Seems things are improving all over. Ontario used to have a tailpipe emission test you had to take every two years, which then changed to an OBD-II reading every two years. My mechanic railed about it as a useless money-grab scam and refused to participate. They briefly changed the system so that the inspections were free and paid for by the government, then abandoned them altogether as no longer necessary because of all the newer cars on the road. Then they abandoned license plate renewals entirely, which is just how I like it!
Safety inspections are still required but only when selling a vehicle.
That’s the exact place where I had my “nobody in line” amazing experience–the dreaded Lawrenceville inspection station.
By the way, they cut off a substantial amount of the main loop we all used to be stuck in for hours and hours–they apparently have no plans on having big lines ever again.
I don’t think I’d consider it an improvement to know that nobody may have checked the brakes on the vehicle behind me in the last ten years.
(Yes, the driver with both brains and money will check their brakes and keep them repaired as needed. There are a hell of a lot of people lacking one or both of those things.)
I’ve never experienced the Chicago DMV as particularly terrible. Sure, there’s some waiting involved, but I don’t think I’ve ever been there more than a hour. The employees are courteous and appear to be working reasonably hard.
By “improving” I was referring to the elimination of the useless biannual emissions tests and now the elimination of license plate renewals, which was always a government cash grab. It’s a refreshing change for the better in a world where most things are generally getting worse.
As for regular safety checks, they’re required and quite stringent for commercial vehicles, especially large trucks. But they’re only required for private cars when transferring ownership, or other special reasons such as re-licensing a vehicle previously designated as unfit. It’s for the same reason that emission testing was eliminated for private cars – experience has shown that in practice it’s a nuisance that doesn’t accomplish much and presents a cash-grab opportunity for less-than-honest mechanics.
In the nearly half-century that I’ve been driving I don’t think regular mandatory safety inspections for private cars were ever a thing here. Do you know anyone who drives around without brakes? Neither do I. If a police officer has a reason to suspect that a car is unsafe they have the power to order it in for inspection and if it fails the plates are pulled and it’s registered as unfit. Concerns about road safety are much better addressed by the kinds of stringent DUI laws we have here than by hounding responsible law-abiding drivers with pointless bureaucracy.
With no brakes at all? No. With crappy brakes about to fail? Yes. With bald tires, until about to have to pass inspection? Yes. With really shaky steering, as long as the car was mostly steerable, if not well enough to avoid another car in an unexpected situation? Yes. With a headlight out, or tail lights out, or nonfunctional turn signals? Yes. With rust so bad that their feet went through the floor unexpectedly? Yes.
And it’s generally at inspection that my (honest) mechanics have told me “your brake pads are almost worn out” or “you need new tires within the next couple of months” or “your brake lines are getting awfully rusty”. I could have them inspect the car if there weren’t a law, of course – but again, yes there are people who due to finances or carelessness won’t.
In 50 years of driving I’ve lived in 6 states. Including 3 of the 4 highest population ones. So losta cars & people.
I have never lived anywhere with a mechanical (not pollution control) inspection. The idea those things actually improve the mechanical condition of the cars around oneself is simply laughable.
I drove a car with totally inoperative main brakes for ~6 months when I was ~25yo.
To stop I pulled the parking brake release handle w one hand & pressed the emergency brake pedal to the floor w one foot. In crowded urban traffic &/or typical 60mph/100kph highway use this was proven to be adequate stopping capability.
Ymmv.
I do not claim the above was smart. But it did prove adequate to the task.
When I was ~17, I borrowed my sister’s car (a Karmen Ghia) and drove my friends to see Laserium. I was near the venue when my brakes failed going down a hill. I shifted down and used the parking brake to come to a stop.
I continued on. Laserium was awesome, and there was very little traffic afterwards. I drove the car home.
Today I’d call AAA and have the car towed. At 17 I never considered a tow truck.
As a kid I had 4 bald tires and needed to get inspected. I had almost enough money for new tires.
When my parents went somewhere on a weekend, I put their other car up on blocks and removed the wheels, putting them on my car. I got my car inspected and got everything back in order before they got home.