Virginia Administrative Code › Title 19 - PUBLIC SAFETY › Agency 30 - DEPARTMENT OF STATE POLICE › Chapter 70 - MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY INSPECTION REGULATIONS › Part V - Inspection Requirements for Trucks and Other Vehicles Over 10,000 Pounds (GVWR) › Section 19VAC30-70-430 - Inspection - heavy vehicles

Current through Register Vol. 40, No. 24, July 15, 2024
A.
				  Inspection procedure -- heavy vehicles:
1. Remove existing inspection sticker (all vehicles).
							 2. While in right front, inspect right side glass and right side lug nuts,
							 windshield, seat belts, and door latches. 3. Drive vehicle into inspection
							 lane. 4. While in driver's seat, check left side glass and window crank,
							 windshield, driver's seat, seat belts, door latches and parking or holding
							 brake. Check service brake, high beam indicator, turn signal switch, air brake
							 low air warning, air pressure loss, (single/combination) horn, windshield
							 wiper, defroster, mirrors, steering lash and floor pan. 5. Check exhaust system
							 and fuel tank. 6. Check right side marker and clearance reflectors. 7. Check
							 all rear lights (including brake and turn signal). Check all rear reflectors.
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8. Check left side marker, clearance lights and
							 reflectors. 9. Check all wheels for brakes, push rod travel, tires, rims and
							 suspension. 10. Check headlights, fog, driving, turn signals, other lights and
							 reflectors. 11. Check steering system, ball joints/king pin, shocks, springs.
							 12. Open hood and check latching mechanism, master cylinder, engine mounts, and
							 compressor belts. 13. Check frame (all vehicles) and coupling device. 14. Check
							 air lines and couplings. Disconnect emergency air line (red) (left) and check
							 for automatic operation of trailer breakaway brakes. Check tractor air
							 protection valve. (Combination vehicle only). 15. Issue approval or rejection
							 sticker.
B.
				  Inspection guidelines. Required lamps and reflectors on commercial vehicles.
Lamps and reflex reflectors. Table 1 specifies the
					 requirements for lamps, reflective devices and associated equipment by the type
					 of commercial motor vehicle. The diagrams in this section illustrate the
					 position of the lamps, reflective devices and associated equipment specified in
					 Table 1. All commercial motor vehicles manufactured on or after December 25,
					 1968, must, at a minimum, meet the applicable requirements.
Table 1 Required Lamps and Reflectors on
							 Commercial Motor Vehicles Greater Than 26,000 Pounds GVWR
Item on the vehicle
Quantity
Color
Location
Position
Height above the road surface in millimeters (mm)
							 (with English units in parenthesis) measured from the center of the lamp at
							 curb weight
Vehicles for which the devices are required
Headlamps
2
White
Front
On the front at the same height, with an equal number
							 at each side of the vertical center line as far apart as practicable.
Not less than 559 mm (22 inches) nor more than 1,372
							 mm (54 inches)
A, B, C
Turn signal (front)2, 12
2
Amber
At or near the front
One on each side of the vertical centerline at the
							 same height and as far apart as practicable.
Not less than 381 mm (15 inches) nor more than 2,108
							 mm (83 inches.)
A, B, C
Identification lamps
							 (front)1
3
Amber
Front
As close as practicable to the top of the vehicle, at
							 the same height, and as close as practicable to the vertical centerline of the
							 vehicle (or the vertical centerline of the cab where different from the
							 centerline of the vehicle) with lamp centers spaced not less than 152 mm (6
							 inches) or more than 305 mm (12 inches) apart. Alternatively, the front lamps
							 may be located as close as practicable to the top of the cab.
All three on the same level as close as practicable to
							 the top of the motor vehicle.
B, C
Tail lamps5, 11
2
Red
Rear
One lamp on each side of the vertical centerline at
							 the same height and as far apart as practicable.
Both on the same level between 381 mm (15 inches) and
							 1,829 mm (72 inches).
A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H
Stop lamps5, 13
2
Red
Rear
One lamp on each side of the vertical centerline at
							 the same height and as far apart as practicable.
Both on the same level between 381 mm (15 inches) and
							 1,829 mm (72 inches).
A, B, C, D, E, F, G
Clearance lamps8, 9, 10, 15,
								17
2
Amber
One on each side of the front of the vehicle
One on each side of the vertical centerline to
							 indicate overall width.
Both on the same level as high as practicable.
B, C, D, G, H
2
Red
One on each side of the rear of the vehicle
One on each side of the vertical centerline to
							 indicate overall width.
Both on the same level as high as practicable.
B, D, G, H
Reflex reflector, intermediate (side)
2
Amber
One on each side
At or near the midpoint between the front and rear
							 side marker lamps, if the length of the vehicle is more than 9,144 mm (30
							 feet).
Between 381 mm (15 inches) and 1,524 (60 inches).
