HLS 25RS-147 ORIGINAL
2025 Regular Session
HOUSE BILL NO. 232
BY REPRESENTATIVE BAGLEY
Prefiled pursuant to Article III, Section 2(A)(4)(b)(i) of the Constitution of Louisiana.
MTR VEHICLE/INSPECTION: Eliminates the state inspection sticker requirement for
certain vehicles
1 AN ACT
2To amend and reenact R.S. 32:1301, 1302, 1304(A)(1) through (3) and (B), 1306(C), and
3 1306.1(A) and to repeal R.S. 32:707.5(D)(3) and 1303, relative to vehicle inspection
4 sticker requirements; to repeal the inspection sticker requirement for assembled
5 vehicles; to provide for periodic inspection of commercial and student transportation
6 vehicles; to provide relative to the operation of official inspection stations; to provide
7 for a special effective date; and to provide for related matters.
8Be it enacted by the Legislature of Louisiana:
9 Section 1. R.S. 32:1301, 1302, 1304(A)(1) through (3) and (B), 1306(C), and
101306.1(A) are hereby amended and reenacted to read as follows:
11 §1301. Vehicles without required equipment or in unsafe condition
12 No person shall drive or move on any highway any motor vehicle, low-speed
13 vehicle as defined in R.S. 32:1(40)(48), trailer, semitrailer, or pole trailer, or any
14 combination thereof, unless the equipment upon any such vehicle is in good working
15 order and adjustment as required in this Chapter and the vehicle is in such safe
16 mechanical condition as not to endanger the driver or other occupant or any person
17 upon the highway. Every motor vehicle, low-speed vehicle, trailer, semitrailer, and
18 pole trailer vehicle registered in this state which is required to be inspected pursuant
19 to the provisions of this Chapter shall bear a valid safety inspection certificate issued
20 in the state of Louisiana, except as otherwise provided by this Chapter.
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1 §1302. Inspection Enforcement by officers of the department
2 A. The Director of Public Safety, members of the State Police and such other
3 officers and employees of the department as the director may designate, may at any
4 time upon reasonable cause to believe that a vehicle is unsafe or not equipped as
5 required by law, or that its equipment is not in proper adjustment or repair, require
6 the driver of such vehicle to stop and submit such vehicle to an inspection and such
7 test with reference thereto as may be appropriate, and issue a citation to the operator
8 of such vehicle.
9 B. In the event such vehicle is found to be in unsafe condition or any
10 required part or equipment is not present or is not in proper repair and adjustment the
11 officer shall give a written notice to the driver and shall send a copy to the
12 department. Said notice shall require that such vehicle be placed in safe condition
13 and its equipment in proper repair and adjustment specifying the particulars with
14 reference thereto and that a certificate of inspection and approval be obtained within
15 5 days.
16 §1304. Secretary to require periodical periodic inspection; commercial and student
17 transportation vehicles
18 A.(1) The secretary shall at least once every other year, but not more
19 frequently than twice each year, require that every motor vehicle, low-speed vehicle,
20 trailer, semitrailer, and pole trailer registered in this state commercial motor vehicle
21 registered in this state and required to be inspected pursuant to 49 CFR Part 396,
22 including Part 396.17 and "Appendix G" thereof, and every student transportation
23 vehicle registered in this state and required to be inspected pursuant to LAC
24 28:CXIII.701(A)(3) be inspected and that an official certificate of inspection and
25 approval be obtained for such vehicle. However, overweight and oversize mobile
26 homes requiring a state permit shall not be required to bear a certificate of approved
27 inspection when being moved by a bonded carrier as defined by law nor shall used
28 motor vehicles in transit by a dealer be required to have a certificate of inspection
29 and approval. In addition, the secretary shall require motor vehicles registered in a
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HB NO. 232
1 parish or municipality subject to the federal Clean Air Act, 42 U.S.C. 7401 et seq.,
2 or continuous regulations promulgated by the United States Environmental
3 Protection Agency requiring performance of the inspection and maintenance (I/M)
4 program, be inspected in accordance with R.S. 30:2054(B)(8). Nothing in this
5 Section shall be construed to relieve any operator of a motor vehicle, low-speed
6 vehicle as defined in R.S. 32:1(48), trailer, semitrailer, or pole trailer, or any
7 combination thereof from compliance with the provisions of R.S. 32:1301.
