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HomeHealth and Safety CodeDiv. 26Pt. 5Ch. 5Art. 2§ 44018 Vehicle Inspection Program Rules

§ 44018 Vehicle Inspection Program Rules

Health and Safety Code·California
AI Summary·Official Text·Key Terms·Related Statutes·References
AI SummaryVerified

§ 44018 Vehicle Inspection Program Rules

Key Takeaways

  • •Car inspections can include extra checks for safety and fuel efficiency, but only if it doesn’t cost much more (no more than 10% extra).
  • •The government decides what gets checked and how during these extra inspections.
  • •If you buy a car from a licensed dealer, it doesn’t need the extra safety checks.

Example

You take your car for its regular check-up, and the mechanic also looks at your tires and fuel system to make sure everything is safe and running smoothly.

The law allows the mechanic to do these extra checks as long as it doesn’t make your bill 10% more expensive. But if you just bought the car from a dealer, they skip these extra checks.

AI-generated — May contain errors. Not legal advice. Always verify source.

Official Source
View on CA.gov

§ 44018 Vehicle Inspection Program Rules

(a)  The motor vehicle inspection program may include advisory safety equipment maintenance checks, fuel efficiency checks, or both, on the motor vehicle if the department finds that cost-effective methods for conducting those checks exist and that the cost of the inspection to the vehicle owner due to the additional checks would not be increased by more than 10 percent. The department shall specify the equipment to be checked and the procedures for conducting those checks. (b)  Notwithstanding subdivision (a), a motor vehicle sold at retail by a lessor-dealer licensed pursuant to Chapter 3.5 (commencing with Section 11600), or a dealer licensed pursuant to Chapter 4 (commencing with Section 11700), of Division 5 of the Vehicle Code shall not be subject to an advisory safety equipment maintenance check pursuant to this section. (Amended by Stats. 1985, Ch. 230, Sec. 1.)

Last verified: January 24, 2026

Key Terms

equipmentleasevehiclesafetylicenseinspectionmaintenance

Related Statutes

  • § 111115 Water Vending Machine Cleaning
  • § 44011.3 Vehicle Emissions Pretest Rules
  • § 44013 Vehicle Emission Standards
  • § 44013.5 Retrofit Device Certification Program
  • § 44017.3 Smog Check Failure Options

References

  • Official text at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
  • California Legislature. Health and Safety Code. Section 44018.
View Official Source