By Site Admin | 8/5/2025
There are a few measures you can take to avoid getting a ticket if you have an expired inspection sticker. Bear in mind that driving with an expired sticker is illegal. However, if circumstances should cause you to have no choice, then traveling during peak rush hours actually helps as the police have more urgent matters to attend to during these times. If you're concerned about your vehicle failing inspection, consider two scenarios. 1. If your car fails for non-safety violations (such as emissions), you will get a rejected sticker that you can drive on for 60 days before getting the vehicle reinspected. If it fails inspection for safety reasons (i.e. broken windshield, tail light out, etc) then you will get a rejected sticker but you are not permitted to drive it until it is successfully reinspected. So if you're worried about your car failing for non-safety reasons, it might make sense to get the inspection, fail and buy yourself 60 days of time to fix the issue. But otherwise, Driving with an expired inspection sticker in Massachusetts is illegal and can result in a ticket or fine. Police officers actively look for expired stickers, especially at the start of each month. In addition to fines, your car may be flagged during routine traffic stops.
If your sticker has expired, you should get your vehicle inspected as soon as possible. While some stations allow next-day walk-ins, others require appointments—especially in busy areas.
To stay legal and avoid penalties, search our directory to find a Massachusetts RMV-certified inspection station near you.