Periodic vehicle inspection (USA only please)

concours

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Always had it in the Northeast. A pain in the arse for rusty old cars..

But, what about the "subjectivity" of vehicle condition as determined roadside by NON mechanics?
Most LEO's (because of their young age) have never seen or heard of 2-strokes, certainly not understanding they are SUPPOSED to smoke. And vintage four strokes that came from the factory with loud exhaust.

How is it in non-inspection states?
 
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Always had it in the Northeast. A pain in the arse for rusty old cars..

But, what about the "subjectivity" of vehicle condition as determined roadside by NON mechanics?
Most LEO's (because of theirage) have never seen or heard of 2-strokes, certainly not understanding they are SUPPOSED to smoke.

How is it in non-inspection states?
We are in "limbo" at present. New laws for bikes say smog check, but only 10% of the inspection stations have the equipment, so they're waiving that provision at present. Thus, I have breezed thru a few title apps on old bikes, and NEED to do the same with 6 more PRONTO!
 
GP, We're headed in the opposite direction.
For 10+ years, my motorcycles sound levels (and FORK RAKE!) were checked with calibrated equipment in controlled settings. The displayed "sticker" took any roadside discussion about the vehicle off the table.
Going forward, it will be more of someone's opinion....
We currently only plug in OBD on cars, NO bikes, no matter how new/old
 
Unless the patrol cars have testing equipment you should be ok ?
Here in NY they're after aftermarket pipes. Some dealerships refusing to test the bikes even though they sold you the pipes.
Also indicators, they tried to fail one of my older bikes on signals because there wasn't any. When I schooled them that it should be exempt they passed it.
I try and deal with the same place to keep familiar with the staff, it helps a lot
 
Here in NY they're after aftermarket pipes. Some dealerships refusing to test the bikes even though they sold you the pipes.
All the more reason to ALWAYS keep the original parts (including airbox).

Swap it back to OEM, get it tested (and passed), then put your custom stuff back on.
 
I've never had a vehicle inspected. The fine is $5, never had to pay one either. As far as I know, as long as your lights and brakes work and you have no holes in your tires or frame you are OK (no OBD check on older vehicles)
 
In NYC you’ll easily get towed without an inspection. A car won’t but a bike will. It’s easy revenue for the city. Tow fee, storage fee etc
 
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Efective 1-1-2026
 
Here in The Peoples Republic of New Germany AKA New Jersey they stopped doing safety inspections on passenger vehicles in 2010. They also stopped inspecting motorcycles. MC's only had a safety inspection prior to that, no emissions. Prior to 2010 MC's had to have mufflers or baffles, I would just take my bikes to the local HD dealer where they knew me and they would slap a sticker on my MC's.

The State has had free vehicle inspection stations forever. Today cars and p/u trucks older than 1996 no longer require any type of inspection, emissions or safety because they have no OBD plug under the dash. You only pay an annual registration fee. About $68 for p/u and $35 for cars.

Cars P/U's newer than 1996 only have emissions testing every other year. If you have a check engine light you automatically fail. M/C's just annual registration.
If you buy a new car it isn't inspected for emissions until it is 5 years old, no safety, just emissions.

If you register your 25year or older M/C as Historic you only pay a registration fee every 4 years, I forget what it is < $50. Mileage and usage is restricted.

Anyway CONCOURS, now that I have thoroughly confused everyone, but you asked...........:)
 
Here in The Peoples Republic of New Germany AKA New Jersey they stopped doing safety inspections on passenger vehicles in 2010. They also stopped inspecting motorcycles. MC's only had a safety inspection prior to that, no emissions. Prior to 2010 MC's had to have mufflers or baffles, I would just take my bikes to the local HD dealer where they knew me and they would slap a sticker on my MC's.

The State has had free vehicle inspection stations forever. Today cars and p/u trucks older than 1996 no longer require any type of inspection, emissions or safety because they have no OBD plug under the dash. You only pay an annual registration fee. About $68 for p/u and $35 for cars.

Cars P/U's newer than 1996 only have emissions testing every other year. If you have a check engine light you automatically fail. M/C's just annual registration.
If you buy a new car it isn't inspected for emissions until it is 5 years old, no safety, just emissions.

