VS-1074S Form: Standard Vehicle Safety Inspection Record (PDF)

VS-1074S Form – The VS-1074S Form, officially known as the Standard Vehicle Safety Inspection Record, is a mandatory paper document provided by the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles (NY DMV). Licensed vehicle inspection stations use this form to manually record all safety inspections performed on light vehicles, along with any inspection certificates issued or vehicles rejected during the process.

This two-page PDF form ensures accurate tracking of inspections for compliance, audits, and record-keeping purposes. It is specifically designed for safety-only inspections and is not used for motorcycles, heavy vehicles, or diesel emissions inspections.

Purpose of the VS-1074S Standard Vehicle Safety Inspection Record

The primary purpose of the VS-1074S Form is to create a permanent, chronological record of every safety inspection conducted at a licensed facility. Stations must document:

  • Successful inspections and certificates issued
  • Rejected vehicles and specific failure reasons
  • Reinspections after repairs

Facilities retain the completed form for two years after the last entry to comply with NY DMV regulations (Part 79). Inspectors and station owners use it during official audits to verify proper inspection procedures and certificate issuance.

Important note: If your station uses the NYVIP Computerized Vehicle Inspection System (CVIS), do not use the VS-1074S Form. All records must be entered electronically in the CVIS instead.

Who Must Use the VS-1074S Form?

Only NY DMV-licensed motor vehicle inspection stations that perform safety inspections on passenger cars, light trucks, and similar vehicles (non-motorcycle, non-heavy, non-diesel) need this form.

Stations without CVIS equipment rely on the paper VS-1074S to meet state record-keeping requirements. A new form must start on the first day of each calendar year, with entries kept in strict chronological order and each month clearly marked.

Vehicle owners do not complete or keep this form — it stays at the inspection station.

How to Download the Official VS-1074S PDF?

You can download the free, fillable VS-1074S Form directly from the official NY DMV website:

Direct Download Link: https://dmv.ny.gov/forms/vs1074s.pdf

The current version is VS-1074S (9/15) (revised September 2015) and remains the official form available from the DMV as of 2026. No fee is charged for this government-issued document.

Step-by-Step Guide to Completing the VS-1074S Form

Follow these official instructions printed on the reverse side of the form:

  1. Enter your facility name, ID number, address, city, county, and ZIP code at the top of each page.
  2. Record each inspection in chronological order using the 12-column grid.
  3. Issue certificates in consecutive serial number order.
  4. For rejected vehicles, mark the specific safety items that failed and note “Rejected” in the certificate column.
  5. After repairs and reinspection, record the repair order number and new certificate number.
  6. Notify the motorist in writing for non-rejection items (e.g., airbag light or tire pressure warnings).

Always perform a complete inspection before issuing any certificate.

Key Fields and Sections on the VS-1074S Vehicle Inspection Record

The form includes these critical data columns:

  • Column 1: Inspection date (Month/Day/Year)
  • Column 2: Odometer reading (note if broken, missing, or trailer)
  • Column 3: Vehicle year
  • Column 4: Vehicle make
  • Column 5: New York plate number (or VIN if no plate; include out-of-state details)
  • Column 6: Wheel pulled for brake inspection (e.g., RF, LF)
  • Column 7: Repair order number (if repairs performed)
  • Column 8: Certificate number or “Rejected”
  • Column 9: Certified inspector’s number

Safety Rejection Checkboxes (Column 10): Brakes, Lights, Tires, Suspension, Steering, Other.

Non-Rejection Notifications:

  • Air Bag Not a Reject (1998+ models)
  • Tire Pressure Not a Reject

These fields help stations maintain audit-ready records while protecting motorists with clear documentation.

New York State Annual Vehicle Safety Inspection Requirements

All vehicles registered in New York State must pass a safety inspection every 12 months at a DMV-licensed station. The inspection ensures the vehicle meets minimum safety standards for brakes, lights, tires, steering, suspension, and more.

Emissions testing may also be required (depending on vehicle age and location), but the VS-1074S records only the safety portion. Failure to maintain a valid inspection sticker can prevent vehicle registration renewal under the Registration-Based Enforcement (RBE) program.

Record Retention and Compliance Rules for VS-1074S

  • Start a fresh VS-1074S Form on January 1 each year.
  • Keep forms in chronological order with month dividers.
  • Retain completed forms for two full years from the date of the last entry.
  • Separate forms must be used for different inspection types (safety vs. motorcycle vs. heavy/diesel).
  • DMV auditors may request these records at any time.

Non-compliance can result in fines or loss of inspection station licensing.

VS-1074S vs. Other NY DMV Inspection Record Forms

Form Used For When to Use
VS-1074S Standard safety inspections Light vehicles only
VS-1074M Motorcycle safety inspections Motorcycles only
VS-1074SD Heavy vehicle & diesel emissions Trucks, buses, diesel vehicles

Choose the correct form based on your station’s licensing and the vehicle type.

Additional Resources and NY DMV Inspection Guides

For the most current information, always refer to the official NY DMV website at dmv.ny.gov.

Download your VS-1074S Form today and ensure your inspection station stays fully compliant with New York State safety inspection laws. This official record helps protect both your business and the motoring public.

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