CONCORD, NH — The New Hampshire vehicle inspection program has been suspended until further notice, state officials announced Thursday.
Inspection stations will no longer be authorized to issue state inspection stickers and vehicles will not be required to obtain an annual state inspection at this time.
The suspension follows the Executive Council’s denial of the Department of Safety’s request to extend the termination date of the state’s vehicle inspection contract with Gordon-Darby NHOST, Inc.
Attorney General John M. Formella and Department of Safety Commissioner Robert L. Quinn said the state currently has no approved vendor to operate the vehicle inspection program.
After careful review of the legal implications under current state statutes, officials determined the program cannot continue without an approved vendor.
The announcement comes in response to a federal District Court’s Jan. 27 preliminary injunction order.
The Department of Safety and the Department of Environmental Services are exploring all options to continue to comply with the court’s order but currently lack the legal authority to operate a vehicle inspection program.
The state has filed a Notice of Appeal to the First Circuit Court of Appeals as well as a motion requesting that the court stay its preliminary injunction order.
Drivers are still responsible under current law to ensure that any vehicle driven in New Hampshire is safe to operate, regardless of the status of the inspection program.
Vehicle safety requirements are set forth in New Hampshire Revised Statutes Annotated Chapter 266.
