I am a law school graduate. WHat I offer is mere information, not to be construed as forming an attorney client relationship.
Here is the new york dmv site. Have fun. Below the site address is a couple of paragraphs I found:
http://www.nydmv.state.ny.us/
Safety Inspection
How often must my car* be inspected?
New York requires both safety inspection and emissions inspection every 12 months and whenever a vehicle is transferred. (See the Emissions section for exempt vehicles). Both inspections are done at the same time by a DMV-certified inspector at privately-owned stations licensed by DMV. *Trailers, light trucks and motorcycles are also subject to an annual inspection.
When you purchase a car from a NYS registered dealer, the dealer must have the car inspected within 30 days prior to the delivery of the vehicle. When you register a car previously registered out of state, or purchased in a casual sale or from an out-of-state dealer, you will receive an inspection extension sticker allowing you 10 days to have the vehicle inspected.
A vehicle validly registered in another state to a resident of that state does not have to be inspected in New York State.
Where can I have my car inspected?
Official inspection stations are registered by DMV and display yellow and black "Official Inspection Station" signs. If you are a resident of the New York Metropolitan Area (NYMA) consisting of the five boroughs of New York City and the counties of Nassau, Suffolk, Rockland and Westchester, check our Emissions Inspection section to find a participating inspection station.
In the other 53 counties, you will find inspection stations listed in your telephone directory yellow pages. Most vehicle repair shops are licensed inspections stations and display the yellow and black "Official Inspection Station" sign.
What is covered in a safety inspection?
There are a number of equipment items that are checked during a safety inspection. Read our brochure, Vehicle Safety Inspection Program for Cars and Light Trucks to get the full details.
What is covered in an emissions inspection?
For a description of the emission inspection for the New York Metropolitan Area and the remaining 53 counties, see the Emissions Inspection section.
What is the inspection fee?
The safety inspection fee is $10 throughout the state. In the New York Metropolitan Area (NYMA) consisting of the five boroughs of New York City and the counties of Nassau, Suffolk, Rockland and Westchester, the fee for enhanced emissions inspection is $25 ($35 total inspection fee). In the other 53 counties, the emissions system and gas cap check fee is $4 ($14 total inspection fee.)
What are the penalties for not having an inspection?
If an inspection sticker is on the vehicle, but expired within the last 60 days, the fine is between $25 and $50. If no inspection sticker or expired more than 60 days, the fine is between $50 and $100. There is also a $30 mandatory state surcharge in addition to the fine. Also, failure to have an inspection may result in denial of your vehicle registration.
Failure to have a valid inspection sticker on a parked vehicle may also result in a parking violation.
What should I do if the my NYS inspection will expire while I'm out of state?
States generally do not enforce other states’ inspection requirements. Most states do not enforce New York's inspection requirements, but you should check with local authorities to see if you are subject to a ticket for having an expired NYS inspection sticker while in that state.
Based on a recent survey, the following states and Canadian provinces do have laws which could result in a ticket for an expired NYS inspection: Hawaii, Indiana, Louisiana Mississippi, Oklahoma, Washington D.C., British Columbia, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Ontario, Quebec. Similarly, if you are visiting NYS from one of these states or provinces, you are subject to a ticket if your inspection is expired.
The following jurisdictions did not respond to the survey, and may have laws that would result in a ticket: Alabama, New Mexico, Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.
You may request an extension if you are out of state.
You may apply for an inspection extension. You must request the extension before your current inspection expires. DMV will provide an inspection extension sticker (VS-1077) allowing you 10 days from the date the vehicle returns to New York to have it inspected. When you return the vehicle to New York, write the date of return on the sticker and place it on the windshield. When you request the extension, allow enough time for us to process and mail your inspection extension sticker so that you will have it before you return to New York with your vehicle.
To obtain the extension, send the following information:
Your name and current out-of-state mailing address.
The year and make of your vehicle.
Your New York State plate number.
The pre-printed inspection sticker number and expiration date.
Mail to:
Inspection Extension
NYS DMV Division of Vehicle Safety Services
Consumer and Facility Services
PO Box 2700-ESP
Albany, NY 12220-0700