New Hampshire Code of Administrative Rules
Saf - Department of Safety
Subtitle Saf-C - Commissioner, Department of Safety
Chapter Saf-C 3200 - OFFICIAL MOTOR VEHICLE INSPECTION REQUIREMENTS
Part Saf-C 3212 - BRAKES
Section Saf-C 3212.02 - Brakes

Universal Citation: NH Admin Rules Saf-C 3212.02

Current through Register No. 40, October 3, 2024

(a) A vehicle shall be rejected if:

(1) The brakes do not have adequate stopping power;

(2) Any wheel fails to indicate braking action;

(3) Brake pedal travel shows that:
a. Less than 1/5 of the total service brake pedal travel remains when the pedal is depressed and held;

b. On front disc-equipped vehicles, the dashboard warning light illuminates; or

c. On drum brake-equipped vehicles, the pedal height cannot be maintained for 10 seconds with moderate foot-force;

(4) Brake warning indicator light:
a. Fails to light up when ignition is turned on;

b. Fails to go out when engine is started;

c. Lights up when brake pedal is depressed; or

d. Parking brake light fails to light up, if the vehicle is so equipped;

(5) ABS warning indicator light (if so equipped):
a. Fails to light up when ignition is turned on;

b. Fails to go out when engine is started; or

c. Lights up when brake pedal is depressed;

(6) Parking brake:
a. Does not hold the vehicle with engine slightly accelerated in low gear; and

b. The pedal or lever reaches its limit before the brakes are set;

(7) On 4 wheel disc brake equipped vehicles:
a. Separate parking brake linings are loose, worn out or soaked with grease, oil or fluids; or

b. Drums are cracked, broken or damaged;

(8) Bonded linings on brake shoes or pads are less than 2/32 inch thick, when measured at the thinnest point;

(9) Wire in wire-backed linings is visible on the friction surface;

(10) Riveted linings on the brake shoes or disc brake pads are worn to within 2/32 inch of any rivet head;

(11) Rivet(s) on the brake lining are loose or missing or the lining is not securely fastened to the shoe or pads;

(12) Brake lining is broken, loose or cracked more than 1/2 way through the total thickness of the brake lining, except in the case of bonded linings which are cracked but are not loose from the brake shoes;

(13) Lining surface is contaminated with foreign material so that it interferes with operation of the brake;

(14) Any brake drum or disc:
a. Shows evidence of mechanical damage other than wear;

b. Has contaminants including, but not limited to, rust, pitting, delamination, oil, grease, or any other substance on the friction surface that would affect proper brake operation;

c. Has cracks on the friction surface extending to the open edge or on the outside of the drum, particularly at the drum mounting area;

d. Has a broken disc;

e. Has cracks on the friction surface extending to the open edge on a disc;

f. Has defective grease retainers;

g. Is worn below the manufacturer's specifications; or

h. Has thickness less than the minimum which is stamped on the assembly;

(15) The inside diameter of the brake drum exceeds the maximum diameter stamped on the drum or is greater than manufacturer specifications for unmarked drums;

(16) Fluid is leaking from the master cylinder, calipers, wheel cylinders, or parts are missing, improperly retained or not in good working condition;

(17) Hydraulic fluid in master cylinder reservoir is more than 1/2 inch below lowest edge of filler opening in either reservoir chamber, or is below minimum level indicated by manufacturer on reservoir. Passenger cars with disc front and drum rear brakes and dual master cylinders shall indicate wear on disc brake pads if fluid level is lower in the large reservoir only;

(18) Hydraulic hoses, tubing or connections are leaking, chaffed, restricted, crimped, cracked, broken, corroded, flattened or insecurely fastened;

(19) Any mechanical linkage parts are missing, broken, badly worn or seized;

(20) There is high friction in the brake pedal and linkage or in the brake components;

(21) Brake operating levers are improperly positioned or misaligned;

(22) On vacuum booster power brakes:
a. Any hose or tube is leaking, collapsed, broken, badly chafed or improperly supported;

b. Any clamp is loose, missing or broken; or

c. The service brake pedal does not move slightly when the engine is started; or

(23) On hydraulic booster power brakes:
a. There is insufficient fluid in the power steering pump or reservoir;

b. There are broken, kinked or restricted fluid lines or hoses;

c. There is any leakage of fluid at the pump; steering gear, brake booster or any lines or hoses;

d. Belts are missing or visual observation reveals excessive dry rot, or cracks on the hose or belt, or foreign contaminant on a belt, which could result in failure; or

e. While applying pressure to brake pedal, no action is felt in the service brake pedal when the engine is started.

(See Revision Notes at chapter heading Saf-C 3200) #8915, eff 6-22-07

Disclaimer: These regulations may not be the most recent version. New Hampshire may have more current or accurate information. We make no warranties or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of the information contained on this site or the information linked to on the state site. Please check official sources.
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.