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DMV proposes reclassifying many Vermont inspection failures as advisories; committee seeks data
Summary
The House Transportation Committee heard DMV deputy commissioner Matt Russo outline department-backed changes that would move several inspection failures (tires, some brakes, lighting, rust-related rulings) to advisory status and pursue emergency rulemaking for faster implementation; lawmakers requested detailed data on inspections, failures and enforcement before advancing the package.
Matt Russo, deputy commissioner of the Vermont Department of Motor Vehicles, told the House Transportation Committee on April 14 that the department supports changes to the state vehicle inspection program that would prioritize true safety risks and remove ambiguous language from the inspection manual.
"We're gonna prioritize inspections that address true safety risks, and ensure the well-being of all road users," Russo said, describing the department's goals to make criteria clearer and reduce unnecessary repair costs for Vermonters. He said the DMV worked with inspection stations and the senate on the draft changes.
The DMV's package would reclassify several items—from certain tire weather cracking to some lighting and instrument-cluster indicators—from automatic failure to advisory on inspection reports. Russo said the department wants to retain failures for cutting that exposes cords, visible bulges, pitting or cracks that reach the open edge and other imminent safety hazards, but to remove or narrow vague…
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