Vermont is moving to relax motor vehicle inspection standards a year after the rollout of an electronic database system that many believe unfairly burdens drivers, especially lower-income residents with older cars.
www.vtdigger.org
Audio: "Common Sense" in car inspections
A more detailed podcast version of this VT Digger article.
www.podbean.com
Video: State ponders change to 'check engine' light rule
In the United States, vehicle safety inspection and emissions inspection are governed by each state individually. Many states do not have a periodic (annual or biennial) safety inspection program at all.
When it cannot be started anymore just push it towards the back yard, or front yard if you want to display it. Get another good rust bucket and drive it until it cannot be started and add to your collection! He who has the most eyesores on their property wins the Vermont JC trophy. Note that old refrigerators and sofas add character and will be considered in the judging.
ReplyDeleteSome of us have DECENT cars that are sidelined for STUPID violations that have NOTHING to do with safety! Anyone born before 1990 can drive a car WITHOUT ABS, yet it must be "functional" to pass! The local dealer wanted $3200 to fix mine, and I'd rather NOT have it. ABS caused me to get INTO an accident once!
DeleteMy truck failed for a broken manifold bolt. Please explain what part of that is a safety concern.
ReplyDeleteManifold could fall off, hit muffler bearings, cause leak and pollution.
ReplyDeleteI was an auto and diesel mechanic for years. I know what is safe, and what isn't. I also know what repairs cost. The "safety inspection" is a scam designed to enrich the auto dealers and repair shops. They flunk your car, then try to sell you a new one, or charge you a fortune for relatively minor repairs. Unless your car is brand new, they can always find something. THEY HAVE TOTAL DISCRETION; they can flunk your car for virtually anything! It's their word against yours, and your word is worthless! There was a similar scam in Illinois years ago. The Auto Dealers Association worked out a deal with the Sectretary of State; they used THREE TIMES the amount of salt on the roads as was needed, just to make cars rust out faster! You had to buy a new car about every five years! Makes me wonder......
ReplyDeleteAre you saying that our government is crooked?
DeleteThis is what happens when government and business "work together." Put simply, the utopians on the left want to create a perfect world, with perfect cars. The business community on the right wants to help, as long as they can get rich doing it. So, we end up having people with unrealistic expectations making laws, and people with dishonest practices enforcing them. That's how I see it happening here.
DeleteAs a techie and import tuner I can very easily defeat any check engine or diagnostic code to pass inspection. Have done so with various cars to beat the system when bypassing emission controls.
ReplyDeleteWant to explain to me who this foolish new law benefits and who it handicaps most? Tough to imagine idiot, do-gooder liberals in Montpelier making VT any more undesirable for working class people. But then again, you most likely voted for those buffoons so just suck it up. Zoom Zoom.
Sure, it's very simple. The law benefits businesses. It handicaps the poor and senior citizens. Were it not for the fact that Democrats control State government, I'd say it's a perfectly Republican piece of legislation! Your solution is to break laws you don't like. Also perfectly Republican!
DeleteHave to laugh. People in Vermont don't take care of anything and pride themselves in it. I can't believe the amount of "crap cars" with no mufflers driving around. Bald tires with steel belts showing and rust over 75% of the cars. Half of these vehicles should not be on the road.
ReplyDeleteSorry Mr. Shannon, but Vt's low wages and high taxes creates a situation where there just may not be enough cash left for some folks to live up to your standards. You may be confusing pride with perseverance.
DeleteChuck, the problems you describe were covered by the old inspection system, and if you see them driving around then they very likely are not inspected. What this discussion is about is the new inspection system targeting non-safety related things, like "check engine light". Maybe you put a lot into your perfect vehicles, but automotive perfection isn't necessary, and the state should not require it.
DeleteC.S. your lack of pride claim is bizarre. My last new car was meticulously maintained. Frequent wash, wax, detailing and oil undercoat. Within seven years there was significant rust and the exhaust had already been replaced twice. With consideration of actual, cash value vs. $80/hr labor rates to make on-going, cosmetic rust repairs is a simple decision.
ReplyDeleteWant to make meaningful legislation? Greatly decrease or prohibit road salt. The impact on vehicles, bridge repairs and ground water accounts for tens of millions annually in Vermont. Understand most Western states use very effective, non toxic alternatives. Further, require manufactures to warranty 10 year rust through. Anti corrosion steel and electrolytic coatings are already employed in most premium, European vehicles. The minor added cost vs. life span increase is a non decision.
EXACTLY WHAT I WAS SAYING AT 8:18! The amount of road salt used here is ridiculous. They did the same thing in Illinois. After they got caught, and started laying down 1/3 the salt, people's cars lasted a whole lot longer, and the roads were just fine. There, it was a scam cooked up by crooked car dealers and a corrupt government. I don't know if that's the case here, but I think it's something to look at!
Delete@9:53, I couldn't agree more. The quantity of salt usage on Springfield streets and rural roads is beyond any measure of absurdity. I have tried to get a straight answer from both the public works director and selectman on what criteria governs salt usage. Both frequency and amount. Best I can gather is most every neighborhood has a resident that insists the roads are dangerous, demanding immediate plowing, sanding, salt, etc. If such, the policy of non essential appeasement must cease. Like to hear exact who in town government has that responsibility.
ReplyDeletePlowing and sanding are just fine. These things make roads safer. Salt rots our cars, and less can be used without compromising safety.
DeleteI would like to add that the state of South Carolina has abandoned their state inspections completely. also registration of utility trailers. The people refused for their state to be forced to meet California's requirements. California has a completely different climate which does not mix with the millions of cars on their freeway's!
ReplyDeleteHey Chuck how can you say Vermonters don't take their possessions. What state are you from anyway
ReplyDelete