(The Center Square) — A new bill from Rep. Larry Bagley, R-Caddo, would eliminate the requirement for most Louisiana vehicles to have inspection stickers, arguing that modern cars are safer than ever and the current system is outdated, ineffective, and ripe for abuse.
Under current law, nearly all vehicles registered in Louisiana — including passenger cars, trailers, and low-speed vehicles — must display a valid safety inspection sticker issued by the state.
Bagley’s proposal would repeal that requirement for private passenger vehicles, keeping it only for commercial and student transportation vehicles. Vehicles in parishes subject to the U.S. Clean Air Act would still need emissions inspections.
Bagley, speaking before a House committee, emphasized that Louisiana is now an outlier among Southern states.
“There are no red states that have them, except Louisiana. There are 39 states that have eliminated the requirement include neighboring Texas, Mississippi and Alabama,” Bagley said. “There are no southern [states that require them].”
He pointed to advances in automotive safety as a key reason the law is no longer needed.
“Modern vehicles are safer than ever, vehicles manufactured today are with advanced safety technologies, including airbag, analog braking systems, crash avoidance censors,” Bagley continued. “I can see 20 years ago, but not anymore.”
He also questioned the effectiveness of current inspections.
“A vehicle might pass inspection one day but develop a safety defect the next,” Bagley said. “An inspection sticker only shows the vehicle’s compliant on the day that was inspected, not months after.”
Fraud in the inspection system was another concern Bagley raised.
“Reports of fraudulent inspection stickers being printed and sold undermine the purpose and credibility [of] the current system,” Bagley said, recounting testimony from a previous bill hearing. “They go through parking lots and grocery stores. In fact, they caught one at State Police headquarters here in Baton Rouge, walking through the parking lot actually trying to sell fraudulent stickers.”
Bagley added that the public’s frustration lies not with the inspection fee, but with the process itself.
“It’s not a $10 fee that citizens find most frustrating. It’s a hassle and inconvenience of having to visit inspection [stations],” Bagley said. “Citizens have been fined for missing sticker renewals when their vehicles are operating safely.”
The proposed law would also remove the requirement for law enforcement to issue formal written notices when citing vehicles for unsafe conditions. Officers would still be able to issue citations for safety violations based on existing state equipment standards.
Bagley has brought similar legislation in past sessions, but it has faced resistance from those who argue inspections are a basic safeguard.
This time, he’s hopeful his argument resonates with lawmakers and drivers alike.
An amendment to the bill clarifies that overweight and oversize mobile homes requiring a state permit would not be subject to the inspection sticker requirement when being transported by a bonded carrier.
Additionally, used motor vehicles being moved by a dealer would also be exempt from the inspection certificate requirement while in transit.
