[After the Vermont Department of Motor Vehicles introduced an electronic vehicle inspection sstem in March 2017, many drivers began to notice an increase in inspection-related repair bills creeping. A backlash ensued.
The DMV’s guidelines haven’t changed, but a new, computerized system overrides mechanics’ ability to use “common sense” when considering minor violations.
The state has responded to complaints with new legislation, and a rewrite of inspection rules, aimed at relaxing certain restrictions. But those changes, if passed, likely won’t take effect until 2019 at the earliest.
In the meantime, drivers are left to deal with the impact of stricter requirements on repair bills.
On this week’s podcast, Ben Hewitt, who wrote a a commentary on the subject earlier this year, talks about how the changes have hurt low-income Vermonters. Vermont Tire and Service owner Mark Rochefort describes what he’s seen as the proprietor of a busy inspection station. And VTDigger’s Xander Landen runs through the next round of changes that the DMV hopes to roll out next year.
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