Code of Vermont Rules › Agency 14 - AGENCY OF TRANSPORTATION › Sub-Agency 050 - MOTOR VEHICLES DEPARTMENT › Chapter 022 - INSPECTION OF MOTOR VEHICLES › Section 14 050 022 - INSPECTION OF MOTOR VEHICLES

Current through June, 2024
PERIODIC INSPECTION MANUAL
Official Inspection Station Owner/Operator and Certified
				Inspection Mechanics:
As an official inspection station and/or a certified
				inspection mechanic, you are agents of the State of Vermont's Department of
				Motor Vehicles (DMV). The expectation is that all agents will uphold the
				standards outlined in this rule and educate the customer regarding any relevant
				rejection or advisory inspection criteria outlined in this manual.
The procedures outlined herein should be carefully studied and
				frequently reviewed by applicable employees of your organization. Be thoroughly
				familiar with all the provisions, regulations and laws contained herein, as
				full compliance will be required of all concerned.
Failure to comply with all provisions, regulations, and laws
				pertaining to motor vehicle inspections may result in the assessment of
				administrative penalties, a fine, and/or suspension or revocation of the
				mechanic's certification or the appointment of an inspection station.
Your station number or mechanic's certification number should
				be placed on all correspondence pertaining to inspections, and such
				communications should be addressed to:
Agency of Transportation
Department of Motor Vehicles
Enforcement & Safety Division
Inspection Unit
120 State Street
Montpelier, VT 05603-0001
Any inspection station or mechanic needing assistance
				regarding inspection requirements may contact the Enforcement and Safety
				Division of the Department of Motor Vehicles at (802) 828-2094 between 7:45
				A.M. and 4:30 P.M., Monday through Friday, except holidays.
Effective Date
18-P 16 - Agency of Transportation/Rules Governing Inspection
				of Motor Vehicles shall become effective December 1, 2019.
DEFINITIONS
49
C.F.R. 570:
The
				Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards Code of Federal Regulations as it
				relates to the inspection of motor vehicles. (
23 V.S.A. §
											1001(b)
				)
Antique Vehicle:
Exhibition vehicles
				25 years old or older that qualify for "Antique Car" number plates.
				(
DMV Rules)
Authorized Emergency Vehicle:
A fire
				department vehicle, police vehicle, public or private ambulance, and a vehicle
				to which a permit has been issued pursuant to subdivision 1252(a)(1) or (2) of
				this title. (
23 V.S.A. §
											4(1) )
Autocycle:
A three-wheeled
				motorcycle:
1. In which the occupants
			 sit with their legs forward.
2.
			 That is designed to be controlled with a steering wheel and pedals.
3. That is equipped with safety belts for all
			 occupants.
Automated Vehicle Inspection Program
				(AVIP):
The hardware and software that collectively allow for the
				Inspection Program to collect and disseminate information electronically.
				(
23 V.S.A.
				§
											1222, 1229
				)
Certificate of Inspection:
The
				nontransferable inspection sticker (and accompanying number of expiration
				month) that is issued by an inspection mechanic to a vehicle to certify the
				vehicle has successfully passed all the state's inspection requirements. Any
				lost certificate of inspection must be reported to the DMV immediately. All
				voided inspections must be documented in the AVIP. All voided stickers are to
				be returned to the Enforcement and Safety Division of the DMV. (23 V.S.A.
