Vehicle Inspection Laws
Every country has its own rules and processes of ensuring the roadworthiness of vehicles that operate within their jurisdiction. This type of regulation serves different purposes in different countries, but mostly as a safeguard against accidents and environmental problems caused by air and noise pollution.
Vehicle inspection is a government’s way of checking a vehicle to make sure that it conforms to the country’s standards on safety and/or emissions. These inspections vary in interval, from annually to anywhere between two to ten years. Depending on the country, the inspection can coincide with the transfer of title to a vehicle or annually after the vehicle has reached a certain number of years running.
To better understand how vehicle inspection around the world is performed, we gathered the following information and presented it according to region, starting with the Americas.
Vehicle Inspection in the Americas
Canada makes use of two types of vehicle inspections: emission testing, which is done bi-annually through a third-party contractor (a private emission testing center); and the safety testing program conducted annually, bi-annually, or upon car purchase and prior to its registration, depending on the province. Provinces are free to decide as to whether or not to require vehicle inspections, and only select territories impose both types of vehicle inspection.
The system is somewhat similar in the United States wherein state governments are free to decide on the conduct vehicle inspection as well as to its specifications. The country holds emission tests periodically in accordance to the Clean Air Act of 1990, while safety inspections are done annually or bi-annually depending on the state. These inspections are done by the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) or private testing centers duly approved by the state’s Department of Transportation.
Meanwhile, in Brazil, vehicles undergo safety inspection as well as emission levels and noise levels. The government accredits private companies to conduct these tests. Once vehicles pass the inspection, the government issues them an electronic stamp associated with the vehicle’s license plate. This makes it easier for the government to identify those vehicles that are due for annual inspection.
Vehicle Inspection in Asia
China requires new vehicles to pass safety regulations on the day they are manufactured while emission levels are monitored and offenders penalized by the police. Each province/economic region/city has the responsibility to regulate and enforce its rules on vehicle inspection.
Japan has a system called “shaken” where vehicles are required for inspection three years after they are manufactured, and every two years thereafter.
Safety and emissions tests are done annually on all vehicles in Singapore, starting on a vehicle’s third model year. Public transportation, such as buses and taxicabs, are inspected annually or semi-annually depending on a vehicle’s age.
Inspections take a different form in Turkey; aside from a safety inspection scheme that adheres to the European Council’s directive 96/96/EC, the government also conducts administrative checks to make sure a vehicle’s taxes are paid as well as a visual check to ensure that the car matches the documents.
Vehicle Inspection in the European Union
In December 1996, the European Union released its directive 96/96/EC which contains a mandate requiring all member states to conduct periodic safety and emission tests for motor vehicles. The directive placed minimum requirements for each category of vehicle. Private cars with up to 8 seats and light commercial vehicles up to 3.5 tons are required to have their first inspection within the its first 4 years and every 2 years thereafter. Other types of vehicles such as buses, vans, trucks, ambulances, etc. are required to be inspected annually, while military vehicles and fire trucks are exempt from routine inspection.
Vehicle Inspection in Oceania
Australia allows each state to lay down its rules and regulations regarding vehicle inspection, which consist of emission and safety tests conducted periodically or prior to transfer of vehicle ownership.
In New Zealand, licensed inspectors conduct annual inspections on vehicles up to six years old, while older cars, heavy vehicles, and rental cars are inspected twice a year and issued a Certificate of Fitness by the New Zealand Transport Agency.
As a responsible car owner, make sure that you adhere to the safety and emissions testing and other traffic regulations implemented by your country or state. Drive safe!
Source: the car accident attorneys at SOSPersonalInjury.org.
