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HLS 26RS-1225 ORIGINAL
2026 Regular Session
HOUSE BILL NO. 838
BY REPRESENTATIVE BAGLEY
MTR VEHICLE/INSPECTION: Provides with respect to vehicle inspection stickers
1 AN ACT
2 To 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 provide for an election to determine if vehicle inspection
5 stickers will be discontinued and no longer required; to provide for the ballot
6 language; to provide for the calling of the election; to provide for the effects of the
7 election; to repeal the inspection sticker requirement for assembled vehicles; to
8 provide for periodic inspection of commercial and student transportation vehicles;
9 to provide relative to the operation of official inspection stations; to provide for
10 specific effective dates; and to provide for related matters.
11 Be it enacted by the Legislature of Louisiana:
12 Section 1. R.S. 32:1301, 1302, 1304(A)(1) through (3) and (B), 1306(C), and
13 1306.1(A) are hereby amended and reenacted to read as follows:
14 §1301. Vehicles without required equipment or in unsafe condition
15 No person shall drive or move on any highway any motor vehicle, low-speed
16 vehicle as defined in R.S. 32:1(40)(50), trailer, semitrailer, or pole trailer, or any
17 combination thereof, unless the equipment upon any such vehicle is in good working
18 order and adjustment as required in this Chapter and the vehicle is in such safe
19 mechanical condition as not to endanger the driver or other occupant or any person
20 upon the highway. Every motor vehicle, low-speed vehicle, trailer, semitrailer, and
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1 pole trailer registered in this state which is required to be inspected pursuant to the
2 provisions of this Chapter shall bear a valid safety inspection certificate issued in the
3 state of Louisiana, except as otherwise provided by this Chapter.
4 §1302. Inspection Enforcement by officers of the department
5 A. The Director of Public Safety, members of the State Police and such other
6 officers and employees of the department as the director may designate, may at any
7 time upon reasonable cause to believe that a vehicle is unsafe or not equipped as
8 required by law, or that its equipment is not in proper adjustment or repair, require
9 the driver of such vehicle to stop and submit such vehicle to an inspection and such
10 test with reference thereto as may be appropriate, and issue a citation to the operator
11 of such vehicle.
12 B. In the event such vehicle is found to be in unsafe condition or any
13 required part or equipment is not present or is not in proper repair and adjustment the
14 officer shall give a written notice to the driver and shall send a copy to the
15 department. Said notice shall require that such vehicle be placed in safe condition
16 and its equipment in proper repair and adjustment specifying the particulars with
17 reference thereto and that a certificate of inspection and approval be obtained within
18 5 days.
19 §1304. Secretary to require periodical periodic inspection; commercial and student
20 transportation vehicles
21 A.(1) The secretary shall at least once every other year, but not more
22 frequently than twice each year, require that every motor vehicle, low-speed vehicle,
23 trailer, semitrailer, and pole trailer registered in this state commercial motor vehicle
24 registered in this state and required to be inspected pursuant to 49 CFR Part 396,
25 including Part 396.17 and "Appendix G" thereof, and every student transportation
26 vehicle registered in this state and required to be inspected pursuant to LAC
27 28:CXIII.701(A)(3) be inspected and that an official certificate of inspection and
28 approval be obtained for such vehicle. However, overweight and oversize mobile
29 homes requiring a state permit shall not be required to bear a certificate of approved
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1 inspection when being moved by a bonded carrier as defined by law nor shall used
2 motor vehicles in transit by a dealer be required to have a certificate of inspection
3 and approval. In addition, the secretary shall require motor vehicles registered in a
4 parish or municipality subject to the federal Clean Air Act, 42 U.S.C. 7401 et seq.,
5 or continuous regulations promulgated by the United States Environmental
6 Protection Agency requiring performance of the inspection and maintenance (I/M)
7 program, be inspected in accordance with R.S. 30:2054(B)(8). Nothing in this
8 Section shall be construed to relieve any operator of a motor vehicle, low-speed
9 vehicle as defined in R.S. 32:1(50), trailer, semitrailer, or pole trailer, or any
10 combination thereof from compliance with the provisions of R.S. 32:1301.
11 (2) Such inspection should be made and such certificates obtained with
12 respect to the mechanism, brakes, and equipment of every vehicle vehicles required
13 to be inspected as shall be designated by the secretary. The secretary shall require
14 the inspection of all approved automotive emission control devices installed on
15 motor vehicles required to be inspected and that were produced after model year
16 1980 to insure ensure that such devices are operative and have not been tampered
17 with. However, low-speed vehicles shall not be subject to regular emissions
18 inspections.
