Buses and NC Vehicle Safety Inspection

NCbob · June 16, 2006, 07:35:16 AM

The topic of "House Car" inspection in NC came up a while back on one of the boards and while this is an issue for us in NC I thought
I'd throw it out there because some of the other states might have similar laws.

Here in NC if a vehicle, whether it be a car or a 'House Car', is over 35 years old (as my MC5A is) it is exempt from the NC vehicle Inspection. The recommendations are though, that you print out and carry a copy of the regulation for the 'harness bull' who might stop you and question the lack of an Inspection sticker in the window.

If anyone need Chapter & Verse I'll be glad to furnish it.

FWIW

NCbob

DavidInWilmNC · June 16, 2006, 08:25:26 AM

Hi Bob,

The problem I have is finding a place to inspect it. I suppose the big RV places could, but they are always so backed-up with their own work. I'm just not going to worry about it. I've asked several police officers and they didn't even know that my bus needed to be inspected. If I get busted, then I'll get an inspection. I would be interested in the info you have on it, though.

David

tomhamrick · June 16, 2006, 01:39:23 PM

I just had a NC inspection sticker placed on my Eagle at the Speedy Lube that does my cars. Just check with the places that do inspections and you will find one to pick you on a sticker.

NCbob · June 16, 2006, 04:06:45 PM

Sent you the info I have Dave...and BB too. Will forward it to anyone interested. Just send me an E-mail.

Bob

kingfa39 · June 16, 2006, 07:32:43 PM

i lived there 27 yrs and never had a problem getting the bus inspected, i just take it to the same place that does the cars. easy to find somebody just ask, wish i was back there again
Frank allen
4106

NJT5047 · June 16, 2006, 07:35:36 PM

Quote from: DavidInWilmNC on June 16, 2006, 08:25:26 AM
Hi Bob,

The problem I have is finding a place to inspect it. I suppose the big RV places could, but they are always so backed-up with their own work. I'm just not going to worry about it. I've asked several police officers and they didn't even know that my bus needed to be inspected. If I get busted, then I'll get an inspection. I would be interested in the info you have on it, though.

David

I'm interested in what you find. I called all the major RVs around here and no one did air brakes. Big trucks don't get NC inspections, they get DOT inspections...but the truck guys said they won't do DOT inspections on private vehicles. I know, lots of large RVs have air brakes. My friends new 05 Itasca Meridian doesn't have an inspection sticker on it.
NC inspections on a diesel powerd vehicle is what...$9.10? Somehow something doesn't compute...and if I wait long enough, someone will sort it out for me. I've been stopped by DOT and they didn't give a rats behind about safety inspections or anything else on a private coach. They didn't realize is was private until they stopped me.
I don't even have that on the side of the coach. However, most large RVs don't have it stuck on the sides either.
We are a motorcycle North Carolina inspection station, and my guys go thru the same training as the automotive inspectors. Air brakes are not covered in the course. Autos don't do motorcycles, and we don't do cars or trucks.
There is more to this I know....?? I've been driving around in my 87 MC9 for 5 years now, and may get gigged the next time I use it, but so far, no one wants to do it, and I've been told that no one will.
Whatever turns up on this subject, I'm interested. If I get caught and cited, I suppose they suggest who to take it to for an inspection?
Cheers, JR

NCbob · June 17, 2006, 02:21:54 AM

If you stop and think about it, JR, there isn't a brake test for automobiles either. Just the lights, wipers, horn, turn signals, etc.
Get out the inspection sheet for your car and you'll realize, as I did, that it's a simple safety inspection (except for the counties which have emmision tests). I had no problem getting mine done at a local tire dealer.

In fact he's the one who brought to my attention the fact that my bus, being over 35 years old, could be exempt from inspection.

On the DOT (or Federal Tag) you can buy the application at most truck stops and do your own inspection.

Perhaps I pushed the envelope too far in having mine inspected but I'm the type of person who will go a looong way out of the way to
stay within the Law. I don't wish to be inconvenienced by some overzealous DMV type when I'm traveling. It didn't take that much effort other than checking to see that everything was operating as it should...which we all should be doing anyway.