				§
1222
, 1223, 1224,
				1282)
Certified Inspection Mechanic:
Any
				individual who is at least 18 years of age and has successfully completed the
				certified inspection mechanic exam, which indicates that the individual is
				qualified and capable of conducting safety and emissions inspections of the
				vehicle(s) for which he/she is certified. (23 V.S.A. §
1227
)
Commercial Fleet Inspection Station:
A company or business that has been designated by the commissioner as an
				official commercial fleet inspection station. A commercial fleet inspection
				station must have 5 or more motor vehicles registered in the name of the
				company or business and meet all the requirements for designation as an
				official inspection station. Commercial fleet inspection stations are
				authorized to inspect only those vehicles registered to the company or
				business. (
23 V.S.A. §
											4(64) )
Condition of Vehicle:
A motor
				vehicle, operated on any highway, must be in good mechanical condition and must
				be properly equipped. (
23 V.S.A. §
											1221 )
Emergency Warning Lamps:
Lamps that
				provide a flashing light to identify an authorized vehicle on an emergency
				mission. The emergency signal may be a rotating beacon or pairs of alternately
				or simultaneously flashing lamp(s). (23 V.S.A. §
1251
,
1252, 1253,
1255
)
Exhibition:
A designation for any
				motor vehicle maintained solely for use as an exhibit at club activities,
				parades, and other functions of public interest. These could include trailers
				as well as other vehicles and might be early-model or late-model vehicles or
				vehicles of special design, such as trick cars or replicas of railroad
				locomotives or railroad box cars. (
23
				V.S.A. §
											373
				)
Frame:
The main
				longitudinal structural members of the chassis of the vehicle or, for vehicles
				with unitized body construction, the lowest main longitudinal structural
				members of the body of the vehicle, which may include rocker panels, cross
				members, body mounts, engine mounts, and engine cradle.
Fully Enclosed Autocycle:
An
				autocycle equipped with a windshield and full top and side enclosures capable
				of supporting the vehicle's weight and of protecting the occupants when the
				vehicle is resting on the enclosures.
GVWR:
The manufacturer's
				specified gross vehicle weight rating (maximum design loaded weight of a single
				vehicle), whether or not the vehicle is modified by use of parts installed by
				the original manufacturer or a secondary manufacturer.
Hearing:
A proceeding where parties
				present evidence in front of a hearing officer, who makes a decision based on
				preponderance of the evidence and the law. (
23 V.S.A. §
											105,
23 V.S.A. §
											106,
23 V.S.A. §
											107 )
Heavy Truck:
Gross vehicle weight
				rating (GVWR) greater than 10,000 pounds.
Inspection Area:
The specifically
				approved area of an inspection station inside a building, in which all vehicle
				inspections must be conducted unless prior approval has been obtained from the
				DMV. Trailers may be inspected outside the building. The road test must be
				conducted outside unless the station is equipped with appropriate automated
				road testing equipment with prior approval from the DMV. The inspection area is
				also the only location at which the certificate of inspection must be issued
				and affixed to the vehicle. (
23 V.S.A.
				§
											1222 )
Inspection Books:
The books
				containing the certificates of inspection. (
23 V.S.A.
				§
											1222,
1224
)
Inspection Fee:
If a fee is charged,
				it must be determined by the time actually spent to complete the inspection
				multiplied by the posted hourly rate, or it must be a posted flat rate fee
				based upon the average time to conduct a complete inspection. (
23 V.S.A.
				§
											1222(b)
				)
Indicator Lamps:
Lamps visible to the
				operator of a vehicle that indicate:
1. Appropriate electrical circuits are in
			 operation.
2. Malfunction of
			 vehicle performance.
3. Requirement
			 for remedial action by the operator of the vehicle (if installed by
			 manufacturer).
Inspection Period:
The 2-month period
				within which a certificate of inspection may be issued.
1. All motor vehicles must be inspected once
			 a year. (23 V.S.A. §
1222
)
2. School buses must be inspected three times
			 yearly: between July/August, November/December, and February/March. (23 V.S.A.
			 §
1282
)
3. Motor buses must be inspected twice
			 yearly, at 6-month intervals. (23 V.S.A. §
1222
)
Inspection Record:
An inspection
				record includes the inspection certificate, information entered into AVIP, and
				the Vehicle Inspection Report (VIR). (
23 V.S.A.§
											1222 )
Inspection Station License:
The
				certificate of designation issued by the DMV to verify that the facility is
				properly equipped and has adequate space and qualified personnel to conduct
				state inspection of vehicles as stated on the certificate. The license must be
				conspicuously displayed at the place for which it has been issued. It is valid
				only for the official inspection station in whose name it has been issued and
				for transacting business only at the designated place. (
23 V.S.A.§
											1222 )
Inspection Station Supervisor:
Any
				person designated by the inspection station owner to supervise/manage the
				operation of the respective inspection station.
Kit-Car:
A vehicle with a commercially
				manufactured body and/or body and frame that may resemble a regularly
				manufactured vehicle or whose body may be of a unique design but is
				manufactured to fit on a commercially manufactured frame.
