The bill HB 1637 proposes amendments to the state's motor vehicle laws, particularly focusing on vehicle inspections and equipment requirements. It removes the time constraints for inspection stations to perform vehicle inspections by prohibiting the department from requiring inspections within any minimum or maximum amount of time, and ensures that no penalties or audits will result from the time spent on inspections. The bill extends the grace period for newly registered vehicles and vehicles with ownership transfer to be inspected from 10 days to 30 days, and modifies the criteria for inspection failure due to headlamp conditions, allowing certain types of cracks and rust, provided they do not affect the light's color or brightness.

Furthermore, the bill clarifies that directional signals must meet specific functioning standards and that cracks in these signals or reflectors can be covered with color matching tape without causing inspection failure if moisture cannot penetrate. It also specifies the conditions under which brake pads, shoes, drums, or discs will fail inspection, including minimum lining thickness and the extent of mechanical damage. These changes to the inspection requirements aim to provide more flexibility to inspection stations and vehicle owners. The act is set to take effect 60 days after its passage.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 266:1, 266:1-a, 266:3-a, 266:31, 266:42, 266:43
As Amended by the House: 266:1, 266:5, 266:1-a, 266:31, 266:42, 266:43, 266:28
HB1637 text: 266:1, 266:1-a, 266:3-a, 266:31, 266:42, 266:43