Transcription of WEST VIRGINIA STATE POLICE
1 west VIRGINIA STATE POLICE OFFICIAL MOTOR VEHICLE inspection MANUAL TRAFFIC RECORDS SECTION 725 JEFFERSON ROAD SOUTH CHARLESTON, WV 25309-1698 304-746-2191 1 REVISED 2010 TABLE OF CONTENTS SECTION I Administrative Rules, Regulations and Procedures .. 2 - 42 SECTION II Automobiles and Light - 125 SECTION III Motorcycles and Trailers ..126 - 157 SECTION IV Trucks, Buses and Schools Buses ..158 - 235 SECTION V Requirements for Constructed and Special Vehicles ..236 - 248 2 inspection OF VEHICLES west VIRGINIA Code 17C-16-4 authorizes the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles to make necessary rules and regulations for the administration and enforcement of the Vehicle inspection Laws of the STATE . The 1999 edition of the Vehicle inspection Handbook as prepared by the Automobile Manufacturers Association in cooperation with the American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators was used extensively in preparing this manual, otherwise known as or referred to as the west VIRGINIA STATE POLICE OFFICIAL MOTOR VEHICLE inspection MANUAL.
2 The Official Motor Vehicle inspection Manual provides for the standard inspection procedures for motor vehicles, trailers and semi-trailers when operated on the public highways of west VIRGINIA . After a careful study of this manual, it is the decision of the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles that the provisions and procedures outlined in the manual constitute the official rules of the Division of Motor Vehicles and Division of Public Safety ( west VIRGINIA STATE POLICE ) governing the annual inspection of all vehicles that are subject to the vehicle inspection program. Division of Motor Vehicles Rule, Motor Vehicle inspection Manual, 91 CSR 12 incorporates this Manual by reference. That rule which is a legitimate rule was approved by the Legislature and has the force and effect of law. Items of Safety, which are not covered by this manual, that are required by the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards in effect upon the date of the vehicle being inspected shall work in the prescribed manner.
3 In cases of practical difficulty or unnecessary hardship, the west VIRGINIA STATE POLICE may grant exceptions from the literal requirements of the manual or permit the use of other devices or methods. Any such exception to be granted by the Director of the Traffic Records Section, west VIRGINIA STATE POLICE or his/her designee. 3 TO ALL inspection STATION OWNERS AND/OR OPERATORS OPERATORS AND EMPLOYEES FOR OFFICIAL inspection STATIONS SHOULD BE COURTEOUS AND PATIENT IN EXPLAINING TO THE MOTORIST THAT THE REQUIREMENTS OF VEHICLE inspection ARE DESIGNED TO PROMOTE SAFETY. ALL EMPLOYEES SHOULD CLEARLY UNDERSTAND THAT THE FUNCTION OF THE OFFICIAL inspection STATION IS FOR THE ADVANCEMENT OF HIGHWAY SAFETY. ALL PERSONNEL OF OFFICIAL inspection STATIONS MUST KEEP IN MIND THAT ONE inspection STICKER PLACED ON AN UNSAFE VEHICLE MAY BE THE CAUSE OF A SERIOUS ACCIDENT, AND THAT THEY OWE A DUTY TO THE THEMSELVES AND THEIR FAMILIES NOT TO JEOPARDIZE LIVES BY ERROR, CARELESSNESS OR INDIFFERENCE.
4 IT SHOULD ALSO BE UNDERSTOOD THAT AN IMPROPER inspection MAY RESULT IN CRIMINAL AND OR CIVIL LIABILITY. 4 STATIONS WILL BE JUDGED BY THE CONDITION OF VEHICLES BEARING THEIR STICKERS. FAILURE TO INSPECT VEHICLES IN ACCORDANCE WITH THESE INSTRUCTIONS MAY WELL RESULT IN SUSPENSION OF YOUR STATION PROTECT STICKERS FROM THEFT 5 SECTION I CONTENTS - SECTION I AUTHORITY FOR inspection RULES AND REGULATIONS .. 7 FORWARD .. 8 GENERAL REQUIREMENTS FOR inspection STATION .. 9 Space - Minimum 13 Personnel .. 14 Equipment and Tools .. 14 Minimum Requirements for inspection Stations of Motorcycles 15 GENERAL PROVISIONS .. 16 Change of Location or Ownership .. 16 Requirements for Appointment and Continuance Thereof .. 16 Going Out of Business .. 17 Change of Ownership (Exception).
