How often are safety inspections required for vehicles in Maryland?

In Maryland, safety inspections are specifically required when a vehicle is changing ownership. This regulation ensures that the vehicle is in a safe and operable condition for the new owner before it is transferred. Such inspections help identify any mechanical issues or safety concerns that may affect the performance and safety of the vehicle.

While there are guidelines for vehicle age and maintenance, the critical trigger for a safety inspection relates to changes in ownership. This means that if you are buying or selling a vehicle, the inspection must be conducted to guarantee compliance with state safety standards. Other scenarios, such as routine inspections based on condition or an established time frame like annually or biennially, are not applicable in this context for safety inspections in Maryland.