Code of Maine Rules
16 - DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY
222 - BUREAU OF STATE POLICE
Chapter 1 - MOTOR VEHICLE INSPECTION RULES

Current through 2024-13, March 27, 2024

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

The Motor Vehicle Inspection Program has been in existence for over 85 years. The primary goal of this safety program is the regulation and enforcement of the state's 2,700 inspection stations and over 8,000 licensed inspection technicians. The Maine Motor Vehicle Inspection Manual includes the formal rules governing many facets of the program, as well as reference guides and other documents that may be helpful for the automotive professional. These rules include the application process for licensure, the responsibilities of inspection technicians and stations, and the safety inspection standards and criteria for the inspection of a motor vehicle, motorcycle, commercial vehicle, school bus, or trailer.

Prior to this effort, the last revision of the rules was in 2012. Since that revision, automotive technology and the industry have seen considerable change and growth.

Representatives from the industry and our personnel have noted numerous inconsistencies, omissions, obsolete material, and required additions or clarifications within the current manual. Several legislative actions and subsequent statute changes needed to be reflected in rule. The current rules are a product of a project that began in early 2018. Once the clear need for amended rules was identified, the Maine State Police Motor Vehicle Inspection Unit in concert with the Motor Vehicle Advisory Board, spent countless hours modifying the manual to reflect our dedication to safety related inspection items and did away with rules that lacked a true safety nexus. Resources utilized for this work include; Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards, Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations, applicable Maine statute, National School Bus Standards, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration studies, American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators (AAMVA) studies and Model Policy on Periodic Safety Inspections.

The final rule, as adopted represents the product of this process and the input from people from a wide variety of groups with interest and expertise in the areas of automotive technology, safety, and law enforcement. The overall spirit and intent of these proposed rules is to update and clarify terminology, simplify language, clarify program practices and policies wherever possible, and to reflect current industry norms and practices. It was also our intent to minimize any fiscal impact to current licensees, and to be cognizant of the realities faced by many smaller businesses. It is with this realization that we have endeavored to 'grandfather' existing licensees where possible, and to use an incremental approach to making change within the industry.

Although a complete review of the rule is recommended for thorough understanding, the following represents a summary of the changes in rule:

DEFINITIONS:

[TICK] Updates language and terminology throughout the manual.

[TICK] Definition of caster angle updated to the angular displacement of the steering axis from the vertical axis of a steered wheel in a car, motorcycle, bicycle, other vehicle or a vessel, measured in the longitudinal direction.

[TICK] Added the definition of rake angle as the angle in degrees of arc which the headstock of the motorcycle is inclined when compared against a vertical line drawn perpendicular to the ground.

[TICK] Definition of tint station updated to a licensed inspection station or a business engaged in automotive glass treatment, tinting or certifying of window tint.

SUMMARY: Added to the summary at the beginning of all inspection sections the following:

[TICK] All vehicles inspected in the State of Maine must have met all applicable Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards, Environmental Protection Agency pollutant requirements and National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration crash testing requirements at the time of manufacture and continue to do so, unless otherwise authorized by law.

GENERAL INFORMATION FOR ALL VEHICLES:

[TICK] Add for all vehicles: Reject vehicle if the tire is weather cracked to the degree that failure is imminent. Added a note guiding inspection technicians in how to make this determination.

[TICK] Add for all vehicles: Add that any replacement lamp must be DOT approved for highway use.

ADMINISTRATIVE:

[TICK] Notes that nothing in the manual grants permission for a station or technician to circumvent local or municipal rules and requirements .

[TICK] Removed the requirement that the official inspection station sign has to be displayed so as to be visible from the most heavily traveled roadway adjacent to the business.

[TICK] Added that inspection stickers are to be secured at all times.

[TICK] Added that failure to report loss or theft of inspection stickers may result in the station being placed inactive until such time as a report is made.

[TICK] Removed the requirement for a station to have a brake drum micrometer or caliper.

[TICK] Removed the requirement for a station to have a tire guide.

[TICK] Added that if an electronic inspection program becomes available, the inspection technician shall follow the procedure dictated within that program.

[TICK] Added that the registered weight shall also be used to determine the appropriate class of inspection required.

[TICK] If a vehicle fails inspection, the requirement to diagonally cut an inspection sticker has been removed.

[TICK] Removed Section 115.40 (Class E Inspection and Reporting Requirements) and replaced it with Section 17 5.

[TICK] Stations and technicians that perform a Class E inspection shall now return the completed OBD forms to the Maine DEP at SHS 17 Augusta, ME 04330-0017.

[TICK] Replacement sticker and window tint employees who are authorized to issue replacement stickers or tint certificates, must have a background check conducted by the Inspection Unit.

[TICK] Window tint stations may install tint and will issue tint certificates in accordance with Maine law and this chapter. Agents shall note the date on tint certificates and the certificates must be kept secured at all times.

[TICK] Inspection stickers must be ordered by mail or on-line .

[TICK] When a vehicle fails inspection, the now required list of the vehicle deficiencies will also state that a complaint may be filed with the Maine State Police Inspection Unit on-line@Maine.gov/dps/msp/ or by calling 207-624-8949.

[TICK] Add that when applying for an inspection technician license, an applicant with a driver's license from another jurisdiction shall provide a current background and driver's license record from that jurisdiction.

CLASS A:

[TICK] Add reject vehicle if pad is missing from the brake pedal.

