MARYLAND STATE INSPECTION MAIN EXAMINATION
2026 SET QUESTIONS AND SOLUTIONS SCORED A+
✔✔What must an inspection mechanic be familiar with? - ✔✔The contents of the
Vehicle Inspection Handbook.
✔✔What is the passing grade for the examination required for inspection mechanics? -
✔✔At least 80 on the administrative part and each part of the examination for the
vehicle class.
✔✔What happens if an inspection mechanic is inactive for more than 6 months? -
✔✔They must be reexamined.
✔✔What is the responsibility of the controller at an inspection facility? - ✔✔To control
inspection certificates and ensure they are issued in strict numerical sequence.
✔✔What security measures must be taken regarding unused inspection certificates? -
✔✔They must be kept in a locked desk, cabinet, or safe, with access limited to
designated personnel.
✔✔What must be maintained at the facility during normal working hours? - ✔✔Records
of inspections that may be removed by Division personnel as needed.
✔✔What is required for a mechanic to perform inspections? - ✔✔They must be capable
of performing partial and complete inspections and completing all inspection certificates.
✔✔What is the consequence of failing the written examination three consecutive times?
- ✔✔A waiting period of at least 6 months before retaking the examination.
✔✔What is the role of the Division in the inspection process? - ✔✔To administer
examinations and supervise the inspection stations.
✔✔What is the significance of the 6-month waiting period? - ✔✔It applies to applicants
who fail the written examination or demonstrated ability exam consecutively.
✔✔What must be done before a vehicle leaves the facility after inspection? - ✔✔All
inspection certificates must be issued before the vehicle leaves.
✔✔What is the purpose of the Vehicle Inspection Handbook? - ✔✔To provide
regulations governing motor vehicle inspection.
✔✔What is the requirement for a mechanic's driving license? - ✔✔They must possess a
valid driver's license for the class of vehicle being inspected.
,✔✔What is the role of the Division Commander regarding the 6-month waiting period? -
✔✔They may waive the waiting period if adequate documentation of previous business
operational experience is presented.
✔✔What is required for a supervisor to function in their capacity? - ✔✔They must be
approved by the Division after submitting an application and passing a written
examination.
✔✔What must supervisory personnel do to be approved by the Division? - ✔✔They
must submit a Division application and pass a written Supervisor/Controller
Examination.
✔✔What is the responsibility of supervisory personnel at a licensee's facility? - ✔✔They
are responsible for and supervise the daily operation of the inspection program.
✔✔What can happen to a registration under Regulation.03? - ✔✔It may be refused,
revoked, or suspended for specific offenses.
✔✔What is one offense that can lead to suspension of an inspection license? -
✔✔Misrepresentation or falsification of facts.
✔✔What must a registered inspection mechanic do if they lose their driver's license? -
✔✔They must discontinue inspections and notify the Division.
✔✔What is required for an inspection area in authorized inspection stations? - ✔✔It
must have a smooth, level hard-surfaced concrete or cement floor.
✔✔What is the minimum width and length for an Authorized Inspection Station A? -
✔✔At least 12 feet wide and 25 feet long.
✔✔What is the minimum area requirement for an Authorized Inspection Station B? -
✔✔At least 12 feet wide and 60 feet long.
✔✔What must be free from obstructions in an inside inspection area? - ✔✔Work
benches, displays, machinery, stairways, shelves, and car washing equipment.
✔✔What equipment must Class A authorized inspection stations have? - ✔✔A frame
contact lift capable of raising vehicles at least 5 feet off the floor.
✔✔What type of testing area can be designated in an authorized inspection station? -
✔✔A headlight testing/alignment area.
, ✔✔What are the consequences of issuing a fictitious inspection certificate? - ✔✔It can
lead to revocation of the inspection certification privileges.
✔✔What is a requirement for the inspection area regarding slope? - ✔✔The floor shall
have no more than a 1 percent slope.
✔✔What must be done if an inspection mechanic is convicted of a crime? - ✔✔They
must notify the Division and may not resume inspections until authorized.
✔✔What is the required area for an Authorized Inspection Station M? - ✔✔At least 10
feet wide and 15 feet long.
✔✔What must be done if a registered inspection mechanic changes employment? -
✔✔They must notify the Division and discontinue inspections.
✔✔What is the minimum area requirement for an Authorized Inspection Station R? -
✔✔At least 12 feet wide and 40 feet long.
✔✔What is required for a facility to be licensed as an authorized inspection station? -
✔✔It must conform to established requirements and be accessible to the public.
✔✔What happens if a mechanic performs inspections in an unauthorized area? - ✔✔It
can lead to penalties or revocation of their inspection license.
✔✔What is the requirement for minor repairs in the inspection area? - ✔✔They can be
performed as long as the area can be cleared for inspections.
✔✔What must be done if a mechanic is under the influence during work hours? -
✔✔They must discontinue inspections and may face penalties.
✔✔What is the minimum requirement for the inspection area of an Authorized
Inspection Station C? - ✔✔At least 15 feet wide and 45 feet long.
✔✔What is the consequence of materially altering equipment on a vehicle after issuing
an inspection certificate? - ✔✔It can lead to penalties or revocation of the inspection
certification.
✔✔What is required for the inspection area regarding obstructions? - ✔✔It must be free
of any obstructions that create a hazard.
✔✔What is the requirement for authorized inspection stations with multiple inspection
areas? - ✔✔They may designate one area for headlight testing/alignment.
