Cadillac & LaSalle Club Discussion Forum

Cadillac & LaSalle Club Forums => General Discussion => Topic started by: RAMcGrew on May 03, 2007, 05:30:48 PM

Title: To All CLC Members: New Pennsylvania DOT Inspection Program.... read this!
Post by: RAMcGrew on May 03, 2007, 05:30:48 PM
People :  I read this on the Legislative section of the AACA Forum.  Ted Sweet posted it and I am spreading the information for those of you in PA and the rest of us should it spread.

Quote

If you live in PA, your rights to own and customize a car is in serious jeopardy. In January, 2007, PENNDOT implemented a new "ENHANCED VEHICLE INSPECTION PROGRAM" known as EVIP. This program was developed and enacted without any public exposure, debate, input, or knowledge, just like the insideous midnight pay raise that they tried to foist upon us. Please read about what is going on, or you will soon be paying huge amounts in fines, and new procedures.

Basically, PENNDOT began to develop a program to regulate and identify problem cars, like reconstructions, flood damaged vehicles, etc. Unfortunately, as wilth eveything that the state decides to stick its nose into, it went awry, and some brilliant idiot decided to include any and all cars that are not absolute, 100% stock vehicles.

Here's how it goes. Once the plan gets fully implemented, there will be a network of special inspection stations across the state, and you will have to take your custom, collector, hotrod, streetrod, etc (Or any vehicle tagged by a state trooper as not being 100% stock) to one of these stations for inspection. Inspections may range in price from $100 up to $500, but that is still unknown. If your car passes inspection, you will be issued (And have to pay for) a new title, and the specifics of your vehicle will be entered into a data base.

Now here's where the fun comes in. A state trooper may pull you over at any time, even if you are legally licensed, inspected, etc, and doing absolutely nothing wrong. He will print out a list of specifics from the data base, and compare them to your vehicle. If ANYTHING has changed on your vehicle, he will fine you, declare that your title is now invalid, and force you to go through the expensive inspection and retitling process all over again, and you will not be able to use your car until you comply. Listen to what I said. ANY CHANGE IN YOUR VEHICLE can result in a fine, and costly reinspection and retitleing. So that means that if you change the size of your tires, put on different wheels, add air shocks, add a lift kit, add ground effects, ANYTHING, you are in trouble.

This will affect EVERY SINGLE CAR OWNER AND DRIVER IN THE STATE OF PA, NEW CARS AND OLD. If you buy a brand new truck and put bigger tires on it, YOU ARE IN VIOLATION OF THE NEW LAWS. If you buy a tuner and put ground effects on it, YOU ARE IN VIOLATION OF THE NEW LAWS. If you buy a motorcycle and put custom pipes on it, YOU ARE IN VIOLATION OF THE NEW LAWS. If you replace the engine in your cars with another size engine, YOU ARE IN VIOLATION OF THE NEW LAWS. If you repaint your car, YOU ARE IN VIOLATION OF THE NEW LAWS. If your car develops rust, YOU ARE IN VIOLATION OF THE NEW LAWS. If you put headers on your car, YOU ARE IN VIOLATION OF THE NEW LAWS. If you change the exhaust on your car, YOU ARE IN VIOLATION OF THE NEW LAWS. If you change the air induction system on your car, YOU ARE IN VIOLATION OF THE NEW LAWS. I repeat, anything that deviates from 100% stock, or changes your vehicle in any way from the last time it was titled, IS IN VIOLATION OF THE NEW LAWS.

This is a savage, and brutal attack on the drivers of PA, and especially the car enthusiasts in this state.

What can you do? If you are concerned (You should be FURIOUS!), there are things you can do. Groups are starting to form, but we need all of the help and support we can get from all of you. This is a battle that will depend on grassroots support. No one will fight for us or help us, unless we show that we will not take this sort of thing lying down. Car clubs are starting to rally, petitions are starting to be passed around. People are starting to complain to their elected officials. I urge every driver in PA to sign one of the petitions, and join one of the groups. Volunteer a little of your time and service, or it will untimately cost you much more. Call, email, or write to the state senators and representatives and tell them that you want this stopped. The people that are implementing this insideous program are appointed, but the politicians are elected, so tell them straight out that you are so mad, that if they don't do anything about this, you will not vote for them in the next election.

