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Motor Vehicle Inspections

Maine requires all motor vehicles to undergo a safety inspection once a year. Vehicles registered in Cumberland County are also required to undergo an emissions test. Inspections are conducted at automobile dealerships, service stations and garages.

MOTOR VEHICLE INSPECTION UNIT

This unit is responsible for the administrative testing, licensing, investigation, and regulating processes associated with over 2,600 inspection stations and 8,000 inspection technicians in Maine.  The unit also renews inspection stations every two years and inspection technicians every five years. Our clerical staff is responsible for the licensing processes and the sale of nearly 1.3 million inspection stickers per year.  Field Inspectors are also responsible for station audits, as well as the investigation and administrative action against inspection stations and technicians who fail to comply with Maine’s inspection laws and rules. 

The Inspection Unit is statutorily responsible for inspecting every school bus in the state at least once per year.  Hundreds of calls are fielded yearly from police officers, Inspection Stations, Inspection Technicians, members of the public, other state agencies and members of the legislature regarding inspection laws and rules.  The Inspection Unit also conducts hundreds of hours of educational speaking informing law enforcement agencies and the industry about vehicle inspection safety standards and related rules.

MOTOR VEHICLE INSPECTION PROGRAM

The Inspection Program includes field audits and investigations, as well as the administrative business and licensing processes.  Eight field Motor Vehicle Inspectors conduct station audits, investigate complaints, and administer tests to technician applicants.  The two office personnel manage the business processes associated with the program, to include sales of inspection stickers, inspection manuals, processing applications, licenses, and clerical support for field and supervisory personnel.

2011 Statistics from Inspection Program activities:

 

Technician applications processed – 1769

Station applications processed – 181

Inspection stickers sold – 1,207,624

School buses inspected – 2699

Station warnings – 146

Station suspensions – 39

Technician warnings – 162

Technician suspensions – 60

Vehicle autopsies conducted - 20

Complaints received – 742

Station visits/audits –2952

Stations renewed – 1504

Number of tests administered – 3525

Assists to law enforcement – 346

Hours of educational speaking – 340

 

Click here to download a copy of the motor vehicle inspection rules


How do I file a complaint against an inspection station/technician?
Any complaints regarding inspection stations/technicians may be made through the Maine State Police Traffic Division Inspection unit by e-mail, phone (624-8935), or by writing to:
Maine State Police
Traffic Division Inspection Unit
20 State House Station
Augusta, ME 04333-0020
How can I obtain a copy of the Maine Motor Vehicle Inspection Manual?
Copies of the Maine Motor Vehicle Inspection Manual may be downloaded (Inspection Manual 1-9-13) , or a paper-bound copy may be purchased through the Maine State Police Traffic Division Inspection Unit.
 

Motor Vehicle Inspection Program
36 Hospital Street, Augusta
Mailing address - State House Station #20
Augusta, ME 04333

phone 624-8939, fax 624-8945

Commanding Officer - Lt. Brian Scott
Brian.P.Scott@maine.gov