CAWA and Auto Care Association representatives met with the chief of California’s Bureau of Automotive Repair (BAR) and his team last week to discuss the feasibility of creating a vehicle safety inspection program in the state.

While recognizing that the proposal would be a “heavy lift,” the assembled group decided to move forward and develop a plan to pursue the inspections, CAWA President and CEO Rodney Pierini said.

Preliminary tasks include developing a coalition of supporters for safety inspections; assessing the legislature’s and governor’s appetite for supporting a program; looking for support of state administrative agencies, such as the California Highway Patrol and Office of Traffic Safety; determining the interests of consumer groups; and continuing to communicate with the leadership team of BAR.

Vehicles require inspections before registration in California, but the inspections focus on emissions standards, not mechanical safety.