New Hampshire OBD & Safety Testing Program

On October 1, 2007, the State of New Hampshire transitioned into the final stage of the OBD emission program. All automobiles and light-duty trucks whose model year is 20 years old and newer must now pass an OBD emission system inspection during its inspection period. Rejected vehicles will be required to be repaired and re-tested to verify repairs before an inspection sticker will be issued.

Vehicles must pass an emission system test to ensure they are running as cleanly and efficiently as possible. This will help maintain good air quality, making it cleaner for everyone enjoying the scenic public ways of New Hampshire.

Important Sticker News

Starting October 1st, 2017 inspection stickers were relocated and are now affixed at the lower, driver side corner of a vehicle's windshield (see picture below). This change was prompted by many newer model vehicles being equipped with crash avoidance technology in the area where inspection stickers were formerly affixed, centered under the rear view mirror.

For inspections starting in 2020, the DMV has redesigned the stickers to have just the month printed in the white center portion with the year being indicated by the color of the front border and back side of the sticker. The color of each year's sticker will be coordinated to match the color rotation of the registration sticker. The new stickers also utilize several new security features. Certain vehicles, such as motorcycles, will continue to receive the former style inspection stickers.

“The DMV is excited about the upcoming changes,” DMV Director Elizabeth Bielecki said. “By taking advantage of available technology, we are able to gain significant improvements to the vehicle inspection process.”

Visit NH.GOV/DMV for the most up to date information on this and other Division of Motor Vehicles news.