In the United States, vehicle safety inspection and emissions inspection are governed by each state individually. 17 states have a periodic (annual or biennial) safety inspection program, while Maryland and Alabama require a safety inspection on sale or transfer of vehicles which were previously registered in another state. New Jersey discontinued its passenger vehicle safety inspection program on August 1, 2010.

In 1977, the federal Clean Air Act was amended by Congress to require states to implement vehicle emissions inspection programs, known as I/M programs (for Inspection and Maintenance), in all major metropolitan areas whose air quality failed to meet certain federal standards. New York's program started in 1982, California's program ("Smog Check") started in 1984, and Illinois' program started in 1986. The Clean Air Act of 1990 required some states to enact vehicle emissions inspection programs. State impacted were those in metropolitan areas where air quality did not meet federal standards. Some states, including Kentucky and Minnesota, have discontinued their testing programs in recent years with approval from the federal government.

Jurisdictions requiring periodic vehicle safety inspections

• Delawareâ€"annually or biennially, new cars are exempt from inspection for the first five years provided the car remains with the same owner.
• District of Columbiaâ€"biennially, the requirement for safety inspection for privately owned cars ended October 1, 2009.
• Hawaiiâ€"annually, with the following exceptions: Brand new vehicles receive an inspection valid for two years. Emergency vehicles, school vehicles, rental cars, and vehicles used in public transportation must be inspected every six months. Sticker placed on rear bumper to right on license plate.
• Illinoisâ€"According to Illinois EPA, "Ensure your vehicle is safe to operate. Your vehicle may be rejected [for emissions testing] if the test cannot be safely conducted." Emissions testing is required biannually only for vehicles registered in specific counties and zip codes (see below).
• Louisianaâ€"annually. However, as of September, 2012, people in most jurisdictions have the option of getting a sticker good for two years, rather than one, by paying double the usual fee. Note that, in New Orleans, Inspection Stickers are commonly referred to as "Brake Tags"; they are placed on the inside of the windshield, in the lower-left corner of the windshield (on the driver's side). Colors change every year.
• Maineâ€"annually. Color of sticker changes annually. Sticker placed in top center of windshield behind rear view mirror or lower left-hand corner of windshield.
• Massachusettsâ€"annually. Stickers are placed in the lower right corner of the windshield.
• Mississippiâ€"annually. Sticker placed in lower left corner of windshield. (Effective July 1, 2015, Mississippi will no longer require annual safety inspections)
• Missouriâ€"biennially, based on the vehicle's model year. Odd-numbered model year renews in odd-numbered year, even-numbered model year renews in even-numbered year. Effective January 1, 2010, vehicles are exempt from safety inspection requirements for the first five years following the vehicle's model year. Vehicles displaying historical plates are completely exempt from inspection.
• New Hampshireâ€"annually, except the first inspection of a new vehicle or upon an ownership transfer is adjusted to expire in the month of the registrant's birthday and is therefore valid for 4 to 15 months. Sticker placed in top center of windshield under rear view mirror.
• New Jerseyâ€"annually for commercial vehicles (including taxis, limousines, jitneys, and buses), effective January 1, 2010. Passenger vehicles are exempt from safety inspections, effective August 1, 2010.
• New Yorkâ€"annually. Color of sticker changes annually. Newly registered vehicles with a current inspection sticker from another state are exempt until the out-of-state sticker expires or for one year after registration in New York, whichever is sooner. Vehicles registered as farm vehicles are exempt. Stickers are placed on lower left corner of windshield.
• North Carolinaâ€"annually until the vehicle is 35 years of age, at which point inspections are no longer required.
• Pennsylvaniaâ€"annually for most vehicles; every six months for all vehicles over 17,000 pounds (7,700 kg) GVW, which includes tractor-trailers, most non-articulated trucks, school vehicles (including school buses and school vans), motor coaches, mass transit buses, ambulances, fire department trucks, etc. Most vehicles that carry passengers for hire, including taxicabs but not limousines, are also required to be inspected semiannually. Stickers are placed on lower drivers sides corner on windshield. Vehicles bearing antique vehicle license plates are exempt from inspection, but vehicles bearing classic or collectible license plates are subject to inspection. Trailers in excess of 3,000 pounds (1,400 kg) GVW are also inspected annually as are motorcycles.
• Rhode Islandâ€"biennially; newly registered vehicles are exempt from the inspection requirement for 2 years from the date of purchase. Vehicles registered as antiques are subject to safety inspection, but are exempt from emissions testing. Stickers are placed on lower-right corner of windshield.
• Texasâ€"new vehicles are sold with an inspection decal which expires 2 years after the sale of the vehicle. Annually thereafter. The inspection decal is placed in the lower left corner of the windshield near the registration decal. Beginning March 1, 2015, the inspection decal is being eliminated and proof of inspection will be required to renew the registration.
• Utahâ€"Vehicles with model years four, eight, and ten years old require a safety inspection. Vehicles with model years ten years old and older must pass safety inspections every year.
• Vermontâ€"annually; inspections are due at the end of even-numbered months only. Inspections performed in an odd-numbered month will receive a sticker for the next even-numbered month (e.g., a car inspected in November 2011 will receive a sticker good until December 31, 2012). Inspection stickers are placed behind the rearview mirror and are color-coded by year.
• Virginiaâ€"annually;. Newly registered vehicles with a valid inspection from another state are exempt from inspection until the out-of-state inspection expires. Color of stickers changes annually and are placed in the lower center part of the windshield.
• West Virginiaâ€"annually; color of sticker changes annually; sticker placed in lower right corner of windshield.

Jurisdictions requiring a safety inspection only prior to sale or transfer of ownership

• Alabama
• Maryland

Jurisdictions requiring a safety inspection only when bringing a vehicle from another jurisdiction

