New driving laws are consistently being updated. Maine is about to join those states who are changing their driving policies for 2025. Driving license policies are particularly always facing scrutiny by the public. Many people are often calling for the laws to be relaxed, and to make it easier to obtain a license. Conversely, some states are becoming stricter in order to make the roads safer.
Maine to soon end vehicle inspection requirements
Abolishing the vehicle inspection requirements in Maine has consistently been a subject of debate. For close to a century, state laws in Maine require that your vehicle has to go for an annual safety inspection. This policy has existed since the 1930s, and ensure that you are driving a road-worthy vehicle on the road. During the inspection, mechanics check that your vehicles brakes, tires, steering systems, signal lights, headlights, and or equipment is suitable and safe.
However, this could soon change. Maine State Representative Ann Fredericks has decided to sponsor a new bill. If approved and passed, this would eliminate the annual vehicle inspections for a majority of Maine passenger vehicles. It would exclude commercial motor vehicles, trailers, and semi-trailers. While this would provide some much needed admin relief to Maine residents, it may also have some negative downsides should the policy be appealed.
“There have been several advancements in automotive technology and improved safety standards,” Fredericks had said in support of her new proposed policy.
Resistance to the new policy
There has been some criticism for advancing of the new proposed bill by Fredericks. “To the extent that you weaken the protections that inspection programs provide, it creates problems for everyone in Maine,” Maine Automobile Dealers’ Association General Counsel Bruce Gerrity said.
Don Foshay’s Discount Tire Store Manager Andrew Hobin added that the new bill brings up safety concerns: “You take somebody that isn’t very mechanically minded, and you put them in a car on the road in the state of Maine,” Hobin said. “They’re not going to feel every time a ball joint is a little loose or anything like that. That’s where we really rely on shops like this and other local independent shops in the state.”
However, in retaliation to raised concerns, Fredericks believes Maine should get more in line with other parts of the country: “Other states have already abolished this antiquated requirement that is an inconvenience,” Fredericks said. In response, Hobin raises the point that Maine road conditions are different to elsewhere in the nation:
“Some of the states without state inspection stickers down south, you might not be seeing as much rust as down in the state of Maine,” Hobin said. “Just another reason you want someone who is fully trained to be looking over your car, at least once a year.”
Taking on vehicle responsibility
While Fredericks does raise a point that vehicle regulations and policies should be updated to reflect what the rest of the country is doing, it is also important to remember that being a responsible driver means taking on an active role to ensure that your vehicle is safe on the road. Many people receive their license, but are not taught proper vehicle maintenance.
Further, making sure your vehicle is insured is another part of being a responsible vehicle owner. While car insurance rates are increasing, it is important to still make sure that your car is insured. If you get into a major car accident, having insurance will help you cover the costs for the damage incurred to your vehicle. Without insurance, you could incur significant expenses that may negatively affect your financial stability and savings.
