(a) All testing equipment must be approved by the department.
All testing equipment must be installed and used in accordance with
the manufacturer's and department's instructions. Equipment must be
arranged and located at or near the approved inspection area and readily
available for use.
(b) When equipment adjustments and calibrations are
needed, the manufacturer's specifications and department's instructions
must be followed. Defective equipment must not be used and the vehicle
inspector or station must cease performing inspections until such
equipment is replaced, recalibrated or repaired and returned to an
operational status.
(c) To be certified as a vehicle inspection station,
the station is required to possess and maintain, at a minimum, the
equipment listed in paragraphs (1) - (7) of this subsection:
(1) a measured and marked brake test area which has
been approved by the department, or an approved brake testing device;
(2) a measuring device clearly indicating measurements
of 12 inches, 15 inches, 20 inches, 24 inches, 54 inches, 60 inches,
72 inches and 80 inches to measure reflector height, clearance lamps,
side marker lamps and turn signal lamps on all vehicles, with the
exception that the 80 inch measuring device requirement does not apply
to motorcycle-only vehicle inspection stations;
(3) a gauge for measuring tire tread depth;
(4) a measuring device for checking brake pedal reserve
clearance. This requirement does not apply to vehicle inspection stations
with only a motorcycle endorsement;
(5) a department approved device for measuring the
light transmission of sunscreening devices. This requirement does
not apply to government inspection stations, or fleet inspection stations
that have provided the department biennial written certification that
the station has no vehicles equipped with a sunscreening device. This
requirement does not apply to vehicle inspection stations with only
a motorcycle and/or trailer endorsement; and
(6) a department approved device with required adapters
for checking fuel cap pressure. The department requires vehicle inspection
stations to obtain updated adapters as they become available from
the manufacturer. A vehicle inspection station may not inspect a vehicle
for which it does not have an approved adapter for that vehicle. This
device is not required of government inspection stations or fleet
inspection stations which have provided the department biennial written
certification that the station has no vehicles meeting the criteria
for checking gas cap pressure or that these vehicles will be inspected
by a public inspection station capable of checking gas caps. This
device is not required of motorcycle-only or trailer-only inspection
stations and certain commercial inspection stations that only inspect
vehicles powered by a fuel other than gasoline.
(d) To be certified as a non-emissions vehicle inspection
station, the station must have:
(1) an approved and operational electronic station
interface device;
(2) a printer and supplies necessary for printing a
vehicle inspection report on 8 1/2 x 11 paper; and
(3) a telephone line, or internet connection for the
electronic station interface device to be used during vehicle inspections
either dedicated solely for use with the electronic device, or shared
with other devices in a manner approved by the department.
(e) For vehicle emissions inspection station requirements,
see Subchapter E of this chapter (relating to Vehicle Emissions Inspection
and Maintenance Program).
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Source Note: The provisions of this §23.13 adopted to be effective March 13, 2013, 38 TexReg 1700; amended to be effective March 1, 2015, 40 TexReg 258; amended to be effective May 14, 2020, 45 TexReg 3139 |