You Still Have To Pay Your States Sales Taxes
It can be tempting to try to buy a car in a state with no sales tax, like New Hampshire, then transport it back to your home state. However, you will need to pay sales tax in your state of residence.
If you bought a car from a dealership, they will likely collect sales tax and pass it along to the proper agency in your state. You may also have to pay any applicable local sales taxes.
If youre buying a used car from a private party, you may have to pay taxes on the transaction price when its registered. Its best to ask the DMV representative.
What Is Checked For In The Emissions Test
First, the technician does a visual inspection of the vehicles relevant emissions components. Once the technician is satisfied that everything is in place, the vehicles gas cap is tested to ensure that it is airtight. Finally, a computerized emissions tester is plugged into the vehicle which runs a full set of On-Board Diagnostic tests. If everything is functioning as it should, the emissions tester will report no errors and the vehicle has passed the Emissions Test. If anything is malfunctioning, the emissions tester will deliver an error code which is used to identify what repairs are needed. These computerized emissions testers are regulated by the PA Department of Transportation and are quality tested for accuracy twice a year.
From the PA Department of Transportation website:
- Safety inspections for passenger cars and light-duty trucks require that the following items be checked: suspension components, steering, braking systems, tires and wheels, lighting and electrical systems, glazing , mirrors, windshield washer, defroster, wipers, fuel systems, the speedometer, the odometer, the exhaust systems, horns and warning devices, the body, and chassis.
Depending on your county and/or vehicle type, additional testing may be required. Call your local Tires Etc. location or visit the DoT link above for more information.
Is There A Better Time Of Year To Have My Vehicle Inspected
According to statistics provided by the , most inspections take place in the months of January, February and March. Our management at Reading Auto Service are fully aware of this statistic and we always staff accordingly. ;
Nevertheless, we recommend that you perform your PA State Inspection and PA Emissions test early, before the old sticker expires.; Pennsylvania law allows inspections and emission testing up to three months ahead of the expiration date.; For example, if your vehicles current inspection and emissions expiration date are due to expire in August of 2019, the inspection can take place as early as June of 2019.
Dont worry, you will not lose the extra months on the new stickers.; In this scenario, your new Pennsylvania State Inspection and Pennsylvania Emissions sticker would have a new expiration date of August of 2020.
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And There Is A Pennsylvania Emissions Test Too
That is correct.; Pennsylvania mandates an emission test for all passenger vehicles and light duty trucks yearly.; Ordinally, just like PA State Inspections, Pennsylvania performs their PA State Emissions tests once a year.; The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation and the Environmental Protections Agency created the emissions inspection program.;
These organizations collected information from the public as well as notable individuals in the auto industry. Armed with this data, they used these suggestions to configure a test that would gradually improve Pennsylvanias air quality.;
Car Failing Inspection Because You Cant Afford Repairswe Can Help
While thankfully, most inspections here are inexpensive, the repairs that they identify can often be costly. Even worse, these are just repairs that you can ignore. Without doing them, it can become illegal to drive your car at the very worst or lead to financial penalties and tickets that can cost you hundreds of dollars.
The good news is if youre wondering how to pay for these repairs, Protect My Car can help. With coverage plans ranging from just the basics to more comprehensive coverage, we can help you pay for thousands of dollars of repairs, from everything like your catalytic converter to your heater core, to your transmission.
If youre curious about how fast and easy a plan fromProtect My Car can be, get a free quote below and view your price online inless than 5 minutes with no phone call needed!
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Usaa: Best For Military
In our USAA auto insurance review, we rate the company 5.0 stars out of 5.0 for a reason. USAA scored 890 out of 1,000 on the J.D. Power 2019 Auto Claims Satisfaction StudySM. Its easy to file claims through the USAA mobile app, which has an average 4.5-star review on Google Play. USAA also boasts an A++ rating from AM Best, the strongest rating possible.
USAA auto insurance is only available to military members and their families. If you are eligible to purchase USAA insurance, we think there is no better choice. Offering a range of discount options, USAA provides full coverage auto insurance that is both comprehensive and inexpensive.
Collecting Damages After Your Accident
When you suffer injuries in a car accident, the point of filing a claim is to collect compensation from the at-fault driver. If you do not file your claim on time, you could waive your right to collect money from the negligent driver, leaving you to pay out of pocket for your medical expenses.
Your lawyer may try to get you compensation for:
- Pain and suffering
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Getting There: A Car Kept In Another State Must Follow Its Inspection Rules
Q: I own a car registered in New York but residing in Kansas City with my daughter.
