New York Codes, Rules and Regulations
Title 15 - Department of Motor Vehicles
Chapter I - REGULATIONS OF THE COMMISSIONER
Subchapter F - BUSINESSES REQUIRING LICENSES
Part 79 - Motor Vehicle Inspection
Section 79.23 - Medium duty vehicles

Universal Citation: 15 NY Comp Codes Rules and Regs ยง 79.23

Current through Register Vol. 46, No. 12, March 20, 2024

This section contains additional requirements for the inspection of vehicles with maximum gross weights over 10,000 pounds up to and including 18,000 pounds, which shall be known as medium duty vehicles but not including those vehicles for which the registrants request heavy vehicle inspection. The vehicles subject to inspection under this section are also subject to procedures found in section 79.21 of this Part, in addition to the following:

(a) Brake system.

Procedure

Reject if:
1. Brake equalization. Each vehicle shall be tested for brake equalization before and after a wheel is pulled. This test must be done on a hard level surface, free from loose material (indoors and outdoors), or on a brake equalization machine. At least one rearmost factory-equipped axle brake drum or hub and drum assembly must be removed unless the brake backing plate is designed to allow the inspection of all brake lining thickness and drum condition. It is not necessary to remove a front wheel. If disassembly is not required, the second brake equalization test may be omitted. 1. The vehicle fails to stop without significant pull.
Visually inspect the brake system.
2. Determine how the brakes are applied (parking and service). 2. There are not two separate means of brake application or these two separate means of applying the service and parking brakes are connected in any way, so that failure on any one part leaves the vehicle without brakes. The parking brake operating control is not separate from the service brake control.
3. Inspect for presence of brakes on all wheels. 3. There are missing or inoperative brakes on any wheel except for the following:
1980 or older trucks and tractors which have three or more factory-equipped axles, in some cases, may not have brakes on the front axle. These vehicles should not be rejected unless there is evidence that front brakes existed (i.e., drums or backing plate assemblies are present).
4. Inspect for a single pedal capable of operating all the brakes, if vehicle is designated as a 1954 or newer model. 4. The vehicle is not equipped with a single brake pedal or the pedal does not operate all the service brakes on the motor vehicle or combination of vehicles. (This does not prohibit the use of an additional valve to operate the trailer brakes independently.)
5. Inspect all brake hoses, tubes and connecting lines. Look for proper support. Be sure lines are secure and cannot chafe on the frame, axles, exhaust system or other lines. 5. There is a break, crimp or crack in any brake hose, line, tube or connection. Any line is not secured or is chafed by moving parts or in contact with the exhaust system.

Linings and Pads
6. Inspect for any broken or cracked drum brake linings or disc brake pads or parts of linings or pads which are not firmly attached. Also inspect for contamination and excessively uneven lining wear. 6. Friction material is broken, cracked or not firmly and completely attached, or if friction surface is contaminated with oil, grease, etc., or, if there is metal-to-metal contact or if the disc brake pad wear sensor is activated.
7. Bonded drum linings. Measure the lining thickness at the thinnest point. 7. Thinnest point is less than [ 3.
8. Bolted or riveted drum linings. Inspect for loose or missing bolts or rivets. Measure lining's thickness. 8. Any rivets or bolts are loose or missing.
Lining is worn to less than 1/323 above a rivet or bolt head if bolt is less than 3/8" diameter. If lining is secured to the shoe with 3/8 diameter bolt, minimum lining thickness must not be less than 5/16". Measurements should be taken at a point nearest the center of the shoe.

Drums and Rotors
9. Discs-Inspect discs for mechanical damage and cracks extending to the edge. 9. The disc is broken or has cracks on the friction surface extending to the open edge or if the mounting holes are elongated. (Heat check cracks not extending to the open edge may be ignored.)
10. Drums-Inspect friction surface for cracks extending to the open edge or drum or if it has mechanical damage other than normal wear or the surface is contaminated. 10. Drum has a crack on the friction surface extending to the open edge or on the outside of the drum, particularly at the drum mounting area. (Heat check cracks not extending to the open edge may be ignored.)
There is evidence of mechanical damage other than normal wear, or the mounting holes are elongated or the friction surface is contaminated with grease, oil, etc.

Hydraulic Brake Systems
11. Inspect wheel cylinders, lines, connections and calipers for visible leakage. 11. Wheel cylinders, lines or calipers have visible leaks.
12. Inspect master cylinder for leakage and reservoir fluid level. 12. Master cylinder leaks or reservoir is not full to its designed capacity.
13. Test pedal reserve. While vehicle is stopped, depress brake pedal under normal foot pressure (if vehicle is equipped with power brakes, engine should be running for this test). Also, inspect for leakage under pressure. 13. Pedal reserve is less than S of the possible travel or manufacturer's specifications; brake pedal does not hold its position for at least 60 seconds without dropping; leaks are visible.
14. Power-assisted systems. With engine off, apply brakes several times to deplete reserve supply. 14. Pedal does not drop slightly when engine starts.
Put foot on pedal and start engine.