Motor Bus:
Any motor vehicle with a
				seating capacity of more than seven persons, other than a street car, operated
				upon the public streets and highways along a regular route and in such
				operation receiving, discharging, and transporting passengers for hire. This
				does not apply to a transportation service for which passengers determine the
				route and destination, nor does it apply to cooperative-use
				transportation.
Motor-Driven Cycle:
Any vehicle that
				is equipped with two or three wheels, a power source providing up to a maximum
				of 2 brake horsepower and having a maximum piston or rotor displacement of 50
				cubic centimeters, if a combustion engine is used, which will propel the
				vehicle, unassisted, at a speed not to exceed 30 MPH on a level road surface
				and that is equipped with a power drive system that functions directly or
				automatically only, not requiring clutching or shifting by the operator after
				the drive system is engaged. An electric personal assistive mobility device is
				not a motor-driven cycle.
Motorcycle:
Any motor-driven vehicle
				having a seat or saddle for the rider and designed to travel on not more than
				three wheels in contact with the ground, excluding motor-driven cycles, golf
				carts, track-driven vehicles, tractors, electric personal assistive mobility
				devices, and vehicles on which the operator and passengers ride within an
				enclosed cab.
Multipurpose Passenger Vehicle (MPV):
A motor vehicle with motive power, except a trailer, that is designed to carry
				10 persons or fewer, and that is constructed either on a truck chassis or with
				special features for occasional off-road operation.
Municipal Fleet Inspection Station:
A
				municipality that has been designated as an official municipal fleet inspection
				station, provided it has motor vehicles registered in the name of the
				municipality and meets all the requirements for designation as an official
				inspection station.
Municipal fleet inspection stations are authorized to inspect
				only those vehicles registered to the municipality. (
23 V.S.A. §
											4(65) )
Neighborhood Electric Vehicle:
A
				self-propelled, electrically powered motor vehicle that: (
23 V.S.A. §
											4(73) )
1. Is emission free.
2. Is designed to carry four or fewer
			 persons.
3. Is designed to be, and
			 is, operated at speeds of 25 MPH or less.
4. Has at least four wheels in contact with
			 the ground.
5. Has a gross vehicle
			 weight rating less than 3,000 pounds.
6. Conforms to minimum safety equipment
			 requirements as adopted in the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 500,
			 Low-Speed Vehicles. (
49 CFR. 571.500)
Official Inspection Station:
A
				government agency owned or leased or privately owned or leased facility
				designated and licensed by the DMV to conduct state inspections of vehicles as
				stated on the license certificate. (
23 V.S.A.
				§
											1222 )
Periodic Inspection Manual:
Those
				books, pamphlets, or bulletins posted online or distributed electronically by
				the DMV containing the rules that govern the actions of official inspection
				stations and certified inspection mechanics to determine whether the motor
				vehicles are properly equipped and maintained in good mechanical condition.
				(
23 V.S.A. §
											1001 )
Proof of Valid Insurance (DMV Rules,
				23
				V.S.A. §
											800(c)
				):
The following are considered proof of valid insurance:
1. An insurance identification card.
2. The declaration page from the
			 policy or a photocopy of that page.
3. A temporary card or binder, or a photocopy
			 of a binder.
4. A self-insurance
			 card.
5. Evidence of a bond issued
			 by a surety company.
6. Portable
			 electronic device.
7. Oral
			 confirmation from insurance carrier to mechanic by phone.
Registration:
The authority for a
				vehicle to be operated on a public highway as evidenced by an identifying
				certificate and plate or plates issued by a governmental entity. A temporary
				registration plate qualifies as a registration. (
23 V.S.A. §
											301,
304)
Replica:
A commercially manufactured
				body or frame resembling that of the original vehicle or duplicated vehicle and
				retaining the basic style and dimensions as originally manufactured and whose
				major components, such as grill shell, hood, and doors are readily
				interchangeable with the original components.
Revoke:
To withdraw permanently by
				formal action of the DMV any license, certification, registration, or privilege
				issued or granted by the DMV. (
DMV Rules,
				23
				V.S.A. §
											1228
				)
SAE:
The Society of
				Automotive Engineers International, a professional organization for engineering
				professionals in the aerospace, automotive, and commercial vehicle industries.