It is insured in Missouri for now , but I plan to drive the car back to New York in July 2013. Recently, I renewed the registration, and sent the documents to my daughter in Kansas City. But what do I do about the inspection, which is now overdue? Do I wait until the car returns to New York, or should my daughter have the car inspected in Missouri?
Hans-Friedrich Mueller, Niskayuna
A: It’s an interesting question for anyone who has ever considered sending their child off to college or a first job out of state with a car.
Nick Cantiello, spokesman for the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles, said you can have a car registered in New York and inspected elsewhere.
“The car needs to meet the requirements for the state where it’s being operated, and the registrant should check with that state to see if there are waivers for vehicles registered outside that state,” he said.
He also recommended you verify whether there are requirements to switch the registration over to the state where the vehicle is located if it’s being operated there for an extended period of time.
So if Missouri requires yearly inspections, he said, the car will need to be inspected there.
“If he’s driving the car back here in July, he should contact DMV sometime in June,” he said.
Kathy McLaughlin-Wager, Guilderland
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Register Your Vehicle And Acquire License Plates
After you have insured and titled your vehicle, at any Virginia DMV within 30 days of moving to Virginia. Your registration fee is determined by:
- the empty weight or gross weight of your vehicle,
- the type of license plate you purchase , and
- the period of time, one or two years, you choose to register your vehicle.
A two-year registration costs twice the annual fee and provides added convenience for our customers. However, the two- year renewal option is not available for vehicles with a gross weight of 55,000 pounds or more, vehicles registered under the International Registration Plan or uninsured vehicles.
As a courtesy, DMV will mail renewal reminders to you prior to the expiration date of your registration. To receive reminders on time, be sure to update your address with DMV. You can renew your vehicle registration online or by .
Keep the registration card with you whenever you operate the vehicle.
DMV will issue you two license plates, two decals showing the expiration date, and a registration card. Apply the decals as indicated on the plates, then place the plates on the front and rear of your vehicle so that they are securely fastened and clearly visible. If your vehicle is a motorcycle, DMV will issue you just one license plate for the vehicle.
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Can You Get A New York State Inspection In Another State
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The smog check is required for all out-of–state vehicles, even if your previous state of residence also required emissions inspection. A VIN inspection is required when registering a vehicle from out of state.
Similarly, is there a grace period for car inspection in NY? There is no grace period after an emissions and inspection sticker expires; however, the vehicle owner may be able to obtain an extension in certain situations.
Then, can you get an inspection ticket out of state?
As long as your registration is good, you won’t get pulled over for an expired inspection; cops out of state won’t know your sticker is expired unless they stop you and look at it, and if they do stop you, that sticker probably won’t be the first thing they look at.
How do I get my car inspected in NY?
The inspection must be done in a licensed inspection station displaying an official sign, and must be performed by a certified motor vehicle inspector. If your vehicle fails the safety and/or emissions inspection, the inspection station must have your permission before beginning any repairs.
When You Need A Safety Inspection
All vehicles registered in New York State must get a safety inspection at a DMV-licensed inspection station
- every 12 months
- when the ownership of the vehicle is transferred
A valid inspection sticker must be displayed on your vehicle.; Inspections expire the last day of the month punched on the inspection sticker.
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Passing A Safety Inspection
Now that you know you must have your vehicle inspected annually, you may want to know how to pass a safety inspection. You can help keep your car up-to-date and safe for road travel by taking small but important steps. Changing your wiper blades regularly and checking your cars oil can give you the best chance to pass your safety inspection.
Your inspection will look to make sure your vehicle is in regular and normal working order. But, it will also include an anti-tampering check. This examination of your car will test your emission system to see if any components have been removed or modified.
If your vehicle passes none of the visual or mechanical safety inspections, you need to know what happens next. If your vehicle fails the inspection, you will need to complete repairs, then return for a re-inspection.
Fees To Register Your Car
Vehicle registration fees vary by vehicle type in Pennsylvania:
- Passenger vehicle: $39.
- Motorcycle: $21.
You’ll also pay title fees:
- Vehicle title: $58.
- Title WITH a lien recorded: $86.
If you buy a vehicle from a dealer, you’ll usually pay sales tax to them. However, if you buy a car in a private sale, you’ll pay sales tax to Commonwealth of Pennsylvania when you register it:
- 8% if you live in the City of Philadelphia.
- 7% if you live in Allegheny County.
- 6% in the rest of Pennsylvania.
Some PennDOT agents may also charge a transaction fee. Contact the PennDOT office directly for accepted payment methods.
