What is one feature of the vehicle's lighting that is often inspected?

One essential feature of a vehicle's lighting that is routinely inspected is the brake lights, which are required to fully illuminate when activated. This is a critical safety aspect because brake lights serve as a warning to drivers behind you that the vehicle is slowing down or stopping. If the brake lights fail to illuminate properly, it significantly increases the risk of rear-end collisions, as following drivers may not be aware that the vehicle ahead is braking.

In New Hampshire, as in many other states, ensuring that brake lights are functional is a key component of the state inspection process. Inspectors will check not only for the presence of brake lights but also their brightness and responsiveness when the brake pedal is pressed. A failure to meet these safety standards could result in the vehicle not passing the inspection.

Other lighting features, while important, may not be emphasized to the same extent as brake lights during the inspection process. For example, fog lights, daytime running lights, and headlight brightness have their importance but do not carry the immediate safety implications that malfunctioning brake lights do.