Top 10 Ways to Pass a Car Inspection in Any State
There are a few methods to pass an annual car inspection in every state. We have compiled a list of the top 10 ways you can possibly get yourself through that pesky yearly checkup without having to bring your baby into the shop. You know, unless you’re up for some minor repairs, but we aren’t going there today.
Let’s try to avoid any extra costs and complicated work orders by listing a few easy ways to make it through this safety check with satisfactory results:
1) Get a battery jump from someone else.
Bring along a friend or family member who has another car and ask them nicely if they would let you take their car out for a quick spin while they give your vehicle a jump start. If you happen to have jumper cables in your car, you can try this yourself. This may work if you are only having problems with the battery or electrical system. Keep in mind that other problems will not be fixed by a simple jump start, but it might get you out of immediate trouble and buy you some time.
2) Change your oil before inspection day.
Most service stations offer an oil change package for around $20 or less. You should do this at least the night before inspection day so there is no risk of forgetting about it until it’s too late. It’s easy to forget when there isn’t a tangible reminder staring back at us reminding us to get our car serviced…oh wait…
3) Use water instead of windshield wiper fluid.
A quick tip for drivers in states where there is a safety inspection – fill your windshield wiper fluid container with water. You’ll want to make sure you have enough water on hand to clean the windows, but this will work perfectly if you don’t have time to get an oil change or ensure that your wipers are in safe working order. Make sure you use it sparingly though! Only squirt enough on the window to see through, not so much that your car begins sliding off the highway.
4) Buy a cheap driving school certificate.
Most every state offers driving classes which allow individuals under 18 years old (sometimes even 21) to purchase special certificates exempting them from certain safety inspections. This is a good option if you have children or teenagers who drive your cars regularly. If they can pass the course, you’re all set for those yearly checkups. Unfortunately it’s not as easy as walking into any driving school and picking up your certificate of completion – different states have different requirements and not all of them may be available depending on your age, or license type.
5) Keep a backup form of transportation on standby.
This one is pretty self-explanatory: make sure you have another vehicle at the ready if an inspection is needed and something happens to the car you intend to drive that day. It’s not exactly the most brilliant way to pass an inspection, since this will probably cost you more than it would have if you had just planned ahead properly…but hey, what can we say? Sometimes desperate times call for desperate measures.
6) Keep your car clean inside and out.
A clean interior is always a good idea, even if you know that a thorough exterior cleaning is not in the cards. Having fresh smelling carpets and reasonably clean upholstery can work wonders when it comes time for inspection. If your car just seems dirty no matter how often you try to get into gear about your bad cleaning habits, then take it to a professional car wash or ask a friend for a giant favor. What’s another $20 when you’re getting your car inspect?
7) Make sure your brake lights work properly.
The brake lights are one of the most important parts of any vehicle, so do not neglect them at all costs! This is definitely hard to forget, especially if you live in an area where traffic lights are scarce. If you can’t remember whether or not your brake lights work, then look into getting them checked the day before inspection. It’s better to be safe than sorry when it comes to safety!
Conclusion:
All the other check-ups and repairs on your car are important, but none of them will get you out of a bad situation quite like passing an inspection. Making sure your brakes work is one of the most important things to do before any vehicle inspection because it’s so easy to forget. Driving school certificates can be helpful if you have young drivers, but be prepare for a longer turnaround time and other requirements.