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In the episode where Ben was driving a convertible Merc catching a skydiver in the back seat while moving, you can see him "un-stiggy". Was that before he was the stig or during and just went under the radar?
In the US, the MOT is what we call DOT (Department of Transport) and we have DOT inspections. Rules on what passes/fails depends entirely on state legislation. The north east (massachusetts for example) will have emissions, suspension, frame, CEL, tires, etc. checks for road worthiness, pretty similar to normal MOT. In Florida, if it has a VIN, enough wheels to balance in motion, it is road legal. And if it the car shaped object develops more than 5 BHP, you can take it on the highway. in FL there are no formal inspections, only if the DMV doesn't believe your car actually exists, they will send a cop to confirm that the car exists. (Source: I live in FL)
I live on the Missouri/ Arkansas border. Missouri has inspections, Arkansas doesn't. However people in Arkansas have told me highway patrol has final say. Can deem your vehicle unsafe to operate, or if you're in an accident with bald tires you can get additional tickets. Of course I'm sure it depends on the driver as well. Have had it go totally cool and cop just says chill it on the speed, but also had them pull me out of my truck at gunpoint (my truck matched the description of another, go figure, more than one red Chevy truck). Even that turned out ok, they just let me go when they figured it out...But the Dot guys don't play at all.
In Maryland, we get one inspection at purchase and then emissions every 2 years, and that's it. But cops can pull you over for equipment and make you get it checked.
I never knew Mike used to work for Car Throttle. It seems a lot of the best UK based motoring shows RUclips has to offer are staffed by ex-CT employees.
Yeah they did create quite a wave in the absence of top gear. Became the yt version of it almost. As we know it seems they didn't continue to adapt and grow as the competition was hotting up so people started to go elsewhere
In the US, vehicle inspection requirements varies by state. For instance, Virginia requires yearly inspections and Oregon doesn't require any. Subjectively, I saw way more cars abandoned on the side of the road with a wheel fallen off in Oregon than I see in Virginia.
In Georgia (the US state), vehicles must pass an annual emissions inspection. Said inspection only requires the vehicle to have all of its anti-pollution equipment in passable condition. The computer is checked for error codes with a PC that connects to the ECU, the exhaust is measured with some device, and the pressure of your fuel input is tested with an air pump. If you have no pollution-related failures you pass. You get a little reflective sticker that changes color every month, and you place it on your license plate. If the vehicle is newer than 10 years, no inspection is required; if it was manufactured before cars had anti-pollution equipment then no inspection is required. I could be mistaken, but I also believe if your address is far enough from one of the few major cities you are also exempt, but I’m too lazy to look it up, and I’ve only personally lived in cities 😅 Beyond that, as long as you maintain your minimum and maximum speed, maintain your lane, and don’t drive “recklessly” or “too fast for conditions” then you can go about your business.
In Illinois we have emission testing but no mechanical worthiness inspection. As long as your emission controls are still in place, they don’t care if your wheels are about to fall off.
As far as vehicle inspections go here in the States, there is no MOT equivalent. The laws are on a state by state basis, so some states require vehicle/emissions testing, others don’t
When I learned to drive in the early '90s, I was taught 10-2 and thumbs outside the wheel. I've since changed to 9-3 after doing an advanced driver training course about 10 years ago, but I still keep my thumbs outside the wheel.
I was always told that the ten-to-two hand position was to give you a little more leverage, back when even large cars usually didn't have power steering. But today, when virtually everything has power standard - and has air bags, so you'd probably best not have your forearm between it and your face too often - the 9 and 3 positions make a lot more sense. And coincidentally (or maybe not?) modern steering wheels usually have the spokes and grips positioned so that 9 and 3 with your thumbs tucked in just above the spokes is the more comfortable position anyway.
In response to your last question regarding MOT (or whatever you call it) in the US, I'm a native southern Californian and my first vehicle I bought when I was 18 was a '79 Chevy LUV from a used car dealership with a smashed front fender. I drove it like that for maybe a year before I bought a new fender and put it on my self after straightening the chasis by attaching a chain to the area I needed pulled out and the other end to a light post and backed away from the light post until it was straight enough for the new fender. It worked perfectly. When cars were made more with metal than plastic, you used to see a lot more crumpled cars driving around. Now you see more plastic bumpers dangling and flopping around on the freeways.
Re an MOT: depends on what state you're in. Here in VA they're less strict than other places, but more strict than places like CA where there's not much in the way of inspections. See Roadkill for examples of CA cars that wouldn't be on the road here in VA. Judging by this channel and watching TG and GT an MOT is thorough. I haven't had that much in the way of an inspection anywhere I've lived in the US and I've lived a fair few places now.
Are you allowed to drive a car from a less strict state into a strict state (if it wouldn't pass the regs in the strict state)? Or is it just down complying with the state where the car is registered?
@@MrArchie800 Cops can pull you over and give you a ticket if, for example, a light is out and not working, but beyond that as long as the car is legally registered, it's fair game!
@@MrArchie800 You can, but there's a time limit before it has to be registered and pass that State's requirements if you were to move there or bought a car from another state, much like driving a French car to the UK. If not for Federal laws, each American state would be like driving into a different country. Some States the cops will talk BS just to issue a ticket though. There's a Federal 25 year exemption in the US, much like the UK's 40 year one, so all classic/historic cars become exempt from certain safety and emissions regs.
Shows you how important virtue signaling is. They don't care about the safety of the public, but they pretend to care about the public with emissions testing.
I drove my B7 S4 Cabriolet from Abilene TX to Jackson CA and back a few months ago, which was 3,000 miles total. It was a decent trip down, except for the slow trucks in the way, but the difference in roads and scenery along the Northern route was very diverse. I had to pick up what I left in storage and close out the unit, but not wanting to leave my car loaded with things at a Hotel, I drove back in one shot, which took 26 hours including stops. That was brutal.
Vehicle inspections are generally mandated and controlled at the state level and not the federal level. Therefore each state will have a different standard test and test frequency. Pennsylvania is very strict, almost German level strict, due to some differences with the Federal government in the past. Part of the resolution of this was a strict vehicle test. New Jersey which is a neighboring state used to have a strict test but now it is much looser in some aspects of the test standard (except emissions). If you want a cross-country road trip it pays to choose your starting state quite carefully.