NCbob

Busted Knuckle · June 17, 2006, 08:00:10 AM

Quote from: NCbob on June 17, 2006, 02:21:54 AM
On the DOT (or Federal Tag) you can buy the application at most truck stops and do your own inspection.
NCbob

Bob, you are correct on buying and filling out your own Federal Annual Inspection Sticker. However then you have to prove that the person filling it out (you) is legally qualified to do the inspection, and how you are qualified, inspection training course, X # of years with hands on experience, etc. Also if any item fails when someone who is certified to do a Federal Inspection, they are required by law to make the repair before continuing with the inspection! I know this from personal experience from owning trucks and having to pay for repairs I didn't even realize were needed when picking up a truck from having it inspected! (That's when I went and got myself certified to do my own! Using the yrs of hands on experience as my qualification) So if you have a state that requires a "State Inspection" you are better off getting a qualified state inspector to do it (if they find a problem they are allowed to let you take it home or wherever and get it repaired up to 3 times before failing it, verses the "Fed's" must be repaired immediately, by the inspector! And if you don't live in a state requiring an inspection keep your coach in tip top shape and happy motoring because a Federal Inspection is not required for a private coach! BK

Ross · June 17, 2006, 08:26:01 AM

Bryce....Does TN have a state inspection? Is a PITA to get a bus conversion done. It's kind of a pain here unless you know someone.

Busted Knuckle · June 17, 2006, 08:32:49 AM

Quote from: Ross on June 17, 2006, 08:26:01 AM
Bryce....Does TN have a state inspection? Is a PITA to get a bus conversion done. It's kind of a pain here unless you know someone.

Ross we's simple people here in TN! In other words naw we ain't got no stink'n state inspection, of course we gots a lot of junkers on the road too! But it helps the wreckers stay busy! LOL! BK

Ross · June 17, 2006, 08:51:36 AM

Quote from: Busted Knuckle on June 17, 2006, 08:32:49 AM
Quote from: Ross on June 17, 2006, 08:26:01 AM
Bryce....Does TN have a state inspection? Is a PITA to get a bus conversion done. It's kind of a pain here unless you know someone.

Ross we's simple people here in TN! In other words naw we ain't got no stink'n state inspection, of course we gots a lot of junkers on the road too! But it helps the wreckers stay busy! LOL! BK

Man...No inspection, no state income tax, NO SNOW....What am I waiting for....

Busted Knuckle · June 17, 2006, 01:16:04 PM

Quote

Ross we's simple people here in TN! In other words naw we ain't got no stink'n state inspection, of course we gots a lot of junkers on the road too! But it helps the wreckers stay busy! LOL! BK

Quote

Man...No inspection, no state income tax, NO SNOW....What am I waiting for....

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That's what I was think'n but hey, if I speak too much too loud we'll have everybody try'n to come down here!LOL! BK

Ross · June 17, 2006, 06:32:41 PM

Quote from: Busted Knuckle on June 17, 2006, 01:16:04 PM
Quote
Ross we's simple people here in TN! In other words naw we ain't got no stink'n state inspection, of course we gots a lot of junkers on the road too! But it helps the wreckers stay busy! LOL! BK
Quote
Man...No inspection, no state income tax, NO SNOW....What am I waiting for....
Quote

That's what I was think'n but hey, if I speak too much too loud we'll have everybody try'n to come down here!LOL! BK

Now if I can just get a real estate agent to call me back, I'll be all set. I don't think they are taking me seriously. My house goes on the market in two weeks and I'd like to get a deposit down a new place fairly soon.

Busted Knuckle · June 17, 2006, 07:06:29 PM

Ross you should look around in our area we're about the same distance from Memphis as we are Nashville! Nice area close to KY and I guarantee you can find a place you'll like with a building to yer liking and our real estate people like anyones $ cause it's all $ to them! LOL! Might be worth your time to look in our area I-69 is gonna come thru soon and my shop sits in the middle of the north bound lanes, so I'll be look'n again when it happens but I ain't in no hurry and when it does I'll find another place nearby and hopefully build a shop to my specs! It wouldn't hurt ya to look ! BK

Ross · June 17, 2006, 07:25:10 PM

Can you pull a couple of agents out the phone book and post thier numbers? I'll probably take a trip to TN soon and line up as many properties to look at as I can. I'll probably fly out, rent a car and spend 3 or 4 days looking around.