[TICK] Add reject vehicle if the brake master cylinder has pressure fade.

[TICK] Note that currently there are no SAE approved compression fittings for hydraulic brake lines.

[TICK] For hydraulic brake hoses add as a defect rusted at the crimp to a point of flaking, bulging or pitting.

[TICK] Add for hydraulic brake tubing defect that rusted to the degree that failure is probable.

[TICK] Add doors to required body components and that vehicles can be inspected without doors if originally manufactured with removable doors .

[TICK] Add reject vehicle if any inner rocker panel or body mounts have holes so as to permit fumes or gases into the trunk or passenger compartment.

[TICK] Add reject vehicle if on a unibody constructed vehicle, the body including rocker panels, has any rust holes.

[TICK] Frame and body repairs must meet ACAR or an equivalent standard.

[TICK] Add reject vehicle if the fuel line is rusted to the point of flaking, bulging and pitting and failure is imminent.

[TICK] Add that fuel and evaporative lines can be repaired with compression fittings.

[TICK] Add reject vehicle if any airbag diagnostic light fails to illuminate during self-check.

[TICK] Add reject any vehicle if any seat headrest originally installed by the manufacturer is missing or damaged.

[TICK] Add reject vehicle if it leaks "petroleum" fluid in an amount or in such a location as to constitute a fire hazard.

[TICK] Updated the exhaust system definition.

[TICK] Added reject the vehicle if the exhaust system terminates more than 2 inches beyond the outside perimeter of the body or bumper, unless originally equipped from the manufacturer with an exhaust pipe that extends more than 2 inches.

[TICK] Referenced Maine standards for new aftermarket catalytic converters (AMCCs).

[TICK] Add that a windshield crack more than 6 inches long must be with-in the critical vision area before it can be rejected.

[TICK] Referenced Title 29-A, section 1916 regarding tinted windows.

[TICK] Add reject the vehicle if the windshield washer system fails to function as designed.

[TICK] Add that a horn must emit a loud audible sound upon actuation.

[TICK] Add any material or tinted films to the items prohibited from reducing the amount of light transmitted or reduces the area of illumination of any lens or lamp.

[TICK] Added a note to check Supplemental Info for headlight aiming.

[TICK] Add that tie rod, idler arms and pitman arms should be tested in accordance with the manufactures recommended procedures.

[TICK] Removed that a vehicle should be rejected if there is power steering fluid inside the boots of an inner rack and pinion tie rod end .

[TICK] Steering lash procedure removed, and it was added to reject a vehicle if electric and/or hydraulic power steering pump or assist motors fail to operate correctly.

[TICK] Add that inspection of ball joints shall be performed in accordance with the manufacturers recommended procedures.

[TICK] Removed spacers or blocks from the coil spring reject criteria.

[TICK] Add coils and springs to the items subject to rejection when loose, missing, broken, severely rusted or worn.

[TICK] Removed split from bushing defects and add to reject if bushings have looseness beyond manufacturers specification.

[TICK] Add binding as a rejection criterion for wheel bearings .

[TICK] Removed maximum frame heights and referred to Title 29-A section 1920 in Supplemental Info in the back of the manual for these values .

[TICK] Added secondary rubber is a tire defect if it is exposed .

[TICK] Added to reject the vehicle if the fenders do not cover the tire tread.

[TICK] Removed the inspection of coupling devices.

[TICK] Updated the exhaust definition in the Custom and Street Rod section.

Class E:

[TICK] New Section 175 added for Class E Inspection and Reporting Requirements:

A complete review of this section should be made by any Class E certified inspection technician or inspection station.

Class B:

[TICK] Crossing arms required on all 2021 and newer models .

[TICK] Removed the requirement for double paned glass in the service and exit door.

[TICK] Removed the requirement for double paned glass in the driver's side window or the first passenger window on the right side of the bus .

[TICK] Updated OOS (Out of Service) criteria in the Supplemental Info.

Class C:

[TICK] Add motorcycles with drop down wheels to the requirement for a parking brake in working order.

[TICK] Add for handlebars that if the handlebars were originally manufactured at a height greater than 15 inches from the seat, you may pass the vehicle as long as the other handlebar requirements are met, and the height is not greater than the original handlebars.

[TICK] Add reject vehicle if originally equipped catalytic converter is missing or tampered with.

[TICK] Add note that headlight aiming information is in the Supplemental Info.

[TICK] Removed the requirement for an autocycle to have a windshield equipped with a wiper.

CLASS D:

[TICK] Added the note that if a licensed inspection station elects to perform a federal inspection on a vehicle, they must also perform a State of Maine inspection at the same time.

[TICK] Added to the exhaust system to reject the vehicle if any exhaust emission control system is incomplete or not functioning properly .

[TICK] Add to reject a vehicle if it was originally equipped with an auxiliary steering system that has been removed or has missing components.

[TICK] Added severely worn as a suspension and frame component defect and described that condition.

[TICK] Added to reject the vehicle if the windshield has any tint below the ASl line.

[TICK] Added to reject the vehicle if side windows have less than 70% light transmittance.

[TICK] Added the FMCSR 393.60 requirement to the vision obscurement section.

SUPPLIMENTAL INFO:

Updated the Supplemental Info sections to include: Application and Product Fee, Inspection Fee information, Registration Codes, School Bus Recommended Out of Service Criteria and the Maine Laws and Statues.

STATUTORY AUTHORITY: 19-A M.R.S.A. § 1769; Resolve 2001 c.43