Official Motor Vehicle Inspection Manual
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WEST VIRGINIA STATE POLICE OFFICIAL MOTOR VEHICLE INSPECTION MANUAL TRAFFIC RECORDS SECTION 725 JEFFERSON ROAD SOUTH CHARLESTON, WV 25309-1698 304-746-2191 REVISED 2010 TABLE OF CONTENTS SECTION I Administrative Rules, Regulations and Procedures ........................................... 2 - 42 SECTION II Automobiles and Light Trucks.............................................................................43 - 125 SECTION III Motorcycles and Trailers ....................................................................................126 - 157 SECTION IV Trucks, Buses and Schools Buses ........................................................................158 - 235 SECTION V Requirements for Constructed and Special Vehicles .........................................236 - 248 1 INSPECTION OF VEHICLES West Virginia Code §17C-16-4 authorizes the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles to make necessary rules and regulations for the administration and enforcement of the Vehicle Inspection Laws of the State. The 1999 edition of the Vehicle Inspection Handbook as prepared by the Automobile Manufacturers Association in cooperation with the American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators was used extensively in preparing this manual, otherwise known as or referred to as the West Virginia State Police OFFICIAL MOTOR VEHICLE INSPECTION MANUAL. The Official Motor Vehicle Inspection Manual provides for the standard inspection procedures for motor vehicles, trailers and semi-trailers when operated on the public highways of West Virginia. After a careful study of this manual, it is the decision of the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles that the provisions and procedures outlined in the manual constitute the official rules of the Division of Motor Vehicles and Division of Public Safety (West Virginia State Police) governing the annual inspection of all vehicles that are subject to the vehicle inspection program. Division of Motor Vehicles Rule, Motor Vehicle Inspection Manual, 91 CSR 12 incorporates this Manual by reference. That rule which is a legitimate rule was approved by the Legislature and has the force and effect of law. Items of Safety, which are not covered by this manual, that are required by the U.S. Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards in effect upon the date of the vehicle being inspected shall work in the prescribed manner. In cases of practical difficulty or unnecessary hardship, the West Virginia State Police may grant exceptions from the literal requirements of the manual or permit the use of other devices or methods. Any such exception to be granted by the Director of the Traffic Records Section, West Virginia State Police or his/her designee. 2 TO ALL INSPECTION STATION OWNERS AND/OR OPERATORS OPERATORS AND EMPLOYEES FOR OFFICIAL INSPECTION STATIONS SHOULD BE COURTEOUS AND PATIENT IN EXPLAINING TO THE MOTORIST THAT THE REQUIREMENTS OF VEHICLE INSPECTION ARE DESIGNED TO PROMOTE SAFETY. ALL EMPLOYEES SHOULD CLEARLY UNDERSTAND THAT THE FUNCTION OF THE OFFICIAL INSPECTION STATION IS FOR THE ADVANCEMENT OF HIGHWAY SAFETY. ALL PERSONNEL OF OFFICIAL INSPECTION STATIONS MUST KEEP IN MIND THAT ONE INSPECTION STICKER PLACED ON AN UNSAFE VEHICLE MAY BE THE CAUSE OF A SERIOUS ACCIDENT, AND THAT THEY OWE A DUTY TO THE THEMSELVES AND THEIR FAMILIES NOT TO JEOPARDIZE LIVES BY ERROR, CARELESSNESS OR INDIFFERENCE. IT SHOULD ALSO BE UNDERSTOOD THAT AN IMPROPER INSPECTION MAY RESULT IN CRIMINAL AND OR CIVIL LIABILITY. 3 REMEMBER……. STATIONS WILL BE JUDGED BY THE CONDITION OF VEHICLES BEARING THEIR STICKERS. FAILURE TO INSPECT VEHICLES IN ACCORDANCE WITH THESE INSTRUCTIONS MAY WELL RESULT IN SUSPENSION OF YOUR STATION PROTECT STICKERS FROM THEFT 4 SECTION I CONTENTS - SECTION I AUTHORITY FOR INSPECTION RULES AND REGULATIONS ......................................... 7 FORWARD ..................................................................................................................................... 8 GENERAL REQUIREMENTS FOR INSPECTION STATION ................................................ 9 Space - Minimum requirements................................................................................................. 13 Personnel ..................................................................................................................................... 14 Equipment and Tools .................................................................................................................. 14 Minimum Requirements for Inspection Stations of Motorcycles Only................................... 15 GENERAL PROVISIONS ............................................................................................................. 16 Change of Location or Ownership ............................................................................................. 16 Requirements for Appointment and Continuance Thereof ..................................................... 16 Going Out of Business ................................................................................................................ 17 Change of Ownership (Exception) ............................................................................................. 17 Official Station Cancellations..................................................................................................... 17 Responsibility of Station Owner and Operator ........................................................................ 17 Qualifications for an Inspector Mechanic ................................................................................. 18 Mechanic Failing to Pass the Examination ............................................................................... 19 Personal Liability of the Official Inspector Mechanic ............................................................. 19 Fleet Inspections Stations ........................................................................................................... 19 Stickers and Supplies .................................................................................................................. 21 Replacement and Refund of Stickers......................................................................................... 22 Marking and Application of Stickers ........................................................................................ 23 Records--Information Required on Log Sheets ........................................................................ 24 Rejection Procedure.................................................................................................................... 27 Signs and Posters ........................................................................................................................ 27 Penalties for Non-Compliance on the Part of the Station Owner, Operator or Employee ................................................................................................................ 28 Chapter 17-C Traffic Regulations and Laws of the Road; Article 16 - Inspection of Vehicles ............................................................................................. 29 Chapter 17-C, Article 16, Section 9, Penalties for Misdemeanor - Operating without Certificate of Inspection ............................................................................. 32 Penalties for Violations of Chapter 17-C, Article 18, Section 1 (Traffic Regulations and Laws of the Road) ............................................................................. 33 Administrative Penalties for Inspection Violations ................................................................. 34 5 SECTION I (Continued) Procedure for Appeal of Suspension ......................................................................................... 38 Motor Vehicle Inspection Hearing Procedures ......................................................................... 39 Official Inspection Procedure .................................................................................................... 41 Items to be Inspected .................................................................................................................. 41 Verify Legal Registration ........................................................................................................... 42 Plate Mounting ............................................................................................................................ 42 Verify Certificate of Insurance .................................................................................................. 42 6 WEST VIRGINIA STATE POLICE AUTHORITY FOR INSPECTION RULES AND REGULATIONS The rules and regulations contained in the following pages, of the Official Inspection Manual, are promulgated under the authority of Chapter 17-C, of the code of West Virginia as amended which reads in parts as follows: Sec. 4. The Commissioner of Motor Vehicles shall, once each year, require that every motor vehicle, trailer, semi-trailer and pole trailer registered in this state be inspected and that an official certificate of inspection and approval be obtained for each such vehicle. The Commissioner is hereby authorized to make necessary rules and regulations for the administration and enforcement of this section. The Commissioner may suspend the registration of any vehicle which he/she determines is in an unsafe condition or which is not equipped as required by law or for which a required certificate of inspection and approval has not been obtained. Sec. 5. The Superintendent of the West