8 (2) Such inspection should be made and such certificates obtained with
9 respect to the mechanism, brakes, and equipment of every vehicle vehicles required
10 to be inspected as shall be designated by the secretary. The secretary shall require
11 the inspection of all approved automotive emission control devices installed on
12 motor vehicles required to be inspected and that were produced after model year
13 1980 to insure ensure that such devices are operative and have not been tampered
14 with. However, low-speed vehicles shall not be subject to regular emissions
15 inspections.
16 (3)(a) The secretary shall formulate and promulgate a set of standards for the
17 control and regulation of emission control devices on all automobiles and other
18 motor vehicles subject to inspection pursuant to this Section, which standards shall
19 be consistent with other federal and state regulations for the installation and
20 operation of approved emission control devices.
21 (b) The secretary is hereby authorized to make necessary rules and
22 regulations for the administration and enforcement of this Section and to designate
23 any periods of time during which owners of vehicles, subject to this Section, shall
24 display upon such vehicles certificates of inspection and approval and shall produce
25 them on demand of any officer or employee of the department designated by the
26 secretary or any police or peace officer when authorized by the secretary. However,
27 an owner or operator of a light trailer, utility trailer, boat trailer, or farm trailer need
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HB NO. 232
1 only provide a valid inspection sticker on demand of an inspecting officer to be in
2 compliance with the inspection requirements of this Chapter.
3 * * *
4 B. The secretary is hereby authorized to make necessary rules and
5 regulations for the administration and enforcement of this Section and to designate
6 any periods of time during which owners of vehicles, subject to this Section, shall
7 display upon such vehicles certificates of inspection and approval or shall produce
8 the same on demand of any officer or employee of the department designated by the
9 secretary or any police or peace officer when authorized by the secretary. Owners
10 and operators of all motor vehicles, subject to this Section, required to be equipped
11 with windshields shall display on the lower left hand corner of the windshield a
12 certificate of inspection affixed thereto by a duly authorized motor vehicle inspection
13 station. The secretary shall accept the certificate of inspection and approval issued
14 by any municipality pursuant to any municipal ordinance adopted prior to July 27,
15 1960. However, each person who applies for a motor vehicle inspection tag in the
16 city of New Orleans shall produce written proof of insurance from an insurer that the
17 motor vehicle is covered by security and shall declare in writing that he or she
18 intends to maintain said security at all times while said vehicle is used upon the
19 highways of Louisiana.
20 * * *
21 §1306. Operation of official inspection stations
22 * * *
23 C.(1)(a) A charge or fee shall be charged for each certificate of inspection
24 and approval issued, as provided in this Subsection.
25 (b) Persons operating an official inspection station shall offer certificates of
26 inspection that are valid for both one year and two year periods. The owner of the
27 vehicle shall have the option of purchasing a one year or a two year certificate. A
28 charge or fee shall be charged for each year of validity of the certificate of inspection
29 and approval issued, as provided in this Subsection.
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HB NO. 232
1 (c) The provisions of Subparagraph (b) of this Paragraph shall not apply to
2 the inspection programs provided for in Paragraphs (3) and (5) of this Subsection and
3 to student transportation vehicles.
4 (2) Except as otherwise provided in this Subsection, for each year of validity
5 of the certificate issued, a charge or fee of ten dollars shall be charged, four dollars
6 and seventy-five cents of which shall be retained by the operator of the motor vehicle
7 inspection station conducting the inspection, four dollars of which shall be
8 transferred to the office of state police for use in traffic law enforcement, and one
9 dollar and twenty-five cents shall be transferred to the office of motor vehicles for
10 expenses associated with the motor vehicle inspection and financial responsibility
11 programs. Included in the inspection shall be the adjustment of headlights when
12 needed and mechanically practical, at no additional cost to the operator of the motor
13 vehicle inspected.
14 (3)(a) (2)(a) For parishes and municipalities that have a vehicle inspection
15 and maintenance program required by the federal Clean Air Act or regulations
16 promulgated by the United States Environmental Protection Agency, an additional
17 eight dollars shall be charged for each inspection that includes the performance of
18 the inspection and maintenance (I/M) program pursuant to the provisions of R.S.
