Is it permissible to conduct state inspections on vehicles that are not in working condition?

Conducting state inspections is intended to ensure that vehicles meet safety and emissions standards mandated by state law. The primary goal is to assess the functionality and safety of operational vehicles on the road. An inspection on a vehicle that is not in working condition would not serve its intended purpose because the inspection criteria rely on the vehicle's systems being operational to accurately evaluate their condition.

When vehicles are in a non-operational state, critical components may not be functioning, making it impossible to perform a comprehensive and meaningful inspection. Thus, only operational vehicles can be subjected to a state inspection. This ensures that all necessary systems—such as brakes, lights, and emissions equipment—can be tested and verified for compliance with safety and environmental regulations. Therefore, a clear understanding of the criteria for inspections indicates that only vehicles in working order are approved for this process.