Vehicle safety system inspections begin statewide
Inspections under the new Vehicle Safety Systems Inspection (VSSI) Program began statewide on July 8, 2024. Created under Assembly Bill 471 (Low, Chapter 372, Statutes of 2021), the new program consolidated the former brake and lamp inspections with other vehicle safety systems assessments into one comprehensive inspection. The inspection is required for reviving a “total loss” vehicle, as deemed by an insurer, to a salvage title. The inspection now includes important vehicle safety systems, like:
- Body structure
- Brakes and lights
- Passenger compartment
- Steering and suspension
- Tires and wheels
The inspection also includes an on-board diagnostics scan, vehicle road test, and check for open safety recalls for the vehicle.
Successful implementation
BAR developed a phased implementation approach to support the transition from the former brake and lamp inspection programs to the new VSSI Program. Licensure for new vehicle safety systems inspection stations and vehicle safety systems technicians began March 27, 2024. From July 8 to September 27, 2024, the VSSI Program ran concurrently with the brake and lamp inspection programs, allowing stations and technicians time to adapt to the new inspection requirements. The brake and lamp inspections programs ended on September 27, 2024.
Program highlights
Feedback from VSSI station owners and technicians indicates that the transition to the new program was relatively easy. Technicians noted the main adjustment was building in extra time to complete the inspection. When asked about the program, Edgar Roldan of A1-1 Auto commented, “It is a good program because the comprehensive inspection keeps customers safe. It is also good for business because I can offer repair services if a vehicle fails the inspection.”
As of September 27, 2024, BAR has licensed 450 vehicle safety systems inspection stations and 587 technicians. Between July 8 and September 27, 2024, a total of 5,622 inspections were initiated, resulting in the issuance of 4,515 certificates. Notably, 929 vehicles failed inspections with 93% of those failures attributed to multiple issues, not just brake and lamp failures. This highlights the importance of the program in ensuring vehicle safety.
For more information on the new VSSI program and resources for VSSI licensees, see Vehicle safety systems inspections.