# Annual auto safety inspections: scam or ripoff? **URL:** \ **Category:** Safety\ **Created:** [February 11, 2025, 5:20am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/annual-auto-safety-inspections-scam-or-ripoff/199071 "2025-02-11T05:20:40Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Clueless33](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/dbc845/32.png) [@Clueless33](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Clueless33)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2025, 11:50pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/annual-auto-safety-inspections-scam-or-ripoff/199071/41 "2025-02-17T23:50:53Z")
![IMG_9319](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/original/3X/f/5/f50d8fe1d0384c165db245b925ab0ff92e49ed65.jpeg) Even the Google robot doesn’t think 50% tint is an issue. ---
**Author:** ![VDCdriver](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/vdcdriver/32/30_2.png) [@VDCdriver](https://community.cartalk.com/u/VDCdriver)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2025, 11:56pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/annual-auto-safety-inspections-scam-or-ripoff/199071/42 "2025-02-17T23:56:26Z")
Well, you certainly couldn’t find a more authoritative source than Google’s AI response. 😏 ---
**Author:** ![Clueless33](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/dbc845/32.png) [@Clueless33](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Clueless33)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2025, 12:22am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/annual-auto-safety-inspections-scam-or-ripoff/199071/43 "2025-02-18T00:22:10Z")
> [@VDCdriver](#): > > Well, you certainly couldn’t find a more authoritative source than Google’s AI response. With 50% tint, I drive 100% comfortable and confident. With no tint at all, my driving ability is impaired. So where do we draw the line? They said get sunglasses which I have. My prescription glasses comes with built in sunshade and it doesn’t correct my issues. Putting a bigger sunglasses over my prescription glasses only cause driving distraction and discomfort due to the weight on my face. 50% tint perfectly suits an individual like me, and the unnecessary law makes something like 50% tint problematic. This is why me and my doctor have to be fighting with DMV. ---
**Author:** ![cigroller](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c68b51/32.png) [@cigroller](https://community.cartalk.com/u/cigroller)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2025, 1:18am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/annual-auto-safety-inspections-scam-or-ripoff/199071/44 "2025-02-18T01:18:50Z")
> [@Clueless33](#): > > With no tint at all, my driving ability is impaired. Given your self-reported driving issues, I’m coming to the conclusion that you just shouldn’t be driving at all. ---
**Author:** ![Clueless33](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/dbc845/32.png) [@Clueless33](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Clueless33)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2025, 1:21am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/annual-auto-safety-inspections-scam-or-ripoff/199071/45 "2025-02-18T01:21:33Z")
> [@cigroller](#): > > Given your self-reported driving issues, I’m coming to the conclusion that you just shouldn’t be driving at all. That’s not something nice of you to say, Cigroller. I wouldn’t tell you that you shouldn’t be driving if they didn’t make cars to fit your height. Be nice. ---
**Author:** ![jtsanders](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/c2a13f/32.png) [@jtsanders](https://community.cartalk.com/u/jtsanders)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2025, 3:13am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/annual-auto-safety-inspections-scam-or-ripoff/199071/46 "2025-02-18T03:13:44Z")
> [@Clueless33](#): > > So where do we draw the line? IMO the state draws the line at 70% light transmission as a safety factor for the police. Lighter tint means that a police officer can see into the car at a greater distance and has better resolution of whatever is in the car. ---
**Author:** ![cigroller](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c68b51/32.png) [@cigroller](https://community.cartalk.com/u/cigroller)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2025, 4:22am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/annual-auto-safety-inspections-scam-or-ripoff/199071/47 "2025-02-18T04:22:28Z")
> [@Clueless33](#): > > I wouldn’t tell you that you shouldn’t be driving if they didn’t make cars to fit your height. Whatever your physiological issues may be (which, uh - actually can be relevant to whether or not you should be driving), it/they don’t have anything to do with being inattentive to … oh, IDK … things like stopped school buses. ---