As an American (whose parents are from PA) living in Germany I highly doubt they are as strict as Germans. If your tires are 10 mm too wide the car is deemed not road legal. If you have any visible rust it is not road legal. Even using compound to clean up milky plastic headlight lenses is illegal. It can get kind of ridiculous …
Inspection requirements vary by state. In Georgia for example the only an inspection an emissions test. If it passes emissions you can drive any old deathtrap on the road.
You should drive through Death Valley. In Summer. In 40c heat... Only to notice that you're *extremely* low on fuel, and the only petrol station is on the other side of the road and there's no way to get to it. That... That makes you pucker. Also, take a family SUV (US size, so...) up to Yosemite and, um, 'enjoy' the twisty roads. Only to find two weeks later a little sticker that reads (short version) "Vehicle may tip upon cornering". Cue delayed puckering,
Would love to see DT visiting the States. I loved Moab Utah, and the section of US-212 from Red Lodge Montana up to the northeast entrance of Yellowstone was awesome at night and scary by day. In my home state of Vermont, we have some fun-to-drive mountain passes and some beautiful views along Lake Champlain. Another great drive could be along the Atlantic coast of Florida; start out in Saint Augustine, drive down the A1A to Datina Motot Speedway, and end up at Kennedy Space Center for a SpaceX launch. Hope to see you here!!
You've got to drive highway 191 from the MX border to the CA border, it's the most scenic single highway (where you're on the same numbered route from start to finish) in the USA.
I hired a Grand Cherokee Jeep 4WD from Budget in Denver through the snow, drove south to Las Vegas, then back over to L.A and flew back to Thailand, home at the time. Amazing place and went to loads of Native American places, but because we were Brits, got treated loads better. Same in India when I rode an Enfield through the Himalayas. Loads more driving and riding stories, but that's it for now. Fun Q&A
16:45 When you hear a famous person approaching... I was fixing something at a charity shop in Bury in the 90s, then I hear a voice. Steve Berry from the original Top Gear. Then see him but had to ignore him due to working. 😂
In the United States, each state has different standards for vehicle inspection. When I lived in North Carolina, it was somewhat similar to what I've seen of MOT inspections. On the other hand, Georgia hasn't had vehicle inspections since 1982.
Watching Ben getting hyped up over what was being delivered during the shoot was about as amusing as Chris Harris being flung backward in the Lucid Air Sapphire at Throttle House😅
i don't know what an MOT is. but i'm an american who owns 3 vehicles. the only requirements for being on the road is passing an emissions inspection once a year and paying your yearly registration fee(tax). there used to be a yearly safety inspection where they check the whole thing over, check wipers, lights, brakes, bearings, etc to make sure you're road safe, but they did away with it in my state. (utah) other states may be less relaxed.
An MOT is the second inspection you described and the emissions test along with it. It's also a lot more strict than even the strictest inspection in the US. But it's not as strict as the German TUV. The requirements for being on the road in the UK is MOT, road tax, and insurance
Yeah, it definitely varies by state. I've been a licensed driver in Iowa since 2001 and I've never been required to have a vehicle inspected in any way. But friends who live in Missouri directly to the south of me tell me they do have inspections there. Exactly how thorough they are, I don't know.
It's very state dependent. Here in Georgia, as long as it is insured, no salvage title, has functional seatbelts, head, tail, turn signal, and marker lights, and proper emissions if you live in the Atlanta metro area, you can get it tagged. I've seen some doozies on the road.
Several people have noted that car inspections in the USA are handled at the state level. However there are federal laws that prohibit certain modifications (e.g. removal of catalytic converters). Most people who modify cars tend to ignore those federal laws as it isn't a priority for federal law enforcement. However, if you are found to have violated federal law - there can be other consequences, for example in the case of an accident where you've illegally modified your car, your insurance company can deny you coverage.
Regarding US MOT, Sean nailed it below, ther is no National MOT. Our vehicle registrations are managed at the State level. Each State has their own regulations, which can actually vary by County too. I'm in VA too where we have an annual safety inspection. Locally, they do through your vehicle up on a lift and give it a pretty thorough going over; body, suspension, safety equipment... If you fail, you get a rejection and are required to correct it before you can continue to legally drive your car on public roads. I think that's similar to your MOT from what I recall from watching British shows, like TopGear and Drivetribe. Some Counties in VA include a smog check but connecting a tailpipe sniffer too, but not every VA County does. This is also a bone of contention for folks moving here from another State which doesn't do those annual safety inspections. They pitch a fit if their rag fails for busted glass, bald tires, rusted out undercarriage, clapped out suspension, etc... It's almost funny to listen to the rant about how they should be able to drive their rolling road hazard on the same roads with you and your family. Sean also mirrors my observation about every state I've visited (most, but not all) without annual safety inspections. That's where you'll see the most rolling wrecks on te road. Once spotted, I use as much caution around them as I do very challenging roads and weather conditions. I don't want them taking me out with them when their heap finally lets go. You'd be wise to do the same when visiting here too. As Ben (Stig) said, there's great everything here, but watch out for the "sheds" sharing the road with you in some places, give them a wide berth like the rest of us.
In Canada you need a Safety Standards Certificate , it varies slightly in each Province but essentially the same . Its a very extensive 100 page document , They not only inspect many items but also take apart and measure things like brakes . New changes will also require a video to be taken of each vehicle by the inspecting mechanic .
If somebody was wandering how that spot came to be (the rusty one on the front part of the wheel arch) - I can tell you: The can constantly trows road debris and stone from the front wheels to the back front part of the bumper and this is created over time. When brand new, the cars actually have transparent plastic foil on those spots for protection...
Depends on the state for inspections. Even in some states, it can vary by where you are within the state. For instance, in AZ, if you live in Maricopa County or in Tucson, you need to pass emissions testing, but anywhere else in the state, you just need to pay your registration fees (taxes) and that is it.
I know quite a few well known people in equine world, olympic medallists, top jockeys and trainers in racing. I was in awe when i first met them, but got to know them well, and we'll always stop for a chat when we meet. Makes me laugh more, when i mention i know them and people are like wow, what are they like etc. Also youtubers getting all hyper when they see them doing something, or people interrupting when youre chatting. I always say dont be too dramatic, but if theyre on their own and dont look too busy, have a chat they're normal people. Most celebrities ive met and dealt with are very down to earth, and not prima donnas. Exception was Jenny Bond lol.
