MARYLAND STATE INSPECTION-TECHNICAL EXAM STUDY GUIDE 2026
Steering wheel - ANSWER reject for cracks and breaks non continuity not
original or equal size objects installed on column
Check for lash by turning the front wheels straight forward until motion is seen
at the road wheels.
engine must be operating for vehicles with power steering
Lash failure: ANSWER 16-inch wheel 2 inches
18 inch wheel 2 1/4 inches
20 inch wheel 2 1/2 inches
22 inch wheel 2 3/4 inches
lash failure for power steering system - ANSWER 0.4 inches or 10mm
examine for travel - ANSWER turn steering full right and full left
On cars without power steering, slightly jack the front wheels.
Look for jamming and binding.
Check for linkage play by lifting the front end with the wheels facing straight
ahead, applying the brakes, grasping the front and rear tires, and recording
movement at the tire's extreme front or rear.
Camber: A response to an inward or outward tilt of the wheel's top relative to
vertical
Ball joint wear-without wear indications - ANSWER reject for movement
exceeding factory specs repaired by heating equipped with tightener or repair
kit
Ball joint types: ANSWER wear indication, standard turning torque, preloaded
Springs and torsion bars - ANSWER five or more one four or less none U bolts
are not long enough 1/4 of length any object sticking below edge of wheel rim
service braking test - ANSWER on road at speed of 20mph smooth stop within
, 25 feet for passenger cars
For light trucks, 30 feet
Hydraulic system test: For a minute, the height of the ANSWER brake pedal
must not change.
If less than one-third of the entire pedal reserve is left, the pedal reserve test will
fail.
Examine the brake drums for significant fractures on the friction surface and
external cracks that extend to the leading edge. The ANSWER is 0.090 inches
larger than the original diameter.
brake pads - ANSWER wear limit 2/32 inch
bonded brake linings - ANSWER wear limit 2/32 inch
riveted brake linings - ANSWER wear limit 1/32 of an inch above rivet head
vacuum booster test - ANSWER stop engine pump brake pedal several times to
deplete vacuum depress pedal with modest force while starting engine pedal
should move slightly when engine begins
Parking brake test - ANSWER should hold car to the limit of traction at 20%
grade in either direction
Exhaust System Defects - ANSWER fail for damage and corrosion do not fail
for missing resonator if muffler is present
exhaust system - ANSWER should leave at around 45 degree angle to prevent
backpressure
Exhaust System - ANSWER should extend beyond occupant compartment and
enclosed cargo area if it open to occupant compartment to at least the front of
the rear wheels and beyond the back of the rear most door opening. should
exceed beyond the side or rear of the body
bumper height - ANSWER no higher than 20 inches for passenger vehicles no
higher than 28 inches for Class E and Class M
Fenders - ANSWER Every fender's rear should reach the wheel's center.
Front of fender shall extend forward from vertical centerline to at least within
45 degrees angle of horizontal centerline
Steering wheel - ANSWER reject for cracks and breaks non continuity not
original or equal size objects installed on column
Check for lash by turning the front wheels straight forward until motion is seen
at the road wheels.
engine must be operating for vehicles with power steering
Lash failure: ANSWER 16-inch wheel 2 inches
18 inch wheel 2 1/4 inches
20 inch wheel 2 1/2 inches
22 inch wheel 2 3/4 inches
lash failure for power steering system - ANSWER 0.4 inches or 10mm
examine for travel - ANSWER turn steering full right and full left
On cars without power steering, slightly jack the front wheels.
Look for jamming and binding.
Check for linkage play by lifting the front end with the wheels facing straight
ahead, applying the brakes, grasping the front and rear tires, and recording
movement at the tire's extreme front or rear.
Camber: A response to an inward or outward tilt of the wheel's top relative to
vertical
Ball joint wear-without wear indications - ANSWER reject for movement
exceeding factory specs repaired by heating equipped with tightener or repair
kit
Ball joint types: ANSWER wear indication, standard turning torque, preloaded
Springs and torsion bars - ANSWER five or more one four or less none U bolts
are not long enough 1/4 of length any object sticking below edge of wheel rim
service braking test - ANSWER on road at speed of 20mph smooth stop within
, 25 feet for passenger cars
For light trucks, 30 feet
Hydraulic system test: For a minute, the height of the ANSWER brake pedal
must not change.
If less than one-third of the entire pedal reserve is left, the pedal reserve test will
fail.
Examine the brake drums for significant fractures on the friction surface and
external cracks that extend to the leading edge. The ANSWER is 0.090 inches
larger than the original diameter.
brake pads - ANSWER wear limit 2/32 inch
bonded brake linings - ANSWER wear limit 2/32 inch
riveted brake linings - ANSWER wear limit 1/32 of an inch above rivet head
vacuum booster test - ANSWER stop engine pump brake pedal several times to
deplete vacuum depress pedal with modest force while starting engine pedal
should move slightly when engine begins
Parking brake test - ANSWER should hold car to the limit of traction at 20%
grade in either direction
Exhaust System Defects - ANSWER fail for damage and corrosion do not fail
for missing resonator if muffler is present
exhaust system - ANSWER should leave at around 45 degree angle to prevent
backpressure
Exhaust System - ANSWER should extend beyond occupant compartment and
enclosed cargo area if it open to occupant compartment to at least the front of
the rear wheels and beyond the back of the rear most door opening. should
exceed beyond the side or rear of the body
bumper height - ANSWER no higher than 20 inches for passenger vehicles no
higher than 28 inches for Class E and Class M
Fenders - ANSWER Every fender's rear should reach the wheel's center.
Front of fender shall extend forward from vertical centerline to at least within
45 degrees angle of horizontal centerline