If you register your 25year or older M/C as Historic you only pay a registration fee every 4 years, I forget what it is < $50. Mileage and usage is restricted.

Anyway CONCOURS, now that I have thoroughly confused everyone, but you asked...........:)


Not confusing at all. We have a bunch of similar exceptions.
 
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So, exhaust noise is whatever you want in NJ? I drive through a LOT, seen a lot of crazy shit🤠
My favorite was at 5:30AM, bottom end of the NJTP, I'm cruising 80something in my TDI VW, a guy on a Suzuki RG500 goes by at a buck-million, no plate, just the smell of two-stroke.. 🥳🏁😎
 
No , no inspections of any kind on motorcycles. They are supposed to be registered and insured. Cops usually don't pursue them for speeding and things like that. More and more I see unregistered dirt bikes and quads rolling down the road Riding wheelies and doing all kinds of stunts in broad daylight. Unbelievable.
 
Dirt bikes and quads can usually leave the road and flee across a field. Plod is on the back foot and will end up
looking silly if he tries to do much. And if he calls in back up it costs money and is a hassle and he likely doesn't care anyway.
 
I have mixed feelings about NH state inspections. After 30 years of selling car and heavy truck parts Ive seen every bodge and halfassed repair you can imagine. (No, duct tape wont fix your blown brake hose). Also seen where the state would send inspectors around to shops to see if they had the proper equipment to do a vehicle inspection. Inspectors were subcontractors, and the tools they were sent to check on usually had a half inch of dust on them. Case in point, more than one motorcycle inspection station in my town had the same wheel truing stand (mine?) on hand when the inspector got there because the state required one. The state took what should have been a saftey issue and turned it into a money making issue.
 
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I have mixed feelings about NH state inspections. After 30 years of selling car and heavy truck parts Ive seen every bodge and halfassed repair you can imagine. (No, duct tape wont fix your blown brake hose). Also seen where the state would send inspectors around to shops to see if they had the proper equipment to do a vehicle inspection. Inspectors were subcontractors, and the tools they were sent to check on usually had a half inch of dust on them. Case in point, more than one motorcycle inspection station in my town had the same wheel truing stand (mine?) on hand when the inspector got there because the state required one. The state took what should have been a saftey issue and turned it into a money making issue.
That's because corrupt bureaucrats wrote the rules.
 
No , no inspections of any kind on motorcycles. They are supposed to be registered and insured. Cops usually don't pursue them for speeding and things like that. More and more I see unregistered dirt bikes and quads rolling down the road Riding wheelies and doing all kinds of stunts in broad daylight. Unbelievable.
Yep, every day now, in our HOA neighborhood. They are private properties, NOT city streets, so NO COPS, unless serious crime is happening. Kids doing wheelies and bouncing off cars is NOT "serious", apparently....
 
Yep, every day now, in our HOA neighborhood. They are private properties, NOT city streets, so NO COPS, unless serious crime is happening. Kids doing wheelies and bouncing off cars is NOT "serious", apparently....
GPZ glad to hear you are alive and well. Texas Flood by SRV.
 
That's because corrupt bureaucrats wrote the rules.
Trouble is, executing a workable plan of corruption takes some cunning and intellect.

So, is it corruption or plain old incompetence? That’s the questions I’m almost always asking of politicians and bureaucrats over here.

And it’s a bit of a catch 22 as I always find myself thinking that neither fits, ie they’re way too dumb to have the required intellect for a deceitful / corrupt plan and yet also, how could anyone be so stupid as to believe that their hare brained ideas are the right thing to do ?!

Of course, there is a third option… they really are THAT evil… and I’m beginning to wonder…
 
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Politicians two kinds: true believers and those looking to make some money. True believers take the money because they need to further their zealotry. Those looking to feather their nest use virtue signalling to cover their tracks and to excuse their misdeeds.
How many of us (include myself) will look the other way, keep quiet, go along to get along etc when it comes to maintaining their job and their hoped for pension.
Human nature has a lot to answer for.
 
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