Over the past several years, few issues have generated more discussion within New Hampshire’s motor vehicle industry than the future of the state’s vehicle inspection program.

With the passage of HB 649, New Hampshire has entered a new era in vehicle safety regulation. While the traditional inspection sticker requirement has changed, the law establishes clear standards for unsafe vehicles, defines responsibilities for owners and dealers, clarifies consumer protections and reinforces one enduring principle: Vehicles operated on our roads must be safe.

Vehicle Safety Remains the Priority

HB 649 establishes a clear legal definition of an unsafe motor vehicle, helping address a gap created when inspection enforcement was weakened, and certain safety and equipment requirements were no longer enforceable through administrative rules.

The law allows law enforcement to act on obvious safety hazards and places key equipment standards into statute. Unsafe vehicles include those with exhaust leaks entering passenger or cargo areas; missing major exterior body components such as doors, hoods, fenders, trunks or bumpers (with limited manufacturer-designed exceptions); cracked, broken, or severely rusted frames or unibodies; severe windshield damage in the driver’s critical viewing area; unsafe tire conditions; or significant fuel system leaks.

For dealers, understanding these standards is essential. Vehicle safety remains a cornerstone of our industry, and that commitment continues under the new law.

Recognizing that the statutory language can be extensive and highly technical, NHADA has carefully reviewed the new RSA 266 equipment standards and developed a practical summary and compliance checklist for technicians, service personnel and dealership staff. The checklist is designed to serve as a convenient guide for evaluating whether a vehicle meets the law’s requirements and can be used as part of a dealership’s examination process. Members can access the RSA 266 Equipment Standards Summary and Checklist on the NHADA website.

Strengthening Consumer Protections

HB 649 also strengthens consumer protections by establishing standardized dealer disclosure requirements under RSA 358-F:2.

At the time of sale, dealers must provide buyers with one of three written statements regarding a vehicle’s safety status:

• that it meets RSA 266 equipment requirements;
• that it has been inspected and does not meet those requirements, with defects identified; or
• that no inspection has been conducted and no determination of compliance has been made.

These uniform disclosure standards create clear expectations for both dealers and consumers, promote transparency during the purchasing process, and reduce uncertainty regarding vehicle condition and dealer responsibilities. By providing a consistent framework for vehicle transactions, HB 649 helps reinforce consumer confidence and trust in the marketplace.

To help members comply with these requirements, NHADA has developed a Motor Vehicle Examination Disclosure Form (2-Part) that can be used for any used-vehicle sale. The form is designed to assist dealers in meeting the disclosure obligations of RSA 358-F:2 by documenting the vehicle’s examination status and providing the required written notice to the purchaser.

The two-part format allows both the dealership and the customer to retain a copy of the disclosure, creating a clear record of the information provided at the time of sale. Whether a vehicle meets RSA 266 requirements, has identified defects or has not been examined, the form provides a straightforward way to document the appropriate disclosure and demonstrate compliance.

The Motor Vehicle Examination Disclosure Form is available for purchase through NHADA and is intended to serve as a practical compliance tool for dealerships as they implement the new requirements under HB 649.

Safety Examinations and Temporary Plate Usage

Temporary plates are now tied directly to vehicle safety. HB 649 requires that a vehicle meet the RSA 266 equipment and safety requirements before a dealer can issue a temporary plate.

To support compliance, NHADA has created an examination sticker that can be placed on examined vehicles, providing dealers, consumers and law enforcement with a clear visual indication that the vehicle met RSA 266 requirements at the time of examination and is eligible for temporary and/or dealer plate use.

Moving Forward

HB 649 represents a significant shift in how vehicle safety is addressed in New Hampshire. While opinions regarding the broader inspection debate may differ, the law provides a framework that prioritizes vehicle safety, consumer transparency and dealer accountability.

As an industry, our responsibility remains the same as always: helping ensure that the vehicles sold and operated in New Hampshire are safe for the families, businesses and communities that depend on them every day.

NHADA will continue providing guidance, resources and advocacy to help members navigate these changes and maintain the high standards that consumers expect from New Hampshire dealers.