license to Terry’s Tag and Title. Pay Fees, and Receive Tags.

Terry's is a quick and convenient alternative solution instead of going to your local MVA.

Step 6

Why Choose Us

Authorized Inspection Locations

All four of our Hillmuth Auto Care centers in Columbia, Gaithersburg, Clarksville, and Glenwood are authorized Maryland safety inspection stations, ensuring you receive service that meets all state regulations.

Comprehensive Inspection Services

We are licensed by the Maryland State Police to inspect a wide range of vehicles, including passenger vehicles, light trucks, SUVs, and trailers. This means we can accommodate nearly any vehicle you might need inspected.

Versatile Service Options

Whether you're selling your car, purchasing a used vehicle, or preparing a car for a driving test, Hillmuth Auto Care provides thorough inspections to ensure your vehicle is safe and ready for the road.

Transfer Vehicle Title to Family Member in Maryland

The Vehicle must have been previously titled in Maryland by a family member
Fill out form Application for Maryland Gift Certificate Link

MD State Inspection is not needed if

You received the vehicle from an immediate family member. This includes parents, children, stepchildren, or a spouse. The vehicle must have been previously registered in Maryland.

Maryland State Inspection Checklist

The Maryland Department of Transportation’s Motor Vehicle Administration requires all vehicles go through a Maryland State Inspection. For most vehicles under 10,000 pounds this includes, but is not limited to:

For a more in-depth checklist which lists out what is looked at with each item above, check out our most up to date
Maryland State Inspection Checklist.

Window Tint

Does your Vehicle have After-Market Window Tint?

All other windows can be tinted to any degree of darkness or color. However, reflective tint is prohibited.
Post manufactures window tint is prohibited on the windshield of any vehicle below the AS1 line or5 inches from the top of the windshield.
Additional fee required to assess window tint transmittance. Incorrect window tint % will cause vehicle to fail.

Learn more about Maryland Window Tint Law

On passenger cars, convertibles, and station wagons:

All windows with aftermarket (added) tint must have at least 35 percent light transmittance. Red, yellow, amber, and reflective window tint is prohibited.
On multipurpose vehicles, limousines, vans, and class “E” trucks that have a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) equal to or less than 10,000 pounds:
Windows on the driver and right front passenger doors with aftermarket (added) tint must have at least 35 percent light transmittance. Red, yellow, amber, and reflective tint is prohibited on these windows.

Maryland State Inspection Frequently Asked Questions

What happens if my vehicle fails the safety inspection?

You have the option of fixing the problem yourself, having the inspection station fix the problem, or taking the vehicle to another facility for repairs.

The vehicle must be re-inspected within 30 days after the original inspection date and you have driven it less than 1,000 miles. We will only reinspect those areas that were identified during the initial inspection

A typical safety inspection involves checking all of your vehicle’s major systems and making sure they meet Maryland’s standards for a safe vehicle. In Maryland, unlike neighboring Pennsylvania, regular inspections are not required. This means the majority of vehicles get inspected only when they change hands, which can be once every 10 years or so. A lot can happen during this time, and even if you or the current owner of the vehicle took good care of it, it may still fail the inspection.

If your car fails the Maryland safety inspection, we will give you a report specifying the problem areas. You can get your vehicle repaired here at Hillmuth or you can take it somewhere else or even do it yourself. Once your car is fixed, you will need to bring it back for a re-inspection. If the repair was completed within 30 days/1,000 miles of the original inspection, we will only need to inspect the repaired area. Otherwise, all systems will need to be inspected again.

Transfer to Family

If you are not a member of the immediate family as noted below, this form cannot be used. If the vehicle transfer qualifies as a bona fide gift, this form must be completed and submitted with the properly assigned Maryland title.

Spouse
Father
Mother
Son
Daughter
Sister
Grandmother

What Happens if 30 Days or 1,000 Miles have passed from the original Inspection

Hillmuth will need to complete a New MD Inspection. It's not us, it's the law.

Is there a fee for Re-Inspection?

We will charge a fee each re-inspection, unless the repair can be visually verified. If you do not have the vehicle re inspected within 30 days or you exceed 1,000 miles, you will be required to pay for a new, complete inspection.

Moved to Maryland, How many days do I have to Register and Inspect my vehicle?

As a new resident of Maryland you must register your vehicle within 60 days of moving to Maryland. If you delay beyond 60 days, you will not be eligible for a tax credit for any titling tax paid in another state, and you may be subject to a citation for an out of state registration

How Much Does It Cost to Transfer A Title In Maryland?

Besides completing all the transfer of title documents, you will need to pay the title transfer fees. These fees depend on the class and the weight of the vehicle, but generally, an outline of what to expect can be found below.

How much is a title transfer? The cost for a vehicle title varies depending on specific circumstances.

Here are the typical fees:

$50 for used and new title certificate.*
For each lien filed, you’ll pay $20 security interest filing fee.*
$14 for VEIP Test and $15 for VEIP penalty late fee.*
6% titling tax based on the sale price or fair market value, and the minimum amount payable amount is $38.40.*
$12 for certified copies and $9 non-certified copies of vehicle registration, driving records, title files and licensing documents.*