The bill S.211 proposes to amend the current motor vehicle inspection requirements in Vermont by changing the frequency of inspections from annually to every two years. Specifically, it modifies 23 V.S.A. § 1222 to require that all registered motor vehicles, with the exception of school buses and certain motor buses, undergo a safety and visual emissions inspection every two years. Additionally, vehicles that are 16 model years old or less will also need to have an emissions or on-board diagnostic (OBD) systems inspection every two years.

Furthermore, the bill increases the fee for each inspection certificate issued by the Department of Motor Vehicles from $8.00 to $16.00, while exempting state and municipal inspection stations from this fee. It also establishes a transition provision stating that the next inspection month for all vehicles will be based on the current inspection certificate, with new certificates issued after July 1, 2026, reflecting a two-year interval from the inspection date. The act is set to take effect on July 1, 2026.

Statutes affected:
As Introduced: 23-1222, 23-1230