10:36 I just wanted to pitch in about the hands position on the steering wheel and see what others opinion is. From my experience, quarter to 3 is better for control and quick reaction time (I always use it when the road conditions get sketchy), but 10 to 2 is more ergonomic for long car trips and reduces the strain on your wrists.
Depending on what sate you live in, it would be an inspection sticker. This can range from stringent noise and emissions checks, roadworthyness, headlamp alignment etc to "honk the horn and turn on your blinkers... yep you passed, that's $20".
I moved from the UK to the US in 2022. I can confirm that most states don't have an MOT. So there are tons of cars with completely rusted sills, even the floor is rusted through, or they've been in a massive crash and have no front end left but are still on the road. ALSOOOO the used car market here in the US is much much stronger than in the UK so I don't think you'd really find anything that's capable of driving more than a few hundred yards for less than $1000
Love both you guys and what you can do with 4 wheels. Hearing Ben talk about going from Cali to Moab got me thinking...let's do Moab on 2 wheels! Open invite to tour Moab or Green River on dirt bikes.
I'm sure someone has probably mentioned it, but you do want thumbs out if you're doing demolition derby or something similar. The impacts can spin the wheel rapidly, breaking or dislocating thumbs.
MOT really is a thing in the states but it’s very dependent on which state you’re in. Here in Florida if you said MOT, you’d be stared at like you had 3 heads! 😂
The "MOT" is not mandatory in all states, but there are quite a few east coast states that require inspections, so theoretically you could start in say, New York with inspected vehicles and take them wherever you want.
NC inspection is basically does it have all lights functional, horn, window tint isn't too dark, no check engine codes for emissions, and the emissions aren't tampered with... Or if you know someone to just submit the form.
There is no nation wide vehicle inspection requirement other than a basic emissions inspection, however most states require an inspection of some form to renew your registration every year, where I live in North Carolina that inspection covers emissions, tire tread, brakes, horn, lights, signals, seatbelts, airbags, and the functioning of the engine and transmission I believe. Fairly straight forward, other states will have different regulations, some more intense some less intense.
No MOT, but some states require an emissions test. In certain situations where the registration is being transferred from one state to another, a visual inspection is required by that state’s Department of Motor vehicles. It’s more of a state by state regulation.
21:23 This varies by state. My home state had inspections every two years and at time of sale, while my current state has no inspections and just lets everyone drive what they want in whatever condition they feel like. It's really sketchy sometimes.
Texas does emissions, but that varies by county. If your vehicle is over 24 years old, emissions test isn't required, only a safety inspection and at most they'll just check that your lights work and that's about it.
"MOT in America?" Depends on the state you are in, but mostly "road-worthy" is discretionary to the bravery of the driver and the leniency of the local PD. Other than that there are a few states that will Smog test the car. -- FLORIDA - my home state, it's mostly a free-for-all.
In the US states i've lived in, specifically California, Arizona, and Oregon, you only need to get your car inspected when you register it, or after it's been in a sufficiently bad insurance claimed accident.
That's how it works in Australia (minus nsw) and some states have no visual inspection at all which is why those states have so many more cars with mini tubs and patina builds 😂
I live in a moderately small town in Utah and as long as the car has a title, is running, and you have $90 to register it you can take it almost anywhere.
Like everything in the USA, the inspection rules vary by state. Some have a safety inspection, some just have an emissions inspection, and some states just don't care as long as you pay your registration bill.
No MOT on a federal level. However registration requirements vary from state to state. California only has smog tests, but other states may have a "safety inspection" of some sort. This can mean structural and brake/suspension tests, but is typically much easier to pass than MOT. But $1000 won't buy much here since inflation is so high. Maybe $2500 or so would be more reasonable without changing the essence of the challenge.
I’d be interested to see a Stig trio take on some kind of challenge. Perry, Ben and whoever the 3rd one was. The current guy playing stig can’t be the same as the 3rd one nowadays, his body shape and driving style look different.
Each state in the US is responsible for their road laws. Each state regulates the certifying of a vehicle once it meets the US government DOT requirements. As an example, some states require a safety inspection when a vehicle transfers into the state and a new title is requested. Some states require a yearly emissions check. Some states don't require very much at all.
Inspections of the brakes, suspension, and safety equipment in America vary state to state. But usually they are only required when you buy or sell a vehicle. Every two years most states require an emissions tests which consists of an OBD test to make sure the emission system isn't bypassed. The most strict of the states is California but even their inspections are not as in depth as a European or UK MOT. The most lenient of states, Pennsylvania and Florida, as long as the engine runs its road worthy. I wish they would implement MOT style inspections in America. The roads would be much safer!
America doesn't really have an MOT equivalent... At most, our cars have to go through emissions testing just to make sure they are not spewing too much pollution (and some states don't even require that!), but there is no road safety worthiness checks unless you are rebuilding a car that was previously marked as being a total loss.
Each state in the US is different. Most states don't do any inspections on a car that is already registered in that state. In my state, Kansas, a vehicle is only inspected if you are registering a car that was brought in from out of state. Even then, it is nothing compared to what gets checked in the UK. Like I said, every state is different though.
TLDR: The further you get from major cities, the more limited the scope of vehicle safety inspection requirements. And it varies from state/county to state/county. Would be somewhat comparable to individual EU countries within the EU, if a bit oversimplified. Our equivalent MOT is up to the individual states themselves, state safety inspections, but in some states the rules can vary even from county to county (state-level), in how stringent they want to be. There is significantly less mandate for our DOT (that's federal level, safety codes all 50 must comply with) but are much more broad, and isn't limited to just road vehicles.
In the United States, the inspection of vehicles (and what is allowed on the road) is a state-by-state decision. I have lived in a state that had mandatory annual vehicle inspections (where they would pull a random wheel to check the brakes, as well as back-up lights and horn, among other things) and I have lived in a state where there are no vehicle inspections. I cannot believe some of the rolling sheds (I would prefer to use saltier language) that were allowed on the roads.
