Senate bill would do away with vehicle inspection stickers (Center: middle-class, 2014)

[High_Plains_Retired]

Originally Posted by BigDGeek

You can thank Rick Perry and half a million Californians for that.

Yep! Everyone wants change but they never want to pay for it.

[doctorjef]

Originally Posted by Willsson

Worries me that they may try to sneak in something like the fiasco from years ago to have state run inspection stations. Eliminating the mom and pop shops, giving the state more direct control.

During my last several years in Texas I always used the little mom and pop shops, mostly one on South Lamar in Austin. They were much less likely to find something that allegedly needed doing than were service stations or dealerships, which at one time were the only options you had. However, to put this into perspective, I've gone through several state inspections now here in Delaware, where all vehicle inspections are done at the DMV. The system here works fine, and I've never been required to make any adjustments or get anything fixed. It also includes a test of the emissions system, which Texas certainly did not up to the time I moved away in 2004 (don't know what the situation is now, of course). However, it would hardly seem fair to put private inspection stations out of business and go to a state monopoly de novo. I'm sure that wouldn't happen. Further, if state inspections were to be handled as inefficiently as TDL renewals, it would be a nightmare. I must say that the DPS drivers license renewal places in TX are the worst I have experienced anywhere. Maybe they've improved, but I doubt it.

Years ago when I lived in Colorado there was no state inspection at all, at least on private passenger vehicles.

[High_Plains_Retired]

Originally Posted by doctorjef

Years ago when I lived in Colorado there was no state inspection at all, at least on private passenger vehicles.

New Mexico doesn't have a safety inspection but Bernalillio County (Albuquerque) does an emissions check every two years. No windshield stickers though.

[MrRational]

Most state "safety inspections" are a farce.
An actually thorough wheels off and check everything inspection done at turnover/sale can work well.

Most vehicles won't have anything to even look at before 10 years and/or after the second owner...
which is about when they really should be looked at.

[High_Plains_Retired]

Originally Posted by MrRational

Most state "safety inspections" are a farce.
An actually thorough wheels off and check everything inspection done at turnover/sale can work well.

Maryland made me do a wheels-off safety check on a 2-year truck when I took it from NM to MD. It ended up costing me over $1,200 in damage when the inspection mechanic tightened the axle nut too tight and it took out a spindle. No thanks.

[car957]

This is Texas. DPS won't do the inspections. The inspections will be awarded to the bidder that makes the highest campaign contributions to Gubnor Pretty Hair and the legislature. The cost will increase by 150% and the level of service will fall an equal amount.

[jeremy2788]

Originally Posted by doctorjef

During my last several years in Texas I always used the little mom and pop shops, mostly one on South Lamar in Austin. They were much less likely to find something that allegedly needed doing than were service stations or dealerships, which at one time were the only options you had. However, to put this into perspective, I've gone through several state inspections now here in Delaware, where all vehicle inspections are done at the DMV. The system here works fine, and I've never been required to make any adjustments or get anything fixed. It also includes a test of the emissions system, which Texas certainly did not up to the time I moved away in 2004 (don't know what the situation is now, of course). However, it would hardly seem fair to put private inspection stations out of business and go to a state monopoly de novo. I'm sure that wouldn't happen. Further, if state inspections were to be handled as inefficiently as TDL renewals, it would be a nightmare. I must say that the DPS drivers license renewal places in TX are the worst I have experienced anywhere. Maybe they've improved, but I doubt it.

Years ago when I lived in Colorado there was no state inspection at all, at least on private passenger vehicles.

Well now, thankfully, the let you renew your TDL online I believe.

[delongchampsnoir]

State Inspections are a tax on the Poor (people who have bad or old cars).

Inspections should be abolished.

[MrRational]

Originally Posted by High_Plains_Retired

Maryland made me do a wheels-off safety check on a 2-year truck when I took it from NM to MD

No plan is perfect.

It ended up costing me over $1,200 in damage when the inspection mechanic tightened
the axle nut too tight and it took out a spindle.

Is that the end of the story?

[High_Plains_Retired]

Originally Posted by MrRational

Is that the end of the story?

I ate the loss, took my promotions, then moved from Maryland as soon as I could. It was simply a lesson in life. End of that story.