19A NCAC 03D .0519      STATIONS

(a)  Licensed safety inspection and emissions inspection stations shall keep the area where vehicles are inspected and the area where inspection records are kept, as required by G.S. 20-183.6A(b), free of spills, debris, materials that may present a hazard to the inspector mechanic or the vehicle, obstructions that inhibit inspection of vehicles, or present safety concerns for inspectors of the License and Theft Bureau. All vehicles shall remain in the inspection area during the entire inspection.

(b)  Stations with only a 25-foot lineal inspection lane shall not inspect trucks or other vehicles exceeding that length.

(c)  Stations with mechanical aimers shall not inspect vehicles with headlamps that were not manufactured to be aimed with this device. These headlamps shall be aimed with photoelectric eyes, wall charts, computerized headlight test equipment, or on-board headlight aiming devices.

(d)  Stations not equipped with an emission analyzer shall not inspect 1996 or newer gasoline powered motor vehicles registered or based in counties designated as non-attainment for air quality standards by either the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality or U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Stations may perform the safety equipment inspections on vehicles 1995 model year or older, diesel powered vehicles, motorcycles, trailers, and vehicles not previously titled.

(e)  Each station shall have equipment and tools for carrying out inspections, which include the following:

(1)           one jack or lift with minimum capacity of two tons;

(2)           one headlight tester, wall chart, or aiming kit adapters to fit all headlights;

(3)           one workbench;

(4)           one creeper;

(5)           one tire tread depth gauge calibrated in 32nds of an inch;

(6)           Emission Control System Application Manual in written or electronic format;

(7)           one Department of Environmental Quality Emission Analyzer, with approved Division of Motor Vehicles software or an electronic device with the ability to connect to the Internet and access the web-based inspection system; and

(8)           one active telephone line with jack or Internet access for Web Based stations.

(f)  Each station inspecting only motorcycles shall have equipment and tools for carrying out inspections, which include the following:

(1)           one motorcycle jack or lift;

(2)           one headlight tester or aiming kit adapters to fit all headlights;

(3)           one workbench;

(4)           one tire tread depth gauge (calibrated in 32nds of an inch);

(5)           one Safety Inspection Analyzer with approved software by the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality at https://deq.nc.gov/about/divisions/air-quality/motor-vehicles-air-quality/inspection-maintenance-program/station-owner-inspector-information/software-versions.

(6)           an active telephone line with jack or Internet access for Web Based stations.

History Note:        Authority G.S. 20-2; 20-39; 20-183.4; 20-183.4A;

Eff. October 1, 1994;

Amended Eff. July 1, 2010;

Readopted Eff. September 1, 2021.