There has been almost no information about these new laws let out to the public. The state is trying to get inspection stations to sign a contract to become one of these enhanced inspection stations, so if you, or someone you know owns an inspections station, tell them to refuse to join up. If they read the fine print of the contract, they will find out that if they accept the terms of the contract, THEY WILL AGREE TO ACCEPT LIABILITY FOR ANY CURRENT AND FUTURE PROBLEMS RELATED TO OR CAUSED BY ANY VEHICLE THEY INSPECT.

A friend of mine, and longtime car enthusiast, Bob Pisaneschi is locally spearheading the fight against the new laws. He has already been in contact with State Representative Dan Surra, who was totally unaware of the extent of PENNDOTS plans. Mr Surra, a car enthusiast himself, was quick to promote the creation of a MOTORSPORTS CAUCUS in the state legislature, to protect the rights of car enthusiasts in the state of PA. Every driver in PA needs to contact MR. Surra (814-375-4688), and give him your support, and tell him that you don't agree with the new Enhanced Vehicle Inspection Program, and its impact on drivers, car owners, and car enthusiasts in the state of PA. Every driver should also contact his or her own State Representatives and Senators, and voice these same concerns to them. If you would like Bob Pisaneschi to talk to your group or car club, to learn the true extent and potential impact of these new laws, and to see how you can help, PM me, and I will put you in touch with him.

Please, I urge every driver and car owner in PA, and especially those of us who own custom, collector, streetrod, hotrod, or any other type of special vehicle, to get involved in the fight now, and not let the state of PA pull these Gestapo-like tactics on the law abiding drivers and car enthusaists of PA. If you don;t do it, no one else will, and you will have no one else to blame, but yourself, when collector and special interest vehicles become a thing of the past. This is truely a sad day in the history of this great state, when a decent, law-abiding interest and hobby like ours is targeted for destruction by a few self-serving, misinformed, beurocratic bozos like the ones who developed these new policies.

Here is the link to the specifics of the program : http://www.dot10.state.pa.us/pdotforms/fact_sheets/fs-recon.pdf
(http://www.dot10.state.pa.us/pdotforms/fact_sheets/fs-recon.pdf)
Title: Here it comes!
Post by: Jim S. on May 04, 2007, 10:07:15 AM
I've been expecting this!  It's getting so that you can't hang a picture on your wall without a building permit, so I figured sooner or later the nanny state would arrive on the car hobbist's doorstep.  How in heaven's name they can enforce this in the real world is another matter.  What repair of an older vehice isn't going to deviate from "100% original"?  It sounds so ludicrous and over reaching that I find it hard to believe it could ever really be enacted.  But, where there's a bureaucratic will, there's probably a way.
Title: Re: To All CLC Members: New Pennsylvania DOT Inspection Program.... read this!
Post by: Mike Josephic CLC #3877 on May 08, 2007, 12:36:57 AM
Quote from: RAMcGrew CLC# 17693 on May 03, 2007, 05:30:48 PM
People :  I read this on the Legislative section of the AACA Forum.  Ted Sweet posted it and I am spreading the information for those of you in PA and the rest of us should it spread.

Quote

If you live in PA, your rights to own and customize a car is in serious jeopardy. In January, 2007, PENNDOT implemented a new "ENHANCED VEHICLE INSPECTION PROGRAM" known as EVIP. This program was developed and enacted without any public exposure, debate, input, or knowledge, just like the insideous midnight pay raise that they tried to foist upon us. Please read about what is going on, or you will soon be paying huge amounts in fines, and new procedures.

Basically, PENNDOT began to develop a program to regulate and identify problem cars, like reconstructions, flood damaged vehicles, etc. Unfortunately, as wilth eveything that the state decides to stick its nose into, it went awry, and some brilliant idiot decided to include any and all cars that are not absolute, 100% stock vehicles.