19 (3)(a) The secretary shall formulate and promulgate a set of standards for the
20 control and regulation of emission control devices on all automobiles and other
21 motor vehicles subject to inspection pursuant to this Section, which standards shall
22 be consistent with other federal and state regulations for the installation and
23 operation of approved emission control devices.
24 (b) The secretary is hereby authorized to make necessary rules and
25 regulations for the administration and enforcement of this Section and to designate
26 any periods of time during which owners of vehicles, subject to this Section, shall
27 display upon such vehicles certificates of inspection and approval and shall produce
28 them on demand of any officer or employee of the department designated by the
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1 secretary or any police or peace officer when authorized by the secretary. However,
2 an owner or operator of a light trailer, utility trailer, boat trailer, or farm trailer need
3 only provide a valid inspection sticker on demand of an inspecting officer to be in
4 compliance with the inspection requirements of this Chapter.
5 * * *
6 B. The secretary is hereby authorized to make necessary rules and
7 regulations for the administration and enforcement of this Section and to designate
8 any periods of time during which owners of vehicles, subject to this Section, shall
9 display upon such vehicles certificates of inspection and approval or shall produce
10 the same on demand of any officer or employee of the department designated by the
11 secretary or any police or peace officer when authorized by the secretary. Owners
12 and operators of all motor vehicles, subject to this Section, required to be equipped
13 with windshields shall display on the lower left hand corner of the windshield a
14 certificate of inspection affixed thereto by a duly authorized motor vehicle inspection
15 station. The secretary shall accept the certificate of inspection and approval issued
16 by any municipality pursuant to any municipal ordinance adopted prior to July 27,
17 1960. However, each person who applies for a motor vehicle inspection tag in the
18 city of New Orleans shall produce written proof of insurance from an insurer that the
19 motor vehicle is covered by security and shall declare in writing that he or she
20 intends to maintain said security at all times while said vehicle is used upon the
21 highways of Louisiana.
22 * * *
23 §1306. Operation of official inspection stations
24 * * *
25 C.(1)(a) A charge or fee shall be charged for each certificate of inspection
26 and approval issued, as provided in this Subsection.
27 (b) Persons operating an official inspection station shall offer certificates of
28 inspection that are valid for both one year and two year periods. The owner of the
29 vehicle shall have the option of purchasing a one year or a two year certificate. A
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1 charge or fee shall be charged for each year of validity of the certificate of inspection
2 and approval issued, as provided in this Subsection.
3 (c) The provisions of Subparagraph (b) of this Paragraph shall not apply to
4 the inspection programs provided for in Paragraphs (3) and (5) of this Subsection and
5 to student transportation vehicles.
6 (2) Except as otherwise provided in this Subsection, for each year of validity
7 of the certificate issued, a charge or fee of ten dollars shall be charged, four dollars
8 and seventy-five cents of which shall be retained by the operator of the motor vehicle
9 inspection station conducting the inspection, four dollars of which shall be
10 transferred to the office of state police for use in traffic law enforcement, and one
11 dollar and twenty-five cents shall be transferred to the office of motor vehicles for
12 expenses associated with the motor vehicle inspection and financial responsibility
13 programs. Included in the inspection shall be the adjustment of headlights when
14 needed and mechanically practical, at no additional cost to the operator of the motor
15 vehicle inspected.
16 (3)(a) (2)(a) For parishes and municipalities that have a vehicle inspection
17 and maintenance program required by the federal Clean Air Act or regulations
18 promulgated by the United States Environmental Protection Agency, an additional
19 eight dollars shall be charged for each inspection that includes the performance of
20 the inspection and maintenance (I/M) program pursuant to the provisions of R.S.
21 30:2054(B)(8) for 1980 or newer model year motor vehicles. The motor vehicle
22 inspection station shall retain six dollars of the additional charge for implementation
23 and performance of the I/M program. Two dollars of the additional charge shall be
24 transferred to the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality to implement and
25 operate the inspection and maintenance program.
26 (b) The department shall promulgate and adopt rules and regulations
27 necessary to implement the provisions of this Paragraph.
28 (c) The provisions of this Paragraph shall not apply to any trailer, light
29 trailer, or semitrailer.
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1 (4) (3) The maintenance and inspection program and the fees provided for
2 in Paragraph (3) (2) of this Subsection shall be discontinued when the I/M program
3 is discontinued as allowed by the federal Clean Air Act, 42 U.S.C. 7401 et seq., and
4 regulations promulgated by the United States Environmental Protection Agency or
5 agreements with the agency concerning the implementation of this program, or result
6 in any other noncompliance regarding this Subsection.
