Vehicle inspections and registration

[Descant]

1. Inspection: I usually just drop my car off and leave. However, ifI stauy, I think I can stay in the car and operate the lights, brakes, wipers, etc. without a mechanic entering the car. I suggest you call some inspection stations instead of posting here. If they want to talk to you don't roll down the window, call the cell #. Tip BIG for the special service.
2. Registration: Online or by mail. Call your Town Clerk. I think they can send somebody into the parking lot.
3. Stay home. Get groceries and TP from Instacart. There are many other delivery services. When I stopped driving, I found somebody on FB to handle errands, so I'm not a Covid worrier.
After awhile, being a non-driver isn't so bad except for the incessant phone calls trying to sell me car maintenance insurance.

[tummyman]

I used my towns on line registration system. Cost was small to register a car and two trailers at the same time. Very simple. I used their electronic check option to avoid big credit card fees. New registrations and all the stickers were in my mailbox in three days. I believe you can use this on line system in any town.

I have the same issue with inspections. I do not want them in my car and I do not want to go inside to pay.

[SailinAway]

Originally Posted by tummyman

I have the same issue with inspections. I do not want them in my car and I do not want to go inside to pay.

So what do you plan to do?

[fatlazyless]

Last September, Valvoline Oil Change on Union Ave, Laconia had their small waiting room closed and had a single, solitary chair for customers located way back up the rear corner area of the parking lot for customers to sit and wait during the state inspection.

One employee, wearing a mask like it is supposed to be worn, approached and asked what I wanted, had me pay the $50 with a small portable credit card device, and then moved my car into inspection position at the garage.

He wore gloves as well as a mask and seemed to be very competent.

About fifteen minutes later, he waved to me to come get car which failed inspection, told me it needs windshield wiper blades, one small marker light bulb, and the 3-4 holes on door from hit & run must be repaired with Bondo and spray paint in order to get a state sticker. My car had over 200k miles and they took a long look at the brakes as well.

I went to Walmart and got a five dollar can of Bondo plus the other items cause having a state sticker is necessary and required. An expired sticker is easily seen by the local police.

Allstate paid me $1935 after deducting the $250-deductible and I end up fixing it with a five dollar Bondo plus spray paint that I already have ...... k-k-k-chinga-ching-ching! ..... ..... is easily the world's greatest Bondo repair job ever done! ...

[Lakegeezer]

If I was worried about the person inspecting my car, I'd plan to leave it there for a few days after the inspection. That way, the virus critters would expire and the car would be safe again. Did you know that you can get your car inspected up to three months in advance? Plenty of time to make a plan to let it sit.

[CooperS7777]

Originally Posted by Lakegeezer

If I was worried about the person inspecting my car, I'd plan to leave it there for a few days after the inspection. That way, the virus critters would expire and the car would be safe again. Did you know that you can get your car inspected up to three months in advance? Plenty of time to make a plan to let it sit.

The law actually reads "If the month in which the anniversary of the owner's birth occurs will be one of the next 4 months, an inspection sticker may be issued, with an expiration date of the birth month in the following year..."

Furthermore, you have 10 days from the last day of your birth month to have the vehicle inspected. So technically, you can have your car inspected over 5 months earlier than required by law, and that inspection sticker would maintain validity for the next ~17 months.

For example, my birthday is in August, so legally my vehicles need to be inspected before 10-September of any given year. If I want to have the inspection done early this year, I could bring them in as soon as 1-April-21, leaving me free of vehicle inspections until 10-September-22.

I agree with Lakegeezer 100% in that if COVID is a true concern of yours; find an inspection station that has the space to store it and will allow you to leave it for a few days. You'd be able to pay via phone, and could pick up after whatever period of time in which you feel comfortable has passed. Plan accordingly, and hopefully COVID will no longer be a consideration ~17+ months down the road when you need to have it inspected again.

[SailinAway]

Originally Posted by CooperS7777

I agree with Lakegeezer 100% in that if COVID is a true concern of yours; find an inspection station that has the space to store it and will allow you to leave it for a few days. You'd be able to pay via phone, and could pick up after whatever period of time in which you feel comfortable has passed. Plan accordingly, and hopefully COVID will no longer be a consideration ~17+ months down the road when you need to have it inspected again.

Good idea in theory but I have no way to get home. My trusted mechanic is 20 miles away.

[CooperS7777]

Originally Posted by SailinAway

Good idea in theory but I have no way to get home. My trusted mechanic is 20 miles away.

Perhaps your trusted mechanic has the ability to pick it up, inspect it and drop it off? Or maybe a family member or spouse could give you a ride home?

If nothing else, and you cant find a solution, feel free to PM me. Id be happy to come to your house, pick up your vehicle, and bring it to you mechanic for inspection, free of charge. You can setup the appointment, pay your mechanic over the phone, and afterward you can leave the car in your driveway or garage for a few days until your comfortable that anything left behind has cleared up.

[BroadHopper]

Originally Posted by SailinAway

Good idea in theory but I have no way to get home. My trusted mechanic is 20 miles away.

I do know the dealers will pick up and deliver at a price. When the MB was brand new with free scheduled maintenance. They would pick up and deliver. The dealer is located in Manchester and I am located here in Laconia! Can't beat that!

[steve-on-mark]

Originally Posted by Descant

1. Inspection: I usually just drop my car off and leave. However, ifI stauy, I think I can stay in the car and operate the lights, brakes, wipers, etc. without a mechanic entering the car. I suggest you call some inspection stations instead of posting here. If they want to talk to you don't roll down the window, call the cell #. Tip BIG for the special service.
2. Registration: Online or by mail. Call your Town Clerk. I think they can send somebody into the parking lot.
3. Stay home. Get groceries and TP from Instacart. There are many other delivery services. When I stopped driving, I found somebody on FB to handle errands, so I'm not a Covid worrier.
After awhile, being a non-driver isn't so bad except for the incessant phone calls trying to sell me car maintenance insurance.

Any vehicle that gets a " legitimate " state inspection has to be put up on a lift...I don't think there'd be many places that would let the vehicle owner position the car on a lift, let alone go up for the ride...liability concerns you know. Technicians also have to access the OBD connector under the dashboard to run emission testing. I am thinking that law enforcement might be a little more lenient with state inspection given the pandemic, but that's only an assumption...good luck!

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