Here's how it goes. Once the plan gets fully implemented, there will be a network of special inspection stations across the state, and you will have to take your custom, collector, hotrod, streetrod, etc (Or any vehicle tagged by a state trooper as not being 100% stock) to one of these stations for inspection. Inspections may range in price from $100 up to $500, but that is still unknown. If your car passes inspection, you will be issued (And have to pay for) a new title, and the specifics of your vehicle will be entered into a data base.

Now here's where the fun comes in. A state trooper may pull you over at any time, even if you are legally licensed, inspected, etc, and doing absolutely nothing wrong. He will print out a list of specifics from the data base, and compare them to your vehicle. If ANYTHING has changed on your vehicle, he will fine you, declare that your title is now invalid, and force you to go through the expensive inspection and retitling process all over again, and you will not be able to use your car until you comply. Listen to what I said. ANY CHANGE IN YOUR VEHICLE can result in a fine, and costly reinspection and retitleing. So that means that if you change the size of your tires, put on different wheels, add air shocks, add a lift kit, add ground effects, ANYTHING, you are in trouble.

This will affect EVERY SINGLE CAR OWNER AND DRIVER IN THE STATE OF PA, NEW CARS AND OLD. If you buy a brand new truck and put bigger tires on it, YOU ARE IN VIOLATION OF THE NEW LAWS. If you buy a tuner and put ground effects on it, YOU ARE IN VIOLATION OF THE NEW LAWS. If you buy a motorcycle and put custom pipes on it, YOU ARE IN VIOLATION OF THE NEW LAWS. If you replace the engine in your cars with another size engine, YOU ARE IN VIOLATION OF THE NEW LAWS. If you repaint your car, YOU ARE IN VIOLATION OF THE NEW LAWS. If your car develops rust, YOU ARE IN VIOLATION OF THE NEW LAWS. If you put headers on your car, YOU ARE IN VIOLATION OF THE NEW LAWS. If you change the exhaust on your car, YOU ARE IN VIOLATION OF THE NEW LAWS. If you change the air induction system on your car, YOU ARE IN VIOLATION OF THE NEW LAWS. I repeat, anything that deviates from 100% stock, or changes your vehicle in any way from the last time it was titled, IS IN VIOLATION OF THE NEW LAWS.

This is a savage, and brutal attack on the drivers of PA, and especially the car enthusiasts in this state.

What can you do? If you are concerned (You should be FURIOUS!), there are things you can do. Groups are starting to form, but we need all of the help and support we can get from all of you. This is a battle that will depend on grassroots support. No one will fight for us or help us, unless we show that we will not take this sort of thing lying down. Car clubs are starting to rally, petitions are starting to be passed around. People are starting to complain to their elected officials. I urge every driver in PA to sign one of the petitions, and join one of the groups. Volunteer a little of your time and service, or it will untimately cost you much more. Call, email, or write to the state senators and representatives and tell them that you want this stopped. The people that are implementing this insideous program are appointed, but the politicians are elected, so tell them straight out that you are so mad, that if they don't do anything about this, you will not vote for them in the next election.

There has been almost no information about these new laws let out to the public. The state is trying to get inspection stations to sign a contract to become one of these enhanced inspection stations, so if you, or someone you know owns an inspections station, tell them to refuse to join up. If they read the fine print of the contract, they will find out that if they accept the terms of the contract, THEY WILL AGREE TO ACCEPT LIABILITY FOR ANY CURRENT AND FUTURE PROBLEMS RELATED TO OR CAUSED BY ANY VEHICLE THEY INSPECT.

A friend of mine, and longtime car enthusiast, Bob Pisaneschi is locally spearheading the fight against the new laws. He has already been in contact with State Representative Dan Surra, who was totally unaware of the extent of PENNDOTS plans. Mr Surra, a car enthusiast himself, was quick to promote the creation of a MOTORSPORTS CAUCUS in the state legislature, to protect the rights of car enthusiasts in the state of PA. Every driver in PA needs to contact MR. Surra (814-375-4688), and give him your support, and tell him that you don't agree with the new Enhanced Vehicle Inspection Program, and its impact on drivers, car owners, and car enthusiasts in the state of PA. Every driver should also contact his or her own State Representatives and Senators, and voice these same concerns to them. If you would like Bob Pisaneschi to talk to your group or car club, to learn the true extent and potential impact of these new laws, and to see how you can help, PM me, and I will put you in touch with him.

