N.H. yearly car inspections

[ApS]

Originally Posted by TiltonBB

Many states have been uheliminating safety inspections. Fifteen states have a periodic (annual or biennial) safety inspection program, while Maryland requires a safety inspection and Alabama requires a VIN inspection on sale or transfer of vehicles which were previously registered in another state. An additional 16 states require periodic emissions inspections. Florida has no vehicle inspections.

I would think the best way to determine if safety inspections truly help to promote safety would be to look at a comparison between state accident rates attributed to things like bald tires in states with and without inspection laws.

I never thought the NH inspections would be eliminated due to the NH Auto Dealers Association influence over politicians. The repair shops like inspections that generate work, or sometimes even the need for a new car.

The next law to face a challenge might be the NH front license plate law. Currently only 29 states require a front plate but you cannot pass a state inspection in NH without one.

Florida did have auto inspections--complete with concrete structures, brake testing rollers, and a cadre of inspectors in every county throughout the state.

Once, after a long wait in line for testing, a red sticker was applied to my windshield indicating my restored antique car had one month to bring its failure into conformity with Florida law.

The listed failure? The horn was too loud!

I swapped to a VW beetle horn, passed a second inspection and got my red sticker replaced with a sticker indicating I had a year until the next inspection. (indicated by the color).

Is it any wonder Florida's inspections were eliminated?

[tis]

When is the Senate going to vote on this?

[John Mercier]

Docket doesn't yet have it scheduled.
Senate Commerce Committee will take it up after the transfer between chambers.

There are some amendments to the bill, and it looks that the inspection will stay in place, but change to every two years for private passenger vehicles and motorcycles. Not sure how this affects any Federal Clean Air requirements for the OBD testing.

[ishoot308]

Originally Posted by John Mercier

There are some amendments to the bill, and it looks that the inspection will stay in place, but change to every two years for private passenger vehicles and motorcycles.

Looks like they read the forum!

[Descant]

If you need a sticker on your birthday every year, you tend to remember. I expect a lot of tickets for non-inspection when people forget the routine. I remember in the 70's we had a flood of transplants get tickets for expired this or that. The excuse was "Nobody sent me a reminder letter". We should get a letter. Added expense, but the DMV now sends out letters and fees were increased accordingly.
I still like getting an inspection by the seller whenever a car changes hands. Easy to remember.
If we go to two years, registration should be every two years also, no change in fee since DMV overhead is reduced. If you get stopped, no ticket for say, 10 days and then waived when the computer shows that you registered or inspected. This is a silly thing to waste a lot of time on. Paying a highly trained police officer/trooper to stand at a toll booth and stop people for expired stickers is not a good use of funds or manpower. (Same content sent to my Senator).

[John Mercier]

Registration may be a problem because of the attached property tax.

I definitely feel that paying two years worth of that is going to put a pinch on some people.

Also, if it is every two years for inspection are they going to develop a means to get half one year and half the other?

[Descant]

Originally Posted by John Mercier

Registration may be a problem because of the attached property tax.

I definitely feel that paying two years worth of that is going to put a pinch on some people.

Also, if it is every two years for inspection are they going to develop a means to get half one year and half the other?

My suggestion was to leave the fee alone. If it is $50 now for one year, make it $50 for two years, i.e. $25/year and reduce expenses at DMV to compensate. I bet the GC is clever enough to figure out the taxes for the town's portion.

[John Mercier]

So imagine a $30K new vehicle, that would $18 x 30 for a registration cost of $540. Year Two would be $15 x 30 for a registration cost of $450.

A two year registration cost to hold harmless the local municipality would equate to $990.

While cutting the DMV portion is relatively easy. The Legislature just has to choose to do so; the municipal portion is an offset to real estate property taxes under other income in the budgets.
I think that creates anxiety of change within the Legislature.

[Descant]

There are several programs for paying taxes in the digital world. No reason you can't set up the second year tax on autopay. Or monthly for two years. Look at the "smart guys" on TV. Most people won't write a check for $240, but they will commit to only $19 a month. When the charity wants to raise 5% more, they ask for "only a dollar". Who can say no to "only a dollar". Taxes are the same when you raise a tax by "only 1/4%."

[John Mercier]

That would need to be done at each municipality.
With interest and an extra charge to cover costs.
That is how our property tax currently works.

My understanding of the inspection situation was they are trying to lower costs for our residents.

[tis]

Originally Posted by John Mercier

Docket doesn't yet have it scheduled.
Senate Commerce Committee will take it up after the transfer between chambers.

There are some amendments to the bill, and it looks that the inspection will stay in place, but change to every two years for private passenger vehicles and motorcycles. Not sure how this affects any Federal Clean Air requirements for the OBD testing.

Thank you.