HB649 PASSES: Dealer Compliance Guidance on Vehicle Safety Standards

House Bill 649 has passed both chambers and been signed by the Governor. The bill, that NHADA worked on with our partners at the DOS, DMV, and AG’s office after the inspection program was repealed through the state budget process, is now law. It responds to enforcement and consumer protection gaps left after the lapse of the state inspection program and ensures basic guardrails, while litigation over repeal remains ongoing.

The problem it addresses
With inspection enforcement effectively weakened, key safety issues and vehicle equipment deficiencies were removed from law and buyers had less visibility into vehicle condition at the point of sale.

HB 649 helps to fill that gap.

What counts as an “unsafe motor vehicle”
The bill creates a clear legal definition for law enforcement to act on obvious safety hazards, and moves equipment items which were no longer enforceable in administrative rule, into law including but not limited to:

• Exhaust leaks entering passenger or cargo areas
• Missing exterior body components (doors, hood, fenders, trunk, bumpers), with limited manufacturer-designed exceptions
• Structural damage: cracked, broken, or severely rusted frames or unibodies
• Severe windshield damage in the driver’s critical viewing area (major cracks or multiple large breaks)
• Unsafe tire conditions (excluding spare tires)
• Fuel systems with obvious, significant leaks

NHADA has digested the new RSA 266 equipment standard and created a summary/checklist for technicians and others to use as a guide for determining compliance with the full law.
It can be found here:

PRE-ORDER - Motor Vehicle Examination Checklist Form 2-Part (RSA 266)

**New Form – RSA 266 Checklist Form
Coming Soon - Join the waitlist to be first the first to know when they are in stock!
8-1/2" x 11" - 2-Part, Carbonless, Glue Edge, Blue Imprint on White, Pink with Glue Edge at Top, Black Imprint Backer. 
Packaged 50 forms/pack, Sold per pack
JOIN THE WAITLIST

Dealer disclosure requirements (RSA 358-F:2)
HB 649 creates the requirement for standardized statements at the time of sale.

Dealers must provide the buyer with one of the following written statements:

• Compliant vehicle:
  Vehicle meets RSA 266 equipment requirements.
• Non-compliant vehicle:
  Vehicle has been inspected and does not meet RSA 266 requirements, with defects listed.
• No inspection conducted:
  No determination of compliance has been made.

DISCLOSURE FORM

Motor Vehicle Examination Disclosure Form 2-Part
This form is used to assist you to be in compliance with RSA 358-F:2 & for any used vehicle sales.
8-1/2" x 11" - 2-Part, Carbonless, Glue Edge, Blue Imprint on White, Pink with Glue Edge at Top, Black Imprint Backer.
Packaged 50 forms/pack, Sold per pack
MORE INFO | PURCHASE

Temporary plates tied to safety
The bill also requires that vehicles meet RSA 266 equipment requirements before a dealer can issue a temporary plate to that vehicle. NHADA has created an examination sticker to place on examined vehicles to give dealers, consumers, and law enforcement an immediate visual indication that a vehicle complies with RSA 266 requirements at the time of the examination and is eligible for temporary and/or dealer plate use.
CERTIFICATE OF EXAMINATION STICKER:

Certificate of Examination Decals (Double-Sided)
Write-On Label For "Examined On" Date, to show on inside of vehicle for end user. Permanent marker is recommended.
3" Circle - Green/Black imprint, 2-Sided on White vinyl decal with light adhesive on "Checkmark" side.
Place on interior of windshield, "Checkmark" side facing out and "Examined On" side facing in.
Packaged 50 decals/pack. Sold per pack.
MORE INFO | PURCHASE

Bottom line
HB 649 reintroduces structure where enforcement and disclosure had become fragmented. It defines unsafe vehicles, standardizes dealer transparency, and ties temporary plate issuance to baseline safety compliance.