Your thoughts on vehicle inspections?

[Susan]

I walked into a local business today to get my vehicle inspected and they asked me if I had a reservation. Had been there twice before and had good service so I thought I would try them again. Is this a new thing? Needing a reservation?

I called another business asking if they had time to inspect. They did have time but no May stickers yet. I went there anyway and had an oil change. She noticed my back window rolled up slowly and was told my vehicle wouldn't pass inspection if they didn't all roll up and down. It gets worse but I will stop here.

It sounds like b.s. to me. What say you?

[PauHana]

The tablet prints the sticker on site. They don't have to go and get stickers anymore.
I was told the State has undercover agents who visit inspection stations with faulty cars,and if they are passed the garage is cited.
On reservations, imagine having to stop what you are working on and wash up because someone drives up for an inspection. So you just spent half an hour to make $15. Now you have to get back to where you left off, you crawl under the car and someone drives up for an inspection. This happens off and on all day and then the owner of the car you are working on calls "why isn't it fixed yet?"
I know two guys who just quit doing inspections "not worth the humbug"
FYI
During the 1970's inspection stations went on strike because the State started also requiring the wheels be removed and the brakes checked , the fee was $5. The garage kept $4. The State backed down because no one could get their car inspected .
The chains are using inspections to sell more services, but the small shops are probably loosing money on them.

[leilanidude]

A "certified" tech is only allowed to submit a few inspections per hour now. This is why most places require a reservation.
Sounds like one of the places you went to was Lex Brodies - avoid them like the plague.

[kalakoa]

Is this a new thing? Needing a reservation?

State believes the safety check requires 30 minutes, so no inspector is allowed to issue more than 2 safety stickers per hour.

wouldn't pass inspection if they didn't all roll up and down

Every season has a different focus. I got "windows" 2 years ago.

[Obie]

The only window that is required to roll down is the drivers side front window.The stated reason for that window having to work is so the driver can make hand signals.
It doesn't have to roll up !
It can also be broken and missing as long as there are no jagged pieces of glass visible,so all you have to do is borrow a hammer and break it out.

[seekir]

The new protocols seem excessive and unnecessary to me. Condensation in a cracked tail-light, faded tint on amber turn-signal bulbs, camper-shell lights not wired, these are a few things that my inspector flagged on my 2003 truck. Not because he was detail-obsessive IMO, but because the state now requires him to be much more thorough than in the past and take photos. I'm a bit surprised inspectors can profit doing the inspections myself. The changes make it considerably more difficult to get inspections on time, and I'm guessing that ticket are being issued at a much higher rate.

[HereOnThePrimalEdge]

I'm guessing that ticket are being issued at a much higher rate.

There do seem to be less of the giant-tires-protruding-from-the-wheel-well trucks driving in front of me on the road.

[birdmove]

Noone has ever checked any window rollup and down function in my truck. Here is exactly what they have checked:headlights, taillights, brake lights, turn signal lights, horn. That's it. I would guess they glance at the windshield for cracks. They never look under the vehicle.

Jon in Keaau/HPP

[kalakoa]

less of the giant-tires-protruding-from-the-wheel-well trucks

The upside of pictures: people can't claim "but it passed safety like that!"

[Seeb]

I had to duct tape all the rust holes on my truck last time