• Nebraska

Jurisdictions requiring periodic vehicle emissions inspections

• Arizonaâ€"biennially, in Phoenix and Tucson metro areas only, depending on age and type of vehicle.
• Californiaâ€"biennially for all vehicles from out-of-state, regardless of age; and all vehicles made after 1975 which are more than six years old in all or some zip codes in 41 out of 58 counties.
• Coloradoâ€"biennially, except for vehicles 7 years old and newer. Required in Boulder, Broomfield, Denver, Douglas, and Jefferson Counties, and parts of Adams, Arapahoe, Larimer, and Weld Counties.
• Connecticutâ€"biennially.
• Delawareâ€"annually or biennially. Older cars registered as antiques are exempt from emissions testing.
• District of Columbiaâ€"biennially.
• Georgiaâ€"annually for gasoline-powered cars or light-duty trucks (8,500 pounds GVWR or less), required only in the 13 metro Atlanta counties (Cherokee, Clayton, Cobb, Coweta, DeKalb, Douglas, Fayette, Forsyth, Fulton, Gwinnett, Henry, Paulding and Rockdale). The three most recent model year vehicles and those that are 25 model years or older are exempt from emissions testing. As well as all motorcycles, recreational vehicles (RVs), motor homes and diesel powered vehicles.
• Idahoâ€"required in Ada County and Canyon County only.
• Illinoisâ€"biennially after the vehicle is four years old. Required only in the Chicago metropolitan area and eastern suburbs of St. Louis, Missouri.
• Indianaâ€"biennially, required in Lake County and Porter County (Chicago metropolitan area)/Northwest Indiana only.
• Louisianaâ€"annually, only in the Baton Rouge metropolitan area parishes of Ascension, East Baton Rouge, Iberville, Livingtston, and West Baton Rouge.
• Maineâ€"annually, only in Cumberland County.
• Marylandâ€"biennially, required in 13 (out of 23) counties and the independent city of Baltimore. The most recent two model years of vehicles are exempt from emissions testing.
• Massachusettsâ€"annually, as of 2008. Vehicles less than 15 years old must pass an OBD-2 scan for emissions system compliance. Vehicles over 15 years old receive a visual check and must not 'produce visible smoke'. Prior to 2008, an emissions inspection was required biennially based on the vehicle's model year (odd-numbered model years were inspected in odd-numbered years, even-numbered model years were inspected in even-numbered years). Also in 2008, the tailpipe test for 1995 model year and older vehicles was discontinued.
• Missouriâ€"biennially, based on the vehicle's model year, required only in St. Louis City, St. Louis County, St. Charles County, Franklin County, and Jefferson County.
• Nevadaâ€"required only in the urban areas of Clark County (Las Vegas) and Washoe County (Reno) for most vehicles. New vehicles in their first or second years of registration, hybrid vehicles five model years old or less, diesel vehicles with a gross vehicle weight of 14,000 lb. or more, 1967 or older vehicles, motorcycles/mopeds, and certain other vehicles are exempt.
• New Hampshireâ€"annually, except the first inspection of a new vehicle or upon an ownership transfer is adjusted to expire in the month of the registrant's birthday and is therefore valid for 4 to 15 months. Emissions inspection is required only for model year 1996 and newer vehicles.
• New Jerseyâ€"biennially. Effective January 1, 2010, commercial vehicles (including taxis, limousines, jitneys, and buses) are subject to an annual inspection. Effective August 1, 2010, new non-commercial vehicles are exempt for the first five years. Used non-commercial vehicles are also exempt for the first five model years, as indicated on the New Car Dealer inspection decal. Used non-commercial vehicles originally purchased outside of New Jersey will receive a decal valid for five years from the model year of the vehicle. Effective August 1, 2010, vehicles exempt from inspection include motorcycles, non-commercial diesel vehicles between 8,500 pounds (3,900 kg) and 10,000 pounds (4,500 kg) GVWR or older than model year 1997 and under 10,000 pounds (4,500 kg) GVWR, diesel trucks between 10,000 pounds (4,500 kg) and 18,000 pounds (8,200 kg) GVWR (subject to self-inspection), farm vehicles, collector vehicles, historic vehicles, trailers, and mopeds. Effective May 2016, cars 1995 and older are no longer subject to emissions inspection.
• New Mexico - biennially, required only for vehicles 1982 and newer registered in Bernalillo County
• New Yorkâ€"annually. Newly registered vehicles with a current inspection sticker from another state are exempt until the out-of-state sticker expires or for one year after registration in New York, whichever is sooner. Model year 1996 and newer vehicles are subject to an OBD-II emissions inspection, while older cars receive a visual check of emissions components. Until December 31, 2010, vehicles registered in the five boroughs of New York City, as well as on Long Island, in Westchester County or in Rockland County required a tailpipe smog-test if they are not OBD II equipped (they now receive a visual only check of emissions control devices). All OBD II vehicles in those areas (1996 model year or newer, 1997 and newer for diesel) require and OBD II test plus a visual check of emissions components. Any vehicle 26 model years old or more does not require an emissions check of any sort, and vehicles 2 model years old or newer are exempt. Diesel trucks over 8500 lbs. GVWR are requir ed to have a diesel emissions inspection if they are registered in the NYC metropolitan area.
• North Carolinaâ€"annually, required for vehicles in the 48 (out of 100) most populated counties for model year 1996 or newer vehicles, except brand new vehicles, which get safety inspections only. Non-gasoline powered vehicles and cars 1995 or older and vehicles with a GVWR of more than 8500 lbs. are exempt from emissions inspection. Effective November 1, 2008, no inspection decal is issued upon passing. All state inspection records both emissions and safety are now kept via electronic database, and are required for being awarded new license plates, and/or registration. Effective April 1, 2015, vehicles that are within the last three model years and have fewer than 70,000 miles on the odometer are exempt from emissions inspection.
• Ohioâ€"currently required only in the Cleveland metropolitan area (Cuyahoga County, Geauga County, Lake County, Lorain County, Medina County, Portage County, and Summit County). Vehicles up to four years old are exempt. Testing is based on an odd-even year system. If a car was purchased in 2000, it is not required to be tested until 2010, if a car was purchased in 2003, then it will need to be tested in 2009. Ohio does not charge a fee for emission testing, due to Ohio's tobacco settlement.
• Oregonâ€"required only (1975 and newer) in the Portland and Medford metro areas
• Pennsylvaniaâ€"annually for most vehicles under 9,000 pounds (4,100 kg) GVW. Required in 25 (out of 67) counties. Diesel-powered vehicles are exempt from emissions inspection.
• Rhode Islandâ€"biennially.
• Tennesseeâ€"annually, in conjunction with registration renewal, excluding new motor vehicles being registered for the first time, vehicles with a designated model year prior to 1975, heavy duty motor vehicles (more than 10,500 lbs. GVWR) and motorcycles. Required only in Davidson County, Hamilton County, Rutherford County, Sumner County, Williamson County, Wilson County, the fee for the vehicle emissions inspection is $9.00. As of July 1, 2014, the city of Memphis no longer requires vehicle emission testing.
• Texasâ€"annually, required only in the largest urban areas: Houston, Dallas-Fort Worth, Austin, and El Paso. Vehicles more than 2 model years old and up to 24 model years old are subjected to the annual emission tests (pre-OBDII automobiles registered in the Houston Metro area and DFW Metroplex are tested using the accelerated simulation mode while 4 wheel drive/all wheel drive automobiles, light trucks, vans, and SUVs over 8500GVW, continue to use the two-speed idle test (Travis/Williamson and El Paso Counties use the TSI test for pre-1996) - anything over 25 model years old - including those registered as an antique or classic (also inclusive of antique and classic motor vehicle displaying year of manufacture license plates where a state issued vanity license plate or previous Texas general issue license plate was used with the motor vehicle is used for registration purposes under the TxDMV Antique or Classic Vehicle Registration), are exempted from emission testing. Motorcycle s and diesel vehicles are exempt from any state emissions testing.
• Utahâ€"All vehicles registered in Davis, Salt Lake, Utah and Weber counties with model years less than six years old are required to have an emission test once every two years and Vehicles with model years six years old and older (to 1967) must have an emission test every year. Emission certificates are not required for vehicles with model years 1967 or older. All vehicles registered in Cache County with model years six years old and greater that have even-numbered model years, must have an emission test in even number years, and vehicles with odd-numbered model years must have an emission test in odd-numbered years. Vehicles with model years 1968 or older do not require an emission test.
• Vermont-annually, done at time of State Inspection 1996 and new with OBDII, some cars are exempt
• Virginiaâ€"biennially, in conjunction with registration renewal, required only in urban and suburban jurisdictions in Northern Virginia. Newly registered vehicles with a valid inspection from another state are exempt from inspection until the out-of-state inspection expires.
• Washingtonâ€"required only in urban areas of Clark County, King County, Pierce County, Snohomish County, and Spokane County. Diesel vehicles weighing under 6,001 lbs or model 2007 or newer are exempt from emissions testing. All vehicles of 2009 or newer and all vehicles over 25 years old are also exempt from emissions testing.
• Wisconsinâ€"biennially, required only in Kenosha County, Milwaukee County, Ozaukee County, Racine County, Sheboygan County, Washington County, and Waukesha County. Vehicles manufactured before 1996 are exempt from testing.