5 17 Official Station 17 Responsibility of Station Owner and Operator .. 17 Qualifications for an Inspector Mechanic .. 18 Mechanic Failing to Pass the Examination .. 19 Personal Liability of the Official Inspector Mechanic .. 19 Fleet Inspections Stations .. 19 Stickers and Supplies .. 21 Replacement and Refund of 22 Marking and Application of Stickers .. 23 Records--Information Required on Log Sheets .. 24 Rejection 27 Signs and Posters .. 27 Penalties for Non-Compliance on the Part of the Station Owner, Operator or Employee .. 28 Chapter 17-C Traffic Regulations and Laws of the Road; Article 16 - inspection of Vehicles .. 29 Chapter 17-C, Article 16, Section 9, Penalties for Misdemeanor - Operating without Certificate of inspection .. 32 Penalties for Violations of Chapter 17-C, Article 18, Section 1 (Traffic Regulations and Laws of the Road).
6 33 Administrative Penalties for inspection Violations .. 34 6 SECTION I (Continued) Procedure for Appeal of Suspension .. 38 Motor Vehicle inspection Hearing Procedures .. 39 Official inspection Procedure .. 41 Items to be Inspected .. 41 Verify Legal Registration .. 42 Plate Mounting .. 42 Verify Certificate of Insurance .. 42 7 west VIRGINIA STATE POLICE AUTHORITY FOR inspection RULES AND REGULATIONS The rules and regulations contained in the following pages, of the Official inspection Manual, are promulgated under the authority of Chapter 17-C, of the code of west VIRGINIA as amended which reads in parts as follows: Sec. 4. The Commissioner of Motor Vehicles shall, once each year, require that every motor vehicle, trailer, semi-trailer and pole trailer registered in this STATE be inspected and that an official certificate of inspection and approval be obtained for each such vehicle.
7 The Commissioner is hereby authorized to make necessary rules and regulations for the administration and enforcement of this section. The Commissioner may suspend the registration of any vehicle which he/she determines is in an unsafe condition or which is not equipped as required by law or for which a required certificate of inspection and approval has not been obtained. Sec. 5. The Superintendent of the west VIRGINIA STATE POLICE shall be responsible for the inspection as provided in this article and shall prescribe requirements and qualifications for official inspection stations. The Superintendent shall select and designate such stations and shall issue permits therefore. Applications for permits shall be made upon an official form prescribed by the Superintendent and permits shall be granted only when the Superintendent is satisfied that the station is properly equipped and has competent personnel to make such inspections and adjustments as required.
8 Sec. 6. No permit for an Official inspection Station shall be assigned or transferred or used at any other location other than therein designated and every said permit shall be posted under glass in a conspicuous place at the station location as designated. The person operating such a station shall issue a certificate of inspection and approval, upon an official form, to the owner of the vehicle upon inspecting such vehicle and determining that its equipment required hereunder is in good condition and proper adjustment. 8 FORWARD TO inspection STATION OPERATOR: The procedure outlined herein should be carefully reviewed and studied by your entire organization. Be thoroughly familiar with all the provisions, regulations and laws contained herein. Full compliance will be required by all concerned. Failure to comply with all the provisions, regulations and laws pertaining to vehicle inspection may result in a suspension of inspection certificate.
9 The statutes governing motor vehicle inspection prohibit the affixing of a certificate of approval (sticker) unless the vehicle has been inspected and approved by an official inspection station. The sale or gift of inspection sticker by the owner, operator or any individual is prohibited. All valid inspection stickers will expire on the last day of the month of the numeral insert inserted, or the last day of the month punched when motorcycle/trailer stickers are used. Station numbers should be placed on all correspondence pertaining to inspection stations and such communications should be addressed to: The Superintendent west VIRGINIA STATE POLICE Traffic Records Section 725 Jefferson Road South Charleston, west VIRGINIA 25309-1698 Phone (304) 746-2191 9 GENERAL inspection REQUIREMENTS All vehicles, (including motorcycles), trailers, semi-trailers and pole trailers registered in west VIRGINIA or displaying thereon a temporary registration plate or marker, or required to be registered in west VIRGINIA must be inspected and a valid certificate of inspection affixed to same before they may be operated on or over the public streets and/or highways of the STATE of west VIRGINIA , except vehicles classified and registered as Class "R" (house trailer), Class "M" (special), Class "T" (trailers less than 2,000 lbs.)
10 GVWR), Antique vehicles as described in 17A -10-3a of the Code of west VIRGINIA requiring that any Antique Vehicle qualifying for this exemption MUST be registered and operated as an Antique Vehicle, and further exception requiring inspection being granted to NEW VEHICLE dealers as stated in WV Code 17C-16-9. 1. The responsibility to ensure that a vehicle has current inspection certificate shall be the purchaser of the vehicle. If a purchaser obtains the vehicle in the STATE of west VIRGINIA , they have ten (10) days from the date of purchase to obtain a certificate of inspection . If a purchaser obtains the vehicle from outside the STATE of west VIRGINIA , they have ten (10) days from the date of purchase to obtain a certificate of inspection . Residents who have been out of the STATE of west VIRGINIA for over thirty (30) days continuously, and their current certificate of inspection has expired while out of STATE , they have ten (10) days to obtain a current certificate of inspection upon their return.
