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Does your state require periodic car inspections and how do you feel about them?
January 31, 2026, 04:48 PM
6gunsDoes your state require periodic car inspections and how do you feel about them?
In SC, car inspections are not required. I appreciate the gov not getting involved in this as I've lived in other states where this was required and it seemed lots of money was made off this requirement and for what good?
When I lived in IN, emissions tests were required after the car was so many years old...four I think, but then, only required every other year. And that was only in the two northwestern counties in the state.
What are your thoughts about car inspections?
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January 31, 2026, 04:50 PM
HRKNope and nope..... nothing good ever came of it, you want to see excessive auto enforcement look at the EU what people have to do to get a MOT in the UK for example.
January 31, 2026, 04:51 PM
SigmundNone in Iowa, works for me.
January 31, 2026, 04:52 PM
MRMATTOnce a year in PA. It's a ripoff.
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January 31, 2026, 04:53 PM
FenderBenderHere in Nevada we only smog cars 4+ years and older, and only in Clark(Las Vegas) and Washoe(Reno) Counties. it is every year but it's an OBD2 check and that's all. I find it practical.
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January 31, 2026, 04:59 PM
aileronNada in Montana
January 31, 2026, 05:02 PM
ZSMICHAELThey discontinued inspections ten years ago. All they checked was the horn,wipers and windshield. Everyone learned that a local station would pass anybody. It cost five bucks for the sticker and the state got half.
January 31, 2026, 05:08 PM
Opus DeiNot in Texas, now. The world didn't end, and cars didn't self-destruct any more than usual.
January 31, 2026, 05:16 PM
IntrepidTravelerquote:
Originally posted by Opus Dei:
Not in Texas, now. The world didn't end, and cars didn't self-destruct any more than usual.
Not strictly true. I moved there ~3Y ago. When transferring registration, a safety inspection is necessary. And smog is required in the heavily populated counties.
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OrgussI’m surprised California doesn’t do inspections along with the smog checks. The government certainly seems to hate the car culture.
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architectVA has a safety inspection where they look at tires, brakes, lights, etc. Newer cars can get a three year sticker, older ones two, or even one year.
Some areas of the Commonwealth also require an annual emissions inspection. They read the OBD2 for this, and there is a drive-by option where they have instruments on the side of (usually) an exit ramp, and a plate camera. Putting a car on a dyno and actually measuring tailpipe emissions is rare, but they will do this for cars w/o OBD. Having antique tags gets you a pass on emissions, but come with their own restrictions (no commuting, driving only to and from events, etc.)
Inspection stations are usually privately-owned car repair facilities, not Govt. owned like in some States, but VDOT/VSP does do periodic surprise inspections of the facilities, and reviews the paperwork submissions, which is all done electronically. You cannot register a car that doesn't have up-to-date inspections, and they update these records within a couple of hours of them having been done.
January 31, 2026, 05:33 PM
hberttmankWe had safety inspections a long time ago but no emissions testing. We have not had them for years.
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Tn226When I lived in Norfolk (Navy) years ago, part of the inspection was headlight alignment. If anyone ever got out without coughing up $25, in addition to the inspection fee, to have them “realigned”, I never met them.
January 31, 2026, 05:44 PM
r0guePA does. I feel relatively ok with this, but I feel like new cars should get a few years of exemption. I also feel any car on the roads in snow should require winter treads, so this is in keeping with my belief that freedom stops when one's stupidity puts me at risk.
January 31, 2026, 05:45 PM
.38supersigMaybe IN was keeping the inspections around looking for rusty Toyotas.
We don't have any inspections locally, but they have them in the metro areas of the big shitty.
January 31, 2026, 05:49 PM
Steve in PAOnce a year here in PA. Keeps junk vehicles off the street. There used to be many “lick it and stick it” garages where the driver just paid the mechanic money and a new sticker was put on the windshield.
I investigated car crashes or pulled someone over for a traffic violation and there was no way this vehicle ever passed an inspection.
Steve
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January 31, 2026, 05:54 PM
WCCPHDNC does. Its a boondoggle pushed by the "inspection shops."
January 31, 2026, 05:56 PM
rtquigWe have inspection once a year in New Jersey. They plug in to the OBDII, that's it.
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January 31, 2026, 06:02 PM
ridewvInspections in WV are every two years now, they used to be every damn year. I believe it costs $14. I try not to let them expire on my car and truck but I seldom bother with inspections for the motorcycles, in fact I think all are expired.
No emission checks thankfully.
I wish they'd do away with them but every time the legislature tries, a lobby of inspection station owners show up with stories of unsafe vehicles they caught with bald tires, worn out brakes, dangerous exhaust leaks, Bubba with tires sticking 6" beyond the truck, etc. I guess going to 2 years was a compromise.
No car is as much fun to drive, as any motorcycle is to ride.
January 31, 2026, 06:07 PM
WaterburyBobJust emissions inspections here.
Totally useless.
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