Especially the latter! Old enough to risk one's life and possibly take
another life, but not old enough to drink?

Joyce

We are going to have to do something about your friend Bob in Michigan.  We
really aren't all a bunch of lame brained yahoos over on this side of the
pond.

We do have different rules in each state, but they are similar.  You
register your car in the state where you live, and all the other states will
recognize that.  Everywhere I've lived you have to have proof of insurance
to get your yearly car registration.  Some states require more inspection
than others, but the police in any state can stop a car that is unsafe and
require that it be fixed or taken off the road.  In most states you have an
emissions inspection on cars once a year to get the registration.

We do have problems with cars that are on the road illegally, with no
insurance or with expired insurance.  And problems with unlicensed drivers.
I suspect that happens all over the world.

Jo

Vehicle inspections in the US are governed by state law.  Most
states require them at least annually.  I'm surprised that
Michigan is one of the "road bomb" states.

When I moved to Nova Scotia, I was surprised that it costs $15 a year
to have a car checked over for roadworthiness.

There was no such test in Ontario.

Now, we had a truck at our airfield in Wingham which was a piece of
crap and not roadworthy, so there is a law in Ontario about poorly
maintained vehicles not being allowed on roads.  (If we flew out of
another airfield, we had to put our truck onto a wagon and TOW it
there.)  We finally had to give up the truck when our airfield became
"public" property as opposed to private, and therefore the road laws
applied to the airfield as well, making the truck illegal to operate
there.

I guess they just don't force everyone to prove their vehicle's not a
sh!tmobile every year.  It's more like if you're caught driving a
sh!tmobile, you're the one who's in sh!t.

--Fil

Your friend Bob has misinformed you.  Our cars have to pass a yearly road
inspection test that includes:

Seat Belts

Inspect for proper operation and anchorage.
Model years 1969 and newer - one seat belt is required for each seating
position.
Model years 1967 and 1968 - two front seat belts are required (driver
position included), and one seat belt is required for each seating position
elsewhere in the vehicle.
Model years 1965 and 1966 - two front seat belts are required (driver
position included).

Brakes
(At least one front wheel must be removed to inspect brakes.)

Brake pedal reserve - brake pedal must have 1/3 reserve.
Brake pedal fade - brake must hold for one minute without fading.
Power brake unit - check for damage.
Brake master cylinder - check for leakage and proper fluid level.
Disc brake pads - check condition.
Drum brake linings - thickness of linings must be at least 1/16 inch on
bonded linings or at least 1/32 inch over rivet head on riveted linings,
with no loose or missing rivets or lining.
Brake drums and/or rotors - check condition.
Wheel cylinders and/or calipers - check for leakage.
All brake lines and hoses - check for leaks, cracks, improper support,
flattened, etc.
Parking brake - check for components and function.
Brake equalization - test vehicle for a straight stop without significant
wheel pull.

STEERING, FRONT END, SUSPENSION, CHASSIS, FRAME, WHEEL FASTENERS

Front end assembly - check condition.
Steering wheel play - check for excessive freeplay.
All steering linkage - check for tightness or binding, excessive wear and/or
looseness in parts, including idler arm, center control arm, tie-rod ends,
drag link ends, steering and pitman arms gear box, cross shafts, bushings,
wheel bearings, steering column or steering wheel shaft mounting.
Power steering - check operation, condition of belt, and for leakage.
Shock absorbers - check shock mountings and for broken or missing shock
absorbers.
Springs and torsion bars - check for sagging or broken springs, or a broken,
disconnected, missing or bent torsion or stabilizer bar.
Chassis/frame - check for breaks, cracks, or severe rust at the suspension
attachment points.
Wheel fasteners - check for missing or broken parts.
Each Tire (Except spare)
Tread depth - must be at least 2/32 inch when measured in two adjacent major
tread grooves showing the most wear.
Tire condition - check for any fabric break or cut over 1 inch, visible
bumps, bulges or knots, and any restricted use designation on the tire.

Lights
All lighting must be of an approved type and inspected for operation, proper
mounting, and broken or missing lenses:

Headlights (low and high beam).
Tail lamps.
Stop lamps.
Directional signals.
Backup lights (1969 and newer).
License plate lights.
Hazard warning/four-way flasher (1966 and newer).
Directional signal indicator.

Windshield And Other Glass

Windshield - check for presence and condition.
All windows - approved safety glass or rigid plastic and condition.
Windshield Wipers And Blades
Wipers - check for presence and operation.
Blades - check condition.

Horn

Check mounting and operation.

Mirrors

Check mirror location and mounting, and for cracks, breaks, or
discoloration:
Model year 1970 and newer - check adjustable interior and left outside
mirror.
Model year 1968 and 1969 - check interior mirror and one left outside
mirror.
1967 and older - check interior mirror or left outside mirror.
Note:  Vehicles with a permanent obstruction of the view through the rear
window (e.g. pickup cap) must have both left-side and right-side outside
mirrors.

The Emissions Inspection

Most gasoline powered vehicles are required to have a yearly emissions
inspection, which will be done at the same time as the safety inspection.
Vehicles that fail to comply with inspection standards will be rejected.

Vehicles exempt from the emissions inspection are: vehicles manufactured for
the current model year or are one model year old, vehicles 26 model-years
old or older, vehicles registered with historical or vintage plates,
vehicles that are electric powered, and vehicles with diesel engines.
Beginning June 1, 1999, diesel-powered vehicles over 8,500 Pounds will be
subject to annual emissions inspection or random roadside inspection,
depending on where they, are registered in the state.

A High Enhanced emissions inspection is required for vehicles registered in
the nine county New York Metropolitan Area (NYMA) of Nassau, Suffolk,
Rockland, Westchester, and the five counties within New York City, The
purpose of this inspection is to measure the amount of hydrocarbons, oxides
of nitrogen, and carbon monoxide pollutants coming from the vehicle exhaust.
The High Enhanced emissions inspection includes a Simulated driving
condition test (on a dynamometer) for gasoline powered vehicles, 1981 model
year and newer, that weigh 8,500 pounds or fewer. An "idle emissions test"
(engine at idle only) is required for gasoline powered vehicles that weigh
more than 8,500 Pounds, are less than 26 model years old, and were
manufactured for the 1980 model vear or- older.

A Low Enhanced inspection is required for vehicles registered in counties
outside this area. Vehicles registered in counties within the Low Enhanced
inspection area are not subject to the sit-simulated driving condition test
or the idle emissions test.

In all areas of the state, the High Enhanced and Low Enhanced emissions
inspections require a check for the presence and connection of required
pollution control devices. The vehicle's gas cap is also checked for its
presence, condition, and proper fit. In addition, an "on-board diagnostic"
(OBD) check is required for vehicles of model year 1996 and newer.

The following pollution control devices are examined if the vehicle was
originally manufactured with them. The vehicle model years affected are
indicated.

Positive crankcase ventilation system (PCV) - 1968 and newer.
Catalytic converter (CAT) - 1975 and newer.
Fuel inlet restrictor (FIR) - 1984 and newer.
Exhaust gas recirculation valve (EGR) - 1973 and newer.
Thermostatic air cleaner (TAC) - 1984 and newer.
Air injection system (AIS) - 1984 and newer.
Evaporative emission control (EVAP) - 1984 and newer.

At the time of inspection the owner must show a valid driver's license and
proof of insurance.

Hugs,

CatNipped