It depends on the State. PA for example uses a YEARLY Safety Inspection. You have to have a sticker on your car windshield saying it is up to yearly inspection(not sure if they park you if you aren't up to inspection or what exactly, never had the problem). You also have emissions testing, but that is another issue. Now if I understand correctly Ohio doesn't do a standard inspection like that but the cops are allowed to stop you and do a vehicle inspection(I don't live in Ohio so I'm not sure).