Jurisdictions requiring VIN inspection

• California - Required when registering an out-of-state vehicle
• Colorado - Required when registering an out-of-state vehicle
• Connecticut - Required when registering an out-of-state vehicle
• Florida - Required when registering an out-of-state vehicle
• Idaho - Required when registering an out-of-state vehicle
• Illinois - The main VIN tag is inspected at emissions testing stations. If the VIN tag is not acceptable or is missing, the vehicle is "rejected" for emissions testing. Emissions testing is required biennually only for vehicles registered in specific counties and zip codes (see above).
• Indiana - required when registering an out of state vehicle
• Kansas - Required when registering an out-of-state vehicle
• Kentucky - Required when registering an out-of-state vehicle
• Maine - Required to match VIN with registration as part of the annual safety inspection. A tracing verification of the VIN is not part of the inspection.
• Nevada - Required when registering an out-of-state vehicle for the first time in the state
• New Mexico - Required when registering an out-of-state vehicle
• Oklahoma - Required when registering an out-of-state vehicle
• Oregon - Required when registering an out-of-state or new-to-Oregon vehicle.
• Pennsylvania - Required as part of the annual safety inspection. The inspection procedure only requires checking the main VIN tag. A tracing or visual verification of the VIN by an inspection mechanic or notary is also required when registering an out-of-state vehicle.
• Rhode Island - Required when registering an out-of-state vehicle
• Vermont - Required when registering out-of-state vehicle
• Washingtonâ€"required only when registering an out-of-state vehicle for the first time in the state, or for rebuilt vehicles.
• Wyoming - Required when registering an out-of-state vehicle

States without safety, emissions, or VIN inspections

• Alaska
• Arkansas
• Iowa
• Kentucky
• Michigan
• Minnesota
• Mississippi
• Montana
• North Dakota
• South Carolina
• South Dakota

Summary of Periodic Inspection Requirements for Non-Commercial Vehicles

• New Orleans requires a "brake tag". In addition to the state requirements, if your vehicle is registered in New Orleans, you must also have the brakes tested annually with a short stop test.

Learn more »

This is a list of Lego City sets (also previously known as Legoland, Lego Town and Lego World City).

Legoland (1969-1978)

Town (1978-1989)

High Speed Adventure (1987-1988)

Service and Repair (1987-1989)

Emergency (1987-1988)

Houses (1991)

A very small subtheme of Town, Houses incorporated older sets of houses and buildings, like 6592 Vacation Hideaway into a new subtheme. However, the theme was the only 1991 subtheme not to continue another year.

Paradisa (1992-1997)

Rescue (1991, 1994-1995)

Police (1991-1993, 1996)

Racers (1991-1996, 2000,2008)

Nautica (1991)

Flight (1992-1995)

Res-Q (1992)

Launch Command/Spaceport (1995)

Launch Command was released in 1995 as a Lego Town subtheme. It was the first dedicated Lego theme that attempted to depict real-life contemporary efforts of space exploration. Prior to the theme's official launch in 1995, two sets were released in preceding years that are considered predecessors to the theme. Space Shuttle Launch, released in 1990, featured NASA logo, unlike subsequent releases. Shuttle Launching Crew, released in 1992, featured the characteristic "V" pattern seen on Launch Command sets released in 1995. The two shuttles released in 1995 were in fact labeled "2" and "3", leading one to believe that shuttle 1 was contained in 6346 Shuttle Launching Crew.

Divers (1997)

Outback (1997)

Extreme Team (1998)

Space Port (1999)

Space Port was released four years after Launch Command and is often seen as a continuation of that theme due to its similar logo and status as a Lego Town Subtheme. Space Port took the Launch Command concept and expanded upon it into new areas such as astronaut training and scientific experiments. The Space Port theme took a slightly less realistic approach to set design compared to Launch command, and some sets featured special Light & Sound bricks to enhance playability.

RES-Q (1998)

World City (2003-2004)

Police

Trains

Rescue

Other

CITY (2005-present)

Fire (2005-Present)

Construction (2005-Present)

Emergency

Airport (2006-Present)

Trains (2006-Present)

Transport (2007-present)

Coast Guard (2008)

Cargo (2008-Present)

Farm (2009-2010)

Traffic (2009)

Harbor (2011)

Space (2011)

Space (City) is the third attempt at depicting contemporary efforts in space. The theme was preceded by Shuttle Adventure, which was released in 2010 under the Lego Exclusives line to coincide with the retirement of the Space Shuttle. The set proved to be extremely popular among children and was re-released in 2011 as Shuttle Expedition with several re-designs to improve playability.

Both of these sets as well as all sets in the Space theme feature a logo inspired by the Lego Classic Space logo.

Forest Fire/police(2012)

Great Vehicles (2012-Present)

Set 60113 2016 Rally Car Set 60114 2016 Race Boat 60115 2016 4 X 4 Off Roader 60116 2016 Ambulance Plane 60117 2016 Van & Caravan 60118 2016 Garbage Truck 60119 2016 Ferry

Mining (2012-2013)

Spaceport (2015)

Accessory and promotional sets (2005-Present)

Advent Calendars

Other Town-related LEGO sets

A motorized Space Shuttle was released in 1996 as part of the LEGO TECHNIC theme.

Notes

Learn more »

A sport utility vehicle or suburban utility vehicle (SUV) is a vehicle classified as a light truck, but operated as a family vehicle. They are similar to a large station wagon or estate car, usually equipped with four-wheel drive for on- or off-road ability. Some SUVs include the towing capacity of a pickup truck with the passenger-carrying space of a minivan or large sedan.

Popular in the late-1990s and earlyâ€"mid-2000s, SUVs sales temporarily declined due to high oil prices and a declining economy. The traditional truck-based SUV is gradually being supplanted by the crossover SUV, which uses an automobile platform for lighter weight and better fuel efficiency. By 2010, SUV sales around the world were growing, in spite of high gas prices.

Definitions

According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, a "sport utility vehicle" is "a rugged automotive vehicle similar to a station wagon but built on a light-truck chassis". The "SUV" term is defined as "a large vehicle that is designed to be used on rough surfaces but that is often used on city roads or highways." The "SUV" acronym "is still used to describe nearly anything with available all-wheel drive and raised ground clearance."

North America

There is no one definition for an SUV. Most government regulations simply have categories for "off-highway vehicles," which in turn are lumped in with pickup trucks and minivans as "light trucks." The auto industry has not settled on one definition.

Nevertheless, four-wheel-drive SUVs are considered light trucks in North America (and two-wheel-drive SUVs up to the 2011 model year) where they were regulated less strictly than passenger cars under two laws in the United States, the Energy Policy and Conservation Act for fuel economy, and the Clean Air Act for emissions. Starting in 2004, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) began to hold sport utility vehicles to the same tailpipe emissions standards as cars.

Many people question "how can an SUV be called a truck?" Although the original definition of the "light truck" classification included pickups and delivery vans, usually SUVs and minivans are included in this category because these vehicles are designed to "permit greater cargo-carying capacity than passenger carrying volume." Manufacturing, emissions, and safety regulations in the U.S. classify "an SUV is a truck"; however, for local licensing and traffic enforcement, "an SUV may be a truck or a car" because the classification of these vehicles varies from state to state. For industry production statistics, SUVs are counted in the light truck product segment.

Other markets

The term is not used in all countries, and outside North America the terms "off-road vehicle", "four-wheel drive" or "four-by-four" (abbreviated to "4WD" or "4×4") or simply use of the brand name to describe the vehicle like "Jeep" or "Land Rover" are more common.

In Europe, the term SUV has a similar meaning, but being newer than in the U.S. it only applies to the newer street oriented one, where-as "Jeep", "Land Rover" or 4x4 are used for the off-roader oriented ones. Not all SUVs have four-wheel drive capabilities, and not all four-wheel-drive passenger vehicles are SUVs. Although some SUVs have off-road capabilities, they often play only a secondary role, and SUVs often do not have the ability to switch among two-wheel and four-wheel-drive high gearing and four-wheel-drive low gearing. While automakers tout an SUV's off-road prowess with advertising and naming, the daily use of SUVs is largely on paved roads.