**Author:** ![Clueless33](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/dbc845/32.png) [@Clueless33](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Clueless33)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2025, 8:25am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/annual-auto-safety-inspections-scam-or-ripoff/199071/48 "2025-02-18T08:25:41Z")
> [@cigroller](#): > > Whatever your physiological issues may be (which, uh - actually can be relevant to whether or not you should be driving), it/they don’t have anything to do with being inattentive to … oh, IDK … things like stopped school buses. My issue is light sensitivity. I develop migraine if I let bright light soaks my eyes for 10 minutes. I don’t go outside during the daytime hours to chill and chat with family and friends for this reason. I stay in the house or inside of my car or inside of a building during the daytime. I set the tv screen brightness at the very lowest and no one in my home can see what’s on the tv but me. Everyone else needs 80-100% brightness in order to watch the tv comfortably, whereas I need 0% to see just fine. I’m not color blind. I have no other eye problem than light sensitivity. My vision is extremely sharp at nights. ---
**Author:** ![texases](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/texases/32/862_2.png) [@texases](https://community.cartalk.com/u/texases)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2025, 1:30pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/annual-auto-safety-inspections-scam-or-ripoff/199071/49 "2025-02-18T13:30:49Z")
There are light blocking sunglasses available for that problem. ---
**Author:** ![MikeInNH](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a587f6/32.png) [@MikeInNH](https://community.cartalk.com/u/MikeInNH)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2025, 3:05pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/annual-auto-safety-inspections-scam-or-ripoff/199071/50 "2025-02-18T15:05:45Z")
> [@jtsanders](#): > > If you already wear glasses, then there are sunglasses that fit over prescription glasses. Or you get prescription sun glasses like I do. ---
**Author:** ![MikeInNH](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a587f6/32.png) [@MikeInNH](https://community.cartalk.com/u/MikeInNH)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2025, 3:06pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/annual-auto-safety-inspections-scam-or-ripoff/199071/51 "2025-02-18T15:06:45Z")
The more and more you talk the more I firmly believe you should NOT be allowed to have a drivers license. ---
**Author:** ![VOLVO-V70](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/8e8cbc/32.png) [@VOLVO-V70](https://community.cartalk.com/u/VOLVO-V70)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2025, 3:08pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/annual-auto-safety-inspections-scam-or-ripoff/199071/52 "2025-02-18T15:08:35Z")
The more Clueless posts the more he proves that he has no business driving on public roads. ---
**Author:** ![TwinTurbo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/8baadc/32.png) [@TwinTurbo](https://community.cartalk.com/u/TwinTurbo)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2025, 3:16pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/annual-auto-safety-inspections-scam-or-ripoff/199071/53 "2025-02-18T15:16:09Z")
They make prescription sunglasses in any tint level and even with side shields if you need that. I have a pair for fishing and they block any unfiltered light from any angle…don’t like side shields? get a wrap around style that fit snugly to your face. My son has those prescription sports glasses for playing baseball…no fighting with DMV required. And the windows will not be an impairment when driving at night… ---
**Author:** ![MikeInNH](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a587f6/32.png) [@MikeInNH](https://community.cartalk.com/u/MikeInNH)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2025, 3:26pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/annual-auto-safety-inspections-scam-or-ripoff/199071/54 "2025-02-18T15:26:11Z")
> [@TwinTurbo](#): > > They make prescription sunglasses in any tint level and even with side shields if you need that. I have a pair for fishing and they block any unfiltered light from any angle…don’t like side shields? I wear special sunglasses for skiing. On a bright sunny day on top of the mountain - it can be extremely blinding - thus the term snow blindness. ---
**Author:** ![TwinTurbo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/8baadc/32.png) [@TwinTurbo](https://community.cartalk.com/u/TwinTurbo)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2025, 5:58pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/annual-auto-safety-inspections-scam-or-ripoff/199071/55 "2025-02-18T17:58:45Z")
> [@MikeInNH](#): > > it can be extremely blinding No kidding! I just was out on Saturday before the storm. I have to wear prescription glasses and have had over the years both photogray and dedicated prescription sunglasses. The photogray’s have evolved substantially over the decades since I first got them. They are super fast to transition now and get far darker than they used to. Nothing beats a good lens filter and goggles for skiing though. Reflect most of the light and filter the remaining to provide super contrast highlighting the varying terrain. ---
