Statewide, the Department of Motor Vehicles is increasing the cost of an annual checkup on the majority of vehicles located in the upstate of New York to $21, instead of the current $16, citing an sophisticated emissions test.
The DMV would like all licensed stores to be able to change their fee in late October. However, when shops begin charging the higher price will depend on the time they purchase and begin using new equipment for testing.
The more advanced emission test is intended to assist the state in complying with the Federal Clean Air Act, cut emissions from vehicles and decrease pollution. The test that is more costly does not apply to cars that are not older than 2 model years or are at least 26 years old in accordance with the DMV.
The present emissions test consists of an inspection of the components like the gas cap or catalytic converter. For the more advanced test, the apparatus is connected to the vehicle’s onboard diagnostic system. The DMV receives the data via an internet connection and records of the test are saved electronically.
A repair business that wishes to continue to conduct inspections is required to purchase test equipment from a state-run contractor for greater than $1,660. For each test the shop is also required to make two phone calls to the DMV for each test, with a total that is 70 cents.
Repair shops that are licensed have a few deadlines to comply with the new regulations, according to Michael Maher, director of car safety and clean air at the DMV. If a repair shop does not order the new test equipment before September. 15th, the department will cease sending them new inspection tags. Then, after October. 20 certified shops are not allowed to conduct state inspections unless they are using the latest test, he explained.
Participating shops will get to keep 15% of the $21 cost to conduct the inspection, and the remainder will be paid towards the State. The shops currently retain 10 percent of the $16 inspection cost.
Some shop owners claim that the state doesn’t allow them to charge an additional cost to cover the costs they pay to continue conducting inspections.
Michael Lawkowski, who owns Broad-Elm Tire and Service Center in downtown Buffalo He said he’s dissatisfied with the price the state has set, however, he did not say he will stop conducting inspections as well.
“You must conduct inspections and still be in business,” he said, noting that the shop conducts about 100 inspections a month. “It’s an important aspect of our business.”
Lawkowski estimated that it would cost the shop around $2,000 to switch which includes the cost of the equipment for testing and a cart that can hold it and an automated barcode scanner. The shop will also have to purchase a dedicated phone line to be set up as well as the cost of calls to DMV for every test.
Maher stated that orders for the new equipment for testing are beginning to arrive in addition, the DMV is working on an advertising campaign to inform the public of the imminent inspection changes.
Ernie Kitchen, the DMV’s director of consumer protection and business regulations, has said that certain shops may not perform inspections, rather than purchase new equipment to test vehicles. With 800 upstate businesses conducting inspections, motorists will be able to choose from a wide range of choices, the DMV’s director of consumer protection and auto business regulation said.
There are even some service establishments which have discussed the elimination of inspections may be tempted to buy this equipment. added.
Large and small-scale businesses will need to consider the expense. Some small businesses that perform only a few tests every month may find the cost of the equipment to be too expensive. Larger operations that have multiple locations have to pay for purchasing testing equipment for each of its locations.