In India, all SUVs are classified in the "Utility Vehicle" category per the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM) definitions and carry a 27% excise tax. Those that are 4 metres (157 inches) long, have a 1,500 cc (92 cu in) engine or larger, along with 170 mm (6.7 in) of ground clearance, are subject to a 30% excise duty.

Designs

Although designs vary, SUVs have historically been mid-size passenger vehicles with a body-on-frame chassis similar to that found on light trucks. Early SUVs were mostly two-door models, and were available with removable tops. However, consumer demand pushed the SUV market towards four doors, by 2002 all full-size two-door SUVs were gone from the market. Two-door SUVs were mostly carry-over models, and their sales were not viable enough to warrant a redesign at the end of their design cycle. The Jeep Wrangler remained as a compact two-door body style, although it was also joined by a four-door variant starting with the 2007 model year, the Wrangler Unlimited. The number of two-door SUV models increased in the 2010s with the release of the Range Rover Evoque and the Nissan Murano convertible, although both vehicles are unibody.

Most SUVs are designed with an engine compartment, a combined passenger and cargo compartment, and no dedicated trunk such as in a station wagon body. Most mid-size and full-size SUVs have three rows of seats with a cargo area directly behind the last row of seats. Cargo barriers are often fitted to the cargo area to protect the vehicles occupants from injury from unsecured cargo in the event of sudden deceleration or collision.

SUVs are known for high ground clearance, upright, boxy body, and high H-point. This can make them more likely to roll over due to their high center of gravity. Bodies of SUVs have recently become more aerodynamic, but the sheer size and weight keeps their fuel economy poor.

Mini SUV

A mini SUV (also called subcompact SUV or subcompact crossover) is a class of small sport utility vehicles. The term usually applies to crossovers based on a supermini (B-segment cars in Europe) platform such as the Daihatsu Terios, Chevrolet Trax, Fiat 500X, Honda Vezel, Jeep Renegade, Mini Countryman, Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class, Opel Mokka, Peugeot 2008 and Renault Captur.

Compact SUV

A compact SUV is a class of smaller SUVs that are commonly built with less cargo and passenger space, and often with smaller engines resulting in better fuel economy, the term is often interchangeable with crossover SUV. Some examples are: Acura RDX, Audi Q3, Audi Q5, BMW X1, BMW X3, Chery Tiggo, Chevrolet Captiva, Ford Escape, Great Wall Haval H5, Honda CR-V, Honda Element, Honda Passport, Isuzu Rodeo, Jeep Compass, Jeep Cherokee, Mahindra Quanto, Mazda CX-5, Mercedes-Benz GLK-Class, Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class, Mitsubishi ASX, Opel Antara, Porsche Macan, Range Rover Evoque, Renault Koleos, Å koda Yeti, Suzuki Vitara, Toyota RAV4, Volkswagen Tiguan and Volvo XC60.

Mid-size SUV

A mid-size SUV is a class of medium-size SUVs whose size typically falls between that of a full-size and a compact SUV. This term is not commonly used outside North America, where fullsize and midsize SUVs are considered similar. Some examples are: Acura MDX, Audi Q7, Buick Rendezvous, BMW X5, BMW X6, Chevrolet Equinox, Chevrolet TrailBlazer, Dodge Journey, Ford Edge, Ford Explorer, Honda Pilot, Hummer H3, Hyundai Santa Fe, Jeep Grand Cherokee, Jeep Liberty, Land Rover Discovery, Mazda CX-7, Mercedes-Benz M-Class, Mitsubishi Challenger, Nissan Murano, Nissan Pathfinder, Nissan Xterra, Pontiac Aztek, Pontiac Torrent, Range Rover Sport, Tata Safari, Toyota 4Runner, Toyota Highlander, Toyota FJ Cruiser, Volkswagen Touareg, Ssangyong Rexton, Tesla Model X and Volvo XC90.

Full-size SUV

A full-size SUV is a class of large-size SUVs that are most often larger than Midsize SUVs and much larger than Compact SUVs. They have greater cargo and passenger space than midsize SUVs. Full Size SUVs are usually given higher safety ratings than their smaller counterparts. Some examples are: Cadillac Escalade, Chevrolet Tahoe, Dodge Durango, Ford Expedition, GMC Yukon, Hummer H2, Infiniti QX56, Jeep Wagoneer, Land Rover Discovery, Lexus LX, Lincoln Navigator, Mitsubishi Montero, Mercedes-Benz G-Class, Mercedes-Benz GL, Nissan Armada, Nissan Patrol, Toyota Land Cruiser and Toyota Sequoia.

Extended-length SUV

An extended length SUV, also sometimes called a long-wheel based SUV, are vehicles that are similar to a full-size SUV, except that these vehicles have a larger cargo area (around 130 in (3.30 m)) and passenger space that can seat up to 8 or 9 people (with the available third row seating that when folded or removed adds more cargo space). Although these extended length SUVs are mostly sold in North America because of their size and the roads are made and designed differently, they can also be found in other countries, exported to such places like The Philippines and The Middle East. The vehicles are 221 in (5.61 m) to 223 in (5.66 m) in length and can be distinguished by the rear wheel area not touching the rear doors. Currently, the only vehicles built under this segment are the Cadillac Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Suburban, Ford Expedition EL, Ford Excursion, GMC Yukon XL and Lincoln Navigator L.

History

Origins

Early SUVs were descendants from commercial and military vehicles such as the World War II Jeep and Land Rover.

The earliest examples of longer-wheelbase wagon-type SUVs were the Chevrolet Carryall Suburban (1935, RWD only), GAZ-61 (1938, 4×4), Willys Jeep Station Wagon (1948), Pobeda M-72 (GAZ-M20/1955), which Russian references credit as possibly being the first modern SUV (with unitary body rather than body-on-frame), International Harvester Travelall (1953), Land Rover Series II 109 (1958), and the International Harvester Scout 80 (1961). These were followed by the more 'modern' Jeep Wagoneer (1963), International Harvester Scout II (1971), Ford Bronco (1966), Toyota Land Cruiser FJ-55 (1968), the Chevrolet Blazer / GMC Jimmy (1969), and the Land Rover Range Rover (1970). The actual term "sport utility vehicle" did not come into wide popular usage until the late 1980s; many of these vehicles were marketed during their era as station wagons.

According to Robert Casey, the transportation curator at the Henry Ford Museum, the Jeep Cherokee (XJ) was the first true sport utility vehicle in the modern understanding of the term. Developed under the leadership of AMC's François Castaing and marketed to urban families as a substitute for a traditional car (and especially station wagons, which were still fairly popular at the time), the Cherokee had four-wheel drive in a more manageable size (compared to the full-size Wagoneer), as well as a plush interior resembling a station wagon. With the introduction of more luxurious models and a much more powerful 4-liter engine, sales of the Cherokee increased even higher as the price of gasoline fell, and the term "sport utility vehicle" began to be used in the national press for the first time. "The advent and immediate success of AMC/Jeep's compact four-door Cherokee turned the truck industry upside down."

The corporate average fuel economy (CAFE) standard was ratified in the 1970s to regulate the fuel economy of passenger vehicles. Car manufacturers evaded the regulation by selling SUVs as work vehicles. The popularity of SUV increased among urban drivers in the last 25 years, and particularly in the last decade. Consequently, modern SUVs are available with luxury vehicle features, and some crossover models adopt lower ride heights to accommodate on-road driving.

