Boat Trailer Inspections

[larryb778]

I was informed by a couple of different people that a Louisiana Boat Trailer must be inspected yearly.  After doing some research, I found out that the police and Wildlife agents have been writing tickets for no trailer inspections.  Where is a place to go get this done in Shreveport, LA?   

[Mike Cork]

This is true and you'll get a funny look when you take it in, but any regular inspection place will do it. Take it to the same place you take your vehicle.

[larryb778]

Thanks Mike!!!! 

[Mike Cork]

No problem. The only thing I've had them check is the lights. Because most don't know any better they don't realize there are brakes. So it's a quick ten bux.... The insurance can be an issue. Because of the tournaments I fish I always have insurance but I know some anglers own their boats and don't insure them. I don't know if it's required for a boat trailer?

[louisianataxman]

Here in South LA they ask for your vehicle insurance.

[Mike Cork]

Here in South LA they ask for your vehicle insurance.

For your vehicle they do here too, I just can't remember if they do for your trailer? It's been a while since I've done it. Its not a state law to have insurance on a boat trailer, so I don't know if they can require it to get an inspection?

[larryb778]

I have been reading up on it and decided to post to find out if everybody knew anything about it. 

Mike, I thought that a trailer inspection sticker was different than a normal vehicle inspection sticker?

Thanks for all of the help!!!!

[Mike Cork]

Mike, I thought that a trailer inspection sticker was different than a normal vehicle inspection sticker?

It is different in what they check, but it's run by the state so any state approved inspection station can do it.

10 years ago I got pulled over and let off with a warn on my trailer inspection sticker. I got one to make sure I didn't get into trouble. After that one expired and several new boats later I've never done it again. So I don't remember much about the process?

[bassadict69]

Wasnt there a post on here a while back that included a link to an article where State Police said they were not actively writing tickets for trailer inspections?

[larryb778]

I was told by a co-worker that they were given orders from the home office to start writing tickets.  There was an article on the LA Sportsman forum about this being enforced statewide.

[Mike Cork]

Wasnt there a post on here a while back that included a link to an article where State Police said they were not actively writing tickets for trailer inspections?

BA, there was but I've not had time to look it up. I also heard that they were going to start enforcing this if you got stopped for a traffic violation.

[larryb778]

The post on the LA Sportsman forum said they were checking inspections and writing tickets at the launch.

[Mike Cork]

The post on the LA Sportsman forum said they were checking inspections and writing tickets at the launch.

Wow, which launch?

[larryb778]

He got checked at the Red in Alexandria....

[stevenflanagan]

A trailer inspection!!!!!

Thats the gov. way of getting more money!!! Hell if the roads were in decent condition, I wouldnt have any trailer issues (tire blow outs.)

Ill take my chances and exchange words with the officer that writes the ticket . Also, They cant legally write a ticket if its in a parking lot bc its technically not on a road.

[FairyWandCole]

listen here flanagan, we respect the law.  You can either get on board or get out pal!!!

[Mike Cork]

The Trailer inspection has been on the books for at least the last fifteen years. No one every checks it. I always figured it would be a pissed off or hard up cop that wrote a ticket on it. But if they are getting directives to do it, then it's going to get ugly.

They really need to get on the ball with this program or drop it. When people buy a new boat in the state, the trailer doesn't come with an inspection sticker?

[larryb778]

They were not writing them on parked trailers, they were asking for it when the vehicle pulled into the ramp Steven.  So the trailer was in motion when the citations were written.

[Kuntry]

32:1304.  Secretary to require periodical inspection

A.(1)  The secretary shall at least once every other year, but not more frequently than twice each year, require that every motor vehicle, low-speed vehicle, trailer, semitrailer, and pole trailer registered in this state be inspected and that an official certificate of inspection and approval be obtained for such vehicle.  However, overweight and oversize mobile homes requiring a state permit shall not be required to bear a certificate of approved inspection when being moved by a bonded carrier as defined by law nor shall used motor vehicles in transit by a dealer be required to have a certificate of inspection and approval.

(2)  Such inspection should be made and such certificates obtained with respect to the mechanism, brakes, and equipment of every vehicle as shall be designated by the secretary.  The secretary shall require the inspection of all approved automotive emission control devices installed on motor vehicles produced after model year 1980 to insure that such devices are operative and have not been tampered with.  However, low-speed vehicles shall not be subject to regular emissions inspections.

(3)(a)  The secretary shall formulate and promulgate a set of standards for the control and regulation of emission control devices on all automobiles and other motor vehicles which standards shall be consistent with other federal and state regulations for the installation and operation of approved emission control devices.

(b)  The secretary is hereby authorized to make necessary rules and regulations for the administration and enforcement of this Section and to designate any periods of time during which owners of vehicles, subject to this Section, shall display upon such vehicles certificates of inspection and approval and shall produce the same on demand of any officer or employee of the department designated by the secretary or any police or peace officer when authorized by the secretary.

