PA Safety Inspection (Baseline) Subchapter A-D Study Guide LTI

Antique Motor Vehicle

A motor vehicle, but not a reproduction thereof, manufactured more than 25 years prior to the current year which has been maintained in or restored to a condition which is substantially in conformance with manufacturer specifications.

Acute area of the windshield

The center of the critical area on the driver's side of the vehicle directly in the

driver's normal line of vision 8 1/2 inches wide and 5 1/2 inches high.

Auxiliary Driving Lamp

A lighting device mounted to provide illumination in front of the vehicle and to supplement the upper beam of a standard headlamp system; it is not intended for use alone or with the lower beam of a standard headlamp system

Certified Inspection Mechanic

A person who holds a valid certification card issued by the Bureau certifying that the person is qualified, has passed all requirements to inspect specific vehicles and holds a valid driver's license for the correct class of vehicle

Clearance lamps

Lamps which show to the front or rear of a vehicle to indicate overall width and height of a vehicle -- on trucks and buses 80 inches or more in width.

Commonwealth inspection station

An inspection station appointed to inspect all types of vehicles, space permitted, owned by and engaged exclusively in the performance of the official duties of the Federal Government, the Commonwealth, or a political subdivision of the Commonwealth

Critical area of the windshield

The part of the vehicle windshield cleaned by the sweep of the windshield wiper system

Fleet inspection station

An inspection station appointed to inspect all types of vehicles, space permitting, leased by or owned and registered in the name of the person in whose name the certificate of appointment is issued

fog lamps

Lamps which are used with or in lieu of the lower beam headlamps to provide illumination under conditions of rain, snow or fog

GCWR - Gross Combination Weight Rating

the weight specified by the manufacturer of a vehicle as the combined loaded weight of that vehicle and a trailing vehicle

General inspection station

An inspection station appointed to inspect all types of vehicles if the station is so equipped

Identification lamps

Lamps used in groups of three, in a horizontal row, which show to the front or rear, or both, on vehicles 80 inches or more in width

Implement of Husbandry

Vehicle that is designed for, or adapted to, agricultural purposes and used by the owner primarily in the conduct of agricultural operations

Inspection station supervisor

Any person designated by the Department to investigate, inspect and supervise the operation of inspection stations

Ornamental Lamps

lamps not required and not located as described in tables 3,4,5 of this chapter, unless available as original equipment flashing or revolving lights are not ornamentallamps

Side Marker Lamps

Lamps located on the left and right sides, beamed and intended to indicate vehicle length

Temporary Inspection Approval Indicator

An adhesive insert affixed to the current certificate of safety inspection, as viewed from inside the vehicle, used to designate vehicles which have successfully passed a required periodic safety inspection, but do not display a renewed emission certificate of inspection

Vehicles acquired to be inspected

A registered vehicle moved upon a highway shall bear a valid certificate of inspection except the following: (1) Special Mobile Equipment, (2) An implement of Husbandry, (3) A motor vehicle being towed, (4) A motor vehicle being driven or a trailer being towed by an official inspection station owner or employee for the purpose of inspection, (5) A trailer having a registered gross weight of 3000 pounds or less, (6) A motorized pedalcycle, (7) A vehicle being repossessed by a financer or collector-repossessor through the use of miscellaneous motor vehicle business registration plates, (8) A new vehicle while it is in the process of manufacture including testing, and not in transit from the manufacturer to a purchaser or dealer, (9) A military vehicle used for training by a private, nonprofit, tax exempt military educa tional institution when the vehicles do not travel on public roads in excess of 1 mile and when the property on both sides of the public road is owned by the institution, (10) An antique vehicle.

Semiannual Inspection

(Twice a year) School buses, vehicles which are under contract with or owned by a school district or a private or parochial school, including vehicles having chartered group and party rights under the Public Utility Commission and used to transport school students; passenger vans used to transport persons for hire or owned by a commercial enterprise and used for the transportation of employees to or from their place of employment; and mass transit vehicles.

Annual Inspection

(Once a Year) Other vehicles, including motor homes, emergency vehicles and private noncommercial vehicles used to transport students, shall be inspected annually. Motor homes and emergency vehicles built on a truck chassis shall be inspected according to the appropriate truck inspection procedure based on the registered gross weight of the vehicle.

Inspection of vehicle reentering this commonwealth (Newly Purchased Vehicles)

A vehicle subject to inspection which has been outside this Commonwealth continuously for 30 days or more and which, at the time of reentering this Commonwealth, does not bear a currently valid certificate of inspection, (is not required to be inspected until 10 days after reentering this Commonwealth.)