Keith Bradsher explained the rise of the SUV with American Motors' (AMC) lobbying the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for a waiver of the United States Clean Air Act. The EPA subsequently designated AMC's compact Cherokee as a "light truck", and the company marketed the vehicle to everyday drivers. AMC's effort to affect rulemaking changing the official definition of their new model then led to the SUV boom when other auto makers marketed their own models in response to the Cherokee taking sales from their regular cars.

Popularity

SUVs became popular in the United States, Canada, India and Australia in the 1990s and early-2000s. U.S. automakers could enjoy profit margins of $10,000 per SUV, while losing a few hundred dollars on a compact car. For example, the Ford Excursion could net the company $18,000, while they could not break even with the Ford Focus unless the buyer chose options, leading Detroit's big three automakers to focus on SUVs over small cars.

The higher cost of union labor in the U.S. and Canada compared to the lower wages of non-union workers at non-U.S. companies like Toyota, made it unprofitable for American auto makers to build small cars in the U.S. For example, the General Motors factory in Arlington, Texas where rear-wheel-drive cars were built, such as the Chevrolet Caprice, Buick Roadmaster, and Cadillac Fleetwood Brougham was converted to truck and SUV production, putting an end to full-size family station wagon and overall terminating production of rear-wheel drive full-size cars. Due to the shift in the Big Three's strategy, many long-running cars like the Ford Taurus, Buick Century and Pontiac Grand Prix fell behind their Japanese competitors in features and image (relying more on fleet sales instead of retail and/or heavy incentive discounts); some were discontinued.

Buyers were drawn to SUVs' large cabins, higher ride height, and perceived safety. Full-size SUVs often offered features such as three-row seating, to effectively replace full-size station wagons and minivans. Wagons were seen as old-fashioned. Additionally, full-size SUVs have greater towing capabilities than conventional cars, and can haul trailers, travel trailers (caravans) and boats. Increased ground clearance is useful in climates with heavy snowfall. The very low oil prices of the 1990s helped keep down running costs. The SUV was one of the most popular choices of vehicle for female drivers in the U.S.

Social scientists have drawn on popular folklore such as urban legends to illustrate how marketers have been able to capitalize on the feelings of strength and security offered by SUVs. Popular tales include narratives where mothers save the family from armed robbery and other incidents by taking the automobile off road, for example.

In Australia, SUV sales were helped by the fact that SUVs had much lower import duty than passenger cars did, so that they cost less than similarly equipped imported sedans. However, this gap was gradually narrowed, and in January 2010 the import duty on cars was lowered to match the 5 percent duty on SUVs.

Sales of SUVs and other light trucks fell in the mid-2000s because of high oil prices and declining economy. In 2008, General Motors announced plans to close four truck and SUV plants, including the Oshawa Truck Assembly. The company cited decreased sales of large vehicles in the wake of rising fuel prices. The business model of focusing on SUVs and light trucks, at the expense of more fuel-efficient compact and midsized cars, is blamed for declining sales and profits among Detroit's Big Three automakers since the midâ€"late-2000s. The Big Three were slower to adapt than their Japanese rivals in producing small cars to meet growing demand due to inflexible manufacturing facilities, which made it unprofitable to build small cars. However, starting in 2010 SUV and light truck sales have started an upward trend due to lower gas prices and a revival of the North American economy. In 2013, General Motors saw its sales for its large SUVs increased by 74%, making them the largest produce r of SUVs in the United States. However, the "small and compact SUVs, when compared with other vehicles in the light truck segment, has made this vehicle segment the third highest selling vehicle segment in the automotive market in 2013." With the redesigned GM and Ford large SUVs being introduced in 2014 (for the 2015 model year), it has seen a slight resurgence among consumers due to better fuel economy and new engines, along with updated and newer features.

Starting in 2015, sales of SUVs started dominating the industry. At the end of 2016, sales of SUVs and light duty trucks had surpassed traditional car sales for the year by over 3 million units. Manufacturers like Hyundai have started reducing their production of traditional cars in favor of SUVs citing reduction in sales and difficulty competing with other manufacturers.

Use in remote areas

SUVs are sometimes driven off-road on farms and in remote areas of such places as the Australian Outback, Africa, the Middle East, Alaska, Canada, Iceland, South America, Russia and parts of Asia which have limited paved roads and require a vehicle to have all-terrain handling, increased range, and storage capacity. The scarcity of spare parts and the need to carry out repairs quickly resulted in the popularity of vehicles with the bare minimum of electric and hydraulic systems, such as the basic versions of the Land Rover, Jeep Wrangler, Nissan Patrol and Toyota Land Cruiser. SUVs for urban driving have traditionally been developed from their more rugged all-terrain counterparts. For example, the Hummer H1 was developed from the HMMWV, originally developed for the military of the United States.

As many SUV owners never used the off-road capabilities of their vehicle, newer SUVs (including crossovers) now have lower ground clearance and suspension designed primarily for paved roads.

Some buyers choose SUVs because they have more interior space than sedans of similar sizes. In areas with gravel roads in summer and snow and ice in winter, four-wheel drives offer a safety advantage due to their traction advantages under these conditions.

The sport utility vehicles have also gained popularity in some areas of Mexico, especially in desert areas or in cities where drivers frequently encounter potholes, detours, high water and rough roads. Increasing use is also attributed to the high number of dirt roads outside major population centers, resulting in washboard and mud in the rainy seasons.

Use in recreation and motorsport

Some highly modified SUVs, together with their more rugged off-road counterparts, are also used to explore places otherwise unreachable by other vehicles. In Australia, China, Europe, South Africa, South America and the United States at least, 4WD clubs have been formed for this purpose. Modified SUVs also take part in races, including the Paris-Dakar Rally, the Baja racing series, TREC events, King of the Hammers in California and the Australian Outback.

The Trophee Andros ice-racing series is another competition where SUVs participate as well.

Many 4×4 mud racing events and other activities take place throughout the US organized by clubs and associations.

Luxury SUV

Numerous luxury vehicles in the form of SUVs and pickup trucks are being produced. Luxury SUV is principally a marketing term to sell fancier vehicles that may have higher performance, comfort, technology, or brand image. The term lacks both measurability and verifiability, and it is applied to a broad range of SUV sizes and types.

Nevertheless, the marketing category was created in 1966 with Kaiser Jeep's luxurious Super Wagoneer. It was the first SUV to offer a V8 engine, automatic transmission, and luxury car trim and equipment in a serious off-road model. It came with bucket seating, air conditioning, sun roof, and even a vinyl roof. Land Rover followed suit in 1970 by introducing the Range Rover. The trend continued with other competitors adding comfort features to their rudimentary and truck-based models.

The production of luxury models increased in the late-1990s with vehicles such as the Lincoln Navigator and Cadillac Escalade. These luxury SUVs generated higher profit margins than non-luxury SUVs did. For some auto makers, luxury SUVs were the first SUV models they produced. Some of these models are not traditional SUVs based on light truck as they are classified as crossovers.

The luxury SUV class encompasses both smaller 5-passenger SUVs and larger 7-passenger SUVs, with luxury features both inside of the cabin but also in the outside. Buyers looking for a luxury vehicle that offers more cargo capacity than a sedan may prefer a luxury SUV. This is also a vehicle aimed for those who prefer an SUV with a little more style.

Luxury SUVs typically offer the most expected safety features including side airbags, ABS and traction control, and many of them also come with electronic stability control, crash resistant door pillars, dynamic head restraints and back-up sensing systems.

The U.S. News & World Report Rankings and Reviews ranks premium midsize SUVs and crossovers based on an in-depth analysis by its editors of published auto ratings, reviews and test drives. Ranking is based on the score on performance, exterior, interior, safety, and reliability obtained by the vehicles.

