Expert Urges House Transportation to Remove MIL/OBD-II Diagnostic from Annual Inspection and Expand Study of S.123

John Clifford, a retired automotive professor and former certified master ASC technician, told the Vermont House Committee on Transportation on May 7 that the portion of S.123 addressing the malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) and OBD‑II diagnostics should be removed from the state’s periodic vehicle inspection requirements and studied more comprehensively.

Clifford told lawmakers the OBD‑II diagnostic system — the onboard computer checks commonly reported to drivers as a “check engine” light or other diagnostic warning — requires specialized training and equipment that, he said, many inspection stations and motorists lack. "Diagnosing a mill light should not be in the province of periodic vehicle annual inspections, governing, controlled by the state," Clifford said, adding that in his view the diagnostic and repair work belongs to certified professionals.

The recommendation comes amid committee consideration of S.123, described at the hearing as a miscellaneous motor-vehicle bill containing a Section 43 provision addressing MIL/OBD‑II treatment in the inspection process. Clifford urged the committee to expand the study committee called for in the bill to examine the full inspection…