Vehicles requiring emission inspection due to address change

(Don't need until State Inspection Expires) A subject vehicle required to participate in the Emission I/M Program because of vehicle registration change of address shall be phased into the emission inspection program at the time of the expiration of the current safety certificate of inspection.

Coordination of Safety and Emission Inspection

If the emissions certificate of inspection will expire in (less than 90 days) from the date of the safety inspection, the vehicle shall receive a renewed emissions certificate of inspection prior to a renewed safety certificate of inspection being affixed.

Making Application (Bond or Proof of Insurance)

(2) The bond or insurance shall be in the amount of ($10,000 for each place of business) and shall provide compensation to a vehicle owner for damage their vehicle may sustain while it is in possession of the inspection station.

(4) Cancellation of the bond or insurance shall automatically void the certificate of appoint ment. Inspections shall cease until the Bureau receives a new bond or proof of insurance

Making Application (Applicant) & (Approval)

(2) The person who signs the application shall be 18 years of age or older.

(b) English Comprehension - The applicant and each inspection mechanic shall be sufficiently versed in the English language to read and understand this title.

Required Certificates and Station Signs

(2) A sign clearly stating the fee for the certificate of inspection separate from the fee for inspection. The fee for inspection shall be the same whether the vehicle passes or fails. The fee for inspection shall include the cost of labor for the inspection, including pulling wheels, but it shall not include the cost of parts, repairs or adjustments. The sign shall clearly indicate the fee for different types of vehicles—for example, passenger cars, trucks, and trailers—to the extent that the fee varies among vehicles. Fleet and Commonwealth stations are exempt from this requirement.

(3) (PENNDOT or Customer) A current list of certified inspection mechanics, Form TS-443.

(4) An official inspection station sign outside the garage, clearly visible to the public. This sign shall have a keystone design which is 24 inches high and 21 inches wide. The station number plate shall be 2 3⁄4 inches high and 13 3⁄8 inches wide. The background shall be navy blue with gold lettering. If hung from a bracket, the sign shall be double faced. A previously issued sign will still be permitted. Fleet and Commonwealth stations are exempted from this requirement.

Inspection Area

(3) The floor shall be of a hard surface and in sound condition. Dirt floors will not be approved. No more than 1% Slope.

Inspection Area (Minimum Requirements)

(i) Twelve feet wide by 22 feet long, if the station uses an approved headlight aimer or tester.

(ii) Twelve feet wide by 43 feet long, if the station uses an approved headlight aiming screen.

Tools and Equipment

(14) Micrometer gauges or thickness gauges, with measurements in 1/1000 inch, capable of measuring both the range of rotor thickness and the depth of the scores.

(16) A tread depth gauge capable of indicating amount of usable tire tread in increments of 1/32 inch.

(17) A brake-lining gauge capable of indicating the amount of usable lining on both riveted and bonded lining in increments of 1/32 inch.

(19) A paper punch with a minimum diameter or width of 1/4 inch and a maximum diameter or width of 3/8 inch.

Hours

An inspection station shall be open for business a minimum of 40 hours, Monday through Friday be tween 7 a.m. and 5 p.m. This section may be waived by the Bureau upon written request of the inspection station owner and prior approval of the inspection station supervisor. To be con sidered for a waiver of this section, the inspection station shall be open for business at least 10 business hours between 7 a.m. and 8 p.m. Monday through Friday. A request for a waiver of this section shall be submitted on a form provided by the Department.

Certified Inspection Mechanics

An official inspection station shall have at least one certified inspection mechanic. Every inspection shall be performed by a certified inspection mechanic

Multiple Stations

A certified inspection me chanic may work part time at more than one official inspection station if the mechanic notifies the inspection station supervisor and the Vehicle Control Division of the names and station numbers of all current employers. Failure to do so may result in suspension of the mechanic's inspection privileges

Number of Inspections

(1) Two vehicles other than motorcycles per hour.

(2) Three motorcycles per hour.

Recertification

A mechanic shall be certified for no more than 5 years. Mechanics may renew their mechanic certification by passing the required examination within 180 days of receipt of notice from the Department that the mechanic card is due to expire.

Authorized Inspection or Testing

(1) Inspection of passenger cars, trucks 17,000 pounds or less and trailers less than 10,000 pounds

(2) Inspection of motorcycles

(3) Inspection of trucks over 17,000 pounds, trailers over 10,000 pounds and buses

(4) Inspection of all vehicles

(5) Inspection under codes 1 and 2

(6) Inspections under codes 2 and 3

(7) Inspections under codes 1 and 3

Mechanic Card

The valid mechanic card shall be carried by the mechanic when performing an inspection.