(4)  The rules and regulations adopted for the administration and enforcement of this Section shall include standards for windshields as follows:

(a)  In the eight and one-half inch by eleven inch "acute area" directly in the driver's line of vision there shall be no cracks and there shall be no more than two stars, nicks, chips, bullseyes, or half-moons in excess of one-half inch.

(b)  In the "critical area" cleaned by the normal sweep of the windshield wiper blade on the driver's side of the windshield there shall be no star which is larger than two inches in diameter; there shall be no more than two stars larger than one and one-half inches in diameter; and there shall be no more than two cracks longer than eight inches; or any combination thereof.

(c)  In the remaining areas of the windshield, only those cracks which jeopardize the integrity of the windshield shall be cause for rejection.

B.  The secretary is hereby authorized to make necessary rules and regulations for the administration and enforcement of this Section and to designate any periods of time during which owners of vehicles, subject to this Section, shall display upon such vehicles certificates of inspection and approval or shall produce the same on demand of any officer or employee of the department designated by the secretary or any police or peace officer when authorized by the secretary.  Owners and operators of all motor vehicles required to be equipped with windshields shall display on the lower left hand corner of the windshield a certificate of inspection affixed thereto by a duly authorized motor vehicle inspection station.  The secretary shall accept the certificate of inspection and approval issued by any municipality pursuant to any municipal ordinance adopted prior to July 27, 1960.  However, each person who applies for a motor vehicle inspection tag in the city of New Orleans shall produce written proof of insurance from an insurer that the motor vehicle is covered by security and shall declare in writing that he or she intends to maintain said security at all times while said vehicle is used upon the highways of Louisiana.

C.  The director may authorize the acceptance in this state of a certificate of inspection and approval issued in another state having an inspection law similar to this Chapter and may extend the time within which a certificate shall be obtained by the resident owner of a vehicle which was not in this state during the time an inspection was required.

D.(1)  The secretary may suspend the registration of any vehicle which he determines is in such unsafe condition as to constitute a menace to safety, or which after notice and demand is not equipped as required in this Chapter, or for which a required certificate has not been obtained.

(2)  Repealed by Acts 1999, No. 576, §3, eff. June 30, 1999.

(3)  Repealed by Acts 1999, No. 576, §3, eff. June 30, 1999.

E.(1)  The mere failure of the owner or operator of a motor vehicle required by this Section to be inspected to obtain a current and valid inspection certificate shall not be in violation, provided that the certificate has been expired less than one calendar month; nor shall an owner or operator be in violation if he shall produce on demand, under Subsection B of this Section, a certificate of inspection for the vehicle valid and effective for not more than six months and not in current display on the windshield by reason of replacement of the windshield glass.

(2)  However, when a certificate of inspection is removed from a windshield by reason of replacement of windshield glass, the owner of the vehicle may be issued, for a fee of five dollars and twenty-five cents and return of the original certificate to an inspection certificate station, a certificate which shall be valid for the time remaining on the original certificate.

F.  The purchaser of a used vehicle from a private individual shall be protected from citations for failure to have an inspection tag during the interval between the date of purchase and the receipt of title, provided proof of application can be shown.

G.  In order to enforce the provisions of this Section as applicable to motor vehicles which are propelled by an internal combustion engine or motor capable of using liquefied petroleum gas or compressed natural gas, no such vehicle shall be issued a motor vehicle inspection certificate without a current decal as evidence of tax payment, as required by R.S. 47:802.3.

H.  No motor vehicle registered in a parish that approves the fee or charge authorized by R.S. 32:1306.1 shall be inspected in a parish other than the parish of registration.

Acts 1960, No. 405, §4.  Amended by Acts 1975, No. 257, §1; Acts 1975, No. 282, §1; Acts 1975, No. 640, §1; Acts 1981, No. 201, §1, eff. July 11, 1981; Acts 1982, No. 428, §1; Acts 1983, No. 227, §1; Acts 1986, No. 52, §1; Acts 1986, No. 879, §2, eff. Jan. 1, 1987; Acts 1990, No. 166, §1; Acts 1991, No. 416, §1; Acts 1993, No. 570, §4; Acts 1994, 3rd Ex. Sess., No. 128, §1, eff. July 7, 1994; Acts 1999, No. 470, §1; Acts 1999, No. 576, §3, eff. June 30, 1999; Acts 2003, No. 986, §1; Acts 2010, No. 995, §1.

[FishinSteelersFan]

Heck, half the boat trailers in the public launches don't even have license plates!

[skeeter170]

Wonder if this could be a question on a lie detector test at one of the larger tourneys. Of course I would never have to worry about it... I am never in a position to be in that situation.

[stevenflanagan]

Still a bunch of BS. Last new boat and utility trailer we bought, never had such inspection sticker....

[FairyWandCole]

Stay out of cooleys pal. ITS OFF LIMITS!!!!!!!!!!!!!