Llandow circuit in South Wales is a great track for your first track day. I've seen cars range from a diesel Peugeot 307 to a Revolution Race car go round. Chris Harris it a lot and Ive met Hammond and Mike there , when testing the MGB from Hammonds workshop
Vehicle inspections are a thing in the US but we have no centralized national MOT program. Vehicle inspection requirements depend on the state you're in as every state's Department of Motor Vehicles are different. Vehicle registration itself happens at a state level in the US rather than a national level, which is why all of our license plates are different from state to state for example. Where I'm from a vehicle only needs a safety inspection every time the title/registration transfers owners, and the only regular inspection is an emissions test every 3 or so years. Some states do require a safety inspection every few years, and some states don't inspect at all! It's not uncommon for rusty or bashed up cars to be sold out of a state where they won't pass inspection anymore into a state that doesn't have one where the car then drives until it falls apart.
There's no American MOT equivalent. It's all state by state. More populous states and probably rustier states are more likely to have required inspections of some type. I'm in New Mexico and there is absolutely no inspection requirement except in the most populous county and that is just a smog check.
No US MOT, but there are regulations by state that vary. Alabama is cool for at least the fact that there are very few rules if your registration is up to date. 😜
Every US State is different. Michigan is drive anything in any condition, worn tires, no brakes and broken windscreen are a go. but you may get a ticket for no muffler or mirrors. While in New York state they have a pretty rigorous annual inspection program..you wont pass for cracked windshield, in-op tail brake lights, worn tires and worn brakes. The New York shops will take your car from you if you fail and are unable or wont fix the issues. That is for New York state, the inspection for NEW YORK CITY is even rougher.
Can confirm that, in Michigan, a cracked or broken windshield will get you a ticket. Any lights not working or broken, and not covered in the correct color of plastic, will get you a ticket. No muffler, or even loud exhaust leaks, will get you a ticket. Not having a bumper will get you a ticket. That's about it. You can be driving at 75 miles an hour on the highway with all four tires completely bald, including two of them being the dinky doughnuts, broken suspension so collapsed that the body sways side to side like it's running a slalom course, oil smoke pouring out of the exhaust so thick that you would think it was a WWII PT boat laying down a smoke screen, and enough rust that you can see completely through the car from one side to the other and the driver's seat mounts hanging through the floor.
I can confirm that an American MOT isn't a thing. Inspections are state based and it depends on which state you live in as to what they look for. Example: Texas only does an emissions test, where Maryland does a full safety check.
I was sad when the top gear boys went to blue ridge parkway and were sad because you couldn't go fast when they were SOOO close to Deals Gap and the Tail of the Dragon where the bends are so tight that they are fun at the speed limit.... or slightly above...
If a car physically drives, your allowed to drive it in the US. States vary but We have no MOT that checks for rust, brake pad life, tire tread, etc. You have to periodically get your car Inspected, which is similar but less thorough. in most states, inspection checks the exhaust emissions and the check engine light. No check engine light and a working catalytic converter is a pass. the frequency of an inspection depends on the state, the year of your vehicle, and type of vehicle. For example, motorcycles are exempt in my state. If your brake lights are broken, you may get a ticket, but i dont know of a law that prevents you driving with your bumper dragging on the ground.
Only a few states in the US have what you Brits would call an MOT. And they are quite lax. I see cars on a daily basis that would never be allowed to drive on European roads. But here in the land of the free, driving a shitbox is a lifestyle.
Definitely no national MOT concept, it's up to individual states. I live in Washington State and you can get any piece of junk you want licensed. It just has to pass emissions inspection, but cars more than 25 years old are exempt as well as any cars model year 2009 or newer. So that means only cars model year 1998-2008 need an emissions check. Police will pull you over if a car is not what they consider road worthy, but that is rare.
Here in the usa’s top hat its referred to as a safety in some parts. You only need to get it “safetied” once at the beginning of your ownership of said vehicle in order to get it insured. After that its up to you to do what you want with it. The only exception to that is vehicles weighing over 10000lbs as they need a full safety every year mainly to fully check everything to do with brakes. As you dont want massive trucks smashing through a whole bunch of cars at a red light.
Nothing close to MOT here in the States that I know of. Hawaii has sort of one. Here in California all we have is smog check. I think New York has some sort of inspection too.
My understanding as a Brit is that certain States in the USA do safety inspections annually whilst other states don't? It's down to the car owner to ensure their vehicle is road worthy?
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Can we ask more questions here?
In the episode where Ben was driving a convertible Merc catching a skydiver in the back seat while moving, you can see him "un-stiggy". Was that before he was the stig or during and just went under the radar?
16:38 I know how he feels, I'm such a big fan of Ben Collins I can quote all the STIG's lines from Top Gear
🤣
A full collection of blank stares?
Yea same, especially because of the re runs on Dave lol
Just can't stop laughing...
Can confirm my name isnt sponge 🤣
Well, Bob it is then. (1st name not Sponge)😉
😂
Bob Sponge?
Hi isn't sponge.
Bob le ponge?
In the US, the MOT is what we call DOT (Department of Transport) and we have DOT inspections.
Rules on what passes/fails depends entirely on state legislation.
The north east (massachusetts for example) will have emissions, suspension, frame, CEL, tires, etc. checks for road worthiness, pretty similar to normal MOT.
In Florida, if it has a VIN, enough wheels to balance in motion, it is road legal. And if it the car shaped object develops more than 5 BHP, you can take it on the highway. in FL there are no formal inspections, only if the DMV doesn't believe your car actually exists, they will send a cop to confirm that the car exists. (Source: I live in FL)
I live on the Missouri/ Arkansas border. Missouri has inspections, Arkansas doesn't. However people in Arkansas have told me highway patrol has final say. Can deem your vehicle unsafe to operate, or if you're in an accident with bald tires you can get additional tickets. Of course I'm sure it depends on the driver as well. Have had it go totally cool and cop just says chill it on the speed, but also had them pull me out of my truck at gunpoint (my truck matched the description of another, go figure, more than one red Chevy truck). Even that turned out ok, they just let me go when they figured it out...But the Dot guys don't play at all.
Florida is the most American state ever, sorry Texas
In Maryland, we get one inspection at purchase and then emissions every 2 years, and that's it. But cops can pull you over for equipment and make you get it checked.
@@ryurc3033 Same with Kansas, I used to live in Missouri, and was quite surprised when I didn't need a full inspection when I moved.
I’m in Illinois and we only do emissions testing every other year. That’s it.
I never knew Mike used to work for Car Throttle.
