Mass. making changes to vehicle inspections

SOMERSET, Mass.—Massachusetts is making changes to the state’s motor vehicle inspection system on Wednesday.

“I’ve had to educate a lot of people,“ said William Jalbert of Norwest Automotive in Somerset.

Under the new program, 1996 and newer vehicles will have to have their emissions checked every year as part of their annual car inspection. In the past, emissions were required every two years.

Vehicles from 1995 and earlier will still have to pass safety inspections, but they will no longer be required to pass an emissions test.

More stringent safety requirements are also going into effect. All windows and glass must be in place, and repairs with plastic sheeting will no longer be allowed.

Under the new regulations, license plates must be readable from 60 feet. A vehicle can fail inspection if the plate is damaged, worn, faded or obscured in any way.

As for air bags, they have to work correctly.

“It was not mandatory for the air bag system to work under old system. Now, under the new system, it is,“ Jalbert said.

What’s behind all the changes? Officials at the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection say the environment.

The cost for the annual inspection remains the same at $29.