**Author:** ![LoudThunder](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/loudthunder/32/27769_2.png) [@LoudThunder](https://community.cartalk.com/u/LoudThunder)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2026, 4:04pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/annual-auto-safety-inspections-scam-or-ripoff/199071/56 "2026-01-03T16:04:24Z")
> [@Clueless33](#): > > I have no other eye problem than light sensitivity. You must spend many, many hours a day on your computer as you seem to respond to every posting that even remotely relates to you. You wrote that you turn your brightness down on your monitor, but have you also addressed the “Blue Light” issue dealing with computer monitors? Computer screen blue light can cause eyestrain, fatigue, and disrupt sleep by suppressing melatonin, leading to potential vision issues or discomfort, though its long-term harm is still being determined… So, at the very least I would highly recommend you using Blue Light reduction software, Blue Light Glasses or Filters. Then you complain that the only safe and comfortable way for you to operate an automobile is to install illegally dark tint on your windows… You claim to also be a “by-the-book” driver who does not break the law, do not speed, etc… yet you seem to ignore the fact that your tint prevents Police Officers from seeing inside your vehicle to assess threats and ensure their safety and the public’s, especially with overly tinted windows. I also remember you saying that you have never been pulled over for the tint and that is probably because in your location Illegal window tint is probably a secondary offense (meaning you must be stopped for something else first)… Since tinting a front windshield is illegal everywhere… I guess your “werewolf” genes prevent you from ever driving east in the morning or west in the afternoon so that you never, ever have direct sunlight in your face and eyes because you suffer from migraines. This also happens If you let bright light soak your eyes, or go outside during daytime hours to chill and chat with your family and friends, or you stay in your house or inside of your car or inside of a building during the daytime. Does that mean that you always park your car facing north so that sunlight never touches the dash of your car? Get yourself a pair of Large Frame Glasses with Light Sensitive Transition Lenses. They are a lot cheaper than ripping the tint off your windows and having it reinstalled each year… Otherwise. If you continue to Ignore all this good, practical, and well-meaning advice, then you are just being an… ![■■■](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/original/3X/0/8/087b6f58c8569f956438ba1847c9bbd1bc13a74e.jpeg) ---
**Author:** ![davesmopar](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/davesmopar/32/41750_2.png) [@davesmopar](https://community.cartalk.com/u/davesmopar)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2026, 5:10pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/annual-auto-safety-inspections-scam-or-ripoff/199071/57 "2026-01-03T17:10:47Z")
> [@LoudThunder](#): > > Since tinting a front windshield is illegal everywhere You might want to check back into those laws… Most states do allow front windshield tinting down to the AS-1 line or 5" to 6" down the windshield… > **[Window Tint Laws by State 2026 - Is Your Car Tint Legal](https://octintsolutions.com/window-tint-laws-by-state/)** > > US tint laws vary widely by state. Learn VLT, reflectivity, AS-1 rules, and exemptions. See state-by-state limits and tips to stay compliant when tinting now. ---
**Author:** ![ChrisTheTireWhisperer](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/christhetirewhisperer/32/34798_2.png) [@ChrisTheTireWhisperer](https://community.cartalk.com/u/ChrisTheTireWhisperer)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2026, 7:09pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/annual-auto-safety-inspections-scam-or-ripoff/199071/58 "2026-01-03T19:09:00Z")
> [@LoudThunder](#): > > You wrote that you turn your brightness down on your monitor, but have you also addressed the “Blue Light” issue dealing with computer monitors? Both Clueless33, and the general public, could stand to benefit from settings on stationary and mobile displays that lower their ‘color temperature’ from the often 7800K or higher factory default. 6500K is the target temperature for TVs, both tube and flat form factors, and may initially appear too reddish or brownish to those accustomed to the bluer, brighter defaults. But the benefits are more natural and realistic colors, and less eyestrain when viewing, especially at night. ---
**Author:** ![bing](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/bing/32/4619_2.png) [@bing](https://community.cartalk.com/u/bing)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2026, 10:32pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/annual-auto-safety-inspections-scam-or-ripoff/199071/59 "2026-01-03T22:32:14Z")
I’m not reading everything but for the reasons I said elsewhere, I’m not sure of the effectiveness of yearly inspections. A lot can happen in a year. As far as slippy slidey in a rain, it is pretty well known that a rain after a dry spell will be more slippery due to the oils on the surface. After it rains a little it is better. ---
**Author:** ![paulndottie48\_185297](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/cdc98d/32.png) [@paulndottie48\_185297](https://community.cartalk.com/u/paulndottie48_185297)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2026, 10:47pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/annual-auto-safety-inspections-scam-or-ripoff/199071/60 "2026-01-13T22:47:23Z")
Luckily I lived in a state that an inspection/smog of any kind is not done where I live (Arizona). Then I moved to Oregon and so where I live there is also no inspection/smog done here, either. I count myself lucky. [Previous page](https://community.cartalk.com/t/annual-auto-safety-inspections-scam-or-ripoff/199071.md?page=2)