CHARLESTON — Kanawha County Sen. Mike Stuart says he hopes Gov. Jim Justice looks favorably on a bill that includes a proposal to change required vehicle safety inspections in West Virginia from the current annual requirement to once every two years.
Stuart’s original bill, SB 254, passed the state Senate earlier in the 60-day session but was folded into another bill dealing with classic cars in the final hours of the session. The combined bill, HB 2310, is awaiting the governor’s decision.
Stuart, during an appearance on MetroNews “Talkline” said he hoped the bill would become law soon.
“We’re one of only 19 states that even has an annual vehicle inspection. A lot of people think this is ordinary across the country, it’s not at all,” Stuart, R-Kanawha, said. “There are 10 states that don’t have any inspection requirements and there are five states that it’s two years.”
Some other states require other kinds of inspections, such as emissions.
Stuart said the bill doesn’t change anything having to do with the safety of a person’s vehicle.
“It still has to be in good working order every single day. It just makes it much more convenient for consumers,” Stuart said.
The annual price of an inspection plus the sticker is $14. The bill puts the price at $19 every two years.
Stuart said he doesn’t believe the change will hurt mechanics who do a lot of inspection work.
The change in inspections, if approved, wouldn’t take place until 2024.
