PA State Auto Inspection Practice Guide 2024

Stickers shall be kept where? - ANSWERSKept under lock and key in a safe place What is done with any unused stickers? - ANSWERSKeep them until the QAO comes around. You get a 75% refund on unused stickers. First offense of faulty inspection and improper inspection? - ANSWERSCategory 1 violation. 2 months suspension. When checking registration or VIN what do we look for, and what if there's a problem? - ANSWERSVIN number and license plate must agree with registration card. Allowed to have one number off or two numbers transposed (out of order) if the owner proves forms have been sent to Penn DOT. VIN plate can't be loose, defaced, or missing. If there is a problem owner must get a corrected registration or show that proper forms have been sent to Penn DOT. What do you check glazing for? - ANSWERSApproved safety glass must be in every window and it must be permanently labeled. See Appendix C(f) Non transparent material or glass etchings may not obstructs the drivers view and may not be higher than 3-1/2 inches from the bottom of any side or rear window. Glass may not be shattered, broken or have sharp edges. No defects in the acute area or the critical area or the windshield. Louvers can't obstruct driver's vision. Dual side mirrors are required when using sunscreen or louvers. What area of the windshield can there be no imperfections? - ANSWERSThe acute area. (8-1/2 X 5-1/2) List all the ways to check the wipers. - ANSWERSSpeed at manufactures specs or at least 45 cycles per minute Blades can't be torn or smear or streak after 5 cycles. Must have all wipers Wipers must reset to rest position. Washer system working on cars/light trucks newer than 1968. What do you check the doors and trunk lid for? - ANSWERSMust be original equipment or same type. Must close securely. List all the ways to check mirrors. - ANSWERSMirrors can't be cracked, discolored or broken., Mirrors must hold adjustment. Can't be loose. Cars with louvers and sunscreens must have 2 outside mirrors (19-1/2 square inches each). No junk hanging from rear view mirror. What's the rule for fender flares? - ANSWERSMay not exceed 3 inches. What do you check floor for? - ANSWERSMust be able to support weight of people and cargo. No holes allowed. What is the bumper height for a car and a truck. - ANSWERSMust be as strong as and no longer than original bumper. Can't be broken or torn. Wood planks on service trucks (wreckers) only. Height- passenger vehicles 16-20 inches above ground MPVs, SUV's and light trucks 16-30 inches above ground. Turn signals should have a frequency of flash between __________ flashes per minute. - ANSWERS60 - 120 flashes per minute. What are the guidelines for back up lights? - ANSWERSMust turn off when not in reverse OR have a dash indicator light or audible warning. What are the guidelines for broken lenses? - ANSWERSWill not pass if white light shows through. List three reasons for rejecting shocks. - ANSWERSMissing shocks Mounts or mounting bolts broken Severe leakage. Slight dampness OK What's the minimum steering wheel size? - ANSWERS13 inches The horn should be heard at least ________feet away. - ANSWERS200 feet What do we look for when checking the brake pedal? - ANSWERSCan't go down more than 80% of total travel. Can't fade when vehicle is stopped. (bleed by in master cylinder) No excessive friction in linkage. Can't be missing the rubber pedal pad. What's the min. brake specs for Bonded?_______Riveted?_________ - ANSWERSBonded 2/32 Riveted 1/32 What do we check brake hoses for? - ANSWERSMake sure they aren't disconnected, don't leak, flattened or Restricted, dry rot (cord showing) List the items for interior inspection. - ANSWERSSteering wheel free play Steering gear box Steering column Proper size steering wheel Proper turning Flexible steering coupler Indicator lamps for high beam, turn signals. Horn- must be stock type Brake pedal travel Brake pedal fade Brake pedal linkage Brake pedal pad Seats- DRIVERS seat and back must be firmly attached No springs sticking out of DRIVER'S seat Seat adjustment must work Seat belts in good condition ( if originally equipped) Rear view mirror- no cracks or discoloration Rear view mirror- must hold adjustment. No junk hanging on it. Describe steering "Lock to Lock" - ANSWERSTurning the front wheels as far as they go from one side to the other. "Stop to Stop" Describe the "1/4 inch Play Test" - ANSWERSUsed to check tightness of steering linkage and gearbox. Raise front wheels off the ground. Have someone hold on the brakes to eliminate bearing play. Wiggle the front tires. No more than 1/4 play allowed measured at the outside of the tire. What do we check motor mounts for? - ANSWERSReject if broken. List all items for under hood inspection. - ANSWERSHood latch in good working order. Must be double latched. Check motor mounts No fuel leaks No loose fuel lines Fuel tanks and lines must be OEM or equal to. No fuels lines touching hot or moving surfaces. No fuel system parts inside the car. Alternate fuel systems (propane) must meet code standards. Throttle must work properly No holes or cracks in firewall No exhaust leaks No master cylinder leaks No brake lines, flattened, disconnected, restricted or leaking. Booster for power brakes must be working properly Battery must be securely fastened. What are the minimum requirements for tire tread? - ANSWERSNo less then 2/32 on any two adjacent treads (side by side) No less than 4/32 on vehicles with 10,000 