PRIA Logo™
LouisianaHB 10852026 Regular SessionHouseWALLET

MTR VEHICLE/INSPECTION: Provides with respect to vehicle inspection stickers (EN +$139,994 SG RV See Note)

Sponsored By: Larry A. Bagley (Republican)

Signed by Governor

Transportation, Highways and Public Works

Personalized for You

How does this bill affect your finances?

Personalize government policy and PRIA will tell you what this bill means for your household, plus every other piece of legislation we track. PRIA reads each provision against your financial profile to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.

Free to download

Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

8 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 2 costs, 3 mixed.

Drivers get a temporary citation pause

From June 30, 2026, through January 1, 2027, officers cannot issue citations for failing to show or display an inspection certificate. This pause covers that specific failure only. It does not suspend other inspection requirements.

Drivers lose the standard inspection fee

The law removes the standard inspection fee of $10 for each year of certificate validity and its agency allocations. Qualifying emissions inspections for 1980-and-newer vehicles cost $8, rather than adding $8 to that former fee. Stations keep $6; the environmental department receives $2 for the program through the Environmental Trust Dedicated Fund Account. The assembled-vehicle inspection-sticker rule is also repealed. These changes take effect January 1, 2027, outside federally required emissions-program parishes; elsewhere, EPA must first approve Louisiana’s proposed air-quality plan changes.

Unsafe vehicles lose five-day certificate deadline

After an inspection finds unsafe conditions or missing or defective equipment, the written notice must list the needed corrections. The notice no longer requires an inspection certificate within five days. Owners still must make the listed safety corrections.

Drivers lose inspection certificate grace periods

Louisiana-registered vehicles still required to pass inspections must keep valid certificates. Required safety certificates go in the windshield’s lower left corner when the vehicle has a windshield. Emissions certificates may need to be visible outside the vehicle or shown on request. The law removes the exception for certificates expired less than one calendar month. It also removes the display exception after windshield replacement, even when the certificate remains valid.

Drivers need new vehicle identification stickers

Every Louisiana-registered motor vehicle, including low-speed vehicles, must display a sticker showing its vehicle identification number to law enforcement. The fee is capped at $6 per year, or $12 when collected every two years. The Office of Motor Vehicles sets placement rules and may require a barcode or similar electronic identifier. Its commissioner must adopt implementing rules by December 31, 2026, using emergency rulemaking if needed. The law takes effect January 1, 2027, outside federally required emissions-program parishes. In those parishes, it takes effect only when EPA approves Louisiana’s proposed state air-quality plan changes.

Emissions checks include vehicle testing exceptions

Louisiana’s emissions inspection program operates only where federal law or related regulatory agreements require it. Required vehicles and vehicles produced after model year 1980 need checks for working, untampered emission-control devices; low-speed vehicles are exempt. The environmental department may exempt specified model years from onboard diagnostic testing for a calendar year. The motor vehicles office sets device standards, administers enforcement, and may accept comparable out-of-state certificates or extend deadlines for vehicles outside Louisiana. Program rules and inspection frequency must follow federal requirements; program fees may end if the triggering requirements or agreements are rescinded.

Drivers face windshield and safety enforcement

Louisiana-registered noncommercial vehicles must meet windshield strength and damage limits in the driver’s key viewing areas. Cracks elsewhere are allowed only when they do not weaken the windshield. Commercial vehicles follow federal windshield rules, while registered school buses follow separate visibility and damage standards. Officers with reasonable cause to suspect unsafe or improperly equipped vehicles may stop, inspect, test, and cite their operators. These safety protections can also require owners to pay for repairs or face citations.

Commercial and student vehicles need inspections

Covered Louisiana-registered commercial and student transportation vehicles must obtain inspection approval at least once, but no more than twice, yearly. This includes covered farm vehicles with a rated vehicle or combined weight above 26,000 pounds. The commercial annual fee is $30: stations keep $23.75, the motor vehicles office gets $2.25, and State Police gets $4. The student transportation fee is $20: stations keep $14.75, the motor vehicles office gets $1.25, and State Police gets $4. Both fees include headlight adjustment at no extra charge; agency shares support program expenses and traffic enforcement.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Larry A. Bagley

    Republican • House

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 225 • No: 14

House vote • 5/20/2026

Read by title, roll called, yeas 96, nays 0. The Senate amendments, having received two-thirds vote of the elected members, were concurred in.

Yes: 96 • No: 0

Senate vote • 5/13/2026

Rules suspended. The amended bill was read by title, passed by a vote of 27 yeas and 7 nays, and ordered returned to the House. Motion to reconsider tabled.

Yes: 27 • No: 7

House vote • 4/8/2026

Read third time by title, roll called on final passage, yeas 86, nays 7. The bill, having received two-thirds vote of the elected members, was finally passed, title adopted, ordered to the Senate.

Yes: 86 • No: 7

House vote • 3/31/2026

Read by title, substitute title adopted, lies over in the same order of business, substitute for HB No. 838 reported by the Committee on Transportation, Highways and Public Works

Yes: 16 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

  1. Signed by the Governor. Becomes Act No. 701.

    6/2/2026House

  2. Effective date: See Act.

    6/2/2026House

  3. Sent to the Governor for executive approval.

    5/26/2026House

  4. Enrolled and signed by the Speaker of the House.

    5/25/2026House

  5. Signed by the President of the Senate.

    5/25/2026Senate

  6. Read by title, roll called, yeas 96, nays 0. The Senate amendments, having received two-thirds vote of the elected members, were concurred in.

    5/20/2026House

  7. Scheduled for concurrence on 05/20/2026.

    5/19/2026House

  8. Received from the Senate with amendments.

    5/18/2026House

  9. Rules suspended. The amended bill was read by title, passed by a vote of 27 yeas and 7 nays, and ordered returned to the House. Motion to reconsider tabled.

    5/13/2026Senate

  10. Reported without Legislative Bureau amendments. Read by title and passed to third reading and final passage.

    5/5/2026Senate

  11. Committee amendments read and adopted. Read by title and referred to the Legislative Bureau.

    5/4/2026Senate

  12. Reported with amendments.

    4/29/2026Senate

  13. Read second time by title and referred to the Committee on Transportation, Highways and Public Works.

    4/13/2026Senate

  14. Read third time by title, roll called on final passage, yeas 86, nays 7. The bill, having received two-thirds vote of the elected members, was finally passed, title adopted, ordered to the Senate.

    4/8/2026House

  15. Received in the Senate. Read first time by title and placed on the Calendar for a second reading.

    4/8/2026Senate

  16. Scheduled for floor debate on 04/08/2026.

    4/7/2026House

  17. Read by title, ordered engrossed, passed to 3rd reading.

    4/1/2026House

  18. Read by title, substitute title adopted, lies over in the same order of business, substitute for HB No. 838 reported by the Committee on Transportation, Highways and Public Works (16-0).

    3/31/2026House

  19. Read by title.

    3/30/2026House

Bill Text

Related Bills

Back to State Legislation