By NANCY WEST, InDepthNH.org

CONCORD – The vehicle inspection program is suspended until further notice, but drivers are still responsible under current law to ensure “that any vehicle driven in New Hampshire is safe to operate, regardless of the status of the inspection program.”

That’s according to a press release issued late Friday afternoon by Attorney General John Formella and Safety Commissioner Robert Quinn.

But they failed to say how a driver can guarantee the safety of their vehicle without an inspection program.

The vehicle inspection program has been a source of confusion since a new law to end it was supposed to go into effect Jan. 31.

On Friday, the New Hampshire Department of Justice and Department of Safety said they are providing a further update on the state’s vehicle inspection program in response to the federal District Court’s Jan. 27, 2026 preliminary injunction order:

• The vehicle inspection program is suspended until further notice. 
• Inspection stations will no longer be authorized to issue state inspection stickers and vehicles will not be required to obtain an annual state inspection at this time. 
• Drivers are still responsible under current law to ensure that any vehicle driven in New Hampshire is safe to operate, regardless of the status of the inspection program

Following the Executive Council’s denial of the Department of Safety’s request to extend the termination date of the State’s vehicle inspection contract with Gordon-Darby NHOST, Inc, the State currently has no approved vendor to operate the State’s vehicle inspection program, the release said.

It was Gordon-Darby NHOST that sued the state in federal court arguing it couldn’t end the inspection program because it would have ended emissions testing, which would violate the federal Clean Air Act.

“As a result, and after careful review of the legal implications under current state statutes of the lack of
an approved vendor, the vehicle inspection program is suspended until further notice. Inspection stations will no longer be authorized to issue state inspection stickers and vehicles will not be required to obtain an annual state inspection at this time,” Friday’s news release said.

“The Department of Safety and the Department of Environmental Services are exploring all options to continue to comply with the Court’s order but currently lack the legal authority to operate a vehicle inspection program given that there is no approved vendor for the program.

“In addition, the State is continuing to seek relief from the Court’s order and has filed a Notice of Appeal to the First Circuit Court of Appeals as well as a motion requesting that the Court stay its preliminary injunction order. 

“While the vehicle inspection program is currently suspended, the status of the program remains subject to change as the legal landscape continues to evolve.  The State will update its public guidance on vehicle inspections as more information becomes available and will provide additional regulatory flexibility as needed in the event of future changes, including further deadline extensions should the program resume.

“At this time, the public is reminded that they are responsible under current law to ensure that any vehicle driven in New Hampshire is safe to operate, regardless of the status of the inspection program.  Vehicle safety requirements are set forth in New Hampshire Revised Statutes Annotated (RSA) Chapter 266,” the news release said.