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S 211VERMONTSession 2025-2026State Billpassed chamber

Passed

Vermont Senate bill extends motor vehicle inspections to every two years and doubles inspection certificate fees to $16

Original title: An act relating to motor vehicle inspections

Last action · March 19, 2026: Referred to the Committee on TransportationSponsors: Rebecca White and 9 others

Companion · H 690same policy, House version Companion · H 684same policy, House version

+1 more version

Companion · H 358same policy, House version

Bill progressHistory & official text ↓

Introduced

Committee

Floor Vote

Passed

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What This Bill Would Do

Beginning July 1, 2026, registered motor vehicles in Vermont will undergo safety, visual emissions, and on-board diagnostic inspections every two years instead of annually. The fee for each inspection certificate issued by the Department of Motor Vehicles will increase from $8.00 to $16.00.

Why it matters

Vehicle owners will face half as many mandatory inspection visits but double the certificate fee per inspection, while revenue allocated to the for bridge maintenance changes.

Who It Would Affect

Groups the bill's text would affect if enacted, as described in the record. Being affected is not a position for or against it.

Directly affected

motor vehicle owners

Vehicle owners shift from annual to biennial inspection intervals and pay an increased certificate fee of $16.00.

Directly affected

State and municipal inspection stations

Stations inspecting only state- or municipally-owned vehicles are exempt from paying the certificate fee.

Key Facts

Registered motor vehicles in Vermont must undergo safety and visual emissions inspections every two years instead of annually.
Motor vehicles registered in Vermont that are 16 model years old or less must undergo emissions or on-board diagnostic systems inspections every two years.
The fee for each inspection certificate issued by the Department of Motor Vehicles increases from $8.00 to $16.00.
State and municipal inspection stations that inspect only State or municipally owned and registered vehicles are exempt from paying the certificate fee.

Show all 8 facts

Vehicle inspection certificate charge revenue is allocated to the Transportation Fund, with one-half reserved for bridge maintenance activities.
Any motor vehicle, trailer, or semi-trailer not currently inspected in Vermont must be inspected within 15 days following the date of its registration in the State.
Inspection certificates issued after July 1, 2026, must show a month that is two years after the month in which the vehicle is inspected.
The act takes effect on July 1, 2026.

Frequently Asked Questions

How often will I need to have my car inspected under this bill?

Vehicles will undergo safety, visual emissions, and applicable on-board diagnostic inspections every two years instead of every year.

How much will the inspection certificate cost?

The charge for each inspection certificate issued by the Department of Motor Vehicles will increase from $8.00 to $16.00.

Are school buses and motor buses affected by the two-year rule?

No. School buses and motor buses maintain their existing inspection schedules, with motor buses inspected twice during the calendar year at six-month intervals.

What else do you want to know?

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Where This Stands

Currently passed chamber. The next step in the legislative lifecycle is Law.

Procedural history

19 actions

Mar 19, 2026HouseCommittee
Referred to the Committee on Transportation
Mar 17, 2026SenateFloor
Read 3rd time & passed
Mar 17, 2026Senate
New Business/Third Reading
Mar 13, 2026Senate
3rd reading ordered
Mar 13, 2026Senate
Recommendation of amendment by Committee on Transportation agreed to
Mar 13, 2026Senate
Reported favorably by Senator Mattos for Committee on Finance

Show 13 earlier actions

Mar 13, 2026Senate
Read 2nd time, reported favorably with recommendation of amendment by Senator White for Committee on Transportation
Mar 13, 2026Senate
Favorable report by Committee on Finance
Mar 13, 2026Senate
Favorable report with recommendation of amendment by Committee on Transportation
Mar 13, 2026Senate
New Business/Second Reading
Mar 12, 2026Senate
Favorable report by Committee on Finance
Mar 12, 2026Senate
Favorable report with recommendation of amendment by Committee on Transportation
Mar 12, 2026Senate
Second Reading
Mar 12, 2026Senate
Entered on Notice Calendar
Feb 26, 2026SenateCommittee
Referred to Committee on Finance per Senate Rule 31
Feb 26, 2026Senate
Favorable report with recommendation of amendment by Committee on Transportation
Feb 26, 2026Senate
Second Reading
Feb 26, 2026Senate
Entered on Notice Calendar
Jan 7, 2026SenateIntroduced
Read 1st time & referred to Committee on Transportation

Version history

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