Please, I urge every driver and car owner in PA, and especially those of us who own custom, collector, streetrod, hotrod, or any other type of special vehicle, to get involved in the fight now, and not let the state of PA pull these Gestapo-like tactics on the law abiding drivers and car enthusaists of PA. If you don;t do it, no one else will, and you will have no one else to blame, but yourself, when collector and special interest vehicles become a thing of the past. This is truely a sad day in the history of this great state, when a decent, law-abiding interest and hobby like ours is targeted for destruction by a few self-serving, misinformed, beurocratic bozos like the ones who developed these new policies.

Here is the link to the specifics of the program : http://www.dot10.state.pa.us/pdotforms/fact_sheets/fs-recon.pdf
(http://www.dot10.state.pa.us/pdotforms/fact_sheets/fs-recon.pdf)

Ram:

It was always the law in PA (I live there) that any vehicle with a Classic or Antique plate
had to be certified as "unmodified, as restored to original condition" -- that's why they give
you a pass on getting the annual state inspection, emissions test and license renewal.   That's
why you get a permanent plate for an antique.  That's why you have to send pictures of
the vehicle when you apply.   If you modify your car to the extent that it doesn't resemble
the original, then you are subject to the inspection laws.  It's all about collecting fees (taxes).   
Also, you must be aware that the antique license in PA carries certain restrictions -- i.e. you
can't use it as a daily driver and also must have registered another (modern) vehicle for
daily use to prove to the state that is the case.

I really don't see the big issue here.

Mike

Title: Re: To All CLC Members: New Pennsylvania DOT Inspection Program.... read this!
Post by: The Tassie Devil(le) on May 08, 2007, 01:42:11 AM
I'm totally in agreeance with you Mike. 
 
People seem to conveniently forget that original is what has been constructed to all the safety standards that were available at the time. 
 
Modifying something alters it to something that might, in most cases be really safe, but, sadly, in a number of cases, totally dangerous, and life-threatening.

It is a bit like Speed Limits.   When we go to get our Drivers Licence, we do everything correct, and by the book, but once out of the Licencing area, with Licence in hand, most people simply forget about things like obeying the Speed Limits, and then complain when they get booked for speeding, and say it is just "Revenue Raising". 
 
Bruce. >:D
Title: Re: To All CLC Members: New Pennsylvania DOT Inspection Program.... read this!
Post by: John Morris #23947 on May 13, 2007, 09:12:19 PM
I'm utterly amazed the last 2 posters agree with the new Nazi Communist laws in Pennsylvania. We invented the hotrod & custom scene in America, an entire lifestyle. Remember Archie & Jughead? Christine? The Munsters car? Batmobile? The Monkees? A million other cool unique rods? At the swipe of a pen your stuck with plain stockers, which I also like, but an entire culture wiped out in an entire state. How could you possibly not see "The Big Deal"? What buffoon actually came up with this rediculous law? His-her name should be enshrined in the hall of shame.   
Title: Re: To All CLC Members: New Pennsylvania DOT Inspection Program.... read this!
Post by: Whit Otis, 1188 on May 14, 2007, 10:02:56 PM
Thank you John Morris!  It is amazing how we can all sit around and then one day lamnet about how we got where we are.  This situation in PA, as well as the good old US of A, is kind of like trying to cook a frog for dinner.  If you throw him in the boiling water, he'll jump right out and try to make a run for it..... however, if you put him in some nice cool water and just raise the temperature a couple degrees at a time, it won't be too long before you have a cooked frog on your plate.  Well......... there it is folks, take your choice.... is it freedom or more insidious little rules and regulations snuck in one at a time.  Want to know why Chrysler was sold to private investors?  Real simple.... Sarbannes Oxley... a move by politicians trying to prove their worth because three corporations out of 10's of thousands did something wrong.  Guess what, this removes lots of attractive investment opportunities because business leaders in this country are no longer willing to put their neck on the chopping block for some politico's, so the companies go private... sorry for the rant folks, but that's how I feel about it.
Title: Re: To All CLC Members: New Pennsylvania DOT Inspection Program.... read this!
Post by: Don Collier on June 06, 2007, 04:24:06 PM
Being a PA resident, I wanted to know more about what this "new law" was all about...  It is actually all on the Web for anyone to look at - it isn't hidden.  Not advertised "locally", but, what law ever is?  Anyway, it isn't as outlandish as advertised.  The basic premise is to guarantee the road-worthiness of the vehicle when driven on public roadways.  If the vehicle being titled has had major structural modifications, repairs or replacements, it has to be inspected to make sure that it is road-worthy.