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What Is Looked At In A Pennsylvania State Inspection
The PA State Inspection criteria for passenger vehicles and light duty trucks mandates a series of tests.; These tests include, inspecting the lighting and electrical systems, the exhaust system, steering, suspension components, tires and wheels, braking systems, glass, mirrors, windshield washer, defroster, wipers, fuel systems, the speedometer, the odometer, horns and warning devices, the vehicle body, and your vehicle chassis.;;
We understand that no one likes to hear that their vehicle did not pass the Pennsylvania State Inspection. However, on the off chance your vehicle is one that falls into this category, Reading Auto Service will present you with a detailed report explaining why your vehicle failed. Furthermore, Reading Auto Service will provide you with cost effective options on how to get your vehicle up to code to pass the PA State Inspection.
How Much Does An Inspection Cost
The price of an inspection and/or emissions test is set by the individual shop performing the service, and therefore can vary pretty wildly, with some shops charging upwards of $100. Based on our own competitive analysis, we estimate the average price to be somewhere in the $60-70 range here in the Greater Philadelphia Area. At Tires Etc, our inspection costs $39.99.NOTE: Beware of “creative” price marketing. Many shops will offer a “$25 Inspection” just to then hit you with an additional $35 charge for the emissions test, or some similar pricing scheme. At Tires Etc, our $39.99 price includes both the Inspection and the Emissions Test!
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Heres How Often You Need A Car Inspection In Each State
Car inspections are a fact of life if you dont live in oneof the 15 states where there are no formalcar inspections of any kind for private vehicles.
There are 3 primary types of car inspection:
- Safety: Designed to inspect the vital systems of your car to make sure its drivable and safe to operate on the road.
- Emissions: Based on the 1990 Federal Clean Air Act, emissions tests were designed to improve air quality in a number of metropolitan areas.
- VIN: Vin inspections are generally designed to prevent fraud, including grand theft auto and parts fraud.
Currently, 15 states have a periodic safety inspection while17 have a safety inspection of some kind. 33 states currently have emissions inspections,however several have plans to remove their testing in the near future.
Can I Get My Inspection Done Early
Yes. You can get your inspection done up to 90 days before the final deadline. A good rule of thumb is that you can get it done any time not only in the calendar month in which it is due, but also in the two calendar months prior. So if your vehicle is due for inspection in July, you can get it done as early as May.
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Reasons To Purchase A Car Out Of State
According to , you may want to think about buying a vehicle from a dealer or owner in another state if you are seeking a vintage or rare make and model, cannot find the features you want at a local seller, or have found a great deal from a seller in another state. For example, different states may use different standards to value vehicles and the cost also fluctuates depending on regional supply and demand. You should weigh these factors against the challenges associated with purchasing an out-of-state vehicle, such as transportation, insurance, inspections, registration, and sales tax.
A Simple Step To Help Protect Against A Failed Pa Emissions Test
One of the best tools we recommend at Reading Auto Service, and even when we sell you the car at Reading Auto Center, is to make sure you follow the owners manual and perform all the recommended scheduled maintenance. All too often we see automobile owners not following this simple step.;
Eventually the car will begin to malfunction.; Even worse, the owner vehicle begins to ignore warning indicators like the check engine light on the dashboard.; Consequently, by simply neglecting to do the recommended schedule maintenance, it could be costing you extra money.; Thats an expense that could have been avoided before your PA State Inspection and PA Emissions test done.
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The Car May Be Cheaper In Another State
Local supply and demand are key elements in determining a vehicles transaction price, whether new or used. For new cars, manufacturer rebates, financing offers, and leasing incentives can vary by region. Weve seen incentives on some models differ by as much as $1,500 depending on location. Check the automakers website to see whether the offers change based on location. It may be worth a long drive to get a bigger rebate or zero-percent financing if its not being offered where you live.
Prices for specific types of used vehicles can vary by region. For example, convertibles tend to be in greater demand and command more money in warmer climates than colder ones. Conversely, four-wheel-drive trucks and SUVs tend to be more valuable in northern states than in the South.
Carfax Used Car Listings make it easy to find your next car. Every car comes with a free Carfax Report.
What To Do When You Are In An Accident With An Untested Car
While you are responsible for having your car inspected and ensuring you have an up-to-date inspection sticker on display, other PA drivers are also responsible for bringing their cars in for inspections. In Pennsylvania, it is against the law for a driver to operate an uninspected vehicle or improperly display an active inspection certificate on the windshield.
Even so, some people willingly violate this law and still drive. When their car fails in some way, it may cause an accident.
If you are in an accident with an untested vehicle, following these steps could ensure your safety and your ability to recover compensation for your injuries and damages:
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