A, B, D, F, G
Reflex reflector (rear)5, 6,
								8
2
Red
Rear
One on each side of the vertical centerline, as far
							 apart as practicable and at the same height.
Both on the same level, between 381 mm (15 inches) and
							 1,524 mm (60 inches).
A, B, C, D, E, F, G
Reflex reflector (rear side)
2
Red
One on each side (rear)
As far to the rear as practicable.
Both on the same level, between 381 mm (15 inches) and
							 1,524 mm (60 inches).
A, B, D, F, G
Reflex relector (front
							 side)16
2
Amber
One on each side (front)
As far to the front as practicable.
Between 381 mm (15 inches) and 1,524 mm (60 inches).
A, B, C, D, F, G
License plate lamp (rear)11
1
White
At rear license plate to illuminate the plate from the
							 top or sides
As far to the front as practicable.
No requirements
A, B, C, D, F, G
Side marker lamp (front)16
2
Amber
One on each side
Not less than 381 mm (15 inches).
A, B, C, D, F
Side marker lamp intermediate
2
Amber
One on each side
At or near the midpoint between the front and rear
							 side marker lamps, if the length of the vehicle is more than 9,144 mm (30
							 feet).
Not less than 381 mm (15 inches).
A, B, D, F, G
Side marker lamp (rear)4, 8
2
Red
One on each side
As far to the rear as practicable.
Not less than 381 mm (15 inches), and on the rear of
							 trailers not more than 1,524 mm (60 inches).
A, B, D, F, G
Turn signal (rear)5, 12
2
Amber or red
Rear
One lamp on each side of the vertical centerline as
							 far apart as practicable.
Both on the same level, between 381 mm (15 inches) and
							 2,108 mm (83 inches).
A, B, C, D, E, F, G
Identification lamp (rear)3, 7,
								15
3
Red
Rear
One as close as practicable to the vertical
							 centerline. One on each side with lamp centers spaced not less than 152 mm (6
							 inches) or more than 305 mm (12 inches) apart.
All three on the same level as close as practicable to
							 the top of the vehicle.
B, D, G
Vehicular hazard warning signal flasher
							 lamps5, 12
2
Amber
Front
One lamp on each side of the vertical centerline, as
							 far apart as practicable.
Both on the same level, between 381 mm (15 inches) and
							 2,108 mm (83 inches).
A, B, C
1 or 2
Amber or red
Rear
One lamp on each side of the vertical centerline, as
							 far apart as practicable.
Both on the same level, between 381 mm (15 inches) and
							 2,108 mm (83 inches).
A, B, C, D, E, F, G
Backup lamp14
1 or 2
White
Rear
Rear
No requirement
A, B, C
Parking lamp
2
Amber or white
Front
One lamp on each side of the vertical centerline, as
							 far apart as practicable.
Both on the same level, between 381 mm (15 inches) and
							 2,108 mm (83 inches).
A
Legend: Types of commercial motor vehicles
							 shown in the last column of Table 1: A. Buses and trucks less than 2,032 mm (80
							 inches) in overall width. B. Buses and trucks 2,032 mm (80 inches) or more in
							 overall width. C. Truck tractors. D. Semi-trailers and full trailers 2,032 mm
							 (80 inches) or more in overall width except converter dollies. E. Converter
							 dolly. F. Semi-trailers and full trailers less than 2,032 mm (80 inches) in
							 overall width. G. Pole trailers. H. Projecting loads. Note: Lamps and
							 reflectors may be combined as permitted by equipment combinations.
NOTES: 
							 1Identification lamps and
							 reflectors may be mounted on the vertical centerline of the cab where different
							 from the centerline of the vehicle, except where the cab is not more than 42
							 inches wide at the front roofline, then a single lamp at the center of the cab
							 shall be deemed to comply with the requirements for identification lamps. No
							 part of the identification lamps or their mountings may extend below the top of
							 the vehicle windshield. 
							 2Unless the turn signals on
							 the front are so constructed (doubled-faced) and located as to be visible to
							 passing drivers, two turn signals are required on the rear of the truck
							 tractor, one at each side as far apart as practicable. 
							 3The identification lamps need
							 not be visible or lighted if obscured by a vehicle in the same combination. 
							 4Any semitrailer or full
							 trailer manufactured on or after March 1, 1979, shall be equipped with rear
							 side-marker lamps at a height of not less than 381 mm (15 inches), and on the
							 rear of the trailers not more than 1,524 mm (60 inches) above the road surface,
							 as measured from the center of the lamp on the vehicle at curb weight. 
							 5Each converter dolly, when
							 towed singly by another vehicle and not as part of a full trailer, shall be
							 equipped with one stop lamp, one tail lamp, and two reflectors (one on each
							 side of the vertical centerline, as far apart as practicable) on the rear. Each
							 converter dolly shall be equipped with rear turn signals and vehicular hazard
							 warning signal flasher lamps when towed singly by another vehicle and not as
							 part of a full trailer, if the converter dolly obscures the turn signals at the
							 rear of the towing vehicle. 