GW No wear down to the tread wear indicators on two adjacent treads No exposed cord No repairs with blow out patches or boots. No regrooving below original tread depth. No retreads on the front of a taxi. 29. Describe how to unload and check ball joints? - ANSWERSconventional & modified McPherson strut Jack up tire under the A frame close as possible to the ball joint. McPherson Jack up under the frame or body. Lift wheel up and down with pry bar. check for movement in the ball joints. Use dial indicator for exact amount of play. Studded snow tires are legal between what two dates? - ANSWERSNovember 1st to April 15th Describe the procedure for checking exhaust. - ANSWERSMust have muffler with no external repairs. No loose or leaking joints or seams No holes or cracks in systems No cutouts No part of system in passenger compartment Must have proper clamps and hangers Original heats shields must be in place. must discharge to outside edge of vehicle. Loud exhaust must meet requirements of Chapter 157 Headers and side pipes OK. Fire equipment exempt from these regulations. What is the most an unmarked drum can be machined? - ANSWERS.090" over original diameter. What is the deepest a groove can be in a drum or rotor? - ANSWERS.015" . Can a ply be broken on a leaf spring? - ANSWERSYes. MAIN leaf may not be broken. What do we check inside the trunk for? - ANSWERSNo holes in floor bed or inner panels Floor strong enough to hold cargo. How do we check the emergency brake? - ANSWERSBrakes must set before pedal travels it's limit. Brakes must exhibit resistance when you try to move the car. Acute area - ANSWERSThe part of the windshield 8-1/2 inches wide by 5-1/2 inches high directly in front of the driver's line of vision. Critical area - ANSWERSThe part of the windshield that the wipers sweep. Fleet inspection station - ANSWERSA station certificate to inspect all types of vehicles leased or owned by the person that has the station certificate. Must have at least 15 vehicles. GVWR - ANSWERSThe loaded weight of a single vehicle as specified on the Federal weight certification label attached to the vehicle. ( DIFFERENT THAN (GW) GROSS WEIGHT ) Light truck - ANSWERSRegistered gross weight of 11,000 lbs or less. Medium truck . - ANSWERSRegistered gross weight from 11,001 to 17,000 lbs inclusive Heavy truck - ANSWERSRegistered gross weight in excess of 17,000 lbs. Safety insert tab - ANSWERSThe numbers applied to the inspection sticker (safety certificate of inspection) that show when the sticker expires. Passenger vehicle - ANSWERSMotor vehicle (except a motor cycle) designed to carry 15 passengers or less. Primarily used for transporting people. A bus is a vehicle designed to carry 16 or more passengers (including the driver) Certificate of inspection - ANSWERSInspection sticker MV 431 - ANSWERSUse MV-480 for motorcycles, mopeds, and trailers. Inspection report sheet for all motor vehicles EXCEPT motor cycles and motor driven cycles. (mopeds 5 H.P. or less) Annually - ANSWERSOnce a year (12 months) Semi annually - ANSWERSTwice a year (6 months) What must you or the station owner do when you start at a new place? of employment? - ANSWERSNotification must be given to the quality assurance officer and the Vehicle Control Division. Your name must be placed on Form TS-443 (listing of mechanics) Stipulation for fog lamps. - ANSWERSMay be used only with low beam headlights. Stipulation for driving lamps - ANSWERSMay be used only with high beam headlights. Foreign vehicle - ANSWERSAny vehicle not registered in Pennsylvania. How can we tell if a vehicle is from an emission inspection area? - ANSWERSLook for the emissions insert on the inspection sticker or a emissions inspection sticker. Look for the IM on the registration card. If a vehicle is from an emission area, what is our responsibility when inspecting the vehicle? - ANSWERSWhen placing the inspection sticker on the vehicle we must use an emissions insert. . Name the 3 types of vehicles we check "scrub" line on. - ANSWERSStreet Rods Specially Constructed Vehicles Reconstructed Vehicles. List the types of hammers required for the inspection station. - ANSWERSBall-peen Plastic or Brass Rubber An inspection station must be open for a minimum of ______ hours. - ANSWERS40 hours per day unless you get a waiver from the Bureau. If an inspection station is open on Saturday for fuel and service only must an inspection mechanic be on duty? - ANSWERSNO- only during normal business hours (7:00 - 5:00 Mon-Fri) Is the inspection fee for a vehicle that fails the same as for a vehicle that passes? - ANSWERSYes- Pass or Fail: Same price. Is the price of the sticker included in the fee for inspection? - ANSWERSNO- the price of the sticker is separate. Must have a sign listing them separately. How many stations can a technician be registered at? - ANSWERSAs many as he/she wants to as long as they notify the inspection supervisor and the Vehicle Control Division of the Names and station numbers of the places they are working. What is the minimum age of the inspection mechanic? - ANSWERS18 What two documents must a mechanic carry when performing an inspection? - ANSWERSDriver's License and Mechanic Card Must the inspection technician be re certified and if so how often? - ANSWERSYes - Every 3 years. How many days does a mechanic have to take his recertification test? after being notified it's due to expire? - ANSWERS180 days. What is the meaning of 20-20-12? - ANSWERSA passenger vehicle going 20 MPH