The bill amends Section 31-38-1 of the General Laws in Chapter 31-38, which is titled "Inspection of Motor Vehicles." The amendment adds language that requires used cars for sale to have a new inspection sticker. Specifically, it mandates that no dealer of used vehicles can sell a used motor vehicle at retail unless a new inspection conforming to the standards set by the relevant chapters has been conducted and a new certificate of inspection is affixed to the windshield at the time of sale. However, there are exceptions to this requirement: used cars sold "for parts only" and clearly identified as such on the bill of sale, or vehicles purchased at the end of their lease term by the current lessee with a valid Rhode Island state inspection certificate at the time of sale.

The bill also specifies that these changes will take effect six months after the effective date of the act. The explanation provided by the Legislative Council clarifies that the act aims to exempt certain used vehicles, such as those sold for parts or those purchased by the current lessee at the end of a lease term with a valid inspection certificate, from the requirement of a new inspection prior to sale.

Statutes affected:
2480  as amended: 31-38-1
2480: 31-38-1