19 30:2054(B)(8) for 1980 or newer model year motor vehicles. The motor vehicle
20 inspection station shall retain six dollars of the additional charge for implementation
21 and performance of the I/M program. Two dollars of the additional charge shall be
22 transferred to the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality to implement and
23 operate the inspection and maintenance program.
24 (b) The department shall promulgate and adopt rules and regulations
25 necessary to implement the provisions of this Paragraph.
26 (c) The provisions of this Paragraph shall not apply to any trailer, light
27 trailer, or semitrailer.
28 (4) (3) The maintenance and inspection program and the fees provided for
29 in Paragraph (3) (2) of this Subsection shall be discontinued when the I/M program
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HB NO. 232
1 is discontinued as allowed by the federal Clean Air Act, 42 U.S.C. 7401 et seq., and
2 regulations promulgated by the United States Environmental Protection Agency or
3 agreements with the agency concerning the implementation of this program, or result
4 in any other noncompliance regarding this Subsection.
5 (5) (4) An annual charge or fee of thirty dollars shall be charged for the
6 inspection of all commercial motor vehicles which are required to be inspected under
7 the provisions of Part 396 of Title 49 of the Code of Federal Regulations 49 CFR
8 Part 396, including Part 396.17 and "Appendix G" thereof. No charges or fees other
9 than the thirty-dollar fee shall be charged for a commercial motor vehicle inspection.
10 Of the thirty-dollar fee, the motor vehicle inspection station operator who performs
11 this inspection shall retain twenty-three dollars and seventy-five cents; two dollars
12 and twenty-five cents shall be transferred to the office of motor vehicles for expenses
13 associated with motor vehicle and financial responsibility programs; and four dollars
14 of which shall be transferred to the office of state police for use in traffic law
15 enforcement. Included in the inspection shall be the adjustment of headlights at no
16 additional cost to the operator of the motor vehicle being inspected. The Legislature
17 of Louisiana hereby declares that a commercial motor vehicle inspection is much
18 more extensive than the inspection mandated in Paragraph (2) of this Subsection and
19 that the increase in the fee or charge for the inspection of commercial vehicles is
20 based on the difference in the two types of inspection.
21 (6)(a) (5)(a) The charge or fee for the inspection of student transportation
22 vehicles which are required to be inspected under pursuant to LAC
23 28:CXIII.701(A)(3) shall be twenty dollars. No charges or fees other than the
24 twenty-dollar fee shall be charged for a student transportation vehicle inspection. Of
25 the twenty-dollar fee, the motor vehicle inspection station operator who performs
26 this inspection shall retain fourteen dollars and seventy-five cents; one dollar and
27 twenty-five cents shall be transferred to the office of motor vehicles for expenses
28 associated with motor vehicle and financial responsibility programs; and four dollars
29 shall be transferred to the office of state police for use in traffic law enforcement.
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HB NO. 232
1 (b) The adjustment of headlights shall be included in the inspection at no
2 additional cost to the owner or operator of the school bus being inspected.
3 (c) The Legislature of Louisiana hereby declares that a student transportation
4 vehicle inspection is much more extensive than the inspection required of other
5 motor vehicles and that the increase in the fee or charge for the inspection of student
6 transportation vehicles is based on the difference in these types of inspections.
7 * * *
8 §1306.1. Inspection and maintenance program fees; nonattainment area; local
9 election
10 A. Upon adoption of a proposition approved by the voters of a nonattainment
11 area parish as provided for in this Section, seven dollars shall be charged for each
12 inspection that includes the performance of the inspection and maintenance (I/M)
13 program pursuant to the provisions of R.S. 30:2054(B)(8) for 1980 or newer model
14 year motor vehicles. This charge shall be in addition to the charge or fee provided
15 for in R.S. 32:1306(C)(3)(a) R.S. 32:1306(C)(2)(a).
16 * * *
17 Section 3. R.S. 32:707.5(D)(3) and 1303 are hereby repealed in their entirety.
18 Section 4. This Act shall take effect and become operative if and when the Act
19which originated as House Bill No. __ of this 2025 Regular Session of the Legislature is
20enacted and becomes effective.
