Pennsylvania Code
Title 67 - TRANSPORTATION
Part I - Department of Transportation
Subpart A - Vehicle Code Provisions
Article VII - Vehicle Characteristics
Chapter 175 - VEHICLE EQUIPMENT AND INSPECTION
Subchapter J - MOTOR-DRIVEN CYCLES AND MOTORIZED PEDALCYCLES
Section 175.190 - Inspection procedure
Universal Citation: 67 PA Code ยง 175.190
Current through Register Vol. 54, No. 44, November 2, 2024
(a) External inspection. An external inspection of motor-driven cycles only shall be performed as follows:
(1)
Verify ownership, legality and proof of financial responsibility. For the
purpose of this subchapter, ownership and legality shall be proven by a vehicle
registration card, certificate of title or manufacturer's statement of origin.
When a vehicle being held for resale is presented for inspection by a dealer
licensed to sell vehicles in this Commonwealth, a VIN-specific auction slip or
VIN-specific secure power of attorney evidencing the dealership's acquisition
of the vehicle, or both, may be presented instead of a vehicle registration
card, certificate of title or manufacturer's statement of origin. Reject if one
or more of the following apply:
(i) When
vehicle ownership and legality are demonstrated by presentation of certificate
of title, manufacturer's statement of origin, VIN-specific auction slip or
VIN-specific secure power of attorney:
(A) The
VIN is not in agreement with the certificate of title, manufacturer's statement
of origin, VIN-specific auction slip or VIN-specific secure power of attorney.
Exception: If only one digit is incorrect or two digits are transposed, and the
owner provides evidence that the appropriate Department form has been completed
to correct the error or transposition.
(B) The VIN plate is not securely fastened or
is defaced, misplaced or missing.
(ii) When vehicle ownership and legality are
demonstrated by presentation of vehicle registration card:
(A) The license plate is not in agreement
with the numbers on the vehicle registration card. Exception: If only one digit
is incorrect or two digits are transposed, and the owner provides evidence that
the appropriate Department form has been completed to correct an error or
transposition.
(B) The license
plate is hanging loosely from its mounting bracket.
(C) The license plate is obscured so that the
numbers cannot be identified.
(D)
The license plate lamp, if so equipped, does not illuminate the license
plate.
(iii) Acceptable
proof of financial responsibility is not provided. For the purpose of this
chapter, financial responsibility shall be proven by one of the following
documents:
(A) A valid financial
responsibility identification card issued in accordance with 31 Pa. Code
(relating to insurance).
(B) The
declaration page of a valid insurance policy.
(C) A valid self-insurance identification
card.
(D) A valid binder of
insurance issued by an insurance company licensed to sell motor vehicle
liability insurance in this Commonwealth.
(E) A valid insurance policy issued by an
insurance company licensed to sell motor vehicle liability insurance in this
Commonwealth.
(2) Check the glazing.
(i) Reject if any of the following apply:
(A) Approved safety glazing is not used in
the windscreen.
(B) A sign, poster
or other material whose design prevents a driver from seeing through the
material, obstructs, obscures or impairs the driver's clear view of the highway
or an intersecting highway. Under FMVSS No. 205, this restriction does not
apply to the rear side windows, rear wings or rear window of vehicles subject
to this subchapter, if so equipped.
(C) A vehicle displays a sticker other than
those prescribed under §
175.176(c)
(relating to glazing), or displays a parking sticker in a location described in
§ 175.176(d).
(D) Glass is
shattered or broken or has any exposed sharp edges.
(E) There are defects in an acute area of the
windscreen-center of the critical area on the driver's side of the vehicle
directly in the driver's normal line of vision 8 1/2 inches wide and 5 1/2
inches high-or discolorations or hazardous cracks which would interfere with
the driver's vision.
(ii)
This paragraph does not prohibit the use of a product or material along the top
edge of the windscreen as long as the product or material is transparent and
does not encroach upon the AS-1 portion of the windscreen as provided by FMVSS
No. 205 and the product or material is not more than 3 inches from the top of
the windscreen.
(3) Check
the mirrors and reject if one or more of the following apply:
(i) The mirror is cracked, broken or
discolored.
(ii) The mirror will
not hold adjustment.
(iii) The
mirror does not provide a minimum reflective surface of 12 1/2 square inches
for a flat mirror or 10 square inches for a convex mirror.
(iv) Outside rearview mirrors, with a minimum
reflective surface as described in §
175.177(b)
(relating to mirrors), are not installed on both sides of the vehicle, if a
certificate of exemption for a sun screening device or other material has been
issued by the Department. See §
175.264 (relating to mirrors). A
vehicle for which a certificate of exemption has been issued for medical
reasons may be equipped with only a left outside rearview mirror, unless
originally equipped with an outside rearview mirror on both sides of the
vehicle.
(4) Check the
fenders and reject if any of the following apply:
(i) A fender-front or rear-has been
removed:
(ii) A fender is not of a
type and size used as original equipment.
(5) Check the lamps and lenses and reject if
one or more of the following apply:
(i) An
exterior bulb or sealed beam, if originally equipped or installed, fails to
light properly, except ornamental lights.
(ii) The turn signal lamps do not flash
between 60-120 flashes per minute.
(iii) The turn signal lamps do not properly
indicate the right or left when so switched.
(iv) The lamp shows a color contrary to
Tables IV or V (relating to required motor vehicle lighting equipment; and
location of required equipment), as applicable.
(v) The lamp or filament indicated at switch
position does not light when the correct switch indicates the lamp should be
on.
(vi) The lamp has a missing or
broken lens.