Obligations and Responsibilities of Stations

(1) To conduct the business of the official inspection station honestly and in the best interests of this Commonwealth, in accordance with the provisions of 75 Pa.C.S. (relating to Vehicle Code) and this chapter, and, except in the case of a fleet or Commonwealth inspection station, to make every reason able effort to inspect all vehicles upon request.

(2) To make official inspection regulations and supplements available for the use of certified inspection mechanics and other employees involved in inspection.

(3) To notify the inspection station super visor and the Vehicle Control Division when a certified mechanic is hired.

(4) To keep inspection records and required work orders available for examination and audit by the inspection station supervisor and other authorized persons.

(5) To keep certificate of inspection requisition forms for each inspection campaign.

Obligations and Responsibilities of Stations (Knowledge)

(i) Every inspection conducted by an employee of the inspection station.

(ii) Every inspection conducted on the premises.

(iii) Every certificate of inspection issued to the inspection station.

(iv) Every certificate of inspection issued by the inspection station.

(v) A violation of the Vehicle Code or this chapter related to inspections committed by any employee of the inspection station.

(7) To assure that each inspection is performed by an inspection mechanic certified to inspect that type of vehicle.

(8) To have available, at all times, a current certificate of inspection for all types of vehicles inspected at that station.

Change of Location

(1) A Form MV-427 application shall be completed and submitted to the Bureau.

(2) An investigation of the premises will be conducted by the inspection station supervisor.

(3) Certificates of inspection will be audited by the inspection station super visor and shall be retained by the station owner.

(4) No inspections shall be made at the new location until it has been investigated and approved and a new certificate of appointment issued by the Bureau.

(5) If the new location is not approved at the time of the investigation, the inspection station supervisor will pick up all current certificates of inspection and will retain them until the new location is approved

Discontinuance of Business

(1) If the owner vacates, abandons or discontinues the inspection business. Immediate notice shall be provided to the Bureau and the inspection station super visor. The inspection station supervisor will pick up the certificate of appointment and all certificates of inspection, records and other inspection materials and return them to the Bureau (Penndot)

Customer Relations

(1) The permission may be established at the time the vehicle is brought to the station for inspection or after it is deter mined the repairs are needed.

(2) The vehicle owner shall be allowed to make their own repairs or to select anyone else they desire to do them for him.

(3) A part replaced as a result of in spection shall be retained until the vehicle is returned to the customer. The customer shall have the right to examine all replaced parts.

(4) The vehicle owner shall be informed in writing on the receipt or work order of any parts which, although in passing condition, the mechanic believes may become dangerous before the next inspection period. The brake and tire readings shall be indicated in writing on the receipt or work order. If a temporary inspection approval indi cator is issued, the receipt or work order shall also contain the following information:

(i) A statement which specifies that failure to return the vehicle displaying a renewed emission certificate of inspection to the station prior to the expiration of the safety certificate of inspection shall void the temporary inspection approval indicator and necessitate a complete reinspection of the vehicle for which a fee may be charged.

(ii) A statement indicating that the fee for affixing a new certificate of inspection which shall be charged upon the return of the vehicle for the new certificate of inspection to be affixed. This fee shall be no greater than the posted fee for the certificate of inspec tion as required by Section 175.24(2) (relating to required certificates and station signs).

Commonwealth Inspection Station (Operation)

(a) Eligibility - This designation will be issued to stations owned and operated by:

(1) The Federal Government.

(2) The Commonwealth.

(3) A political subdivision of the Common wealth.

Fleet Inspection Station (Operation)

(1) A fleet inspection station owner shall own or lease at least 15 or more vehicles.

(2) The certificate of appointment shall authorize inspection of only those vehicles registered or leased by the fleet inspection station owner. Privately owned or registered vehicles of company officers and employees may not be inspected at a fleet inspection station even if they are used for business purposes.

(3) The inspection certificate shall be can celled if the number of vehicles owned or leased falls below 15, except for a temporary delay in ordering or receiving additional vehicles to supplement the fleet.

Recreational and Utility Trailer Inspection Stations

(e) Tools - In addition to the tool requirements of §175.26 (relating to tools and equipment), trailer stations shall have an ammeter-low range type.

Motorcycle Inspection Station (Tools)

(1) A spoke wrench.

