HARDWICK – Changes to Vermont’s inspection requirements are set to take effect on August 1. Under a new state law, inspectors will fail vehicles only for an immediate safety risk, with owners being notified of any nonsafety issues.
The law took effect July 1, but the Vermont Department of Motor Vehicles reviewed the standards in its inspection manual and recently posted the August 1 changes on its website.
Tom Brochu of Mike’s Service Center in Hardwick says, “I don’t think it will be a huge change for us.” Brochu says the changes are still vague, as different mechanics have different inspection standards.
“It depends on whose opinion it is, my opinion is different than maybe Buddy Hay’s, or the Barclay boys down at Wildcat Busing. Some people will say, “that’s legal, I’ll pass it, others don’t,” he explained.
“They’re trying to focus more on safety, that’s always been the thing. Some of the other stuff, they’ve made advisories.”
The state has adjusted some requirements like tire pressure, however, Brochu says there are more changes he’d like to see.
For owners with a car sixteen years or older, a check engine light is no issue, as it is grandfathered in, but “How about twelve or thirteen [years] . . . around here, these cars aren’t even 8 to 10 years old, they’re already pretty [much] suffering.”
Again, much depends on the mechanic, said Brochu, “You see rigs that were inspected and were like, this wasn’t safe. Brake lines, underpinning rust. Some people say, a little rust on the rocker panels and they flunk it, some of that’s just cosmetic. You really have to look at the structure of the car.”
However, Brochu has seen some owners come in for a second opinion for inspection, ultimately saving them what could be costly and unnecessary part replacements or work.
“As long as I know the wheels are gonna roll, they’re going to stop, and they’re not going to fall off. That kind of thing, that to me, is the meat and potatoes in Vermont. We are in a salt belt. They dump so much salt that these cars today are just getting eaten up.”
Another issue Brochu noted is many simply choose not to inspect, “I think a lot of people are riding under that umbrella. People can’t afford a lot of stuff.”
Wolcott Rep. Dan Noyes, a Democrat who’s previously introduced legislation to do away with inspections altogether, said he hopes the revisions will begin to deliver the relief his constituents are asking for.
“I just think that it seems like it’s kind of gotten out of control over the years in terms of the burden it puts on people,” he said.
The new rules aim to pass vehicles that have minor cosmetic defects, hopefully assisting owners in saving on repair costs while still maintaining compliance with the state inspection safety requirements.
Raymonda Parchment is a Hardwick Gazette reporter. She recently graduated from Vermont State University - Castleton with a Bachelor’s Degree in English. She is a strong supporter of freedom of speech, and the right to publish information, opinions, and ideas without censorship or restraint. She is a lifelong lover of the written word, and is excited to join the team as a staff member.
