NH Car inspections

[phoenix]

that lawsuit will be tough to win. AZ only has emissions required so why would NH legally need more

[John Mercier]

Don't have to win... just get the injunction.

The injunction would mean the reinstatement of the standards, as the repeal was all or nothing. The injunction would be in effect until either NH got a federal waiver, or the trial had an outcome.

Basically the law would be back in force.

Had they sought to only repeal portions of the inspection, that bill was in study if I remember correctly, the federal emission element may have not been a factor, but we would still basically be paying the same amount.

Also an LSR is in the Legislature to reinstate has just entered into a bill -
HB 1560-FN

So if you choose to get a safety inspection, getting the invoice would make it easier to get a sticker later should that requirement come back into play.

[camp guy]

Okay, I'm lost in all this discussion, so, for those of me who don't really understand this situation, would someone please explain why it is so bad to have a vehicle inspected annually to ensure mechanical safety not only for other drivers, but the vehicle driver, too. I don't want to hear about the "nanny State", and I don't want to hear about price-gouging by inspection stations, just the facts supporting non-inspection. By the way, what's next - no need for a driver's license if you re 16, no food inspectors if the local farm looks good, and why not toss out the boating Safe Boating Certificate while we are at it.

[CTYankee]

All this uproar in a state that does not require liability insurance?

[Biggd]

Originally Posted by camp guy

Okay, I'm lost in all this discussion, so, for those of me who don't really understand this situation, would someone please explain why it is so bad to have a vehicle inspected annually to ensure mechanical safety not only for other drivers, but the vehicle driver, too. I don't want to hear about the "nanny State", and I don't want to hear about price-gouging by inspection stations, just the facts supporting non-inspection. By the way, what's next - no need for a driver's license if you re 16, no food inspectors if the local farm looks good, and why not toss out the boating Safe Boating Certificate while we are at it.

It's not bad to have your vehicle inspected but it should be your choice, not mandated by the government.
And as for the safe boating certificate, I haven't seen any proof that has led to safer boating.

[John Mercier]

Originally Posted by Biggd

It's not bad to have your vehicle inspected but it should be your choice, not mandated by the government.
And as for the safe boating certificate, I haven't seen any proof that has led to safer boating.

So why bother with a Driver's License?

[Biggd]

Originally Posted by John Mercier

So why bother with a Driver's License?

Why allow vehicles on the road without proof of insurance?
I was in the Auto repair business in Ma for over 50 years and issued inspection stickers for at least 30 of those years, I've seen the abuse by inspection shops and the State.
I doubt it's any different in NH.

[retired]

Insurance doesn't protect people. It only protects their assets.

[Biggd]

Originally Posted by retired

Insurance doesn't protect people. It only protects their assets.

And others assets.

[John Mercier]

Originally Posted by Biggd

Why allow vehicles on the road without proof of insurance?
I was in the Auto repair business in Ma for over 50 years and issued inspection stickers for at least 30 of those years, I've seen the abuse by inspection shops and the State.
I doubt it's any different in NH.

That would still be an honest discussion amongst the legislative committees on changing the process.

The proof of insurance was because the Legislature thought - probably didn't think it through - that they had an idea that achieved "something for nothing".
But did it, or did it increase or Uninsured Motor Vehicle policy costs?

Then it wasn't something for nothing but a big old subsidy to the uninsured from the insured.

[Descant]

If you believe that insurance companies set rates based on income vs losses, you're missing a lot of the equation: 1. Time value of money, 2. market strategy.

1. If I have $14 billion in my desk drawer and I can make 2.5% by keeping it in the desk drawer for a few extra days, I can make some reral money. My actuaries know in advance ewxactly how much money I'll need to pay out nexct mon th and next year. They just don't know whose name will be on trhe check.

2. With $14 billion in the cash drawer, I set rates to adjust market share. Opening a new territory that looks promising, set low rates. Too much market share someplace for geographic diversification, raise the rates.

Because of the actuarial predictability of large numbers, insurance companies can make money in a variety of ways that you don't see. Buying, selling and managing pension funds is one. Retroactive disaster insurance is another.

[John Mercier]

Pretty much the point.
Simple legislation cannot automatically result in lower costs.