				The SAE is a standards-development organization for the engineering of powered
				vehicles of all kinds, including cars, trucks, boats, aircraft, and others.
SAE Lighting Identification Code:
A
				series of standardized markings for lighting devices that a manufacturer or
				supplier may use to mark its product to indicate the SAE lighting standard(s)
				to which the device is designed to conform. The code is not intended to limit
				the manufacturer or supplier in applying other markings to the devices.
School Bus:
Any motor vehicle used to
				transport children to or from school or in connection with school
				activities.
1. Type I school bus means
			 a school bus designed to transport more than 15 passengers, including the
			 operator.
2. Type II school bus
			 means a school bus designed to transport more than 10 and less than 16
			 passengers, including the operator.
Sealed Beam Headlamp Assembly:
A
				major lighting device used to provide general illumination ahead of the
				vehicle. It consists of the following:
1. One or more sealed beam units (bulb
			 assembly).
2. Means for mounting
			 securely to the vehicle.
3. Means
			 to permit required aim adjustment.
Secure Location:
A lockable desk,
				file cabinet, strongbox, safe, or other similar nonportable device where all
				certificates of inspection must be kept safe and secure when in the possession
				of an official inspection station and/or sticker replacement agent.
Serious Violation:
1. Three or more violations of Category 1,
			 Category 2, Category 3, Category 4, or any combination thereof occurring during
			 the same inspection of a single vehicle.
2. Three or more violations of Category 1,
			 Category 2, Category 3, Category 4, or any combination thereof occurring during
			 inspections conducted by a fleet inspection station during the same inspection
			 period.
State Inspection Requirements:
Rules,
				as described in the Periodic Inspection Manual distributed by the DMV, used to
				determine whether motor vehicles are properly equipped and maintained in good
				mechanical condition. (
23 V.S.A. § 1001,1
				222)
Street Rod:
A vehicle with body and
				frame that were manufactured before the year 1949 and that has been modified
				for safe road use, or a replica thereof that resembles an original pre-1949
				vehicle and has also been modified for safe road use. For the purposes of this
				section, "modified" means, but is not limited to, a substantial and material
				alteration or replacement of the engine, drivetrain, suspension, or brake
				system or alteration of the body, which may be chopped, channeled, sectioned,
				filled, or otherwise changed dimensionally from the original manufactured
				body.
Note:
Any such
				modification may be made only if said modification equals, improves, or
				enhances the safety aspects of the original equipment so modified.
Suspend:
To withdraw temporarily by
				formal action of the DMV any license, certification, registration, or privilege
				issued or granted by the DMV. (
DMV Rules)
Truck:
A motor vehicle
				with motive power, except a trailer, designed primarily for the transportation
				of property or special purpose equipment. (
23 V.S.A. §
											4(20) )
Turn Signal Lamps:
Lamps that provide
				a flashing warning light to indicate the intended direction of the turn (1955
				and newer models). Turn signal lamps approved for use on pleasure cars, trucks,
				and buses are as follows: (
23 V.S.A. §
											1249 )
1. At or near the front, one amber on each
			 side of the vertical centerline at the same height and as far apart as
			 practical.
2. On the rear, one red
			 or amber on each side of the vertical centerline at the same height and as far
			 apart as practical.
3. Turn signal
			 lamps must be mounted with the center of the lamp not less than 15 inches nor
			 more than 83 inches above the road surface.
Vehicle Identification Number (VIN):
A combination of alphanumeric characters that the manufacturer assigns to a
				vehicle for identification purposes or, in the absence of a
				manufacturer-assigned number, that the DMV or other government agency assigns
				to a vehicle for identification purposes. (23 V.S.A. §
1702)
Vehicle Inspection Report (VIR):
A
				report made available to the motoring public, either in hard copy or by
				electronic means, that provides the results of the inspection performed and/or
				other information that may be useful to the consumer, such as recalls that
				pertain to the vehicle.
GENERAL INFORMATION
Periodic Safety Inspection
Every motor vehicle registered in this state must be inspected
				at a station designated as an official inspection station by an inspection
				mechanic certified by the commissioner of the DMV. If a motor vehicle is found
				to be unsafe or unfit for operation or improperly equipped, it must be put in a
				safe condition and properly equipped before an official inspection sticker is
				affixed to the vehicle. All vehicles are required to be road tested as part of
				the inspection. The purpose of the road test is to determine whether the
				steering, suspension, braking, speedometer, and odometer of the vehicle
				function as designed and meet the requirements outlined in the inspection
				manual.
