Every car should always be in good, drivable condition. When cars are not roadworthy, they are more likely to cause car accidents and severe injuries.
One way of monitoring a vehicle’s roadworthiness is through regular inspections. In fact, some states have mandatory car inspection laws.
Florida is one of the few states where vehicle inspections are optional. However, there are several circumstances under which cars must undergo routine checks.
A car cannot be insured or registered with the state without passing inspection. For this reason, your vehicle should undergo inspection if necessary.
In this post, our Fort Walton Beach car accident attorneys will discuss the information you need about Florida’s car inspection laws. Read on to get answers to your questions.
What Is a Car Inspection?
Vehicle inspection is a procedure mandated in many countries, in which a car is monitored to ensure it conforms to safety features and emissions requirements.
Most U.S. states mandate annual car inspections. A regular vehicle safety inspection checks such components as:
- Seat belts
- Auto horns
- Tires
- Brakes
- Head and tail lights
Some states also mandate testing for carbon emissions, which shows how much pollution the vehicle generates.
A car owner may be fined if their vehicle fails to pass inspection. If a car has a problem, the car owner must address it and return it for another examination. It can’t be allowed on the road until it passes inspection.
Does Florida Require Car Inspections?
Until 1981, Florida required all drivers to conduct regular vehicle safety inspections. Drivers had to have their vehicles tested for emissions and smog during this period.
But a decade later, legislators found that these tests did nothing to lower pollution in the state. This brought an end to state-mandated auto emissions testing in 2000.
Florida no longer requires annual car inspections. But there are two circumstances under which inspection is legally required:
- If someone acquires a secondhand car in Florida
- If a person buys a car outside of the state
There are no inspection requirements for brand-new vehicles in the state.
Vehicle owners should comply with Florida’s regulations on vehicle inspections. A car cannot be registered with the DMV or be covered by insurance if it fails to go through it when necessary or doesn’t pass the test.
What Happens During a Vehicle Inspection in Florida?
As earlier mentioned, Florida’s vehicle inspection program no longer evaluates a vehicle’s roadworthiness.
The state law, however, merely calls for vehicle identification number (VIN) examinations. During a VIN inspection, the state’s tester cross-references the vehicle’s details against its lien and title to ensure it isn’t stolen.
What Should Drivers Bring to a Car Inspection in Florida?
Fort Walton Beach residents must carry a few necessary documents when having their car inspected in Florida. These documents include the following:
- Photo ID: The best choice for photo identification is often a Florida driver’s license.
- Proof of ownership: Drivers may provide a paper or digital copy of their certificate of title.
- Proof of Insurance: The insurance policy must be valid and satisfy all legal criteria for minimum coverage.
Inspectors usually send away drivers who don’t have these documents with them at the time of their inspection.
Who Conducts Vehicle Inspections in Florida?
Most mechanics are licensed to conduct inspections, and there are also designated facilities where you may take your car for inspection.
However, since not just anyone can do a car inspection, it’s crucial to ensure that the person checking your vehicle is licensed by the state.
In rare circumstances, you might be allowed to bring your car to the police station because police officers can inspect automobiles.
When in doubt, a fast online search can provide a ton of places where you can get your car examined.
How Much Does a Vehicle Inspection Cost?
There is no standard cost for vehicle inspections in the state of Florida. That means a tester can set their prices for the service.
Some providers offer their clients complimentary state inspections. Others may charge up to $150.
Due to the wide range in pricing, drivers should always inquire beforehand to confirm the charges before bringing their car to an inspection facility.
What Should You Do If You Get into a Crash with an Uninspected Vehicle?
It is against the law for a motorist to operate an unregistered or uninspected car in Florida. Yet, a large number of drivers do that every day.
So, what should you do if a driver in an uninspected vehicle hits you? Here are the steps to take after the car accident:
Seek medical attention immediately
Your health should come first after any car accident. Take a few seconds to examine your body for any signs of injury, such as cuts and bruises.
Call 911, and ask for a paramedic if you notice anything needing emergency medical attention.
If you can’t reach your phone or your injury makes it impossible to call for an ambulance, ask a bystander to make the call. A call will help you get the care you require faster.
Contact your car insurance company
After receiving the necessary medical help, you must notify your auto insurance company about the collision. Try to avoid irrelevant details in your conversation with their representative. Only inform them:
- That you were involved in an accident
- Where the accident happened and when it happened
Giving all details is risky as the insurance provider may try to use them against them if you file a claim.
Contact the police department
As soon as you communicate with your vehicle insurance, call local law enforcement to inform them about the collision.
They’ll probably dispatch an officer to the location to investigate the incident and compile a thorough crash report.
The dispatched officer may ask you to issue an oral statement regarding the accident. Stick to the facts of the incident during your conversation and refrain from speculating about the other driver’s behavior or intent.
The officer’s crash report might be a crucial piece of evidence if you decide to sue the other party for your injuries.
Gather evidence from the accident scene
Take some time to collect any additional evidence you might need to support your case in a personal injury claim before leaving the accident scene.
Taking photos of the involved cars and the surrounding area might be an excellent place to start. These images may assist a judge and jury in understanding your accident better.
However, your efforts to collect evidence shouldn’t end there. You can also spend a few minutes getting the contact information of everyone who witnessed the collision. They may need to be contacted again in the future.
Contact an experienced attorney
After gathering evidence, finding an experienced personal injury attorney should be your next step.
Your lawyer can assist you in your battle to get damages from your vehicle accident settlement by:
- Examining the facts of your collision and estimating your damages
- Determining the fault/ cause of the accident
- Providing you with appropriate legal counsel
- Going over your legal options with you
- Seeking relevant evidence to support your claim
- Negotiating a settlement offer with the defendant’s insurance
- Representing you in court, if necessary
Getting a local attorney who understands the laws in your state is always advisable.
So, if your car crash resulted from another motorist’s failure to maintain or inspect their vehicle, search specifically for Fort Walton beach car accident attorneys.
Make Sure Your Vehicle Is in Good Shape
Even if your car doesn’t need an inspection, you should still take precautions to make sure it’s safe to drive. Visit your mechanic frequently, or learn to inspect the essential parts of your car yourself.
To maintain a secure and functional car, you should inspect components like:
- Brakes
- Tires
- Oil levels
- Fluid levels
- Front and tail lights
- Emergency flashers
Maintaining a safe and reliable car protects you and other drivers on the road safe by preventing possible vehicle issues and traffic accidents.
Contact Our Fort Walton Beach Car Accident Attorneys
Would you like an experienced local attorney to help you seek compensation after a car accident with an unregistered vehicle? If so, we can help you.
At Legal Giant, we partner with the best Fort Walton Beach car accident attorneys practicing in Florida for years.
We would be happy to connect you with an experienced attorney who will help you fight for the compensation you deserve.
Contact us for a free consultation today.