DIGEST
The digest printed below was prepared by House Legislative Services. It constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument. The keyword, one-liner, abstract, and digest do not constitute
part of the law or proof or indicia of legislative intent. [R.S. 1:13(B) and 24:177(E)]
HB 232 Original 2025 Regular Session Bagley
Abstract: Eliminates the requirement for certain vehicles to have an inspection sticker.
Present law specifies that no person is permitted to drive or move on any highway any motor
vehicle, low-speed vehicle as defined in existing law, any trailer, semitrailer, or pole trailer,
or any combination thereof, unless the equipment upon any such vehicle is in good working
order and adjustment as required in existing law and the vehicle is in such safe mechanical
condition as not to endanger the driver or other occupant or any person upon the highway.
Further, specifies that every motor vehicle, low-speed vehicle, trailer, semitrailer, and pole
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HB NO. 232
trailer registered in this state shall bear a valid safety inspection certificate issued in the state
of Louisiana, except as otherwise provided by this Chapter.
Proposed law modifies present law by requiring all commercial and student transportation
vehicles have an inspection sticker.
Proposed law authorizes certain law enforcement agencies to issue citations for vehicles that
are unsafe or not equipped according to present law.
Proposed law removes the requirement that an officer give a written notice to the driver and
send a copy to the department. Additionally, removes the requirement of said notice to
require that such vehicle be placed in safe condition and its equipment in proper repair and
adjustment specifying the particulars with reference thereto and that a certificate of
inspection and approval be obtained within five days. For vehicles found to be in unsafe
condition or any required part or equipment is not present or is not in proper repair and
adjustment.
Proposed law requires only commercial vehicles and student transportation vehicles be
inspected in accordance with present law.
Proposed law removes the exclusion of overweight and oversize mobile homes requiring a
state permit from not being required to bear a certificate of approved inspection when being
moved by a bonded carrier as defined by law nor used motor vehicles in transit by a dealer
be required to have a certificate of inspection and approval.
Proposed law requires those vehicles registered in parishes governed by the U.S. Clean Air
Act to obtain an emissions inspection as required under federal law and be inspected in
accordance to present law.
Present law requires that such inspections be made and certificates obtained with respect to
the mechanism, brakes, and equipment of every vehicle designated by the secretary.
Additionally, requires the secretary to require the inspection of all approved automotive
emission control devices installed on motor vehicles produced after model year 1980 to
insure that such devices are operative and have not been tampered with. Further specifies
that low-speed vehicles are not subject to regular emissions inspections.
Proposed law modifies present law by requiring that inspections only apply to those vehicles
that are required to be inspected under proposed law.
Present law authorizes the secretary to make necessary rules and regulations for the
administration and enforcement of present law, and to designate any periods of time during
which owners of vehicles, are to display upon vehicles certificates of inspection and
approval or must produce the same on demand of any officer or employee of the department
designated by the secretary or any police or peace officer when authorized by the secretary.
Requires owners and operators of all motor vehicles be equipped with windshields displayed
on the lower left hand corner of the windshield a certificate of inspection affixed thereto by
a duly authorized motor vehicle inspection station. Additionally, requires the secretary
accept the certificate of inspection and approval issued by any municipality pursuant to any
municipal ordinance adopted prior to July 27, 1960. However, each person who applies for
a motor vehicle inspection tag in the city of New Orleans must produce written proof of
insurance from an insurer that the motor vehicle is covered by security and must declare in
writing that he intends to maintain said security at all times while said vehicle is used upon
the highways of La.
Proposed law eliminates the requirement that an owner or operator of a light trailer, utility
trailer, boat trailer, or farm trailer need only provide a valid inspection sticker on demand
of an inspecting officer to be in compliance with the inspection requirements of present law.
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HB NO. 232
Present law authorizes the secretary to make necessary rules and regulations for the
administration and enforcement of present law, and to designate any periods of time during
which owners of vehicles, must display upon such vehicles certificates of inspection and
approval or must produce the same on demand of any officer or employee of the department
designated by the secretary or any police or peace officer when authorized by the secretary.
Present law requires owners and operators of all motor vehicles equipped with windshields
to display on the lower left hand corner of the windshield a certificate of inspection affixed
thereto by a duly authorized motor vehicle inspection station. Further, requires the secretary
to accept the certificate of inspection and approval issued by any municipality pursuant to
any municipal ordinance adopted prior to July 27, 1960. Additionally, requires that each
person who applies for a motor vehicle inspection tag in the city of New Orleans produce
written proof of insurance from an insurer that the motor vehicle is covered by security and
must declare in writing that he or she intends to maintain said security at all times while said
vehicle is used upon the highways of La.