Other names

In Australia and New Zealand, the term SUV is not widely used, except by motoring organizations, the press, and industry bodies. Passenger class vehicles designed for off-road use are known as 'four-wheel drives', '4WDs', or '4×4s'. Some manufacturers do refer to their products as SUVs, but others invented names such as XUV, (HSV Avalanche XUV or GMC Envoy XUV) or action utility vehicles (AUVs). The term 'AWD', or all-wheel drive, is used for any vehicle which drives on all four wheels, but may not be designed for off-road use. 'Crossover' is a marketing term for a vehicle that is both four-wheel-drive and primarily a road car.

The pejorative term "Toorak Tractor" is used in Australia to describe vehicles such as Range Rovers used in wealthy urban areas with fine roads, fine dining, and exclusive designer shopping precincts where off-road ability is not required. The term alludes to the affluent Melbourne suburb of Toorak and was used at least as early as the late 1980s. The equivalent term "Chelsea Tractor" became prominent in the United Kingdom around 2004 to describe vehicles such luxury SUVs used in urban areas such as Chelsea, London, where their four-wheel-drive capabilities are not required and the car is believed to be a status symbol rather than a necessity. The term "4×4" (four-by-four) is also common even for vehicles not used in urban areas. "AWD" is not commonly used in the UK. The less capable SUVs also pick up the name "soft-roader" because while they appear designed to go off road, in many cases they're not actually capable of it.

In Norway the term "Børstraktor" (Stock Exchange Tractor) serves a similar purpose.

In Finland the term "katumaasturi" is commonly used to designate SUVs. It roughly translates to street-off-roader, or street-4×4. This marks the difference with what is called "maasturi" which is a vehicle with off-road capability.

In Sweden they are often called "stadsjeep" (city jeep).

In the Netherlands they are known as "P.C. Hoofttractors" after the exclusive P.C. Hooftstraat shopping street

Learn more »

The Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT, pronounced "A-Dot") is an Arizona state government agency charged with facilitating mobility within the state. In addition to managing the state's highway system, the agency is also involved with public transportation and municipal airports. The department was created in 1974 when the state merged the Arizona Highway Department with the Arizona Department of Aeronautics.

ADOT was a pioneer in the use of rubberized asphalt as a method to increase durability and reduce road noise on state highways while providing an opportunity to recycle scrap tires. Its "Quiet Pavement" project started in 2003 surfaced about 115 miles (185 km) of Phoenix-area freeways with rubberized asphalt.

Former U.S. Secretary of Transportation Mary Peters had previously been a Director of ADOT. The current Federal Highway Administrator, Victor Mendez, was also previously a Director of ADOT.

ADOT's publications division publishes Arizona Highways magazine.

ADOT Divisions

Aeronautics Division

The Aeronautics Division, now a part of the Multimodal Planning Division, promotes aviation in the state, license aircraft dealers, assists in the development of public airport projects and manages Grand Canyon National Park Airport.

Intermodal Transportation Division

ADOT's Intermodal Transportation Division (ITD) traces its roots back to 1909 with the establishment of the post of Territorial Engineer, to 1912 with the creation of the Office of State Engineer and to 1927 when the Arizona State Highway Department was created. Divided into 11 groups and 10 engineering districts, the ITD is responsible for building and maintaining Arizona's highway infrastructure. It is overseen by the State Engineer. Currently it is headed by State Engineer (Deputy Director of Transportation) Dallas Hammit

Motor Vehicle Division

The Motor Vehicle Division (MVD) is responsible for driver licensing and vehicle registration. It has 1600 employees and an annual operating budget of $72 million. Currently it is headed by ADOT Assistant Director Stacey K. Stanton.

As of FY 2009, the MVD has 6,693,413 license plates registered with the department.

Enforcement and Compliance Division

It utilizes certified peace officers to enforce transportation related laws and regulations.

Multimodal Planning Division

The Multimodal Planning Division (MPD) is the arm of ADOT involved in transportation planning. As its name suggests, the mandate for the MPD deals with creating plans for various modes of transport, including highways and public transit at both a regional and statewide level. Currently it is headed by ADOT Assistant Director Scott Omer.

Freeway Signs

ADOT is noted for using pop-culture references to catch commuters eyes and deliver important safety tips on the electronic overhead signs. References have included Star Wars, Star Trek, and Pokémon GO. Signs have included:

• "Drinking & Driving go together like Peas and Guac"
• "Awaken your inner force. Focus on the road."
• "Texting and driving leads to the dark side."
• "The force is strong with you. Put down the phone."
• "Be a rebel, not a clone. Put down the phone."
• "Road rage? Let the Wookiee win."
• "Drive Sober Live Long and Prosper"

Learn more »

Auto auctions are a method of selling new, and most often, used vehicles based on auction system. Auto auctions can be found in most nations, but are often unused by most people, since in most nations such as the United States, auto auctions are exclusive to used car dealers. In a few countries, such as Japan, auto auctions are well known and used, sometimes indirectly, by most residents.

Country specific

Japan

Auto auctions are the most popular method to sell used vehicles in Japan. Most customers are Japanese seeking a cheap vehicle to start with or replace their older vehicle. There are many also trying to sell their vehicles. Individuals though cannot directly use auto auctions, but must go through those holding auction membership. In Japanese law, only dealerships may become members to auto auctions. The way the system is set up allows people to have access to information, but keep the auctions orderly with only professionals actually able to bid.

A small percentage of the dealers that are members of Japanese auto auctions are also used vehicle exporters that most often use the auto auctions as their primary source of used vehicles. Other than these exporters, most members are used vehicle dealership that sell in Japan and are used by Japanese people to find a car they want.

In Japan there are over 30 well known auto auction groups and over 200 auto auction locations throughout Japan. Additionally, there are more smaller auctions held for specialized items. Furthermore, large amounts of cars in Japan are auctioned online, using various types of auction software. Auction inspection sheets allow buyers and inspectors to evaluate the worth of a car over such systems.

United States

In the United States, auto auctions are relatively unknown to the public at large, but play a major role as a wholesale market for second-hand vehicles. Most states only allow closed auctions, meaning only dealers can use them. There are also auctions that are open to the public in a few states like New Hampshire. These auctions are a primary outlet for financial services firms to dispose of their large volume of off-lease returns, for rental and other companies to sell off their aging fleets and for car dealerships to dump trade-ins or other unwanted inventory. Some auctions in the United States are used by banks, the IRS, and other government agencies to sell vehicles that were repossessed for failure to make monthly payments or pay taxes, or were seized by the FBI, DEA, or the police. Also, there are some that sell US Government vehicles. Finally, there are those catering to the salvage market where insurance companies sell totaled vehicles.

Online auto auctions are also growing in popularity. One of the most popular online auctions to buy cars from is eBay.com. On eBay Motors, any user can create an account and put their vehicle(s) up for auction even if they are from a state that only allows closed auctions. There is usually a fee associated with selling a vehicle on eBay. Many buyers prefer to look for local car sellers on eBay, within a certain radius so that they can go and do a manual inspection of the vehicle.

United Kingdom

The majority of vehicles entered into auction in the UK are ex-company fleet vehicles and as such usually have a good service history and have been well kept. Car dealer groups also take advantage of auto auctions in order to sell on any excess stock whilst smaller, local car dealers will use them to fill spaces on their forecourts. Auctions in the UK are also used by banks, local and central Government, private sellers and car dealerships.

