A local tradition comes to an end.....

This was in today's news....you folks that live in states that don't require vehicle inspections may not know how many games we have to play to keep an older car (>5 years old) on the road. Basically we are at the mercy of the inspection station to not find $700+ worth of 'problems' every year. The funniest thing is that each station might find different things wrong, so it currently pays to 'shop around', until you find someone willing to pass your car at a point to can afford. I took my '97 Rodeo to three stations in a hopeless effort to get it to pass this past fall. The good news is that you can still take it to a different station, unlike some states that hold your car ransom until you fix what they 'found'. Many driver's around here can entertain you with stories of what it took to get a car to pass. (ladies have it both the best and worst-depending on how savvy and/or creative they are) What sort of rules does your state have? Tom

BANGOR, Maine -- The tradition of Maine motorists shopping around in hopes of finding a mechanic who'll let a vehicle pass inspection is coming to an end.

A revision of the state's motor vehicle inspection rules this Friday will require mechanics who flunk a vehicle to remove half of the existing inspection sticker. That'll make the vehicle's failure clear to other mechanics -- and to police.

Another reason I love FL.

no emmissions testing here in louisiana

Glad I live in CO.

No "safety" inspections, and now they are sort of doing away with the emissions inspections. Now they are going to use road side vans to test as you drive past. If you fail it takes a pic of your licence plate. After a few fails you get a notice in the mail to get it fixed and then have to take it in for a regular inspection.

I failed my first emissions test last month due to a "mass exhaust leak." So I went ahead and replaced the muffler (rusted through) and threw a $2 exhaust wrap around the flex pipe (and sheared off a couple rusted bolts that held the skidplate on). I let her warm up a good bit and went to the testing location (~1.5 miles). Took a left at a light and there was a police officer standing in the median doing a seatbelt check. So there I am, on West Main Street, covered in rust, grease and whathaveyou waiting for backup because I am a "bigger" guy.

Long story short, I was 6 minutes past closing time (1:00 on Sat) in getting to the testing location = no test. What's worse, I had to drive up to VT to school the following day and now have to wait until I return to jerry-rig the flex pipe and try again... at least they refund the $20 if you don't pass :) .