Government Plans to Scrap Yearly Vehicle Inspections

The Government of New Brunswick is proposing the province eliminate yearly motor vehicle inspections.

If the changes to the motor vehicle act go through, residents would only need a vehicle inspection every two years and new vehicles could go their first three years without an inspection.

The cost of vehicle inspections would change to $45 every two years instead of $35 a year, resulting in savings of $25 over two years.

Fredericton North MLA and former public safety minister, Stephen Horsman, said an extra $25 isn’t much for peace of mind.

“If you want to save people money take the money off of the registration. Take $25 to $50 off of vehicle registration and leave the safety of the vehicles alone. So you have safe vehicles on the road, and you’re saving money,” said Horsman.

The former police officer said this shouldn’t be a matter of politics.

“I want to know that the vehicle coming at me at 110-120km an hour is a safe vehicle. I take care of my vehicle, I just bought a brand new vehicle last year but there are still some things that are going wrong with it.”

According to Horsman, mechanic shops have not yet been consulted on these changes.

Mathew Everett, owner of Everett’s car care, said he hasn’t been consulted and he’s not sure the public understands the value of vehicle inspections.

“You have people who have an hourly rate is more than $35 an hour obviously, who take a half hour to 45 minutes to look at your car to make sure it’s safe for a year,” he said. “You can’t get somebody to look at your car for less than $100 for most things.”

In addition to this, Everett said vehicle inspection standards will increase.

“There will be less gray area because the tolerances are going to be everything on your car will last two years.”

This means, you could end up footing a higher bill at the mechanic than you’re used to.

“There are people that neglect that issue and those people, it’s going to end up costing them more money in the long run, because things cost more when they break than they do when they’re wore. “

The government is accepting public input on these changes until Nov. 27.

Public Safety Minister, Carl Urquhart, did not respond to request for comment.