By attending car auctions in the UK you get access to a unique range of vehicles:

• Direct from the manufacturer
• Later model vehicles
• Cars available from ex-fleet, finance and lease companies
• Part-exchange motors from dealers
• Budget and family models including MPVs
• Specialist marques, Top Car and other prestige motor auctions
• Plant and Machinery
• Motorbikes
• Cars and Caravans

Reputable auto auctioneers will be members of a professional body. Look for affiliation to the National Association of Motor Auctioneers - a plaque bearing their crest should be displayed on the wall somewhere. Membership of the (NAMA) is the nearest you will ever get at motor auctions to a guarantee of fair play and honesty.

Cars and VAT

When making payment for a vehicle bought at auction it is advisable to be aware of the VAT situation. A check should be made with the sales officer regarding the VAT status of a vehicle before bidding on it. (This is not specific VAT or tax advice - check with the relevant office for the current situation)

Indemnity Insurance

On top of the hammer price, you will have to pay a small charge for indemnity insurance. This is an extremely worthwhile fee that assures that you have "good title" to the car. This indemnity normally costs only small percentage of the hammer price.

Car dealer auctions

A car dealer auction is a specialized form of auction. Millions of vehicles are sold at such dealer auto auctions every year. These auctions are restricted for the general public and only licensed dealers can participate. Prices of vehicles sold at dealer auctions tend to be lower than those advertised on any dealer’s lot. Sellers forgo a potentially higher sticker price to take their inventory to a dealer auction where it will be auctioned off for thousands less than retail for a number of reasons.

Maintaining aging inventory costs dealers both money and reputation. Most vehicles sold are off-lease returns, replaced rental fleets, company cars, repossessed vehicles, and trade-ins.

• Off-lease: vehicles returned to the financial institution at the end of a lease term. Closed auctions are usually the only venue for such financial institutions to dispose of a large volume of end-of-lease returns. The terms of a lease normally put a restriction on the number of miles driven, require regular maintenance and penalize for excessive wear. Usually, off-lease vehicles are returned within 2â€"3 years, often before their original factory warranty expires.
• Off-rental: rental companies normally replace their fleets once a year, releasing a flood of late-model cars to the secondary market. Like the big financial institutions that underwrite car leases, rental companies also rely on auto auctions to sell off their used inventory. These vehicles tend to be well maintained and driven for only one year. Mileage tends to accumulate quickly on a rental car. Optional features are limited to an A/C and automatic transmission, but these cars are otherwise as close to the base model as they can get. Usage of rental cars is rough; it is safe to assume that during that first year each rental car will be driven by a normal distribution of all types of drivers in all kinds of conditions.
• Company/fleet cars: companies of varying sizes own or lease cars, trucks or vans that they typically keep for two or more years, although it is not uncommon to see current year models sold at the auctions. Adequate maintenance and large volumes of similar vehicles are typical characteristics. Like rentals, these fleet vehicles do not have many extras and get thoroughly exploited on a daily basis. Unlike rentals, usage of company cars varies greatly from the executive luxury sedan driven slowly and carefully on occasion to the delivery truck that regularly mounts curbs and gets abused in city traffic.
• Repossessed: vehicles can be voluntarily or involuntarily repossessed by financial institutions for delinquency or another reason for recall. Auto auctions are again the bank’s only option for deliverance. Repossessed vehicles can feasibly sell for less because the financial institution disposing of them only seeks to offset its losses (also restricted by federal regulations). The condition of such cars may be compromised by neglect; if the owner can't pay the loan, repairs could also be neglected. There is also the potential for sabotage from ill-meaning previous users (e.g., extensive keying or tearing of the interior).
• Trade-in: dealer inventory that is aging or does not meet their profile (e.g., an old Toyota Avalon that was traded in for a new CLK350 Cabriolet at a Mercedes-Benz franchised dealership). Traded-in cars may have useful extras and sometimes even after market modifications. The overall condition of such vehicles varies greatly. Some may be considerably older and out of warranty.
• Salvage: vehicles that have been in accidents, floods, fires or recovered thefts that have been purchased by insurance companies. The insurance companies sell these vehicles to dealers or body shops who will fix them and resell them, or auto recyclers who will part out the remaining parts of the vehicle that haven't been damaged.

Among these types of vehicles there are a number of quality cars ready to market. Late models with remaining factory warranty are not uncommon. The law requires listing dealers to disclose bigger mechanical problems, which may void the manufacturer’s warranty and classify the vehicle as junk, salvage, lemon/consumer buy-back, etc. There are special auctions for these types of vehicles (salvage, rebuilt or junk vehicles), sold mostly by insurance companies. Other types of auctions specialize in the sale of police or government cars; some of those actually allow public access.

Pricing

Regardless of their source, vehicles are sent to auction with the main purpose to be sold quickly and hassle-free, and this usually happens at prices that dealers can easily recoup with a small profit from a resale. Contrary to popular belief, cars seldom sell for unreasonably low prices at the dealer auctions. This may happen if there are not enough interested bidders or if the vehicle is exceptionally unattractive and should not be taken for granted. Many sellers put reserve prices on their stock specifically to prevent this from happening. The reserve price is not disclosed publicly and a “winning” auction bid is only considered a sale if the reserve price is met. Sellers have the option to re-list vehicles that did not sell at a particular auction.

Condition

As with any used vehicle, overall vehicle condition varies greatly. Many aspects of the vehicle appearance may suffer in the term of everyday use and result in any of the following damages: stained or otherwise used upholstery, scratched bumpers, dings on the doors, chipped hood, dented quarter panels. Most of these can be fixed with touch-up paint and/or a dent removing kit. Scraped wheels and worn tires may cost more to repair or replace.

Inspection

Pre-sale vehicle inspection or test-driving is not allowed at some of the auctions. Mechanics and guests are not usually allowed to see the cars until after the sale is completed. Some auction locations inspect and prepare the cars for sale if the listing dealer so chooses (at a premium). More extensive reconditioning is also available. Many auctions offer (for a fee) post-sale inspections for qualifying vehicles which can determine mechanical or frame damage issues which allow the buying dealer a window of opportunity to back out of the purchase. On the other end, sellers can also (for a fee) have their vehicles pre-sale inspected which allows purchasing dealers to buy with confidence that the vehicle passed a pre-sale inspection and if free of any mechanical or frame damage issues.

Inventory finance

Most car dealerships do not pay cash for the vehicles they buy at auto auctions. They rely on inventory financing, a line of credit extended by a bank or other institution to acquire vehicles. This is known in industry parlance as floorplanning (floor planning) or simply "flooring" vehicle inventory. Specialty finance companies cater to the used car dealer industry.

Learn more »

Motor vehicle theft or, grand theft auto, is the criminal act of stealing or attempting to steal a car (or any other motor vehicle). Nationwide in the US in 2012, there were an estimated 721,053 motor vehicle thefts, or approximately 229.7 motor vehicles stolen for every 100,000 inhabitants. Property losses due to motor vehicle theft in 2012 were estimated at $4.3 billion.

