Check your Stop lights - Or else !! Why read on

[TER2BO]

My wife was driving our Ford Territory when she was pulled over by the Highway Patrol in Melb.on 1st Feb.
One of the 3 rear stop lights was not working.
Short story - no please fix it - just a Yellow unroadworty sticker and notice to fix it within 7 days or else .
Did the job in about 45sec.(Territories and Falcon wagons seem to blow bulbs on a regular basis). (Are any bulbs made to last these days???)
But now you have to take the car to Vic Roads to have it inspected and the 'unroadworthy' taken off.
Went there today waited 45mins to be served -then they tell me its $45.10 for them to tell whether or not the brake lights are working.
This new charge just happened to start from the (you guessed it) 1st Feb.
To say I was unhappy and it was a complete waste of everyones time plus the added expenses of travel and loss of income is an understatment.
Heaven forbid if they start to make you have a roadworthy as well- another $200 minimum.
So suggest you check your lights regularly and change those Festoon bulbs on your trailer/caravan for something more robust.