(2) A truing stand.

(3) A photo-electric type aimer or approved headlight aiming screen.

(f) Exemption - A motorcycle station is not required to have floor jacks or a floor stand.

Brake Minimum Thickness

Riveted 1/32nds

Bonded 2/32nds

Enhanced Vehicle Safety Inspection Stations

(a) Eligibility - The enhanced vehicle safety inspection designation will be issued to stations that perform enhanced vehicle safety inspections for the purpose of titling reconstructed, specially constructed, recovered theft, flood, collectible, modified vehicles, street rods and other vehicles requiring a branded certificate of title as prescribed by the Department.

Unauthorized Display of Certificate of Inspection

(3) A temporary inspection approval indicator shall be used to designate a vehicle which has successfully passed the required periodic safety inspection, but which shall display a renewed emission certificate of inspection before a new safety certificate of inspection sticker may be affixed to the vehicle.

(c) Required Information - The information on the rear of the certificate of inspection shall be completed in its entirety in permanent ink. The odometer reading is not required to be completed for trailers and motorcycles.

Affixing Certificate of Inspection or Temporary Inspection Approval Indicator (Part 1)

(1) It is the responsibility of the certified inspection mechanic who per formed the inspection to affix the certificate of inspection or temporary inspection approval indicator to the vehicle in the location prescribed by the Department. The certificate of inspection or temporary inspection approval indicator shall be affixed only after completion of the entire inspection, including the road test. A mechanic exempted by the Department from performing the road test under this chapter is responsible for affixing the certificate of inspection or temporary inspection approval indicator.

Affixing Certificate of Inspection or Temporary Inspection Approval Indicator (Part 2)

(A) The inspection station did not perform the original inspection of the vehicle or issue the temporary inspection approval indicator affixed to the current certificate of inspection.

(B) The vehicle does not display a renewed emission certificate of inspection.

(C) The original safety certificate of inspection has expired.

(D) The vehicle is in an obviously unsafe condition, including, but not limited to, bald tires, exhaust leaks, broken glazing and broken or missing lighting.

Affixing Certificate of Inspection or Temporary Inspection Approval Indicator (Part 3)

(ii) Inspection stations may charge the posted fee for inspection of a vehicle to which a temporary inspection approval indicator has been affixed. A fee may not be charged for the temporary inspection approval indicator. The posted fee for the new certificate of inspection may only be charged when the new safety certificate of inspection is affixed to the vehicle.

The surface on which the sticker is to be attached shall be wiped dry and clean of road film, grease and moisture for proper adhesion.

The glass or body surface shall be cleaned thoroughly

Certificate of Inspection Location

(4) On trailers, the certificate of inspection shall be affixed, in an upright position, to the left front-traffic side- of the trailer, approximately 6 feet high, if possible. The certificate may not be placed on the nose or front side of the trailer. A holder is permitted if it is in the proper location and the certificate of inspection is affixed to prevent theft or transfer to another vehicle. The new certificate of inspection may not be placed over the old certificate of inspection

Inspection Cycles

(1) An annually inspected vehicle will receive an inspection for 1 year from the expiration of the safety inspection sticker which is about to expire, except motorcycles, which receive an expiration in accordance with charts provided by the Department. A sticker may not be issued for more than 15 months from the month of inspection. If a vehicle, other than a motorcycle, does not display a currently valid certificate of inspection, the vehicle shall receive an inspection valid for 1 year from the month of inspection. (Stickers 15 Months Max)

(2) A semiannually inspected vehicle will receive an inspection for no more than 9 months based on charts supplied by the Department.

Signature

(1) At stations utilizing Form MV-431 or MV-480, the certified mechanic who performed the entire inspection shall place their signature in the appropriate column of Form MV-431 or MV-480 immediately following the inspection. Both the mechanic exempted from Performing the road test under this chapter and the certified mechanic who performed the road test shall place their signatures in the appropriate column.

(iii) A mechanic exempted from performing the road test under this chapter and the certified mechanic who performed the road test shall sign the work order.

Records Retention

(1) The original official inspection report sheet (Form MV-431 or MV-480) shall be retained as a garage record and kept on file at the station for audit. At the close of each inspection period, the official inspection report sheet shall be placed in the station's files, even though all spaces may not have been used, and a new inspection report sheet shall be started for the new inspection period.

(2) A work order signed by the inspecting mechanic as required under this section shall be available for inspection upon request by the inspection station supervisor or an authorized representative of the Department.