Air Brake Systems
15. Inspect lines, valves, fittings and air chambers for leaks. 15. If the air pressure does not maintain between 80 and 90 psi. (perform this test for 1 minute on single and/or combination vehicles).
Note: The following four conditions must be met before performing this test:
-governor is cut in; -reservoir pressure is between 80 and 90 psi; -engine is at idle; and -service brakes are fully applied.
16. Inspect air pressure safety relief valve, tension and condition of compressor drive belts; check air intake cleaner. 16. Air pressure safety relief is not present or does not operate on systems which can be checked. (Some valves are designed with a lead plug which cannot be tested.)
Compressor drive belt(s) are missing, badly worn, frayed or loose.
Air compressor intake is clogged to the point of preventing proper air intake.
17. Air and vacuum warning system gauges- make a series of brake applications until low pressure warning signal operates. 17. Gauge is missing or inoperative. Vehicle is not equipped with either an audible or visible warning device to readily indicate to the driver the lack of sufficient assist to stop the vehicle. (a gauge does not satisfy this requirement.)
Air System:
Warning system does not provide a continuous warning once activated or does not activate when pressure drops:
(i) to manufacturer's specifications, if known, or
(ii) below 60 pounds per square inch (42.4 kg/sq cm), if manufacturer's specifications are unknown.
Vacuum System:
Warning system does not activate when the vacuum reservoir has less than eight inches of mercury.
18. Inspect for presence of an emergency breakaway system on all trailers. 18. Trailer is not equipped with breakaway brakes which automatically apply upon separation from the towing vehicle.
19. Inspect for presence of a tractor protection valve on towing vehicles manufactured after June 30, 1953. 19. Vehicle is not equipped with an automatic breakaway system (tractor protection valve) so that the service brakes on the truck or tractor can still operate if the trailer separates. This valve must automatically operate within a pressure range of 20-45 psi (14.1-31.8 kg/sq cm). Where manual operation is permitted, this control shall be within easy reach of the driver.

(b) Coupling devices.

Procedure

Reject if:
1. Pintle hooks
A. Condition -Cracks anywhere in pintle hooks assembly
-Any welded repairs to the pintle hook
-Section reduction visible when coupled (see Note 1)
Note 1: No part of the horn or hook (stationary part) should have any section reduced by more than 20 percent. If wear can be seen when the hook and eye are coupled, it is due to either this condition or the eye condition described in Note 2.
B. Operation Latch does not work
2. Drawbar/towbar eye
A. Condition -Any cracks in attachment welds
i. Mounting -Any missing or ineffective fasteners
ii. Integrity -Any cracks
-Section reduction visible when coupled (see Note 2)
Note 2: The eye should not be worn to beyond 20 percent of its original cross section thickness. If wear can be seen when the hook and eye are coupled, it is probable that either this condition or that described in Note 1 exists.
3. Drawbar/towbar tongue
A. Condition A. Any cracks.
B. Operation B. Movement of ¼ inch or more between subframe and drawbar at point of attachment.
4. Safety chains and cable
A. Presence of safety chains A. Missing
B. Condition
(i) Chains and hooks -Worn to the extent of a measurable reduction in link cross section.
-Incapable of secure attachment.
-Improper repairs, including welding, wire, small bolts, rope and tape.
(ii) Cable -Kinked or broken cable strands.
-Incapable of secure attachment.
-Improper clamps or clamping.

(c) Exhaust system.

Procedure

Reject if:
Exhaust system.
1. Visually inspect for presence, condition and location of exhaust system. 1. Vehicle has no muffler, exhaust pipe, tail pipe or tail spout. Vehicle has gutted, altered or patched muffler.
Vehicle has exhaust noise appreciably greater than mechanical noise of fan and valves.
There is excessive vibration of exhaust line.
There is leakage of exhaust gases at:
a. Manifold gasket.
b. Manifold and exhaust pipe gaskets.
c. Muffler and muffler connection.
d. Any point in exhaust pipe and tail pipe.
Exhaust system is so located as would be likely to result in burning, charring or damaging the electric wiring, fuel supply or any combustible part of the vehicle.
Exhaust system does not discharge to the atmosphere at a location to the rear of the cab (if the exhaust projects above the cab, it must be near the rear of the cab). Motor vehicles engaged in the transportation of inflammable liquids are excluded from the requirements of this provision.

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