KLS Keeping Law Simple Legislation in plain English

Straight-ahead summaries built from the official bill text. We keep the source links front and center and leave the decision up to you.

Back to Delaware

HB194 • 2025

AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 21 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO INSPECTION OF MOTOR VEHICLES.

AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 21 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO INSPECTION OF MOTOR VEHICLES.

Passed Legislature

This bill passed both chambers and reached final enrollment, even if later executive action is not shown here.

Sponsor
Collins
Last action
2025-06-05
Official status
House Transportation 6/5/25
Effective date
Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The source states the bill prohibits refusal 'solely based upon' computer codes, but also uses phrasing in Section 1 saying 'if... indicate'. The summary reflects that registration cannot be refused if only non-emission issues are flagged by these codes.

HB194: Vehicle Registration and Non-Emission Computer Codes

This bill stops the Department of Transportation from refusing to register or renew a car if computer codes show only non-emission problems.

What This Bill Does

  • Amends Title 21, Chapter 21 of the Delaware Code regarding vehicle inspections and on-board diagnostics trouble codes (DTC).
  • Prohibits the Department from refusing to register or renew a vehicle if inspection shows DTCs indicating only non-emission related problems.

Who It Names or Affects

  • The Department of Transportation in Delaware.
  • Vehicle owners whose cars have computer codes showing potential non-emission issues during inspection.

Terms To Know

On-board diagnostics trouble codes (DTC)
Computer signals from a vehicle that indicate it may have mechanical problems, as checked during an inspection.
Non-emission related problem
A potential issue with the car that is not connected to exhaust gases or pollution controls.

Limits and Unknowns

  • The rule applies only when computer codes indicate non-emission problems, not other types of inspection failures.
  • The bill has passed legislative steps but an effective date is not provided in the source text.
  • It specifically addresses registration and renewal decisions based on these specific codes.

Bill History

  1. 2025-06-05 Delaware General Assembly

    Introduced and Assigned to Transportation Committee in House

Official Summary Text

AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 21 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO INSPECTION OF MOTOR VEHICLES.
This bill prohibits the Department of Transportation from refusing to register or renew the registration of a vehicle solely based upon the vehicle's computer codes indicating the vehicle may have some non-emission related problem.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text 
Legislation Document

SPONSOR:

Rep. Collins & Sen. Hocker

Reps. Gray, Jones Giltner, Yearick; Sen. Wilson

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

153rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HOUSE BILL NO. 194

AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 21 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO INSPECTION OF MOTOR VEHICLES.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE:

Section 1. Amend Chapter 21, Title 21 of the Delaware Code by making deletions as shown by strike through and insertions as shown by underline as follows:

§ 2148. Inspection of vehicles and on-board diagnostics trouble codes (DTC)

The Department may not refuse to register or renew the registration of a vehicle if, upon inspection, the vehicle’s on-board diagnostics trouble code or DTC codes indicate the vehicle may have some non-emission related problem.

SYNOPSIS

This bill prohibits the Department of Transportation from refusing to register or renew the registration of a vehicle solely based upon the vehicle's computer codes indicating the vehicle may have some non-emission related problem.