Current through Register Vol. 51, No. 6, March 22, 2024
A. Applicants and licensees shall have the following test equipment and tools approved by the Division, except as specified in this regulation:
(1) One headlight tester (not required for Class B, M, or T), any track-mounted make or model:
(a) Capable of accurately testing and aiming headlamp beam patterns and high intensity zones;
(b) Equipped with an accurate beam candlepower output display; and
(c) Including necessary calibration equipment.
(2) One drum micrometer calibration gauge compatible with the brake drum measuring tool;
(3) One disc micrometer calibration gauge compatible with the brake disc measuring tool;
(4) One ball joint checker, any make or model equipped with a dial indicator and capable of accurately measuring ball joint or king pin movement in increments of 0.001 of an inch (not required for Class B or T);
(5) Two jack stands, any make or model, capable of supporting the types of vehicles subject to inspection;
(6) One roller/floor jack, any make or model capable of lifting types of vehicles subject to inspection;
(7) A drum brake micrometer, any make or model capable of accurately measuring for the appropriate type of vehicle the inside diameter of brake drums in at least 0.005 of an inch increments;
(8) A disc brake micrometer, any make or model with a pointed anvil, capable of accurately measuring for the appropriate type of vehicle the thickness of discs or rotors in increments of at least 0.001 of an inch;
(9) One brake shoe lining thickness gauge, any make or model capable of accurately measuring, for the types of vehicles subject to inspection, in fractions of an inch the remaining usable bonded brake lining or the thickness of brake lining remaining above rivet heads;
(10) One brake disc pad thickness gauge, any make or model capable of accurately measuring for the types of vehicles subject to inspection, in fractions of an inch the remaining usable bonded brake disc pad lining or the thickness of brake disc pad lining remaining above rivet heads;
(11) One ammeter, any make or model having a range of 0-40 amperes DC current (not required for Classes C or R);
(12) One screwdriver, any type, capable of spreading tire cuts and breaks to determine severity of damage;
(13) One tire tread depth gauge, any make or model capable of accurately measuring tire tread depth in 1/32 of an inch;
(14) One minimum 25-foot steel tape of any type with clearly legible S.A.E. figures and markings;
(15) Two convex mirrors, a minimum of 12 inches in diameter each, any type providing a wide angle view of the front and rear of the inspection bay (not required for Classes B, M, or T);
(16) Miscellaneous hand tools necessary to perform mechanical disassembly of vehicle components to conduct inspections;
(17) One typewritten or commercially printed S.A.E.-to-metric and metric-to-S.A.E. conversion chart enclosed in clear plastic;
(18) One tire pressure gauge, any make or model, capable of measuring air pressure in pounds per square inch (PSI) for type of vehicle being inspected;
(19) One 4-foot carpenter's level, any make or model, capable of determining horizontal and vertical levelness (required only if using the Hoppy Vision 100 or the Symtech Corporation "HBA 5" headlight tester); and
(20) One window tint meter (not required for Class B or T), any make or model:
(a) Manufactured as a two-piece device, portable and compact, with digital readout to the nearest percent;
(b) Suitable for testing standard automotive glazing on roll down and fixed windows;
(c) Designed to be operated by one person;
(d) Equipped with an alignment aid feature to assist in obtaining and maintaining accuracy throughout the period of measurement;
(e) Equipped with an activation switch or button, off switch or button, or self deactivation;
(f) Equipped with the manufacturer's reference sample/calibration standards that are labeled with the manufacturer's name, serial number (if equipped), and percentage of light transmittance;
(g) Equipped with a light transmittance meter which shall maintain unit accuracy within + or " 2 percentage points (certified by an independent testing laboratory);
(h) Designed to maintain repeatability within + or " 1 percentage point; and
(i) Equipped with a portable carrying case.
(Manufacturers shall provide information to the Division regarding any change in specifications of any approved products used for tint inspection and certification in Maryland.)
B. Care of Test Equipment and Tools.
(1) Test equipment and tools shall be maintained in proper working order at all times.
(2) Any test equipment or tool requiring calibration shall be calibrated as required by the manufacturer, or more frequently, if necessary.
(3) Any test equipment or tool that is not permanently mounted shall be kept together in or within close proximity to the inspection bay.
C. The Division may add or delete test equipment and tools from those set forth in §A of this regulation by notifying licensed inspection stations in writing and requiring them to obtain the additional equipment within 90 days of the written notification.
D. Inspection stations shall have the following reference material for the appropriate class of station:
(1) Class A inspection stations and any Class F fleet inspection stations inspecting the types of vehicles inspected by a Class A inspection station shall have:
(a) Current model year brake, ball joint and tire guide specifications by July 1st of that year; and
(b) Emission guide specifications that are within two model years by July 1st of that year (for example, on July 1, 2011, such stations would be required to have either 2010 or 2011 model year emission guide specifications).
(2) Class C, D, F, R, and G inspection stations are required to have current model year brake specifications by July 1st of that year.
E. Calibration and Certification of Equipment.
(1) Licensed inspection stations shall calibrate their equipment once a month, or as required by §B(2) of this regulation.
(2) Maryland manufacturers, second-stage manufacturers, or authorized dealers:
(a) May calibrate the standard automotive air pressure gauge specified in §J(1) of this regulation daily;
(b) Shall certify the standard automotive air pressure gauge specified in §J(1) of this regulation at least semiannually; and
(c) Shall certify the scale or scales specified in §J(2) of this regulation at least semiannually.
(3) The calibration and certification data specified in §E(1) and (2) of this regulation shall be:
(a) Recorded on a form furnished by the Division;
(b) Made available to Division personnel on request; and
(c) Given, with respect to the calibration date specified in §E(1) of this regulation, to the supervising trooper or civilian employee of the Division at the time of the monthly station check.
F. If any inspection tool or test equipment is found to be inoperative, the licensee shall have the equipment repaired or replaced within 72 hours. During this time, all unused inspection certificates shall be surrendered to the Division and all other issued materials may be retained by the licensee. Complete inspections, reinspections, or repair order certifications requiring the use of the inoperative equipment may not be performed.
G. Upon repair or replacement of the inoperative equipment or tool within 72 hours, the unused inspection certificates shall be returned to the licensee.
H. If the equipment or tool is not repaired or replaced within 72 hours, the unused certificates shall be retained by the Division and the licensee required to remove the inspection station sign from public view. All other issued materials shall be retained by the licensee. However, no complete inspections or repair order certifications may be performed.
I. If the equipment or tool is not repaired or replaced within a total of 90 days, the license shall be suspended or revoked and all issued materials returned to the Division, except where a valid back order receipt is in evidence.
J. Maryland manufacturers, second-stage manufacturers, or authorized dealers operating under COMAR 11.15.27.08C and State-operated weight facilities shall be equipped with a:
(1) Standard automotive air pressure gauge as specified by the Maryland State Police in concurrence with the Maryland Department of Transportation; and
(2) Scale or scales capable of accurately measuring the weight of a lift axle on a four-axle dump truck.
K. The Division Commander shall approve all required measuring devices of this regulation before use.