Methods

Some methods used by criminals to steal motor vehicles include:

• Theft of an unattended vehicle without key(s): The removal of a parked vehicle either by breaking and entry, followed by hotwiring or other tampering methods to start the vehicle, or else towing. In London the police say that 50% of the annual 20,000 car thefts are now from high tech OBD (Onboard Diagnostic Port) key cloning kits (available online) and bypass immobiliser simulators.
• Theft with access to keys: Known in some places as "Taken Without Owner's Consent (TWOC)". The unauthorized use of a vehicle in which the owner has allowed the driver to have possession of or easy access to the keys. Often, this is the adolescent or grown child or employee of the vehicle's owner who, at other times, may be authorized to use the vehicle. This may be treated differently, depending on the jurisdiction's laws, and the owner may choose not to press charges. However, this method also applies to criminals who break into a car and find that the owner has left a spare set of keys in the glovebox, and use these to drive the car away
• Opportunistic theft: The removal of a vehicle that the owner or operator has left unattended with the keys visibly present, sometimes idling. Alternatively, some cars offered for sale are stolen during a 'test drive'. A 'test drive' may also provide a potential thief with insight into where the vehicle keys are stored, so that the thief may return later to steal the vehicle.
• Carjacking: Refers to the taking of a vehicle by force or threat of force from its owner or operator. In most places, this is the most serious form of theft, since assault also occurs. In some carjackings, the operators and passengers are forced from the vehicle while the thief drives it away him/herself, while in other incidents, the operator and/or passenger(s) are forced to remain in the vehicle as hostages. Some less common carjackings result in the operator being forced to drive the assailant in accordance with the assailant's demands.
• Fraudulent theft: Illegal acquisition of a vehicle from a seller through fraudulent transfer of funds that the seller will ultimately not receive (such as by identity theft or the use of a counterfeit cashier's check), or through the use of a loan obtained under false pretenses. Many vehicles stolen via fraud are resold quickly thereafter. Using this approach, the thief can quietly evade detection and continue stealing vehicles in different jurisdictions. Car rental and Car dealership companies are also defrauded by car thieves into renting, selling, financing, or leasing them cars with fake identification, checks, and credit cards. This is a common practice in areas near borders which tracking devices do nothing because jurisdiction cannot be applied into a foreign country to recover a lost vehicle.

Commonly used tools

• Slide hammer puller to break into the door locks and the cylinder lock.
• Multimeters or a test light to find a power source
• Spare wires and/or a screwdriver to connect the power source to the ignition and starter wires
• A generic rod and hook toolkit to slip between the car window and car frame and to open the lock behind the window. A common one is called the "Slim Jim".
• Many keyless ignition/lock cars have weak or no cryptographic protection of the unlock signal. Proof-of-concept "thefts" of top-of-the-line luxury cars have been demonstrated by academic researchers using commercially available tools such as RFID microreaders, but is unknown whether the attack has been used for actual theft.
• A firearm or other weapon such as a baseball bat, or a utility knife or a box cutter to break open a window or threaten a passenger if inside the car
• OBD key cloning kits

Vehicles most frequently stolen

The makes and models of vehicles most frequently stolen vary by several factors, including region and ease of theft. In particular, the security systems in older vehicles may not be up to the same standard as current vehicles, and thieves also have longer to learn their weaknesses. Scrap metal and spare part prices may also influence thieves to prefer older vehicles.

In Bangkok, Thailand, the most frequently stolen vehicles are Toyota cars, Toyota Hilux and Isuzu D-Max pickups.

In Malaysia, Proton models are the most frequently stolen vehicles, with Proton Wira being the highest, followed by the Proton Waja and the Proton Perdana.

Prevention

There are various methods of prevention to reduce the likelihood of a vehicle getting stolen. These include physical barriers, which make the effort of stealing the vehicle more difficult. Some of these include:

• Devices used to lock a part of the vehicle necessary in its operation, such as the wheel, steering wheel or brake pedal. A commonly used device of this kind is the steering-wheel lock (also known as a crook lock or club lock).
• Immobilisers allow the vehicle to start only if a key containing the correct chip is present in the ignition. These work by locking the steering wheel and disabling the ignition.
• Hidden kill switches cut electric current to the ignition coil, fuel pump, or other system to frustrate or slow down a thief.
• Deterrents tell the thief they are more likely to get caught if the vehicle is stolen. These include:
  • Car alarm systems are triggered by breaking and entry into the vehicle.
  • Microdot identification tags allow individual parts of a vehicle to be identified.
  • Signs on windows warning of other deterrents, sometimes as a bluff.
  • VIN etching may reduce the resale value of parts or increase risk of resale.

Recovery of stolen vehicles

Recovery rates for stolen vehicles vary, depending on the effort a jurisdiction's police department puts into recovery, and devices a vehicle has installed to assist in the process.

Police departments use various methods of recovering stolen vehicles, such as random checks of vehicles that come in front of a patrol unit, checks of all vehicles parked along a street or within a parking lot using automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) or keeping a watchlist of all the vehicles reported stolen by their owners. Police departments also receive tips on the location of stolen vehicles through StolenCar.com or isitnicked.com in the United Kingdom. Reason being is that car thieves will abandon a hot vehicle on a street or parking lot to let it cool off before moving it again in case it has a tracking device. Another method car thieves use is dismantle the car as soon as they can which makes recovery hard or by border crossing to another state or country making the BOLO watch list obsolete.

In the UK, the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) provides information on the registration of vehicles to certain companies for consumer protection and anti-fraud purposes. The information may be added to by companies with details from the police, finance and insurance companies. Such companies include Carfax in the US, AutoCheck and CarCheck in the United Kingdom, and Cartell in Ireland, which then provide online car check services for the public and motor trade.

Vehicle tracking systems, such as LoJack, Automatic vehicle location, or Onstar may enable the location of the vehicle to be tracked by local law enforcement or a private company. Other security devices such as DotGuard microdots allow individual parts of a vehicle to also be identified and potentially returned.

Statistics

Motor vehicle thefts, by country

Criminologist Frank E. Hagan wrote that, "Probably the most important factor in the rate of motor vehicle theft is the number of motor vehicles per capita in the country." Using data supplied by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, the estimated worldwide auto-theft rate is 65.8 per 100,000 residents. However, data is not available for all countries, and this crime rate reflects only the most recent year of reported data. For the 4,429,167,344 people these countries represent, there were a total 2,915,575 cars stolen. Uruguay has the highest auto-theft rate for any fairly large country in the world, at 437.6 per 100,000 residents in 2012. However Bermuda in its most recent year of reported auto-thefts (2004), reported a rate of 1324.0 per 100,000 people. But the small population of Bermuda (65,000) is smaller than many cities in countries such as the USA or Canada. Some cities have higher rates than Bermuda, such as Newark, NJ which had an auto-theft rate of 1420.6 in 201 2.

The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime notes "that when using the figures, any cross-national comparisons should be conducted with caution because of the differences that exist between the legal definitions of offences in countries, or the different methods of offence counting and recording". The last thing to note is that crime will vary by certain neighborhoods or areas in each country, so, just because a nationwide rate is a specified rate, does not mean that everywhere in that country retains the same amount of the likelihood of a car to be stolen.

Learn more »

The U.S. state of Arizona first required its residents to register their motor vehicles in 1912. Registrants had to provide their own plates for display until 1914, when the state began to supply license plates to registrants. Plates are currently issued by the Motor Vehicle Division of the Arizona Department of Transportation (MVD).

The current "Grand Canyon State" slogan first appeared in 1940, appearing on all subsequent issues except for 1945.

Plates began to be county-coded in 1922 and were issued to all vehicle types until 1929, when commercial vehicles were given their own class of plate.

In Arizona, the license plate belongs to the vehicle owner. This allows for the transfer of a license plate from one vehicle to another.

As of FY 2009, the MVD has 6,693,413 license plates registered with the department.

Passenger plates 1914 to 1955

Passenger plates 1956 to present

In 1956, the U.S. states and Canadian provinces came to an agreement with the Automobile Manufacturers Association that standardized the size for license plates for vehicles, except those for motorcycles, at six inches in height by twelve inches in width, with standardized mounting holes. The 1955 (dated 1956) issue was the first Arizona license plate that complied with these standards.

Non-passenger types

1997 to present

1980 to 1996

Optional types

Arizona offers its motorists a number of optional issue designs that are available upon the payment of an additional fee.

References

External links

• Arizona Department of Transportation, Motor Vehicle Divisionâ€"Special License Plates and Placards
• Arizona license plates 1969-present
• License Plates of Arizona
• Arizona License Plates

Learn more »