Return-Path: Received: from SPEECH2.CS.CMU.EDU by A.CS.CMU.EDU; 29 Jan 86 16:50:37 EST Date: 29 Jan 1986 16:29-EST From: Alexander.Hauptmann@SPEECH2.CS.CMU.EDU To: bovik@a, Ping.Kang.Hsiung@sam, jkh@leg.ri.cmu.edu Subject: PA car inspection laws Message-Id: <507418146/alex@SPEECH2.CS.CMU.EDU> Here are the results from my general bb query on PA auto inspection laws. I have been driving with an expired inspection sticker for 3 months now, about 20 miles a day, without problems. I have gone without an emissions sticker for almost a year. That does not seem required of all cars in PA, thus they can't pull you over for lacking one. Other sources indicate that registration is not connected to inspection. (Contrary to mjd below). A friend's car had gone for a month beyond inspection, but when she had it renewed, the new sticker was only valid for 11 months longer. She claimed this indicates that inspection is valid one year from your old inspection expiration, even if you delay your current inspection. A motorcycle repair guy told me that motorcycles are inspected according to registration date (a new law). However, winter registration would imply driving your bike out in the cold and snow, so for the winter months, they change the inspection date by 6 months. My bike registration comes due in December, however my motorcycle inspection is due in May. Confusing - you bet. I will probably get my car inspected soon anyway, then I'll forward more information, based on personal experience. Thanks for all the help. Alex ______________________________________________________________________________ Date: 28 Jan 1986 10:25-EST From: Blake.Ward@K.CS.CMU.EDU Subject: Re: inspection laws? To: Alexander.Hauptmann@SPEECH2.CS.CMU.EDU I was caught a year ago with an expired sticker and my fine was $42. I guess they can range from about $17 to $45 at the discretion of the judge (you have to either call the judge or appear before him to have the fine set). I think that the primary way they catch people is at the toll plazas for the turnpike. You'll frequently see a state trooper standing there looking at all of the cars as they pass through. They got me that way.. Good luck, Blake. Date: 26 Jan 1986 16:22-EST From: Mary.Jo.Dowling@IUS2.CS.CMU.EDU Subject: Re: inspection laws? To: Alexander.Hauptmann@SPEECH2.CS.CMU.EDU Hi, yes it is true that there is a $25 fine for both inspection expired and lack of emissions inspection sticker. This does correspond to your registration (they both expire at the same time). Not only is there a $25 fine but also a $13.50 handing fee for both offenses. I got caught on Morewood ave. last spring. The policeman was bored and pulled me over. Not only had my inspection expired, I had not gotten my new registration for the car in the mail yet, so wham. double fine. Yes they can tell by the colors of the stickers wheither they are still valid and also the large number on the sticker. If you even have your car parked on the road in front of your house they can still get you for the fine. Also lots of garages (apartment) have clauses in the leases to grant them the right to tow away any uninspected cars form their premises. It's a nasty game. The only safe place for an expired car is on your own property. Garages will not even do work on your car unless it has a current inspection. Hope this anwsers your question. I for one will be sure to remember to have the car inspected on time this year. MJ Dowling Date: Sat, 25 Jan 86 14:05:54 EST From: Jessica Hodgins Subject: inspections To: alexander.hauptmann@speech2 I don't know the answers to most of your questions--can you let me know what you find out? However, I do know that the emissions inspection laws are pretty loose. If your car fails the emissions inspection you are required to spend $25-50 (depending on the age of the car) to get it fixed. If it still doesn't pass the mechanic fills out a waiver for you and you are legal. Jessica Date: 25 Jan 1986 12:00-EST From: Lyle.McGeoch@THEORY.CS.CMU.EDU To: Alexander.Hauptmann@SPEECH2.CS.CMU.EDU Subject: Re: inspection laws? You can get inspected anytime within the 3 months before the due date. That's all I know. Lyle Date: 25 Jan 1986 11:34-EST From: Ingemar.Hulthage@ISL1.RI.CMU.EDU To: Alexander.Hauptmann@SPEECH2.CS.CMU.EDU Subject: Re: inspection laws? Hi, I have got a ticket for not beeing inspected and it was around $40. Actually I think the risk of getting a ticket is quite small, I believe I got it because I use to park in an area with one of these "friendly neighbourhood" cops and he (henceforth called Dudley Doright) actualy told me that he wanted to get my car out of the neighborhod. I presume he didn't think my car was quite up to the standard of the neighbourhood and decided to give me a hard time. I think the strongets reason to have your car inspected is the insurance company but I don't know how big of a problem it might be to get involved in an accident and not have a valid inspection sticker. Ingemar Date: 25 Jan 1986 11:28-EST From: Jeff.Deutch@UNH.CS.CMU.EDU Subject: cops & stickers To: Hauptmann@speech2 My brother once put off getting his inspection, because he didn't want to spend the $200 to do the repairs he knew the car needed. So he got stopped by a bored cop who gave him a $25 ticket and a citation to appear at the police station, with his inspected car, in one week. I have gotten stopped for no better reason than I was driving safely, here in Schenley Park. I think the cop was suspicious of some one driving carefully, though I usually do with a cop on my tail. Jeff Date: 24 Jan 1986 22:02-EST From: Ping.Kang.Hsiung@SAM.CS.CMU.EDU Subject: Re: inspection laws? To: Alexander.Hauptmann@SPEECH2.CS.CMU.EDU at least the AAA refuses to provide any road service if the car does not have a valid sticker, and they always inspect the sticker before they start to work on the troubled car. (based on my own experience.) ----- could you share the info. you get with me? thanks.