Content (Recording)

(B) Record, on the Form MV-431, the serial number of the new certificate of inspection to be affixed to the vehicle along with the vehicle owner's name, address, VIN, license plate number, vehicle year, make and body style. A reference to the date and number of the original inspection performed shall be noted in the shaded area to the left of the area designated for the sticker serial number and total cost (that is, See T- inspection number 123 dated 01/01/97).

(B) Record, on the pending inspection record, the serial number of the new certificate of inspection to be affixed to the vehicle.

Prohibitions against replacing a certificate of inspection

(i) The inspection station did not perform the original inspection of the vehicle or issue the temporary inspection approval indicator affixed to the current certificate of inspection.

(ii) The vehicle does not display a renewed emission certificate of inspection.

(iii) The original safety certificate of inspection has expired.

(iv) The vehicle is in an obviously unsafe condition, including, but not limited to, bald tires, exhaust leaks, broken glazing, and broken or missing lighting.

(e) Nonrelated Items - Gas oil, or other non- related items shall not be included in the total charges for repair and inspection.

Classifications

(1) Form MV-431. Motor vehicles except motorcycles and motor-driven cycles shall be recorded on this form.

Security

(1) A person replacing or repairing a wind shield in a manner that requires removal of a certificate of inspection shall, at the option of the registrant of the vehicle, cut out the portion of the wind shield containing the certificate of inspection and deliver it to the registrant of the vehicle or destroy the certificate. The vehicle may be driven up to 5 days if it displays the portion of the old windshield containing the certificate. Within the 5-day period, an official inspection station may affix to the vehicle another certificate of inspection for the same period without re-inspecting the vehicle, in exchange for the portion of the old windshield containing the certificate of inspection. Example: A #1 certificate of inspection shall be replaced with a #1 certificate of inspection. The replacement may be made any time prior to the expiration of the certificate of inspection. A fee of no more than $2 plus the fee paid to the Department for the certificate may be charged for ex changing the certificate of inspection.

Sticker Replacement and Security

(ii) The portion of the windshield containing the certificate of inspection shall be retained for audit by the inspection station supervisor.

(iv) "Replacement" shall be marked on the reverse side of the replacement certificate of inspection.

(d) Security - Inspection certificates and tem porary inspection approval indicators shall be kept under lock and key in a safe place. The station owner shall be solely responsible for their safety and shall account for certificates of inspection and temporary inspection approval indicators issued to the station.

(e) Unused - Unused certificates of inspection for an expired period shall be retained by the inspection station until audited by the in spection station supervisor. The Department will refund 75% of the purchase price of the unused certificates of inspection after the audit has been completed.

Ordering Certificates of Inspection

(d) Copies - A copy of the requisition or a Depart ment receipt will be returned with the order of certificates of inspection shipped from the Department. Station copies of all requisitions or Department receipts shall be kept on file at the station for 2 years and shall be made available for inspection upon request of the inspection station supervisor or an authorized representative of the Department.

Violation of Use of Certificate of Inspection

(1) Make, issue, transfer or possess an imitation or counterfeit of an official certificate of inspection or temporary inspection approval indicator and shall be sanctioned consistent with 75 Pa.C.S. §4730(c) (relating to penalty).

(2) Display or cause to be displayed on a vehicle or have in their possession a certificate of inspection or temporary inspection approval indicator knowing it is fictitious, stolen, issued for another vehicle or issued without an inspection having been made and shall be sanctioned consistent with the provisions of 75 Pa.C.S. §4730(c) (relating to penalty).

(3) Furnish, loan, give or sell certificates of inspection and approval to other official inspection station or other person except upon an inspection made in accordance with this chapter. See 75 Pa.C.S. §4730(b).

Confiscated Materials

Certificates of inspection and records confiscated as the result of an investigation will be retained by the inspection station supervisor. Certificates of inspection, certificate of appointment, mechanic certification cards and records confiscated as the result of a suspension will be returned to the Department. The Department will refund 75% of the purchase price for certificates of inspection confiscated as the result of a suspension.

Official Documents

Whenever an inspection station or mechanic is suspended or cancelled, the Department may order the surrender, upon demand, to any Inspection Station Supervisor or authorized representative of the Department of any of the following items:

(1) Inspection records.

(2) A certificate of appointment.

(3) Signature cards.

(4) Unused certificates of inspection.

(5) Unused monthly insert tabs.

(6) A mechanic certification card.

(Not Drivers License)

Free Rocking Motion

No more than 3 cycles

Drums and Rotors cannot be scored deeper than...

15,000ths of an inch (.015)