It seems a lot of the best UK based motoring shows RUclips has to offer are staffed by ex-CT employees.
Yeah they did create quite a wave in the absence of top gear. Became the yt version of it almost. As we know it seems they didn't continue to adapt and grow as the competition was hotting up so people started to go elsewhere
CT was massive back then, can't believe it's been 10 years since the peak
Collins will always be THE Stig to me. From the golden era of TG.
In the US, vehicle inspection requirements varies by state. For instance, Virginia requires yearly inspections and Oregon doesn't require any. Subjectively, I saw way more cars abandoned on the side of the road with a wheel fallen off in Oregon than I see in Virginia.
Would love to see that road trip in the style of old Top gear
In Georgia (the US state), vehicles must pass an annual emissions inspection. Said inspection only requires the vehicle to have all of its anti-pollution equipment in passable condition. The computer is checked for error codes with a PC that connects to the ECU, the exhaust is measured with some device, and the pressure of your fuel input is tested with an air pump. If you have no pollution-related failures you pass. You get a little reflective sticker that changes color every month, and you place it on your license plate.
If the vehicle is newer than 10 years, no inspection is required; if it was manufactured before cars had anti-pollution equipment then no inspection is required. I could be mistaken, but I also believe if your address is far enough from one of the few major cities you are also exempt, but I’m too lazy to look it up, and I’ve only personally lived in cities 😅
Beyond that, as long as you maintain your minimum and maximum speed, maintain your lane, and don’t drive “recklessly” or “too fast for conditions” then you can go about your business.
Oklahoma has no vehicle requirements or inspections. Just a registration tax each year.
In Illinois we have emission testing but no mechanical worthiness inspection. As long as your emission controls are still in place, they don’t care if your wheels are about to fall off.
Mad respect for Ben Collins. He could drive anything.
except the koenigsegg ccx
Ben is like the Gordon Ramsay of cars
As far as vehicle inspections go here in the States, there is no MOT equivalent. The laws are on a state by state basis, so some states require vehicle/emissions testing, others don’t
When I learned to drive in the early '90s, I was taught 10-2 and thumbs outside the wheel. I've since changed to 9-3 after doing an advanced driver training course about 10 years ago, but I still keep my thumbs outside the wheel.
I was always told that the ten-to-two hand position was to give you a little more leverage, back when even large cars usually didn't have power steering. But today, when virtually everything has power standard - and has air bags, so you'd probably best not have your forearm between it and your face too often - the 9 and 3 positions make a lot more sense. And coincidentally (or maybe not?) modern steering wheels usually have the spokes and grips positioned so that 9 and 3 with your thumbs tucked in just above the spokes is the more comfortable position anyway.
Stig, to me, is the full bollocks! He's the one I would like to hang out with, a guy who is a professional driver and knows a thing or two about cars.
In response to your last question regarding MOT (or whatever you call it) in the US, I'm a native southern Californian and my first vehicle I bought when I was 18 was a '79 Chevy LUV from a used car dealership with a smashed front fender. I drove it like that for maybe a year before I bought a new fender and put it on my self after straightening the chasis by attaching a chain to the area I needed pulled out and the other end to a light post and backed away from the light post until it was straight enough for the new fender. It worked perfectly. When cars were made more with metal than plastic, you used to see a lot more crumpled cars driving around. Now you see more plastic bumpers dangling and flopping around on the freeways.
Stig was something like a hero for me when i were young. I love this man
Re an MOT: depends on what state you're in. Here in VA they're less strict than other places, but more strict than places like CA where there's not much in the way of inspections. See Roadkill for examples of CA cars that wouldn't be on the road here in VA.
Judging by this channel and watching TG and GT an MOT is thorough. I haven't had that much in the way of an inspection anywhere I've lived in the US and I've lived a fair few places now.
Are you allowed to drive a car from a less strict state into a strict state (if it wouldn't pass the regs in the strict state)? Or is it just down complying with the state where the car is registered?
@@MrArchie800 Cops can pull you over and give you a ticket if, for example, a light is out and not working, but beyond that as long as the car is legally registered, it's fair game!
@@MrArchie800 You can, but there's a time limit before it has to be registered and pass that State's requirements if you were to move there or bought a car from another state, much like driving a French car to the UK. If not for Federal laws, each American state would be like driving into a different country. Some States the cops will talk BS just to issue a ticket though. There's a Federal 25 year exemption in the US, much like the UK's 40 year one, so all classic/historic cars become exempt from certain safety and emissions regs.
Shows you how important virtue signaling is. They don't care about the safety of the public, but they pretend to care about the public with emissions testing.
My state has 0 inspection of any kind it’s great
You'll never break your thumbs on a track but off roading, like navigating pothole Britain and your thumbs are going to be history.
I drove my B7 S4 Cabriolet from Abilene TX to Jackson CA and back a few months ago, which was 3,000 miles total. It was a decent trip down, except for the slow trucks in the way, but the difference in roads and scenery along the Northern route was very diverse. I had to pick up what I left in storage and close out the unit, but not wanting to leave my car loaded with things at a Hotel, I drove back in one shot, which took 26 hours including stops. That was brutal.
Vehicle inspections are generally mandated and controlled at the state level and not the federal level. Therefore each state will have a different standard test and test frequency. Pennsylvania is very strict, almost German level strict, due to some differences with the Federal government in the past. Part of the resolution of this was a strict vehicle test. New Jersey which is a neighboring state used to have a strict test but now it is much looser in some aspects of the test standard (except emissions). If you want a cross-country road trip it pays to choose your starting state quite carefully.
As an American (whose parents are from PA) living in Germany I highly doubt they are as strict as Germans.
If your tires are 10 mm too wide the car is deemed not road legal.
If you have any visible rust it is not road legal.
Even using compound to clean up milky plastic headlight lenses is illegal.
It can get kind of ridiculous …
Inspection requirements vary by state. In Georgia for example the only an inspection an emissions test. If it passes emissions you can drive any old deathtrap on the road.
You should drive through Death Valley. In Summer. In 40c heat... Only to notice that you're *extremely* low on fuel, and the only petrol station is on the other side of the road and there's no way to get to it. That... That makes you pucker. Also, take a family SUV (US size, so...) up to Yosemite and, um, 'enjoy' the twisty roads. Only to find two weeks later a little sticker that reads (short version) "Vehicle may tip upon cornering". Cue delayed puckering,
So same as driving in Australia.
