NHTSA recently published in the Federal Register amendments to the Highway Safety Program Guidelines for states, which seeks expanded state-level vehicle inspection programs.
NHTSA’s proposal calls for every state to have a periodic vehicle inspection program and require vehicle owners to correct potentially dangerous conditions in order to reduce the number of on-highway accidents.
According to NHTSA’s proposed guidelines, a state inspection program should provide, at a minimum:
• Every vehicle registered in the state is inspected at the time of initial registration and on a periodic basis thereafter as determined by the state based on evidence of the effectiveness of inspection programs.
• The inspection is performed by competent personnel specifically trained to perform their duties and certified by the state.
• The inspection covers systems, subsystems and components having substantial relation to safe vehicle performance.• Each inspection station maintains records in a form specified by the state.
• The state publishes summaries of records of all inspection stations at least annually, including tabulations by make and model of vehicle.
• The program should be periodically evaluated by the state, and NHTSA should be provided with an evaluation summary.
