Both the State of Maine Police Department and a state representative have submitted bills to Maine's Legislative Transportation Committee in an effort to make Maine's controversial vehicle inspection law more tire dealer-friendly.
The revisions state that if the rim size of a vehicle is modified, the overall diameter of the wheel and tire "must be within the vehicle manufacturer's specification."
In addition, vehicles may only be outfitted with replacement tires that meet or exceed the load and speed ratings of the vehicle's original equipment tires.
"We are looking for elimination of (the part of the revisions) that refer to speed rating and load index having to be the same as the (information) on the vehicle placard," says Dick Cole, executive director of the New England Tire & Service Association.
Cole told moderntiredealer.com that the bills will hopefully go before the committee within a month.
Revisions, which were made in September 2003, have caused sales and customer relations problems for some tire dealers in Maine.
Dedicated snow tires were declared exempt from the law's speed rating requirement three months ago.
