Will Louisiana Ever Get Rid of Inspection Stickers?

KNGT-FM - Louisiana drivers have had enough of those little stickers on their windshields. Every year, it’s the same routine—pay the fee, get the inspection, and hope your car passes. Many residents say it’s a waste of time and money, and they’re tired of the hassle. But now, a new bill could finally change things. Could Louisiana actually get rid of inspection stickers for good?

In Louisiana, inspection stickers are currently required for all motor vehicles to show that they meet basic safety standards. Drivers must get their cars inspected each year and display a sticker on their windshield as proof. If a car is found to be unsafe, the owner receives a written notice and has five days to fix the problem. These inspections help make sure that vehicles on the road are in good condition.

Many Louisiana drivers may soon no longer have to worry about getting a yearly inspection sticker. A new bill being talked about in the Louisiana Legislature could put an end to inspection stickers for most personal cars. This could save drivers time and money each year.

What’s the Bill About?

House Bill 232 was created by State Representative Larry Bagley from District 7. The bill suggests removing the inspection sticker requirement for regular passenger vehicles. That means most personal cars wouldn't need to get inspected every year or display the little sticker on the windshield.

Even if inspection stickers go away for most personal cars, some vehicles in Louisiana will still need to be inspected. Federal laws, like the Clean Air Act, require regular checks for certain types of vehicles. This includes commercial trucks, school buses, and cars in specific areas that must follow federal emissions testing rules. These inspections help make sure the vehicles are safe to drive and meet important air quality standards. So while many drivers may get a break, not everyone will be sticker-free.

The bill says that inspection fees will not change for the vehicles that still need them:

• $30 for commercial vehicles
• $20 for school transportation vehicles
• $8 extra for emissions testing in certain parishes

Even if the bill passes, police officers can still stop a vehicle if it looks unsafe. If they think a car has problems that make it dangerous to drive, they can still perform a safety inspection on the spot. This keeps roads safer, even without stickers.

So when could this FINALLY happen? Here's what we know...

When Could This Happen?

If the bill passes and another related bill from the current session also passes, the new law would take effect soon after. Bagley tried to get this same bill passed last year, but it was delayed. Now, it’s back up for discussion in the Louisiana House of Representatives.

If the bill passes, most Louisiana drivers may no longer need to worry about inspection stickers. But some vehicles, like buses and trucks, would still need them. And even without stickers, cars still need to be safe to drive. The goal is to save money and time for drivers while still keeping roads safe.