							 6Pole trailers shall be
							 equipped with two reflex reflectors on the rear, one on each side of the
							 vertical centerline as far as practicable, to indicate the extreme width of the
							 trailer. 
							 7Pole trailers, when towed by
							 motor vehicles with rear identification lamps and mounted at a height gre ater
							 than the load being transported on the pole trailer, are not required to have
							 rear identification lamps. 
							 8Pole trailers shall have on
							 the rearmost support for the load: (1) two front clearance lamps, one on each
							 side of the vehicle, both on the same level and as high as practicable to
							 indicate the overall width of the pole trailer; (2) two rear clearance lamps,
							 one on each side of the vehicle, both at the same level and as high as
							 practicable to indicate the overall width of the pole trailer; (3) two rear
							 side marker lamps, one on each side of the vehicle, both on the same level, not
							 less than 375 mm (15 inches) above the road surface; (4) two rear reflex
							 reflectors, one on each side, both on the same level, not less than 375 mm (15
							 inches) above the road surface to indicate maximum width of the pole trailer;
							 and (5) one red reflector on each side of the rearmost support for the load.
							 Lamps and reflectors may be combined. 
							 9Any motor vehicle
							 transporting a load that extends more than 102 mm (4 inches) beyond the overall
							 width of the motor vehicle shall be equipped with the following lamps in
							 addition to other required lamps when operated during the hours when headlamps
							 are required to be used. (1) The foremost edge of that portion of the load that
							 projects beyond the side of the vehicle shall be marked (at its outermost
							 extremity) with an amber lamp visible from the front and side. (2) The rearmost
							 edge of that portion of the load that projects beyond the side of the vehicle
							 shall be marked (at its outermost extremity) with a red lamp visible from the
							 rear and side. (3) If the projecting load does not measure more than 914 mm (3
							 feet) from front to rear, it shall be marked with an amber lamp visible from
							 the front, both sides, and rear, except that if the projection is located at or
							 near the rear it shall be marked by a red lamp visible from front, side, and
							 rear. 
							 10Projections beyond rear of
							 motor vehicles. Motor vehicles transporting loads that extend more than 1,219
							 mm (4 feet) beyond the rear of the motor vehicle, or that have tailboards or
							 tailgates extending more than 1,219 mm (4 feet) beyond the body, shall have
							 these projections marked as follows when the vehicle is operated during the
							 hours when headlamps are required to be used: (1) On each side of the
							 projecting load, one red side marker lamp, visible from the side, located so as
							 to indicate maximum overhang. (2) On the rear of the projecting load, two red
							 lamps, visible from the rear, one at each side; and two red reflectors visible
							 from the rear, one at each side, located so as to indicate maximum width. 
							 11To be illuminated when
							 tractor headlamps are illuminated. 
							 12Every bus, truck, and truck
							 tractor shall be equipped with a signaling system that, in addition to
							 signaling turning movements, shall have a switch or combination of switches
							 that will cause the two front turn signals and the two rear signals to flash
							 simultaneously as a vehicular traffic signal warning. The system shall be
							 capable of flashing simultaneously with the ignition of the vehicle on or off. 
							 13To be actuated upon
							 application of service brakes. 
							 14Backup lamp required to
							 operate when bus, truck, or truck tractor is in reverse. 
							 15(1) For the purposes, the
							 term "overall width" refers to the nominal design dimension of the widest part
							 of the vehicle, exclusive of the signal lamps, marker lamps, outside rearview
							 mirrors, flexible fender extensions, and mud flaps. (2) Clearance lamps may be
							 mounted at a location other than on the front and rear if necessary to indicate
							 the overall width of a vehicle, or for protection from damage during normal
							 operation of the vehicle. (3) On a trailer, the front clearance lamps may be
							 mounted at a height below the extreme height if mounting at the extreme height
							 results in the lamps failing to mark the overall width of the trailer. (4) On a
							 truck tractor, clearance lamps mounted on the cab may be located to indicate
							 the width of the cab, rather than the width of the vehicle. (5) When the rear
							 identification lamps are mounted at the extreme height of a vehicle, rear
							 clearance lamps are not required to be located as close as practicable to the
							 top of the vehicle. 
							 16A trailer subject to this
							 part that is less than 1,829 mm (6 feet) in overall length, including the
							 trailer tongue, need not be equipped with front side marker lamps and front
							 side reflex reflectors. 
							 17A boat trailer subject to
							 this part whose overall width is 2,032 mm (80 inches) or more need not be
							 equipped with both front and rear clearance lamps provided an amber (front) and
							 red (rear) clearance lamp is located at or near the midpoint on each side so as
							 to indicate its extreme width.
Statutory Authority
§ 46.2-1165 of the Code of Virginia.