Proposed law applies the rules and regulations to all vehicles subject to the changes in
proposed law.
Present law requires that persons operating an official inspection station must issue a
certificate of inspection and approval upon an official form to the owner of a vehicle upon
inspecting such vehicle and determining that its equipment required under the provisions of
present law is in good condition and proper adjustment, otherwise no certificate is allowed
be issued. Additionally, requires a report to be made of every inspection and every
certificate issued when required by the director.
Present law specifies that the provisions of present law not apply to the inspection programs.
Present law requires that for each year of validity of the certificate issued, a charge or fee
of $10 be charged, $4.75 to be retained by the operator of the motor vehicle inspection
station conducting the inspection, $4 of which must be transferred to the office of state
police for use in traffic law enforcement, and $1.25 is to be transferred to the office of motor
vehicles (OMV) for expenses associated with the motor vehicle inspection and financial
responsibility programs. Additionally, requires the adjustment of headlights when needed
and mechanically practical, at no additional cost to the operator of the motor vehicle
inspected be included in the inspection.
Proposed law deletes present law.
Present law specifies that for parishes and municipalities that have a vehicle inspection and
maintenance program required by the federal Clean Air Act (FCAA) or regulations
promulgated by the United States Environmental Protection Agency, an additional $8 be
charged for each inspection that includes the performance of the inspection and maintenance
(I/M) program pursuant to present law, or newer model year motor vehicles. Further,
specifies that motor vehicle inspection station must retain $6 of the additional charge for
implementation and performance of the I/M program. $2 of the additional charge must be
transferred to the La. Department of Environmental Quality to implement and operate the
inspection and maintenance program.
Proposed law modifies present law by removing references to additional charges. Requires
the department to adopt rules and regulations necessary to implement the provisions of
present law.
Present law requires that the maintenance and inspection program and the fees provided for
in present law be discontinued when the I/M program is discontinued as allowed by the
FCAA and regulations promulgated by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency or
agreements with the agency concerning the implementation of this program, or result in any
other noncompliance.
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HB NO. 232
Proposed law retains present law.
Present law requires an annual charge or fee of $30 be charged for the inspection of all
commercial motor vehicles which are required to be inspected under the provisions of
present law. Further, requires that no charges or fees other than the $30 be charged for a
commercial motor vehicle inspection. Additionally, requires of the $30 fee the motor
vehicle inspection station operator who performs this inspection retain $23.75; $2.25 must
be transferred to the OMV for expenses associated with motor vehicle and financial
responsibility programs; and $4 must be transferred to the office of state police for use in
traffic law enforcement.
Proposed law retains present law.
Present law specifies that included in the inspection must be the adjustment of headlights at
no additional cost to the operator of the motor vehicle being inspected. Further, specifies
that the Legislature of La. declares that a commercial motor vehicle inspection is much more
extensive than the inspection mandated in present law and that the increase in the fee or
charge for the inspection of commercial vehicles is based on the difference in the two types
of inspection.
Proposed law eliminates the legislature from declaring that a commercial motor vehicle
inspection is much more extensive than the inspection mandated in present law and that the
increase in the fee or charge for the inspection of commercial vehicles is based on the
difference in the two types of inspection but otherwise retains present law.
Present law requires the charge or fee for the inspection of student transportation vehicles
that are required to be inspected under existing law, be $20. Further, requires that no
charges or fees other than $20 fee be charged for a student transportation vehicle inspection.
Additionally, requires that of the $20 fee the motor vehicle inspection station operator who
performs this inspection retains $14.75; $1.25 is to be transferred to the OMV for expenses
associated with motor vehicle and financial responsibility programs; and $4 to be transferred
to the office of state police for use in traffic law enforcement.
Proposed law retains present law.
Effective if and when the Act which originated as House Bill No. __ of the 2025 R.S. of the
Legislature becomes effective.
(Amends R.S. 32:1301, 1302, 1304(A)(1)-(3) and (B), 1306(C), and 1306.1(A); Repeals R.S.
32:707.5(D)(3) and 1303)
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