must stop within 20 feet without swerving outside of a 12 foot wide lane. To inspect a motorcycle does the inspection mechanic need a motor cycle license? - ANSWERSYES . What 5 items must be marked on the back of the certificates of inspection? - ANSWERS(stickers) Expiration date, VIN, Date of inspection, Brakes inspected, Signature Is a new Certificate of Appointment needed if you move your business to a different building? - ANSWERSYES - and you may not do any inspections until then. What must be done if certificates of inspection are stolen? - ANSWERSYou must report it at once to the quality assurance officer. If you replace any parts on a customer's vehicle what must you do with the old parts. - ANSWERSRetain them until the vehicle is returned to the customer in case they want to see the old parts. What could happen if you perform repairs on a vehicle without the owner's authorization? - ANSWERS4 months suspension 1st violation, 6 months-2ed, 1 year- 3rd If Bonded brakes measure 3/32 what is the inspection mechanic required to do? - ANSWERSPass them BUT inform the owner in writing on the work order that they may become dangerous. Are utility trailers and recreational trailers recorded on the same report sheets? - ANSWERSNO- use separate MV-480 forms . May a motorcycle inspection certificate be placed on the left front fork? - ANSWERSYES or left front fender or plate mounted on left side. Should inspection stickers for trailers be placed on the left-front-side OR the left-front-nose of the trailer? - ANSWERSLeft-front- SIDE. . How long is the first violation suspension for putting a sticker on a car without inspecting it? - ANSWERS1 year What should you do when removing inspection stickers from vehicles? with plastic inner liners? - ANSWERSUse a stiff plastic scraper instead of a metal one or razor blade. How long do we keep a copy of the MV-431 inspection records? - ANSWERS2 years Must work orders be retained for two years? - ANSWERSOnly if someone other than the mechanic fills out the inspection record. The mechanic must sign the work order. . If a vehicle passes inspection can we affix the sticker outside of the inspection area? - ANSWERSYES. Within 100 feet of the station as long as it's on station property and the same side of the street. What must be 24" high and 21" wide? - ANSWERSThe inspection station sign outside the garage. . How often do we inspect the following? 1. Antique vehicles 2. Trailers under 3,000 lbs. registered GVW 3. Fire trucks 4. Ambulances 5. Trailers over 10,000 lbs. registered GVW 6. School busses - ANSWERSA. Antique vehicles -Not required B. Trailers under 3,000 lbs. registered GVW -Not required C. Fire trucks -Annually D. Ambulances -Annually E. Trailers over 10,000 lbs. registered GVW -Semi-annually F. School busses -Semi-annually How often should a 12 passenger school van be inspected? - ANSWERSSemi Annually for any school vehicle that carries students including cars. If you were to purchase a new vehicle with an expired inspection sticker, how many days do you have to get it inspected? - ANSWERS10 Can you inspect a vehicle registered in another state? - ANSWERSYes but not required. Sticker optional What certificates must be displayed at the inspection station? - ANSWERSCertificate of appointment A fee chart for inspections Form TS-443 listing the inspections mechanics. Your outside inspection station sign. What are the minimum sizes of inspection areas for the following? - ANSWERSA. Mechanical aimers - 12' wide by 22' long B. Approved headlamp aiming screen - 12' wide by 43' long Can we use old discontinued head light aimers? - ANSWERSYes, as longs as they are in good working order and able to test all types of headlights. . What is the maximum floor slope in the inspection area? - ANSWERS1 percent. How many vehicles can you inspect in one hour? - ANSWERS2 ( motorcycles -3) Is a hoist of lift permitted in the inspection area? - ANSWERSYes, as long as it doesn't interfere with the inspection. What is the least amount of time and the most amount of time an inspection is good for? - ANSWERS6 months to 15 months. What determines when a vehicle is due for inspection? - ANSWERSThe month the vehicles registration renews. Describe the procedure when a customer comes in to get a replacement sticker because the windshield was just replaced. - ANSWERSUp to 5 days to come in for a new sticker. Customer must hand in the section of glass with old sticker on it. Old sticker must be saved for the inspection station supervisor. You don't have to re-inspect the vehicle. You may charge no more than $2.00 for the new sticker Record information from old sticker onto the MV-431. Mark "replacement" on the MV-431 & on the back of the new sticker. Refuse to issue a new sticker if the car is obviously unsafe. How much is the wheel base allowed to differ from one side of the vehicle to the other? - ANSWERSNo more than 1 inch. Is riveted brake lining measured from the shoe or the rivet head? - ANSWERSFrom the rivet head. Name two vehicles that do not have to have odometers. - ANSWERSVehicles at least 25 years old. Vehicles over 17,000 RGW. Explain the difference between GVWR and RGW - ANSWERSGVWR- Gross Vehicle Weight Rating- the limit set by the manufacturer and labeled on the vehicle. RGW- Registered Gross Weight - How much the vehicle is licensed to carry on the registration card. May a vehicle pass inspection if it has no hazard warning lamps? - ANSWERSOnly if they were not included as original equipment.