Cute
Would love to see DT visiting the States. I loved Moab Utah, and the section of US-212 from Red Lodge Montana up to the northeast entrance of Yellowstone was awesome at night and scary by day. In my home state of Vermont, we have some fun-to-drive mountain passes and some beautiful views along Lake Champlain. Another great drive could be along the Atlantic coast of Florida; start out in Saint Augustine, drive down the A1A to Datina Motot Speedway, and end up at Kennedy Space Center for a SpaceX launch. Hope to see you here!!
I’ve met Mike and he’s a great guy to talk with, got to meet him at Shedfest and would love to meet Ben and Richard, hoping soon.
You've got to drive highway 191 from the MX border to the CA border, it's the most scenic single highway (where you're on the same numbered route from start to finish) in the USA.
I hired a Grand Cherokee Jeep 4WD from Budget in Denver through the snow, drove south to Las Vegas, then back over to L.A and flew back to Thailand, home at the time.
Amazing place and went to loads of Native American places, but because we were Brits, got treated loads better. Same in India when I rode an Enfield through the Himalayas.
Loads more driving and riding stories, but that's it for now.
Fun Q&A
16:45 When you hear a famous person approaching... I was fixing something at a charity shop in Bury in the 90s, then I hear a voice. Steve Berry from the original Top Gear. Then see him but had to ignore him due to working. 😂
Ben would be great presenter. I love listening him talk about things.
In the United States, each state has different standards for vehicle inspection. When I lived in North Carolina, it was somewhat similar to what I've seen of MOT inspections. On the other hand, Georgia hasn't had vehicle inspections since 1982.
Watching Ben getting hyped up over what was being delivered during the shoot was about as amusing as Chris Harris being flung backward in the Lucid Air Sapphire at Throttle House😅
i don't know what an MOT is. but i'm an american who owns 3 vehicles. the only requirements for being on the road is passing an emissions inspection once a year and paying your yearly registration fee(tax). there used to be a yearly safety inspection where they check the whole thing over, check wipers, lights, brakes, bearings, etc to make sure you're road safe, but they did away with it in my state. (utah) other states may be less relaxed.
An MOT is the second inspection you described and the emissions test along with it. It's also a lot more strict than even the strictest inspection in the US. But it's not as strict as the German TUV. The requirements for being on the road in the UK is MOT, road tax, and insurance
Also, some states have very strict emissions rules, some are rather lax, and safety wise, they can vary a little, but are usually thorough.
Yeah, it definitely varies by state. I've been a licensed driver in Iowa since 2001 and I've never been required to have a vehicle inspected in any way. But friends who live in Missouri directly to the south of me tell me they do have inspections there. Exactly how thorough they are, I don't know.
It's very state dependent. Here in Georgia, as long as it is insured, no salvage title, has functional seatbelts, head, tail, turn signal, and marker lights, and proper emissions if you live in the Atlanta metro area, you can get it tagged.
I've seen some doozies on the road.
That all depends on where you live.
Several people have noted that car inspections in the USA are handled at the state level. However there are federal laws that prohibit certain modifications (e.g. removal of catalytic converters). Most people who modify cars tend to ignore those federal laws as it isn't a priority for federal law enforcement. However, if you are found to have violated federal law - there can be other consequences, for example in the case of an accident where you've illegally modified your car, your insurance company can deny you coverage.
Regarding US MOT, Sean nailed it below, ther is no National MOT. Our vehicle registrations are managed at the State level. Each State has their own regulations, which can actually vary by County too. I'm in VA too where we have an annual safety inspection. Locally, they do through your vehicle up on a lift and give it a pretty thorough going over; body, suspension, safety equipment... If you fail, you get a rejection and are required to correct it before you can continue to legally drive your car on public roads. I think that's similar to your MOT from what I recall from watching British shows, like TopGear and Drivetribe. Some Counties in VA include a smog check but connecting a tailpipe sniffer too, but not every VA County does. This is also a bone of contention for folks moving here from another State which doesn't do those annual safety inspections. They pitch a fit if their rag fails for busted glass, bald tires, rusted out undercarriage, clapped out suspension, etc... It's almost funny to listen to the rant about how they should be able to drive their rolling road hazard on the same roads with you and your family. Sean also mirrors my observation about every state I've visited (most, but not all) without annual safety inspections. That's where you'll see the most rolling wrecks on te road. Once spotted, I use as much caution around them as I do very challenging roads and weather conditions. I don't want them taking me out with them when their heap finally lets go. You'd be wise to do the same when visiting here too. As Ben (Stig) said, there's great everything here, but watch out for the "sheds" sharing the road with you in some places, give them a wide berth like the rest of us.
In Canada you need a Safety Standards Certificate , it varies slightly in each Province but essentially the same .
Its a very extensive 100 page document , They not only inspect many items but also take apart and measure things like brakes .
New changes will also require a video to be taken of each vehicle by the inspecting mechanic .
If somebody was wandering how that spot came to be (the rusty one on the front part of the wheel arch) - I can tell you: The can constantly trows road debris and stone from the front wheels to the back front part of the bumper and this is created over time. When brand new, the cars actually have transparent plastic foil on those spots for protection...
Depends on the state for inspections. Even in some states, it can vary by where you are within the state. For instance, in AZ, if you live in Maricopa County or in Tucson, you need to pass emissions testing, but anywhere else in the state, you just need to pay your registration fees (taxes) and that is it.
I know quite a few well known people in equine world, olympic medallists, top jockeys and trainers in racing. I was in awe when i first met them, but got to know them well, and we'll always stop for a chat when we meet. Makes me laugh more, when i mention i know them and people are like wow, what are they like etc. Also youtubers getting all hyper when they see them doing something, or people interrupting when youre chatting. I always say dont be too dramatic, but if theyre on their own and dont look too busy, have a chat they're normal people. Most celebrities ive met and dealt with are very down to earth, and not prima donnas. Exception was Jenny Bond lol.
"The Glasgow kiss" for a headbutt is an amazing name!
10:36 I just wanted to pitch in about the hands position on the steering wheel and see what others opinion is.
From my experience, quarter to 3 is better for control and quick reaction time (I always use it when the road conditions get sketchy), but 10 to 2 is more ergonomic for long car trips and reduces the strain on your wrists.
