Big changes are coming to New Hampshire’s roads. Starting January 31, 2026, drivers will no longer be required to get annual safety inspections for their vehicles. The repeal of the longstanding requirement was signed into law by Gov. Kelly Ayotte as part of the new state budget, marking a major shift in how the state regulates vehicle safety.
How the Change Happened
According to NH Public Radio (NHPR), the repeal wasn’t a standalone bill, but rather a provision attached to the state’s budget during final negotiations between Republican lawmakers and the governor’s office. House Republicans pushed hard for the change, making it a condition for their support of the budget.
A separate bill to eliminate inspections had previously passed the House earlier this year but stalled in the Senate amid disagreements over whether to eliminate inspections altogether or modify the program to require inspections every other year. Once included in the budget, the repeal cleared both chambers with fewer hurdles. The final vote in the House was razor-thin, passing by just a single vote after House Speaker Sherman Packard cast the tie-breaking vote.
What’s Changing for Drivers
New Hampshire requires all registered passenger vehicles to undergo a safety inspection every year during the owner’s birth month. The inspections cost up to $50 and are performed by state-licensed mechanics and auto dealerships.
The new law will eliminate this requirement for all passenger vehicles starting in 2026. According to WMUR, the state’s emissions testing program will also end by September 2026, pending approval of a federal waiver from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). State officials say the waiver process is already underway and may result in emissions testing ending even sooner.
Drivers who still want to have their vehicles inspected will be free to do so, but there will be no state mandate.
Supporters: Cutting Costs and Complexity
Supporters of the repeal frame the change as a win for consumer choice and financial relief for residents. They argue that annual inspections do little to improve road safety while placing a financial burden on vehicle owners, especially low-income families and those with older cars.
“It’s a scam, really,” said Rep. Sam Farrington, in a WMUR piece. “The data shows that forcing car inspections doesn’t actually lead to safety. It can lead to $1,000 repair bills that average people weren’t expecting.” Rep. Michael Granger, who sponsored the original legislation, echoed that sentiment, calling the current inspection system outdated and unnecessary.
According to NHPR, House Majority Leader Jason Osborne said that getting rid of inspections had been a frequent demand from voters. “The one thing they ask me about is, ‘When are you going to repeal those auto inspections?’ That’s what we are going to do today,” he said during debate on the budget.
Critics: A Risk to Public Safety
However, the decision is not without controversy. Seacoastonline shares that The New Hampshire Automobile Dealers Association (NHADA) believe the move could have dangerous consequences. State police and various other safety advocates also echo this sentiment.
“The elimination of annual inspections is both reckless and shortsighted,” said Dan Bennett, president of NHADA. He pointed to data from other states that repealed similar programs, such as Florida and Colorado, where crash rates reportedly increased following the end of inspection requirements.
NHADA officials and many mechanics also worry about the condition of vehicles on New Hampshire’s roads, especially during harsh winter months where potholes and salt can cause serious wear and tear.
Jason LaCroix, chairman of NHADA, said the repeal undermines decades of work in keeping unsafe vehicles off the road. “We want these roads to be safe, and we take a lot of pride in that. By eliminating a safety inspection program, we’re throwing that all out the window,” he said.
Brad Fournier, vice president at Ron’s Toy Shop in Manchester, echoed those concerns but acknowledged that repair work will continue. “At any given time, things can happen,” Fournier said in a WMUR piece. He references common issues like failing suspension components or brake problems. He expects a short-term decline in business for shops that rely heavily on inspections, but believes long-term demand for general auto repairs will remain steady.
Financial Impact on the State
The repeal is also expected to have a financial impact on the state. According to NHPR, New Hampshire currently collects about $3.5 million annually in inspection-related revenue. That money supports the state Highway Fund, which helps pay for road maintenance and infrastructure projects. Roughly 12% of the revenue is shared with cities and towns. Lawmakers have not yet detailed how they will offset this loss of revenue going forward.
National Context
New Hampshire’s decision will make it one of the few states without any safety inspection requirement. Currently, 14 states require annual inspections, while 13 others do not require them at all. The remaining states have varying rules, with some requiring inspections only in certain regions or under specific circumstances.
What’s Next for NH
For now, the current inspection law remains in effect until the end of January 2026. Drivers will still need to get their vehicles inspected on schedule until that date. It remains to be seen what long-term impact the repeal will have on vehicle safety, crash rates, and the auto repair industry in the Granite State.