23 V.S.A.
				§
											1222.
Courtesy Inspection (Out-of-State Vehicles)
Vehicles registered out of state may be inspected in Vermont
				provided they meet all requirements outlined in the Vermont Periodic Inspection
				Manual.
				23 V.S.A.
				§
										1222.
Inspection Fees and Repair Documentation
If a charge or fee is to be made for an inspection, the
				official inspection station must make available a work order, invoice, and a
				Vehicle Inspection Report (VIR) completed through Automated Vehicle Inspection
				Program (AVIP), regardless of the vehicle passing or failing a Vermont Safety
				Inspection.
If a charge or fee is to be made for an inspection, the
				official inspection station must post its fee or the hourly rate that is
				charged for the inspection and present an itemized bill or invoice to the owner
				or person presenting the motor vehicle for inspection, and such itemized bill
				must contain the following information:
1. Charges for parts and materials installed
			 for inspection
2. Labor charge
			 (including time spent and hourly rate charged if charging by a posted hourly
			 rate, whether or not the vehicle passed inspection)
3. Flat rate fee if charging by a posted flat
			 rate for inspection
A copy of that itemized bill/invoice must be maintained and
				available to any authorized agent of the commissioner of the DMV for a period
				of 3 years.
The sign posting the charge or the hourly rate for inspections
				must be prominently posted near the station's certification as an Official
				Vermont Inspection Station.
Reports, Certificates, and Supplies
1. Official certificates and inspection
			 stickers will be furnished at initial setup for new stations by the DMV, and
			 additional supplies may be forwarded upon request.
2. For each inspection sticker issued by the
			 DMV, the statutory fee must be paid to the DMV, except state and municipal
			 inspection stations when inspecting state and municipal vehicles.
3. All unused (previous year) stickers must
			 be returned before the end of the last day of February. If the unused stickers
			 are not returned by this date, the inspection station will be subject to a
			 penalty as provided and no refund will be issued.
4. Refunds will not be issued for used,
			 voided, lost, or stolen stickers.
REQUIREMENTS FOR DESIGNATION: SPECIFICATIONS
Application for Appointment
1. Inspection stations are appointed, and
			 mechanic's certifications are issued solely for the benefit of the motoring
			 public. Before a certificate of designation, as an official inspection station
			 may be issued, an applicant must have an approved place of business.
			 Recommendation for designation as an official inspection station must be made
			 by a DMV investigator.
23 V.S.A.
			 §
											1222.
2. All appointments are provisional and are
			 conditional upon the proper conduct of the work and compliance with
			 departmental regulations as specified in this manual.
3. All applications for appointment as an
			 official inspection station must indicate the types of vehicle(s) to be
			 inspected and must be submitted to the DMV on the form provided by the DMV and
			 accompanied by proof of zoning compliance (
VN-016 Inspection
			 Station Application)
.
4. Any changes (not to include ownership
			 changes) must be submitted to the DMV on the form provided by the DMV. If the
			 change is a location change, it must be accompanied by proof of zoning
			 compliance.
5. Inspection stations
			 and licensed replacement stations need to be physically located in
			 Vermont.
6. For appointment as an
			 official inspection station, the applicant must meet the following
			 requirements:
a. For initial inspection
			 station appointment, the applicant must have no previous or pending criminal
			 convictions for extortion, forgery, fraud-related crimes, larceny, or
			 embezzlement.
b. The applicant must
			 have had no previous record of willful violations of inspection laws or
			 regulations in this or any other jurisdiction.
c. The applicant must have had no civil
			 judgments that are the result of willful intent to commit fraud or
			 misrepresentation.
d. The applicant
			 must have had no history of violations of issuing nonnegotiable, insufficient
			 funds, account closed, or counterfeit checks within the past 5 years.
Note:
Upon designation,
				the certificate of authorization as an inspection station must be prominently
				displayed under glass or clear plastic. In addition, the station must
				prominently display an exterior sign with the words, "Official Vermont
				Inspection Station" on it.