Inspection laws, PA

Say Hello to my little friend!

Yeah, that last post came out a little weird. I just didn't want to throw the shops name around. They are legit and not just a lick and stick. However, they know the rules and can tell a safe homemade / modified car from a non-safe car.

They are good enough to and do restore TVR, Lotus, and Porsche. They also work on anything else that comes in from Dump trucks to E30s.

curtis73 wrote: I don't wish to limit my mileage so I'll have to look into those different plates carefully.

That is a tricky part. Although no specific mileage limit is mentioned, the stated permitted use on the form is specific: "Permitted use shall be limited to participation in club activities, exhibits, tours, parades, occasional transportation and similar uses. Occasional transportation and similar uses is defined as one day a week." (That last part is in bold type on the form)

Collectible vehicles discribed in the 8-12 version of MV-11 also state the car must be in "show" condition as depicted in the photographs - so it looks like "works in progress" need not apply. Maybe if you call it a "rat rod" you get an exemption?

Ranger50 wrote:

cutter67 wrote: i think inspections are good and every state should have them

Inspections are only as good as the person performing them. After working in an inspection state, WV, as just a lowly parts guy, the amount of fleecing that goes on is astronomical. Especially when it's a bad bulb found on inspection. That $3 bulb would cost at least $50 repair to get the inspection sticker. F inspections.

nissan dealer here tried to charge me 65 bucks per for a brake light and license plate light that was found to be inop at my last inspection. i said no thanks i'll go buy my own 1.39 bulb and install it myself.

In reply to Strizzo:

Normally, it's the wife who doesn't have a clue and the husband doesn't either, "Just fix it.", but they need the sticker to get their tags that day. I also saw where the customer got pressured into the sale by saying things like, "unsafe to drive", "can't let you leave", and "it is my butt on the line".

Ian F wrote: Collectible vehicles discribed in the 8-12 version of MV-11 also state the car must be in "show" condition as depicted in the photographs - so it looks like "works in progress" need not apply.

As well modified. The weenies there in Harrisburg seem to think show condition means oem stock, as they determine oem stock to be. Took my father nearly two years going around and around with them over his violations. Incorrect hubcaps (oem correct actually), incorrect wheels, damaged grill, rusty rear bumper, non-factory trailer hitch, etc.

I suggested he take some pictures of a show Mustang and send them in, but he was stubborn. I kinda suspect he torqued someone off there, the way they ragged on him.

i dont have any problems getting plates. 2 years that is crazy. in Pittsburgh i use Jack Maggs Agency on RT 51 South Hills. I walk in there and they take care of all the paperwork he is electronic and a messager service. i have been using him for 30 years and never was denied a plate.

this is true also with inspections. i dont have problems with modified parts but my parts are not home made. in Pa as long as there is no rust holes into passenger compartment it will pass now.

maybe i am crazy but i dont think the condition PA asks for your car to be in to pass inspection is unreasonable. what the shop charges a person to repair something has nothing to do with the inspection go somewhere else or do it yourself

foxtrapper wrote:

Ian F wrote: Collectible vehicles discribed in the 8-12 version of MV-11 also state the car must be in "show" condition as depicted in the photographs - so it looks like "works in progress" need not apply.

As well modified. The weenies there in Harrisburg seem to think show condition means oem stock, as they determine oem stock to be. Took my father nearly two years going around and around with them over his violations. Incorrect hubcaps (oem correct actually), incorrect wheels, damaged grill, rusty rear bumper, non-factory trailer hitch, etc. I suggested he take some pictures of a show Mustang and send them in, but he was stubborn. I kinda suspect he torqued someone off there, the way they ragged on him.

After a second rejection he should have contacted his state rep's office and ask them to look into it. The nonsense usually stops when the rep's office calls to see what the problem is.

When I added my F100 they refused me because of a bumper sticker on it and the NC inspection sticker in the windshield (sorta wanted to keep that). Then they refused it because of the trailer hitch. Remove hitch, take photo, reinstall hitch. Did they really expect me not to? Idiots.

In reply to Strizzo:

Personally, I always do a pre-inspection on my own prior to taking the car in, making sure all of the lights work, the brakes are within spec and tires are over the wear limits.

Funny one should mention taking photos of another car. If I were to get classic or antique tags for my 1800ES, I plan to take pictures of my g/f's, which is identical down to the color, but is completely stock. My car won't be stock...

I've also been considering talking to my local state rep. Especially since I voted for her...

In reply to Ian F:

I think what you mean to say was you are restoring yours to look identical to your girl friends car, completely stock.

In reply to Rob_Mopar:

Umm... Yeah... That's it.

Someone make sure to post if they get classic tags with no pics. Very interesting.

Ian F wrote:

curtis73 wrote: I don't wish to limit my mileage so I'll have to look into those different plates carefully.

Occasional transportation and similar uses is defined as one day a week." (That last part is in bold type on the form)

Yeah... I'll probably put 8k a year on it. It will be more or less a daily driver/RV tug except in the winter.

In a way, I think it'll depend on the police habits in your area. Around here, it seems they really don't give a crap. Granted, although I live in PA, I spend most of my driving time in NJ.

I grew up in Pa. but moved around while in the Navy. Several states I've lived in had some kind of inspection program. YET, it always seems like a few clunkers manage to get through. Of course, I also see cars with expired license plates on the road. (This weekend I was behind a car from a Mid-Western state....while driving in Fl. and the plate was 6 months past expiration.) A few years ago, I regularly drove to work along a route in which I would often run into a car with a paper/temp plate that was YEARS out of date.

A few years ago, I went to get my 280Z inspected, and until the attendant failled my car I had no idea the headlight dimmer switch was not working correctly. (It would stay on low beams, although the dash light said it was working.)

Inspections are a pain, in states where they are done ONLY in conjunction with smog checks they are bogus, but the way folks DON'T maintain their vehicles makes me think they should be necessary.