West Virginia’s 2-year vehicle inspection bill awaits governor’s signature | News, sports, jobs

Inspection stickers could become a biennial requirement instead of every year if Gov. Jim Justice signs House Bill 2310. (Photo by Steven Allen Adams)

CHARLESTON – A bill that would change West Virginia’s biennial vehicle inspections is awaiting Gov. Jim Justice’s signature.

House Bill 2310, originally intended to create an antique fleet program for multiple cars and trucks to use one plate, has been amended to include a change in the frequency of vehicle inspections, a move that the bill’s lead sponsor believes will benefit the lives of West Virginians. At the risk of drivers.

Under the provisions of HB 2310, vehicles registered in West Virginia will undergo vehicle inspections every two years beginning January 1, 2024. The bill doubles the inspection sticker fee from $3 to $6 and raises the limit at an official inspection station. Can pay a check between $14 and $19.

The original intent of the bill is to change the definition and eligible uses of antique vehicles and create an antique fleet plate program for owners of five or more antique vehicles.

Antique vehicles or motorcycles are defined as any vehicle over 25 years old and owned by collectors only. An antique military vehicle is defined as any vehicle manufactured for use in the military service of any country that retains its history, design and markings.

State Sen. Mike Stewart said moving the vehicle every two years would not affect the safety of cars and trucks on the road. (Photo courtesy of WV Legislative Photography)

HB 2310 would allow an antique car owner to use one license plate for multiple antique cars that would be renewed annually. But the bill was amended by the Senate Transportation and Infrastructure Committee to incorporate the content of Senate Bill 254, which would have changed the biennial vehicle inspection.

SB 254 passed the Senate on Jan. 27 by a 23-5 vote and was recommended by the House Technology and Infrastructure Committee, but it was referred to the House Finance Committee, where it was never taken up.

The original version of HB 2310 passed the House on January 24 by a vote of 90-3. The bill was recommended for passage by the Senate Transportation and Infrastructure Committee and headed for the Senate floor, but after some delays, the bill was sent back to the Senate Transportation and Infrastructure Committee and amended to include biennial vehicle inspections. window. The House later agreed to the state Senate’s amendments to the bill by a vote of 94-0, and the bill completed legislative action on March 3.

State Sen. Mike Stewart, the lead sponsor of SB 254, said that as new cars become more reliable, he believes moving inspections to every two years will not put drivers in the state at risk.

“I think this is the best compromise we can get between the Senate and the House.” Stewart said in an interview Thursday. “Of course, there were members of the Senate and quite a few members of the House who would have preferred to eliminate the requirement entirely, but I think the two-year time frame is completely reasonable, especially with the quality of the cars they’re making today.”

HB 2310 hit the Justice Department Monday. When the legislature is not in session, the governor has 15 days to sign the bill into law or veto the bill. The governor can also allow a bill to become law without his signature.

“I’d like to take a little more time to discuss,” Justice said in a virtual briefing with Capitol reporters on Wednesday. “My time is certainly looking at it.

“It’s certainly time-consuming and unpleasant in many ways to have your car go up there every year and go through all that, all that and all that.” Justice continued. “At the same time, there is a real security problem with it. We’ll make the best decision we can here.”

“I think one of the questions is what this will do for vehicle safety in West Virginia.” Stewart said. “I don’t think it compromises in any way.” The transition from one year to two years is completely reasonable.”

West Virginia is one of 14 states requiring annual Kelly Blue Book vehicle inspections as of 2020, including neighboring Virginia and Pennsylvania. If signed into law, West Virginia would join five states that either conduct inspections every two years or have other special safety requirements. Maryland requires that used cars be inspected before they are sold. Kentucky requires a vehicle inspection for vehicles not purchased in Kentucky, while Ohio has no vehicle inspection requirement.

There are states that have no inspection situation at all. said justice. “Going every two years doesn’t seem out of place, but it just gives us a little more time.”

“I hope the governor will sign the bill. Stewart said. “I think this is a great bill for West Virginians in terms of convenience and time.”

Steven Allen Adams can be reached at sadams@newsandsentinel.com.