These 2 together...funny as. Keep it up guys
actually the shuffle (and thumbs) is recent for airbag safety (something normal race cars don't have)
It definitely pre-dates airbags, sorry.
Depending on what sate you live in, it would be an inspection sticker. This can range from stringent noise and emissions checks, roadworthyness, headlamp alignment etc to "honk the horn and turn on your blinkers... yep you passed, that's $20".
I moved from the UK to the US in 2022. I can confirm that most states don't have an MOT. So there are tons of cars with completely rusted sills, even the floor is rusted through, or they've been in a massive crash and have no front end left but are still on the road. ALSOOOO the used car market here in the US is much much stronger than in the UK so I don't think you'd really find anything that's capable of driving more than a few hundred yards for less than $1000
Love both you guys and what you can do with 4 wheels. Hearing Ben talk about going from Cali to Moab got me thinking...let's do Moab on 2 wheels! Open invite to tour Moab or Green River on dirt bikes.
On the point of thumbs in steering wheels, drifting (tandems really) you can get that contact that rips the wheel out of your hands.
I'm sure someone has probably mentioned it, but you do want thumbs out if you're doing demolition derby or something similar. The impacts can spin the wheel rapidly, breaking or dislocating thumbs.
MOT really is a thing in the states but it’s very dependent on which state you’re in. Here in Florida if you said MOT, you’d be stared at like you had 3 heads! 😂
Is Ben finally going to reset the all time Dunsfold record?... It'll have to best the Caparo T1, if memory serves.
The "MOT" is not mandatory in all states, but there are quite a few east coast states that require inspections, so theoretically you could start in say, New York with inspected vehicles and take them wherever you want.
Some states have safety and emissions inspections for road use but not all!
NC inspection is basically does it have all lights functional, horn, window tint isn't too dark, no check engine codes for emissions, and the emissions aren't tampered with... Or if you know someone to just submit the form.
There is no nation wide vehicle inspection requirement other than a basic emissions inspection, however most states require an inspection of some form to renew your registration every year, where I live in North Carolina that inspection covers emissions, tire tread, brakes, horn, lights, signals, seatbelts, airbags, and the functioning of the engine and transmission I believe. Fairly straight forward, other states will have different regulations, some more intense some less intense.
No MOT, but some states require an emissions test. In certain situations where the registration is being transferred from one state to another, a visual inspection is required by that state’s Department of Motor vehicles. It’s more of a state by state regulation.
Yes some states have an MOT equivalent
Ben and Mike. You need to come over to the States and do a Cannon Ball run. It would be fantastic for the Stig to have a New York to LA record!
21:23 This varies by state. My home state had inspections every two years and at time of sale, while my current state has no inspections and just lets everyone drive what they want in whatever condition they feel like. It's really sketchy sometimes.
Make that roadtrip happen. Something silly like kei-car sports cars across the desert and/or canyon, the sheer scale difference would be amazing.
Texas does emissions, but that varies by county. If your vehicle is over 24 years old, emissions test isn't required, only a safety inspection and at most they'll just check that your lights work and that's about it.
You should all do an American road trip like Ben said would be so cool to watch. 👍👍👍👍
"MOT in America?" Depends on the state you are in, but mostly "road-worthy" is discretionary to the bravery of the driver and the leniency of the local PD. Other than that there are a few states that will Smog test the car. -- FLORIDA - my home state, it's mostly a free-for-all.
In the US states i've lived in, specifically California, Arizona, and Oregon, you only need to get your car inspected when you register it, or after it's been in a sufficiently bad insurance claimed accident.
That's how it works in Australia (minus nsw) and some states have no visual inspection at all which is why those states have so many more cars with mini tubs and patina builds 😂
I live in a moderately small town in Utah and as long as the car has a title, is running, and you have $90 to register it you can take it almost anywhere.
Imagine getting to send weird memes to The Stig...so lucky Mike 😂
MOT( Ministry of Transport) in UK, DOT(Department of Transportation) in USA
Like everything in the USA, the inspection rules vary by state. Some have a safety inspection, some just have an emissions inspection, and some states just don't care as long as you pay your registration bill.
No MOT on a federal level. However registration requirements vary from state to state. California only has smog tests, but other states may have a "safety inspection" of some sort. This can mean structural and brake/suspension tests, but is typically much easier to pass than MOT. But $1000 won't buy much here since inflation is so high. Maybe $2500 or so would be more reasonable without changing the essence of the challenge.
I’d be interested to see a Stig trio take on some kind of challenge. Perry, Ben and whoever the 3rd one was. The current guy playing stig can’t be the same as the 3rd one nowadays, his body shape and driving style look different.
We do have vehicle inspections each year. DOT or Dept of Transportation is your MOT
In the US, it’s called the Department of Motor Vehicles or DMV in many states.
Each state in the US is responsible for their road laws. Each state regulates the certifying of a vehicle once it meets the US government DOT requirements.
As an example, some states require a safety inspection when a vehicle transfers into the state and a new title is requested. Some states require a yearly emissions check. Some states don't require very much at all.
I can envision a TV car show with Furnie, Ben and Hammond. I reckon that would be very watchable.
Inspections of the brakes, suspension, and safety equipment in America vary state to state. But usually they are only required when you buy or sell a vehicle. Every two years most states require an emissions tests which consists of an OBD test to make sure the emission system isn't bypassed. The most strict of the states is California but even their inspections are not as in depth as a European or UK MOT. The most lenient of states, Pennsylvania and Florida, as long as the engine runs its road worthy. I wish they would implement MOT style inspections in America. The roads would be much safer!
Wish you guys could get Viki, Tiff or Quentin on this channel for an interview/drive.
America doesn't really have an MOT equivalent... At most, our cars have to go through emissions testing just to make sure they are not spewing too much pollution (and some states don't even require that!), but there is no road safety worthiness checks unless you are rebuilding a car that was previously marked as being a total loss.
Each state in the US is different. Most states don't do any inspections on a car that is already registered in that state. In my state, Kansas, a vehicle is only inspected if you are registering a car that was brought in from out of state. Even then, it is nothing compared to what gets checked in the UK. Like I said, every state is different though.
