D.C. gas stations may take on vehicle inspections

Mayor Adrian Fenty’s top aides are developing a plan to allow vehicle inspections at the city’s gas stations rather than limiting drivers to the lone District-run facility in Southwest.

The mayor has directed the Department of Motor Vehicles and the Department of the Environment to look at decentralizing emissions inspections, shuttering the DMV’s facility at 1001 Half St. SW and eliminating most safety inspections. Detailed recommendations should be ready by March, said Janis Hazel, DMV spokeswoman.