Mainers know what questions to ask when someone is trying to sell them a used machine.

How many miles are on the odometer? Has it ever been in an accident? And, the question to end all questions, will it pass a state inspection?

That third question could become moot if the Legislature adopts a awaiting bill that would eliminate the almanac state inspection requirement for vehicles that are less than 20 years old.

Sen. David Miramant, D-Camden Joe Phelan/Kennebec Periodical

The measure, sponsored by Sen. David Miramant, D-Camden, is among a half dozen bills to be taken up by the Transportation Committee on Tuesday that would change the inspection law or eliminate information technology entirely. The panel has scheduled a i p.m. work session to argue the bills and recommend passage or defeat to the total Legislature.

Previous efforts to repeal or change Maine's inspection sticker requirements have been met with strong resistance in the Legislature, including in 2019 when the committee unanimously rejected a similar beak.

But Miramant and other advocates for ending the requirement say it doesn't make Maine's highways any safer, and that unscrupulous mechanics always detect something to repair, largely because the $12.l inspection fee doesn't embrace the cost of their fourth dimension. Maine is among only 16 states that require an annual vehicle inspection, according to Miramant.

"I want the people of Maine not to exist cheated out of millions and millions of dollars," he said at a public hearing on the legislation concluding week.

Modern vehicles take many more built-in safe features that were not contemplated when the state's inspection law was start adopted, the Camden lawmaker said. He contended that the annual inspection organisation makes some vehicle owners complacent well-nigh prophylactic.

"In one case I noticed my friend's tires were worn down," Miramant said. "I pointed information technology out but my friend just said, 'Information technology'south OK – I all the same have nine months left on my sticker.' He'southward going to wait instead of taking intendance of it now. This happens with brakes, mufflers and other systems every bit well."

Across repealing the inspections or just applying them to older vehicles, other bills before the commission would extend the life of a sticker on new vehicles from 12 months to 24 months, or require a report of the inspection system and fee.

Lt. Bruce Scott, who heads the Maine State Police Traffic Rubber Unit, testified in opposition to the measures. Scott said even make-new vehicles tin can develop serious safety defects and that annual inspections in Maine can salvage non simply lives but also money.

"An undiagnosed defect that cost $l to prepare today may indeed price hundreds if non thousands when not immediately repaired," Scott said.

The annual inspection fee generates about $3.5 million, which is deposited into the land'south Highway Fund, used largely to help build and maintain roads and bridges.

Scott said some have argued that costless safety inspections are often offered with oil changes or when other service is given to a vehicle, and that's another reason the state doesn't demand a formal inspection program.

"If the inspection programme was eliminated, who would ready the standards?" Scott asked. "Would they exist arbitrary or capricious standards set past each repair facility? Who would ensure that the vehicle gets repaired? Would they need to be licensed? Who would license them? Would the technicians accept to bear witness their proficiency in automotive mechanics? Would they take to be a person of honesty, integrity and reliability? The current inspection plan has evolved over the years and has addressed these concerns and more."

Support and opposition to the inspection requirements cut beyond party lines at the hearing, with both Democrats and Republicans finding themselves on different sides of the issue.

Rep. Lester Ordway, R-Standish

Rep. Lester Ordway, R-Standish, a longtime licensed auto mechanic, automotive instructor and former country police vehicle inspector, testified in strong opposition to repealing the sticker requirement.

In his 5o-year career working on vehicles, Ordway said, he's seen all manner of safety violations and improper and unsafe do-information technology-yourself repair jobs.

"I've seen things yous wouldn't believe," Ordway said. "We're Mainers, we're Yankees, nosotros tin rig some stuff. I've seen cars jacked upwardly with two-by-fours or hockey pucks. I once saw a brake line replaced with a rubber vacuum hose. Some horrendous stuff."

Ordway said he has seen fatal crashes involving vehicles with inspection violations, and if lawmakers desire to change the inspection program they should give it more than teeth so police could punish unscrupulous mechanics – including the ones who will allow a vehicle to pass when information technology shouldn't.

"The ones who will slap a sticker on for their buddy, because it doesn't matter that much. It does," Ordway said. "People will dice. You lot know nosotros got Gomer and Goober out there repairing automobiles in the backyard. Information technology'south not good."

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