The state inspector barely looked at my car
#1
Registered User
Thread Starter
iTrader: (5)
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Van down by the river
Posts: 3,157
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
The state inspector barely looked at my car
So I took my 08 Nismo with about 9,000 miles on it to get the yearly state inspection last week. The inspector barely spent five minutes with it. He basically started it, played with the turn signals and wipers, and that was it.
Not that I'm complaining but I've been through inspections where the guy looked under the hood, turned on the defroster, lifted the car to closely inspect the brakes and suspension, checked the tire tread, etc.
I have dark tints (35%), LED turn signals, and my ride height is probably below legal spec (even though I'm still on factory springs and shocks) and again, not a complaint, but I can't help but smile at how little attention was paid to inspecting the actual safety or legality of my car.
Not that I'm complaining but I've been through inspections where the guy looked under the hood, turned on the defroster, lifted the car to closely inspect the brakes and suspension, checked the tire tread, etc.
I have dark tints (35%), LED turn signals, and my ride height is probably below legal spec (even though I'm still on factory springs and shocks) and again, not a complaint, but I can't help but smile at how little attention was paid to inspecting the actual safety or legality of my car.
#6
Registered User
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Bowie Maryland
Posts: 2,216
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Yep but in MD when cars get inspected even if you have the legal limit on, some inspectors will still ask you to remove it. Most don't as long as its legal.
Trending Topics
#9
New Member
iTrader: (68)
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: McDonalds - NOVA - DC/MD/VA
Posts: 4,121
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like
on
1 Post
Inspector looked at my car prior to even driving it in. He said, "Too low, won't even make it in the bay... this $hit legal?"
"Of course it's legal." (I mean... what exactly did he want me to say? No it's not legal? LOL)
"Okay you pass."
"Well that was easy." Totally neglecting my test pipes, twin turbos, illegal headlights/taillights tint, lights, suspension mods, and the whole 9 yards.
"Of course it's legal." (I mean... what exactly did he want me to say? No it's not legal? LOL)
"Okay you pass."
"Well that was easy." Totally neglecting my test pipes, twin turbos, illegal headlights/taillights tint, lights, suspension mods, and the whole 9 yards.
Last edited by abui01; 01-06-2010 at 12:16 PM.
#11
Banned
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: "The Ton" Virginia
Posts: 2,287
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Actually....window tint is NOT an inspection item in VA but it is illegal on the side glass if darker than 50%. The only mention of tint in the inspection guide is on the windshield and it cannot extend more than 4 inches below top of windshield.
The tint issue in VA is a Virginia State POLICE issue. They have determined that too dark side window tint is a danger to their troopers when approaching the driver in a vehicle they have pulled over. They don't care about the back window at all.
Believe me, I know all about this as I did some research after getting a few tickets when I had 20% on my Vette.
The tint issue in VA is a Virginia State POLICE issue. They have determined that too dark side window tint is a danger to their troopers when approaching the driver in a vehicle they have pulled over. They don't care about the back window at all.
Believe me, I know all about this as I did some research after getting a few tickets when I had 20% on my Vette.
Last edited by CH³NO²; 01-06-2010 at 12:56 PM.
#12
New Member
iTrader: (68)
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: McDonalds - NOVA - DC/MD/VA
Posts: 4,121
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like
on
1 Post
Actually....window tint is NOT an inspection item in VA but it is illegal on the side glass if darker than 50%. The only mention of tint in the inspection guide is on the windshield and it cannot extend more than 4 inches below top of windshield.
The tint issue in VA is a Virginia State POLICE issue. They have determined that too dark side window tint is a danger to their troopers when approaching the driver in a vehicle they have pulled over. They don't care about the back window at all.
Believe me, I know all about this as I did some research after getting a few tickets when I had 20% on my Vette.
The tint issue in VA is a Virginia State POLICE issue. They have determined that too dark side window tint is a danger to their troopers when approaching the driver in a vehicle they have pulled over. They don't care about the back window at all.
Believe me, I know all about this as I did some research after getting a few tickets when I had 20% on my Vette.
#13
Banned
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: "The Ton" Virginia
Posts: 2,287
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Well you gotta be quick with the buttons! One time I got stopped, I had passed a Trooper going to other direction on a 4 lane highway. He turned around and came after me and said.... "your windows looked mighty dark when I passed you". Then they pull out the meter and you're screwed then. Once mine measured 13% LOL!
Last edited by CH³NO²; 01-06-2010 at 01:15 PM.
#15
New Member
iTrader: (68)
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: McDonalds - NOVA - DC/MD/VA
Posts: 4,121
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like
on
1 Post
^ I had a trooper do the same thing. He pulls me over and said "your tint *looks* dark." Now that's a lot of effort to be busting a U-Turn on a 4 lane highway. He must've been real bored.
I got stopped by a trooper once and he typed in the wrong Driver's License # and actually told me, "Since you have a good record, I'll let you off."
I got stopped by a trooper once and he typed in the wrong Driver's License # and actually told me, "Since you have a good record, I'll let you off."
#16
Registered User
iTrader: (30)
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: 15 mins from white house
Posts: 8,236
Likes: 0
Received 5 Likes
on
5 Posts
ive been pulled over for having 20% tint on my front windshield in my 240..a little too dark i guess...he busted a big u-turn to get me to. It was a park police.I think he was just pressed.
#19
Registered User
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Bowie Maryland
Posts: 2,216
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Anything on the windshield is illegal....except for the little strip, which legal is down 4in.
#20
Registered User
iTrader: (8)
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: bel air, MD
Posts: 633
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
In maryland most window tint wont pass certification (which has to be done at your local DMV) unless its 40% or higher. Factory tint accounts for 3-10% on most cars, so even if you buy 35%, you'll more than likely register below 35%. I had mine metered and it came to 27%, so I have 30-35% tint on my car. I told the SI the certification slip was in my cupholder, he found $50, I passed!
MD state police do not have the right to pull you over soley for dark tint anymore, they can pull you over for "speeding" or whatever and then issue you a fix-it-ticket for the tint at which point you'll have to get it metered and removed etc.
MD state police do not have the right to pull you over soley for dark tint anymore, they can pull you over for "speeding" or whatever and then issue you a fix-it-ticket for the tint at which point you'll have to get it metered and removed etc.