Memphis Councilman Proposing Fee for Vehicle Inspections

(Memphis) If you live and drive in Memphis, it’s just one of those things you have to do: get your vehicle inspected once a year.

“It didn’t go so well. I failed,” said Memphis Resident Andrea Crump.

While the process sometimes produces unfortunate news, it may soon cost you to hear it.

“What if they charged you to go through inspections?” asked Reporter Sabrina Hall. 

“No. No! I don’t like it,” said Crump.  “I don’t like it one bit.”

“I want people to know that this is not a money grab,” said City Councilman Edmund Ford Jr.

Councilman Ford is proposing a vehicle inspection fee. 

It would be around $7 and go towards off-setting the $2.7 million the City spends each year to provide inspections.

Perhaps more controversial, Ford’s plan calls for people who live outside of Memphis to get inspected and pay the fee as well.

It would apply to those who work or drive into Memphis more than two times a week.

“A lot of people don`t realize that we have almost 400 thousand vehicles from outside of the city that also come in and contribute to the air-pollution,” said Ford.

While the proposal may not be a popular plan to some, Councilman Ford says it would be for the greater good of Memphis and the environment.

“It’s really a shared sacrifice where the goal is clean air for all,” said Ford.

Memphis is one of only two Tennessee cities that require vehicle inspections. 

The other one is Nashville and it charges residents $9 to inspect their vehicles.

Ford’s proposal was passed in committee Tuesday.

The first reading in front of the full council is June 5.