Louisiana Administrative Code › Title 55 - PUBLIC SAFETY › Part III - Motor Vehicles › Chapter 8 - Motor Vehicle Inspection › Subchapter B - Safety Inspections › Section III-811 - Inspection Procedures

Current through Register Vol. 50, No. 6, June 20, 2024
A. The
				  mechanic inspector shall record the expired sticker number on the log report
				  then remove the expired sticker prior to continuing with the inspection. The
				  expired motor vehicle inspection sticker must be immediately
				  destroyed.
B. The mechanic
				  inspector will conduct a review of the documents for the vehicle ensuring that
				  all documents are in agreement.
1.
				  Certificate of registration contains information which must be verified with
				  the corresponding information on the vehicle. A photocopy or original
				  registration is acceptable. In lieu of a registration certificate, a vehicle
				  may be inspected with a valid temporary license plate. The valid temporary
				  registration is normally taped to the back of the temporary license
				  plate.
2. Vehicle Identification
				  Number (VIN). The VIN must agree with Certificate of Registration and the
				  insurance document. It must match the VIN displayed on the vehicle.
3. License Plate. The registration indicates
				  a license plate number and expiration date of the plate. This information must
				  correspond with the information displayed on the vehicle. The license plate
				  cannot be expired. An out-of-state vehicle may be inspected, as long as it
				  meets the criteria.
a. Vehicles which display
				  apportioned license plates for trucks which travel out of Louisiana are issued
				  a Louisiana apportioned cab card in lieu of a registration. The cab card will
				  indicate an expiration and a grace period.
b. A temporary registration authorization
				  indicating an apportioned plate has been applied for is also acceptable in lieu
				  of a registration. When this condition exists, no license plate is present. The
				  temporary registration allows the vehicle to be used until the apportioned
				  plate and cab card are issued.
c.
				  Vehicles which display either a dealer plate or a temporary cardboard plate
				  with green lettering on a white background are exempt from presenting a
				  registration certificate. The driver must provide proof of fleet liability
				  insurance coverage. The insurance must be in the name of the dealership which
				  carries the vehicle in its inventory.
d. Drivers of vehicles which display a valid
				  60 day temporary marker must also present a bona fide bill of sale. The bill of
				  sale must indicate the vehicle was purchased within 60 days from the date the
				  vehicle is presented for inspection.
e. All vehicles which display a public
				  license plate are exempt from presenting a registration certificate and proof
				  of insurance. City, parish or state-owned vehicles, if licensed with Louisiana
				  license plates, are required to be inspected and must meet the same
				  requirements of any other vehicle of that same size and weight.
4. Operator license must be valid
				  and in the immediate possession of the vehicle operator. It must be presented
				  to the mechanic inspector, and the license number must be taken from the
				  driver's license and recorded in the appropriate block on the log report or DEQ
				  computer system.
a. A valid out-of-state
				  driver's license is acceptable. The state in which it was issued must be noted
				  on the log report.
b. A temporary
				  driving permit issued in connection with a traffic violation when the
				  operator's license is held may be accepted until the permit expires on the
				  court date noted.
c. When
				  inspecting motorcycles, the operator's license must have a motorcycle
				  endorsement.
d. Operators of school
				  buses and commercial motor vehicles must possess the appropriate type
				  commercial driver's license.
5. Proof of current liability insurance must
				  be shown to the mechanic inspector. Electronic proof of insurance will be
				  accepted. The vehicle operator must also sign the log report indicating the
				  vehicle is covered by liability insurance. (Note: Government vehicles are
				  exempt from furnishing proof of insurance.) One of the following must be
				  presented as proof of insurance. Although a trailer is not required to have
				  liability insurance, the inspector must verify that the towing unit complies
				  with one of the below requirements.
a. A
				  current certificate of insurance, motor vehicle liability insurance policy (or
				  duplicate of the original) or a binder for the same is acceptable. A vehicle's
				  policy identification card or photocopy of the same may also be accepted. These
				  documents shall designate the name of the insurance company affording coverage,
				  the policy number, the effective dates of coverage (both the beginning and
				  ending dates are required) and a description of the vehicle covered including
				  the VIN. A binder must be an official accord binder form and can be
				  handwritten.
b. A copy of a motor
				  vehicle liability bond. This document may or may not describe the vehicle
				  covered.
c. A certificate from the
				  state treasurer indicating a deposit was made to the state. It will not have a
				  description of the vehicle, but the vehicle must be registered under the same
				  name as noted on the certificate.
d. A certificate of self-insurance issued by
				  the Louisiana Department of Public Safety and Corrections. It is not required
				  to describe the vehicle covered.
6. License Plate Mounting and Condition: In
				  addition to being valid, the license plate will be inspected for the following:
a. must be secured to their mounting
				  brackets;
b. must be clean, clearly
				  visible and readable for a distance of 50 feet to the rear of the vehicle.
				  Plates shall not be obscured or damaged so that the numbers cannot be
				  identified;
c. must be mounted in
				  the rear;
d. truck-trailer,
				  emergency fire fighting equipment, dump-body trucks, trucks over 6,000 pounds
				  and forestry product licensed vehicles may display the plate on either the
				  front or rear of the vehicle.