MARYLAND STATE INSPECTION UPDATED 2026 EXAM
SCRIPT QUESTIONS AND SOLUTIONS SCORED A+
✔✔Test equipment must be - ✔✔in working order at all times.
✔✔Tools that require calibration - ✔✔must be calibrated as required by the
manufacturer or more frequently.
✔✔Equipment must be - ✔✔calibrated once a month
✔✔Current brake, ball joint, and tire spec guides - ✔✔must be obtained by July 1st
✔✔If a tool replacement or repair cannot be done within 72 hours - ✔✔the inspection
station sign must be removed from the view of the public.
✔✔If vehicle is returned for reinspection - ✔✔only the defects are to be reinspected.
✔✔Appointments must be honored, if not - ✔✔the appointment must be rescheduled no
more than 3 business days from the date of the original appointment.
✔✔Inspections must be done at the same station with the same mechanic, if not -
✔✔licensee is responsible for complete inspection.
✔✔If the original inspector is suspended or revoked - ✔✔the inspection must be
refunded or only charged as a reinspection.
✔✔If facility license is suspended or revoked - ✔✔inspection fee must be refunded
✔✔Visual reinspection for defects can be - ✔✔done outside, as long as it is on business
premises.
✔✔If a vehicle fails and is repaired at a different facility - ✔✔the fee must be charged for
reinspection
✔✔SERO that is visual - ✔✔cannot be charged
✔✔Inspection certificates must be kept for - ✔✔at least 8 months from the issue date
✔✔SERO certificates must be kept for - ✔✔2 years from the date of certification
✔✔Steering wheel must be inspected for - ✔✔broken, missing, or altered rim.
✔✔Steering wheel fails if - ✔✔not continuous or interferes with steering.
, ✔✔Size of steering wheel must be - ✔✔OEM, and disability controls must be manual.
✔✔Steering lash is inspected by - ✔✔looking at the wheels from inside of the car and
turning the steering wheel until movement is seen.
✔✔2 inches of steering movement are allowed on - ✔✔16 inch steering wheels
✔✔2.25 inches of steering movement are allowed on - ✔✔18 inch steering wheels.
✔✔Rack and pinion steering is allowed - ✔✔0.4 inches or 10 mm of movement
✔✔To check for binding in the steering - ✔✔turn the wheel to full lock each way.
✔✔Steering linkage is to be checked by - ✔✔lifting the vehicle and moving the wheels
from left to right.
✔✔A 16 inch rim is allowed - ✔✔0.25 inches of play
✔✔A 17 inch rim is allowed - ✔✔0.375 (3/8ths) inches of play
✔✔An 18 inch rim is allowed - ✔✔0.5 inches of play
✔✔Alignment is to be rejected if - ✔✔caster, camber, or toe is too far out.
✔✔Wheelbase must be - ✔✔the same on both side, or no more different than 1 inch.
✔✔Ball joints are checked with prybars, that should be - ✔✔12 to 18 inches long for
accuracy.
✔✔U-Bolt length should be - ✔✔1/4 inch beyond the nut when it is tightened
✔✔If a vehicle has 4 leaf springs, how many can be broken? - ✔✔1 can be broken, if 2
are broken, the vehicle fails.
✔✔If a vehicle has less than 4 leaf springs, how many can be broken? - ✔✔none can
be broken, the vehicle gets rejected if 1 or more is broken.
✔✔To test the shocks - ✔✔press down on each corner of the vehicle. observe how
many times it rocks, if more than twice, check shocks.
✔✔Vehicle shocks are allowed to be slightly damp, however - ✔✔sever leakage will
reject the vehicle.
SCRIPT QUESTIONS AND SOLUTIONS SCORED A+
✔✔Test equipment must be - ✔✔in working order at all times.
✔✔Tools that require calibration - ✔✔must be calibrated as required by the
manufacturer or more frequently.
✔✔Equipment must be - ✔✔calibrated once a month
✔✔Current brake, ball joint, and tire spec guides - ✔✔must be obtained by July 1st
✔✔If a tool replacement or repair cannot be done within 72 hours - ✔✔the inspection
station sign must be removed from the view of the public.
✔✔If vehicle is returned for reinspection - ✔✔only the defects are to be reinspected.
✔✔Appointments must be honored, if not - ✔✔the appointment must be rescheduled no
more than 3 business days from the date of the original appointment.
✔✔Inspections must be done at the same station with the same mechanic, if not -
✔✔licensee is responsible for complete inspection.
✔✔If the original inspector is suspended or revoked - ✔✔the inspection must be
refunded or only charged as a reinspection.
✔✔If facility license is suspended or revoked - ✔✔inspection fee must be refunded
✔✔Visual reinspection for defects can be - ✔✔done outside, as long as it is on business
premises.
✔✔If a vehicle fails and is repaired at a different facility - ✔✔the fee must be charged for
reinspection
✔✔SERO that is visual - ✔✔cannot be charged
✔✔Inspection certificates must be kept for - ✔✔at least 8 months from the issue date
✔✔SERO certificates must be kept for - ✔✔2 years from the date of certification
✔✔Steering wheel must be inspected for - ✔✔broken, missing, or altered rim.
✔✔Steering wheel fails if - ✔✔not continuous or interferes with steering.
, ✔✔Size of steering wheel must be - ✔✔OEM, and disability controls must be manual.
✔✔Steering lash is inspected by - ✔✔looking at the wheels from inside of the car and
turning the steering wheel until movement is seen.
✔✔2 inches of steering movement are allowed on - ✔✔16 inch steering wheels
✔✔2.25 inches of steering movement are allowed on - ✔✔18 inch steering wheels.
✔✔Rack and pinion steering is allowed - ✔✔0.4 inches or 10 mm of movement
✔✔To check for binding in the steering - ✔✔turn the wheel to full lock each way.
✔✔Steering linkage is to be checked by - ✔✔lifting the vehicle and moving the wheels
from left to right.
✔✔A 16 inch rim is allowed - ✔✔0.25 inches of play
✔✔A 17 inch rim is allowed - ✔✔0.375 (3/8ths) inches of play
✔✔An 18 inch rim is allowed - ✔✔0.5 inches of play
✔✔Alignment is to be rejected if - ✔✔caster, camber, or toe is too far out.
✔✔Wheelbase must be - ✔✔the same on both side, or no more different than 1 inch.
✔✔Ball joints are checked with prybars, that should be - ✔✔12 to 18 inches long for
accuracy.
✔✔U-Bolt length should be - ✔✔1/4 inch beyond the nut when it is tightened
✔✔If a vehicle has 4 leaf springs, how many can be broken? - ✔✔1 can be broken, if 2
are broken, the vehicle fails.
✔✔If a vehicle has less than 4 leaf springs, how many can be broken? - ✔✔none can
be broken, the vehicle gets rejected if 1 or more is broken.
✔✔To test the shocks - ✔✔press down on each corner of the vehicle. observe how
many times it rocks, if more than twice, check shocks.
✔✔Vehicle shocks are allowed to be slightly damp, however - ✔✔sever leakage will
reject the vehicle.
