§ 175.220. Inspection procedure.
(a) External inspection. An external inspection shall be performed as follows:
(1) Verify ownership, legality and proof of financial responsibility. For the purpose of this subchapter, ownership and legality shall be proven by a vehicle registration card, certificate of title or manufacturer’s statement of origin. When a vehicle being held for resale is presented for inspection by a dealer licensed to sell vehicles in this Commonwealth, a VIN-specific auction slip or VIN-specific secure power of attorney evidencing the dealership’s acquisition of the vehicle, or both, may be presented instead of a vehicle registration card, certificate of title or manufacturer’s statement of origin. Reject if one or more of the following apply:
(i) When vehicle ownership and legality are demonstrated by presentation of certificate of title, manufacturer’s statement of origin, VIN-specific auction slip or VIN-specific secure power of attorney:
(A) The VIN is not in agreement with the certificate of title, manufacturer’s statement of origin, VIN-specific auction slip or VIN-specific secure power of attorney. Exception: If only one digit is incorrect or two digits are transposed, and the owner provides evidence that the appropriate Department form has been completed to correct the error or transposition.
(B) The VIN plate is not securely fastened or is defaced, misplaced or missing.
(ii) When vehicle ownership and legality are demonstrated by presentation of vehicle registration card:
(A) The license plate is not in agreement with numbers on vehicle registration card. If only one digit is incorrect or two digits are transposed, and the owner provides evidence that the appropriate Department form has been completed to correct an error or transposition, this clause does not apply.
(B) The license plate is hanging loosely from its mounting bracket.
(C) The license plate is obscured so that the numbers cannot be identified.
(D) The license plate lamp, if so equipped, does not illuminate the license plate.
(iii) Acceptable proof of financial responsibility is not provided. For the purpose of this chapter, financial responsibility shall be proven by one of the following documents:
(A) A valid financial responsibility identification card issued in accordance with 31 Pa. Code (relating to insurance).
(B) The declaration page of a valid insurance policy.
(C) A valid self-insurance identification card.
(D) A valid binder of insurance issued by an insurance company licensed to sell motor vehicle liability insurance in this Commonwealth.
(E) A valid insurance policy issued by an insurance company licensed to sell motor vehicle liability insurance in this Commonwealth.
(2) Check the windshield and reject if one or more of the following apply:
(i) A windshield is less than 7 inches in vertical height on a street rod.
(ii) A windshield is less than 12 inches in vertical height, or the vertical height is less than what was originally designed, on a reconstructed or specially constructed vehicle.
(iii) The windshields and side windows or openings do not allow the driver minimum outward horizontal vision capability of 90° from each side of vertical plane passing through fore and aft centerline of vehicle.
(iv) The range of vision is interrupted by window framing exceeding 2 inches in width and windshield door post support areas exceeding 4 inches in width.
(v) Obstructions except windshield wiper components of more than 2 inches upward into horizontally projected vision area of the windshield is found.
(3) With the exception of vehicles registered as street rods, check the fenders and reject if one or more of the following apply:
(i) The fenders do not cover the entire tire tread width of tire that comes in contact with the road surface.
(ii) The front tire tread circumference coverage is less than 15° to the front and 75° to the rear of each tire.
(iii) The rear tire tread circumference coverage is less than 75°.
(4) With the exception of vehicles registered as street rods, check the bumpers and reject if one or more of the following apply:
(i) The front or rear bumper is missing.
(ii) Some part of the main horizontal bumper does not fall within 12-20 inches above the ground level on specially constructed vehicles and reconstructed passenger vehicles.
(5) Check the lights and reject if the vehicle does not have operating hazard warning lamps capable of being seen and distinguished during nighttime operations at a distance of 500 feet.
(b) Internal inspection. An internal inspection shall be performed as follows:
(1) Check the mirrors and reject if the mirrors for the operator are insufficient to view front and both sides and rear of vehicle for distance not less than 200 feet.
(2) Check the unconventional operation location and reject if all the major controls and switches are not conveniently located for use by the driver while in an unconventional operating position.
(c) Under the hood inspection. An under the hood inspection shall be performed as follows:
(1) Check the engine compartment and reject if the street rod hood top or sides, or both, are removed from the vehicle and the engine fan is not enclosed with a shroud designed to protect the fan from accidental contact from the outside.
(2) Check the brake system and reject if any of the following apply:
(i) The dual service brake system is not installed when the original system was modified.
(ii) The dual service brake system is not installed on the vehicle with the rear tires exceeding 9 inches in width.
(d) Beneath the vehicle inspection. A beneath the vehicle inspection shall be performed as follows:
(1) Inspect the tires and reject if any of the following apply:
(i) The front tires measure less than 5 inches in width on the street rods.
(ii) The rear tires exceed 9 inches in width and the vehicle is not equipped with a dual service brake system.
(2) Inspect the scrub line and reject if any of the following chassis and suspension components are below the scrub line:
(i) The frame.
(ii) The axle.
(iii) The axle housing.
(iv) The lower control bar.
(v) The shock mounts.
(vi) The crossmembers.
(vii) The torsion bar.
(viii) The radius rods.
(ix) The spindle arms.
(x) The steering components.
(xi) The brake components.
(xii) The spring perch bolts.
Authority The provisions of this § 175.220 amended under the Vehicle Code, 75 Pa.C.S. § § 4103, 4301, 4501, 4521, 4702 and 6103.
Source The provisions of this § 175.220 adopted October 29, 1982, effective February 1, 1983, 12 Pa.B. 3862; corrected November 12, 1983, 12 Pa.B. 3947; readopted December 2, 1988, effective December 3, 1988, 18 Pa.B. 5362; amended February 18, 1994, effective February 19, 1994, 24 Pa.B. 962; amended November 13, 1998, effective May 13, 1999, 28 Pa.B. 5670; amended October 25, 2013, effective October 26, 2013, 43 Pa.B. 6349. Immediately preceding text appears at serial pages (250444) to (250447).
Cross References This section cited in 67 Pa. Code § 175.203 (relating to braking systems); 67 Pa. Code § 175.206 (relating to glazing); 67 Pa. Code § 175.207 (relating to mirrors); and 67 Pa. Code § 175.208 (relating to body).
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