[John Mercier]

Originally Posted by camp guy

Okay, I'm lost in all this discussion, so, for those of me who don't really understand this situation, would someone please explain why it is so bad to have a vehicle inspected annually to ensure mechanical safety not only for other drivers, but the vehicle driver, too. I don't want to hear about the "nanny State", and I don't want to hear about price-gouging by inspection stations, just the facts supporting non-inspection. By the way, what's next - no need for a driver's license if you re 16, no food inspectors if the local farm looks good, and why not toss out the boating Safe Boating Certificate while we are at it.

The State was looking at a lot of "affordability" issues.
Base transportation has limited areas to look into.

[tis]

Originally Posted by camp guy

Okay, I'm lost in all this discussion, so, for those of me who don't really understand this situation, would someone please explain why it is so bad to have a vehicle inspected annually to ensure mechanical safety not only for other drivers, but the vehicle driver, too. I don't want to hear about the "nanny State", and I don't want to hear about price-gouging by inspection stations, just the facts supporting non-inspection. By the way, what's next - no need for a driver's license if you re 16, no food inspectors if the local farm looks good, and why not toss out the boating Safe Boating Certificate while we are at it.

Good idea. Get rid of 'em all! Laws are only obeyed by the good guys.

[fatlazyless]

I plan to keep my blue N.H. state inspection sticker in place, on the windshield permanently and indefinitely for the future. Will NOT be removing it. There will probably be some red 2026 stickers for 8.4% of the NH car owners with January birthdays?

After Feb 1, 2026, new cars will most likely no longer get a N.H. inspection sticker. The new car dealers no doubt have a supply of stickers so will the new cars get a sticker even though it's not required?

Will used cars for sale sitting on car lots get their sticker removed or left in place? The sticker provides a lot of information to both the used car dealer, and the potential buyer. If a used car for sale has NO sticker will it be more difficult to sell it?

Bet you that no one removes their blue 2025 sticker, and drives their car "live free or die" without the old non-expired but not required sticker? .....

Car repairs have become very expensive to buy new tires, replace brakes, and make other repairs required to pass the state test and receive a state sticker.

Affordability and high cost to repair is one big reason why the state legislature revoked the yearly state car inspection. Tires and repairs cost too much and get postponed till the money is there. How to pay for needed repairs required to get a state sticker so the legislature eliminated the state sticker.

When a headlight or tail light is out, it is easy to notice, so non-working lights will likely get you stopped by the local police. Not so much the case in the past ..... more likely in the future ..... time will tell? Non-working lights can be seen a long ways away ........ out there! Here it comes ....... and there it goes .....

But officer, I had no clue, no idea that this headlight was out ....... who knew? ....... !

[jeffk]

Originally Posted by fatlazyless

...
After Feb 1, 2026, new cars will most likely no longer get a N.H. inspection sticker. The new car dealers no doubt have a supply of stickers so will the new cars get a sticker even though it's not required? ...

My understanding is that inspection stations, including dealers, print stickers on demand with required electronic approval from the state. Without the state providing the approval mechanism, stickers cannot be printed, including at dealers. The only thing the inspection stations keep on hand is a supply of blank templates that they get from the state in bulk, based on past usage. I doubt they even have those for 2026. Why produce $$$ and ship $$$ 2026 blanks when the need for them had been legally eliminated as of June 2025? No one would have a "supply" of stickers that were probably never created.

[fatlazyless]

Originally Posted by jeffk

..... I doubt they even have those for 2026. Why produce $$$ and ship $$$ 2026 blanks when the need for them had been legally eliminated as of June 2025? No one would have a "supply" of stickers that were probably never created.

Car owners with January birthdays are probably required to get a 2026 NH state sticker, I would think.

So, what color is the 2026 NH state sticker?

[jeffk]

Originally Posted by fatlazyless

Car owners with January birthdays are probably required to get a 2026 NH state sticker, I would think. ...

Do you think the police are going to be petty enough to ticket people who don't'? Over a dead law that has no real consequence?

I agree that the state shipped the Jan 2026 stickers and the inspection stations could print valid Jan stickers. After January, the whole system shuts down.

[bobkatfly]

I see a business opportunity. Custom vanity stickers where the inspection ones where.
Let's get some ideas. Here's mine.

[MeredithMan]

I have a January birthday and decided to ask the station where I get my inspections. They told me that the rule is that January birthdays need to get their car inspected. The rest of the year does not.

[steve-on-mark]

Originally Posted by MeredithMan

I have a January birthday and decided to ask the station where I get my inspections. They told me that the rule is that January birthdays need to get their car inspected. The rest of the year does not.

Your January 26 sticker will take you to Feb. 10th...you don't need it.

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