Laws in USA/State on Roadworthyness

[Alastair]

Just curious as to the Laws on vehicle roadworthyness in the USA and do they vary between States...?

In UK, we have yearly Test called MOT which checks all safety related stuff..

Fail your MOT here and its illegal to use until repaired and re-tested....

Looking at some of the renovation and other threads, Ive seen vehicles that are apparently roadworthy and 'Legal to use' that would be considered basket cases here with regards corrosion, and definately NOT 'MOT' able!

What are the rules in your State with regards chassis/body rot etc...?

[t walgamuth]

They vary.

We used to have an inspection law here in Indiana but now you can pretty much drive any piece o' Crapola you can get to move on its own power!

[cth350]

lots and lots of variations. Pennsylvania will check body rust very carefully. NY won't look carefully. Never did try to get a car without a floor inspected, but plenty of rocker panel holes get by. -CTH

[alabbasi]

In Texas there is a yearly state inspection for safety and emissions. 1996+ cars use OBDII for emissions, anything from 1986-1996 uses a dyno and cars older then 1986 will just get a safety inspection.

In Georgia, it's similar except there is no safety or emissions inspection for any car over 25 years old (beautiful thing).

I don't think any state has anything close to being as stringent as the UK MOT.

[have mercy]

Lucky for people who live in MD.they only have to get inspection 1 time .But it crazy I have sean car's turned down for the rear mirrow not clear enought .Never drive a car in MD.with out a floor board. Or It will be towed. And never every go to an inspection station in MD are you will walk home. WV. inspects every year, stay in the car show insurance card and reg. and they walk around check lights,horn $12 and thet will see you next year.

[250 Coupe]

In Washington State, the only inspection I've ever had was for emissions and once my car was old enough, even that was no longer required. The State Patrol does inspect cars that are brought into the state without a valid title but that may be more about stolen vehicles than roadworthyness.

Michael

[loepke72]

The TX state inspection really isn't all that strict; lights and brakes have to work, windshield wipers, horn, tires with tread, things like that. Body condition is not an inspection point unless it affects one of the safety items. Window tint that is too dark (measured with some sort of electronic device) is cause for failure. In Illinois where I used to live, there is no safety inspection, but they emission test everything 1968 and newer in the emission counties. Safety wise, anything goes up there unless you get pulled over for something.

Our inspections here are like nothing like I've read about regarding TUV, MOT, or the Japanese Shaken, probably the strictest of all, where minor body damage or a ripped seat is cause for failure.

[Alastair]

Wow...

As an Ex MOT 'Nominated Tester'--

This is really quite facinating to me to see the differences between our Countries with regards to this issue--Amazing to think some States dont have any yearly checks at all!...

Keep 'em coming!

For those of you curious about UK yearly MOT, check out here...

http://www.motester.co.uk/

[bwostosh]

In Kalifornia, no official inspection,
You can be reported to DMV for visible tailpipe emissions by anyone with a phone.
Smog check every two years, for newer cars (not mine older than 1972)
Dents, rust, mobile junk seems to be OK.
Stinky cars from Baja are here with no regulation.
Kinda strange, too many cars all over the place,
Yeah I contribute to that problem.

[m4ff3w]

Originally Posted by alabbasi

In Texas there is a yearly state inspection for safety and emissions. 1996+ cars use OBDII for emissions, anything from 1986-1996 uses a dyno and cars older then 1986 will just get a safety inspection.

That varies by county as well. I live in Bexar (San Antonio) and we have no emissions test.

[alabbasi]

As I get older, I find myself changing my opinion on this topic and I now have to say that the MOT is a pain in the back and total overkill. It's not a good indicator of condition given that a car can fail because of a faulty bulb or headlights that are out of alignment. Furthermore, in my teens and early 20's when I did not know too much about cars, I bought some real ***** boxes while living in London. All of them came with 12 months MOT.

[Squiggle Dog]

I lived in Utah and they were really strict about the yearly inspections (unless you knew someone who would pass you without looking at the car). You weren't supposed to have any rust holes in the floors, all brakes had to be inspected, etc. Then I moved to Washington state where older vehicles don't need to pass inspections at all.

[JohnM.]

Emissions inspections every 2 years in Colorado for anything newer than 1958. No safety/mechanical inspections.

[Chas H]

Pennsylvania has a thorough mechanical/safety inspection every year. The car is put on a lift and the wheels are removed. Steering and supension are inspected, brakes and tires are measured for wear and the chassis inspected for rust damage. Cars in large cities and surrounding counties get the enhanced emissions inspection, other areas get a simple sniff test.
At one time the mechanical/safety inspection was twice a year.

[Skid Row Joe]

Originally Posted by alabbasi

In Texas there is a yearly state inspection for safety and emissions. 1996+ cars use OBDII for emissions, anything from 1986-1996 uses a dyno and cars older then 1986 will just get a safety inspection.

Unless the law has changed, in Texas, there are only a handful of select counties (large population centers) that require the exhaust emission annual testing. All diesel-powered vehicles in ALL counties in Texas do not require emissions testing. It's considerably less cost for the annual inspection of a diesel as well. All my vehicles are diesel - and maintained as Texas registration because of insurance costs.