TLDR: The further you get from major cities, the more limited the scope of vehicle safety inspection requirements. And it varies from state/county to state/county. Would be somewhat comparable to individual EU countries within the EU, if a bit oversimplified.
Our equivalent MOT is up to the individual states themselves, state safety inspections, but in some states the rules can vary even from county to county (state-level), in how stringent they want to be. There is significantly less mandate for our DOT (that's federal level, safety codes all 50 must comply with) but are much more broad, and isn't limited to just road vehicles.
In the United States, the inspection of vehicles (and what is allowed on the road) is a state-by-state decision.
I have lived in a state that had mandatory annual vehicle inspections (where they would pull a random wheel to check the brakes, as well as back-up lights and horn, among other things) and I have lived in a state where there are no vehicle inspections. I cannot believe some of the rolling sheds (I would prefer to use saltier language) that were allowed on the roads.
"Only in Norway"!.. Yes, hello there Ben, from Norway. You're not wrong.😅
Llandow circuit in South Wales is a great track for your first track day. I've seen cars range from a diesel Peugeot 307 to a Revolution Race car go round. Chris Harris it a lot and Ive met Hammond and Mike there , when testing the MGB from Hammonds workshop
Vehicle inspections are a thing in the US but we have no centralized national MOT program. Vehicle inspection requirements depend on the state you're in as every state's Department of Motor Vehicles are different. Vehicle registration itself happens at a state level in the US rather than a national level, which is why all of our license plates are different from state to state for example. Where I'm from a vehicle only needs a safety inspection every time the title/registration transfers owners, and the only regular inspection is an emissions test every 3 or so years. Some states do require a safety inspection every few years, and some states don't inspect at all! It's not uncommon for rusty or bashed up cars to be sold out of a state where they won't pass inspection anymore into a state that doesn't have one where the car then drives until it falls apart.
We have a form of "mot" in Maine and it's quite strict. Mostly because the calcium on the road in the winter causes severe rust in just a couple years
There's no American MOT equivalent. It's all state by state. More populous states and probably rustier states are more likely to have required inspections of some type. I'm in New Mexico and there is absolutely no inspection requirement except in the most populous county and that is just a smog check.
No US MOT, but there are regulations by state that vary. Alabama is cool for at least the fact that there are very few rules if your registration is up to date. 😜
Every US State is different. Michigan is drive anything in any condition, worn tires, no brakes and broken windscreen are a go. but you may get a ticket for no muffler or mirrors. While in New York state they have a pretty rigorous annual inspection program..you wont pass for cracked windshield, in-op tail brake lights, worn tires and worn brakes. The New York shops will take your car from you if you fail and are unable or wont fix the issues. That is for New York state, the inspection for NEW YORK CITY is even rougher.
Can confirm that, in Michigan, a cracked or broken windshield will get you a ticket. Any lights not working or broken, and not covered in the correct color of plastic, will get you a ticket. No muffler, or even loud exhaust leaks, will get you a ticket. Not having a bumper will get you a ticket.
That's about it. You can be driving at 75 miles an hour on the highway with all four tires completely bald, including two of them being the dinky doughnuts, broken suspension so collapsed that the body sways side to side like it's running a slalom course, oil smoke pouring out of the exhaust so thick that you would think it was a WWII PT boat laying down a smoke screen, and enough rust that you can see completely through the car from one side to the other and the driver's seat mounts hanging through the floor.
@@Sman7290 I know michigan because I drove michigan...had everything you mentioned. Loved every car though
Most states have a state inspection, but it differs state from state
MOT.... I assume will be the DMV in USA. Each state varies on their auto laws
New DriveTribe car must be a 1976 Olds Delta88. I've never seen anything that could corner so poorly.
70 Lincon town car.
it was a liana lol
I can confirm that an American MOT isn't a thing. Inspections are state based and it depends on which state you live in as to what they look for. Example: Texas only does an emissions test, where Maryland does a full safety check.
I was sad when the top gear boys went to blue ridge parkway and were sad because you couldn't go fast when they were SOOO close to Deals Gap and the Tail of the Dragon where the bends are so tight that they are fun at the speed limit.... or slightly above...
If a car physically drives, your allowed to drive it in the US. States vary but We have no MOT that checks for rust, brake pad life, tire tread, etc.
You have to periodically get your car Inspected, which is similar but less thorough. in most states, inspection checks the exhaust emissions and the check engine light. No check engine light and a working catalytic converter is a pass.
the frequency of an inspection depends on the state, the year of your vehicle, and type of vehicle. For example, motorcycles are exempt in my state.
If your brake lights are broken, you may get a ticket, but i dont know of a law that prevents you driving with your bumper dragging on the ground.
Only a few states in the US have what you Brits would call an MOT. And they are quite lax. I see cars on a daily basis that would never be allowed to drive on European roads. But here in the land of the free, driving a shitbox is a lifestyle.
Many American states have mandatory state safety and emission inspections in order to put a car on the road.
My only thought was: “When are you gonna drive anything finally?” I mean, is it a podcast, or you’re standing on a race track?
Some states have safety inspections, but mostly in the US it’s just emissions testing. Definitely a lot of sketchy old cars/trucks on the road.
Definitely no national MOT concept, it's up to individual states. I live in Washington State and you can get any piece of junk you want licensed. It just has to pass emissions inspection, but cars more than 25 years old are exempt as well as any cars model year 2009 or newer. So that means only cars model year 1998-2008 need an emissions check. Police will pull you over if a car is not what they consider road worthy, but that is rare.
Here in the usa’s top hat its referred to as a safety in some parts. You only need to get it “safetied” once at the beginning of your ownership of said vehicle in order to get it insured. After that its up to you to do what you want with it. The only exception to that is vehicles weighing over 10000lbs as they need a full safety every year mainly to fully check everything to do with brakes. As you dont want massive trucks smashing through a whole bunch of cars at a red light.
Not really correct, varies from state to stte but Vermont certainly has an MOT level requirement for cars
@@frederickvondinkerberg7721 im talking about canada
Nothing close to MOT here in the States that I know of. Hawaii has sort of one. Here in California all we have is smog check. I think New York has some sort of inspection too.
Missouri has a safety inspection whenever the car registration is renewed if the car is older.
My understanding as a Brit is that certain States in the USA do safety inspections annually whilst other states don't? It's down to the car owner to ensure their vehicle is road worthy?