2026 SET QUESTIONS AND SOLUTIONS SCORED A+
✔✔What must an inspection mechanic be familiar with? - ✔✔The contents of the
Vehicle Inspection Handbook.
✔✔What is the passing grade for the examination required for inspection mechanics? -
✔✔At least 80 on the administrative part and each part of the examination for the
vehicle class.
✔✔What happens if an inspection mechanic is inactive for more than 6 months? -
✔✔They must be reexamined.
✔✔What is the responsibility of the controller at an inspection facility? - ✔✔To control
inspection certificates and ensure they are issued in strict numerical sequence.
✔✔What security measures must be taken regarding unused inspection certificates? -
✔✔They must be kept in a locked desk, cabinet, or safe, with access limited to
designated personnel.
✔✔What must be maintained at the facility during normal working hours? - ✔✔Records
of inspections that may be removed by Division personnel as needed.
✔✔What is required for a mechanic to perform inspections? - ✔✔They must be capable
of performing partial and complete inspections and completing all inspection certificates.
✔✔What is the consequence of failing the written examination three consecutive times?
- ✔✔A waiting period of at least 6 months before retaking the examination.
✔✔What is the role of the Division in the inspection process? - ✔✔To administer
examinations and supervise the inspection stations.
✔✔What is the significance of the 6-month waiting period? - ✔✔It applies to applicants
who fail the written examination or demonstrated ability exam consecutively.
✔✔What must be done before a vehicle leaves the facility after inspection? - ✔✔All
inspection certificates must be issued before the vehicle leaves.
✔✔What is the purpose of the Vehicle Inspection Handbook? - ✔✔To provide
regulations governing motor vehicle inspection.
✔✔What is the requirement for a mechanic's driving license? - ✔✔They must possess a
valid driver's license for the class of vehicle being inspected.
,✔✔What is the role of the Division Commander regarding the 6-month waiting period? -
✔✔They may waive the waiting period if adequate documentation of previous business
operational experience is presented.
✔✔What is required for a supervisor to function in their capacity? - ✔✔They must be
approved by the Division after submitting an application and passing a written
examination.
✔✔What must supervisory personnel do to be approved by the Division? - ✔✔They
must submit a Division application and pass a written Supervisor/Controller
Examination.
✔✔What is the responsibility of supervisory personnel at a licensee's facility? - ✔✔They
are responsible for and supervise the daily operation of the inspection program.
✔✔What can happen to a registration under Regulation.03? - ✔✔It may be refused,
revoked, or suspended for specific offenses.
✔✔What is one offense that can lead to suspension of an inspection license? -
✔✔Misrepresentation or falsification of facts.
✔✔What must a registered inspection mechanic do if they lose their driver's license? -
✔✔They must discontinue inspections and notify the Division.
✔✔What is required for an inspection area in authorized inspection stations? - ✔✔It
must have a smooth, level hard-surfaced concrete or cement floor.
✔✔What is the minimum width and length for an Authorized Inspection Station A? -
✔✔At least 12 feet wide and 25 feet long.
✔✔What is the minimum area requirement for an Authorized Inspection Station B? -
✔✔At least 12 feet wide and 60 feet long.
✔✔What must be free from obstructions in an inside inspection area? - ✔✔Work
benches, displays, machinery, stairways, shelves, and car washing equipment.
✔✔What equipment must Class A authorized inspection stations have? - ✔✔A frame
contact lift capable of raising vehicles at least 5 feet off the floor.
✔✔What type of testing area can be designated in an authorized inspection station? -
✔✔A headlight testing/alignment area.
, ✔✔What are the consequences of issuing a fictitious inspection certificate? - ✔✔It can
lead to revocation of the inspection certification privileges.
✔✔What is a requirement for the inspection area regarding slope? - ✔✔The floor shall
have no more than a 1 percent slope.
✔✔What must be done if an inspection mechanic is convicted of a crime? - ✔✔They
must notify the Division and may not resume inspections until authorized.
✔✔What is the required area for an Authorized Inspection Station M? - ✔✔At least 10
feet wide and 15 feet long.
✔✔What must be done if a registered inspection mechanic changes employment? -
✔✔They must notify the Division and discontinue inspections.
✔✔What is the minimum area requirement for an Authorized Inspection Station R? -
✔✔At least 12 feet wide and 40 feet long.
✔✔What is required for a facility to be licensed as an authorized inspection station? -
✔✔It must conform to established requirements and be accessible to the public.
✔✔What happens if a mechanic performs inspections in an unauthorized area? - ✔✔It
can lead to penalties or revocation of their inspection license.
✔✔What is the requirement for minor repairs in the inspection area? - ✔✔They can be
performed as long as the area can be cleared for inspections.
✔✔What must be done if a mechanic is under the influence during work hours? -
✔✔They must discontinue inspections and may face penalties.
✔✔What is the minimum requirement for the inspection area of an Authorized
Inspection Station C? - ✔✔At least 15 feet wide and 45 feet long.
✔✔What is the consequence of materially altering equipment on a vehicle after issuing
an inspection certificate? - ✔✔It can lead to penalties or revocation of the inspection
certification.
✔✔What is required for the inspection area regarding obstructions? - ✔✔It must be free
of any obstructions that create a hazard.
✔✔What is the requirement for authorized inspection stations with multiple inspection
areas? - ✔✔They may designate one area for headlight testing/alignment.