7 (5) (4) An annual charge or fee of thirty dollars shall be charged for the
8 inspection of all commercial motor vehicles which are required to be inspected under
9 the provisions of Part 396 of Title 49 of the Code of Federal Regulations 49 CFR
10 Part 396, including Part 396.17 and "Appendix G" thereof. No charges or fees other
11 than the thirty-dollar fee shall be charged for a commercial motor vehicle inspection.
12 Of the thirty-dollar fee, the motor vehicle inspection station operator who performs
13 this inspection shall retain twenty-three dollars and seventy-five cents; two dollars
14 and twenty-five cents shall be transferred to the office of motor vehicles for expenses
15 associated with motor vehicle and financial responsibility programs; and four dollars
16 of which shall be transferred to the office of state police for use in traffic law
17 enforcement. Included in the inspection shall be the adjustment of headlights at no
18 additional cost to the operator of the motor vehicle being inspected. The Legislature
19 of Louisiana hereby declares that a commercial motor vehicle inspection is much
20 more extensive than the inspection mandated in Paragraph (2) of this Subsection and
21 that the increase in the fee or charge for the inspection of commercial vehicles is
22 based on the difference in the two types of inspection.
23 (6)(a) (5)(a) The charge or fee for the inspection of student transportation
24 vehicles which are required to be inspected under pursuant to LAC
25 28:CXIII.701(A)(3) shall be twenty dollars. No charges or fees other than the
26 twenty-dollar fee shall be charged for a student transportation vehicle inspection. Of
27 the twenty-dollar fee, the motor vehicle inspection station operator who performs
28 this inspection shall retain fourteen dollars and seventy-five cents; one dollar and
29 twenty-five cents shall be transferred to the office of motor vehicles for expenses
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1 associated with motor vehicle and financial responsibility programs; and four dollars
2 shall be transferred to the office of state police for use in traffic law enforcement.
3 (b) The adjustment of headlights shall be included in the inspection at no
4 additional cost to the owner or operator of the school bus being inspected.
5 (c) The Legislature of Louisiana hereby declares that a student transportation
6 vehicle inspection is much more extensive than the inspection required of other
7 motor vehicles and that the increase in the fee or charge for the inspection of student
8 transportation vehicles is based on the difference in these types of inspections.
9 * * *
10 §1306.1. Inspection and maintenance program fees; nonattainment area; local
11 election
12 A. Upon adoption of a proposition approved by the voters of a nonattainment
13 area parish as provided for in this Section, seven dollars shall be charged for each
14 inspection that includes the performance of the inspection and maintenance (I/M)
15 program pursuant to the provisions of R.S. 30:2054(B)(8) for 1980 or newer model
16 year motor vehicles. This charge shall be in addition to the charge or fee provided
17 for in R.S. 32:1306(C)(3)(a) R.S. 32:1306(C)(2)(a).
18 * * *
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 838 Original 2026 Regular Session Bagley
Abstract: Eliminates the requirement for certain vehicles to have on inspection sticker.
Present law (R.S. 32:1301) specifies that no person is permitted to drive or move on any
highway any motor vehicle, low-speed vehicle as defined in present 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 trailer registered in this state shall bear a valid safety inspection
certificate issued in the state of La., except as otherwise provided by this Chapter.
Proposed law modifies present law by requiring only commercial and student transportation
vehicles have an inspection sticker.
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HLS 26RS-1225 ORIGINAL
HB NO. 838
Present law (R.S. 32:1302) 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. Removes the provision providing 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.
Present law (R.S. 32:1304(A)(1)) specifies that the secretary must at least once every other
year, no more than twice, require every motor vehicle, including specific enumerated types
be inspected and receive an inspection sticker upon approval. Provides an exception to this
requirement for bonded carriers.
Proposed law removes the inspection sticker requirement applicable to all motor vehicles.
Also 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 (R.S. 32:1304(A)(2)) 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.
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.
Present law (R.S. 32:1304(A)(3)(a) and (b)) 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 (R.S. 32:1304(B)) 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
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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 (R.S. 32:1306(C)(1)) 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 (R.S. 32:1306(C)(2)) 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 (R.S. 32:1306(C)(3)) 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 (R.S. 32:1306(C)(4)) 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.
Proposed law retains present law.
Present law (R.S. 32:1306(C)(5)) 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. 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
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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 (R.S. 32:1306(C)(6)) 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.
(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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