I personally would like to know that the chop framed 41 Ford coming at me at 60 mph on Rt. 26 is road worthy...  I have seen some cars on the road that had frames welded by the "guy down the road for a couple of bales of hay"; scary. :o  Some things that they inspect for are what you must have for the "regular" inspections - 2 headlights, 2 tail-lights, working brakes, all "original issue" anti-pollution controls installed, etc.  It does not prevent you from putting headers on your car, your car came with headers...a header is just a sexy manifold and down pipe(s) combined.  If you install headers, though, and your car had an original catalytic convertor, they had better connect to the convertor ;).  You can change your exhaust system as long as it meets the existing laws (can't exit forward of the doors, etc) and it keeps any anti-pollution devices (catalytic convertor if so equipped), etc.  So I can't take off the catalytic convertor from my 01 Escalade...I can't do that under existing inspection law. :-\  In fact, the exhaust system isn't even on the "check list"...it would be covered by the "regular" yearly vehicle inspection.

There is no extensive database of changes...the form merely has a "repaired" or "replaced" check box for the major structural components of an automobile...reasonable, to me anyway.  There is provision for a (this is quote) "detailed description of how the vehicle is configured (chassis, body components, engine, etc.) including all modifications, is attached".  As an IT person, I can tell you that a "detailed description" is not database material :D A state trooper, if he pulled you over, has nothing to "compare" your car to except for the pictures of your car that were sent in with the title application form - same as my antique title requirement.
If he sees your street rod flexing in the middle when you hit a pot hole, or if he doesn't see any tail lights on it, he'll probably pull you over...I would hope. ;D  No paint requirements, no rust exclusions (unless your frame or motor mounts are eaten through ;D)

As for fees...  Well, as it says on the Web site, the fees are market driven, not set by the state.  If your inspector wants to charge $500.00 - I would shop around for another.  There aren't a whole lot of them now, but, there are more taking the test every day (the guy that inspects my regular drivers and my classic Chrysler just got his Enhanced Vehicle Safety Inspector license last week.)  We got to talking about it...basically, it boils down to added red-tape for the end user and additional revenue for the state (the Feds were going to withhold certain dollars if PA didn't come into compliance with some Federal Regs).  What he'll be looking for is "common sense" safety for use on the road...is that 440 in your Cobra reproduction attached with Pinto motor mounts tack welded to a rusty spot on an old Mustang frame? ;D

This is a quote from the Inspection Study Course: "A vehicle may require many different types of repairs in order to restore it to a safe operating condition as well as ensure it complies with all original manufacturer’s specifications, Pennsylvania’s equipment requirements and vehicle inspection criteria. The role of the enhanced vehicle safety inspector is to verify that the vehicle has been restored to a safe operating condition."

Do I approve of more red tape?  No.  But then again, I wasn't in favor of the new building inspection laws either.  I build to exceed code, I don't need the inspection(s) hassle.  But, then again, I'm not the only builder in the state.  I do good automotive work, but, I don't do all the automotive work in the state either.  As long as we have people spot welding frames with a hobby welder and back yard builders using 2x4's to support a 2nd story deck, we'll need these kind of intrusions (either that or we get rid of the legal system that allows for law suits  :D).  They aren't banning hotrods nor customs or one offs - they just have to be safe.