A state Inspector General's report says the Massachusetts Transportation Department owns more cars than it needs, and those vehicles are often used inappropriately by employees.

The audit found that some agency vehicles are used by employees for routine commuting in violation of state law, and some staffers assigned take-home vehicles to use in case of off-duty emergencies do not regularly respond to emergencies.

Auditors also found that about 180 state-owned vehicles lacked valid safety and emissions inspection stickers, while dozens had commercial or private license plates rather than official state plates.

The report said the agency spent $3.4 million to buy alternative fuel vehicles but failed to retire gas-powered vehicles.

A department spokesman tells the Boston Globe the agency will soon adopt policies to address some issues raised in the report.

[Associated Press]

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