(vii) A required lamp
is missing.
(viii) Auxiliary
equipment is placed on, in or in front of any lamp.
(ix) The fog lamps operate with high beams of
headlamps.
(x) Auxiliary driving
lamps operate with the low beam of standard headlamp system or alone.
(xi) The headlamps are out of adjustment as
follows:
(A) Mechanical aimer:
(I) The horizontal aim is more than 4 inches
to the left or right.
(II) The
vertical aim is higher or lower than 4 inches from center.
(B) Screen or photo electric type tester. See
Charts 1-3 (relating to headlight aiming screen distance and marking
identification; high beam inspection limits; and low beam inspection limits):
(I) Turn the lamps on high beam and reject if
the center of the beam is horizontally more than 4 inches to the right or left
of straight ahead or if the center of the light beam is vertically more than 4
inches above or below horizontal line.
(II) Turn the lamps on low beam and reject if
upper edge of beam is more than 4 inches above or below horizontal centerline
of headlamp or if inner edge of beam is more than 4 inches to right or left of
vertical line.
(6) Check for protruding metal and reject if
torn metal, glass or other loose or dislocated parts protrude from surface of
vehicle so as to create a hazard.
(7) Check the fuel tank cap and reject if the
fuel tank filler cap is missing.
(8) Check the battery and reject if the
battery is not securely fastened.
(b) Internal inspection. An internal inspection of motor-driven cycles only shall be performed as follows:
(1) Check the high beam and turn signal
indicator lamps and reject if the indicator lamps are not working.
(2) Check the horn and reject if any of the
following apply:
(i) There is no horn or other
acceptable audible warning device.
(ii) The horn or other warning device is not
audible under normal conditions for a distance of not less than 200
feet.
(iii) A vehicle is equipped
with a siren, bell, whistle or a device emitting harsh or unreasonably loud
sound except emergency vehicles and vehicles equipped with an anti-theft
device.
(3) Check the
brake system and reject if any of the following apply:
(i) There is excessive friction in the
control linkage or components, or if the control levers are misaligned or
improperly positioned.
(ii) There
is mechanical damage other than wear.
(4) Check the motor mounts and reject if
motor mounts are broken.
(5) Check
the fuel systems and controls and reject if any of the following apply:
(i) There is liquid fuel leakage at any point
in system.
(ii) Part of the fuel
line is not securely fastened.
(iii) The fuel tank or line was not
specifically designed or manufactured as fuel tank or line.
(iv) The fuel line is in contact with high
temperature surfaces or moving parts.
(v) The fuel tank or line intrudes into a
driver, passenger or cargo compartment, except if the vehicle was originally so
designed. If the vehicle is equipped with an alternate fuel system, see
Subchapter M (relating to alternate fuel system and controls).
(vi) The throttle, if originally equipped,
does not return to the idle position when actuating force is removed.
(c) Beneath the vehicle inspection. A beneath the vehicle inspection of motor-driven cycles only shall be performed as follows:
(1)
Inspect the tires and wheels and reject if one or more of the following apply:
(i) A tire has two adjacent treads with less
than 1/32-inch tread remaining.
(ii) Part of the ply or cord is
exposed.
(iii) A tire has been
repaired with blow-out patch.
(iv)
There is a bump, bulge or separation.
(v) A tire is marked "not for highway use,"
"for racing purposes only" or "unsafe for highway use," or has a similar
designation.
(vi) There are other
conditions or markings reasonably believed to render tire unsafe for highway
use.
(vii) A tire has been
regrooved or recut.
(viii) The
wheel nuts or bolts are missing or loose or have improper thread
engagement.
(ix) The stud or bolt
holes are worn out of round.
(x)
Part of the wheel is bent, cracked, welded or damaged so as to affect safe
operation of vehicle.
(xi) The rear
wheel does not track front wheel track in the straight ahead position within 1
inch to either side.
(xii) Studded
tires are in use after April 15 and before November 1.
(xiii) A tire extends beyond body line, a
tire is smaller than the manufacturer's recommended minimum size or below the
manufacturer's recommended load rating or a tire makes contact with the body or
chassis.
(2) Inspect the
steering system and reject if one or more of the following apply:
(i) The handlebars, grips or steering system
are not of sturdy construction.
(ii) The handlebars or steering system
restrict the front fork movement.
(iii) The handlebars do not provide a minimum
of 18 inches between the grip ends. If equipped with a steering wheel instead
of handlebars, the steering wheel, except if specially designed for handicapped
drivers, is not circular or equivalent in strength to original equipment or has
an outside diameter less than 13 inches.
(iv) The handlebars are not equipped with
grips of nonslip design and material.
(v) Measured movement at the front or rear of
the tire is greater than 1/4 inch in relation to the axle shaft.
(vi) The linkage components are not secured
with cotter pins or other suitable devices.
(vii) The steering stops allow a tire to rub
on the frame or chassis parts.
(viii) The front wheel is incapable of being
turned to the right and left steering stops without binding or
interference.
(3) Inspect
the vehicle frame and reject if any of the following apply:
(i) The vehicle frame is not in solid
condition.
(ii) A repair is made
with tape, tar paper or cloth, or is made in another temporary
manner.
(iii) The frame components
are missing, cracked, rotted or broken or are in a deteriorated or dangerous
condition.
(iv) The chain guard or
other covering device is missing.
(v) The stand does not operate or is not
strong enough to support vehicle.
(vi) The hand-hold device is not provided if
motorcycle is designed to carry more than one person.
(vii) The footrests or pedals are not
provided for each person operating or footrests are not provided for each
person riding upon the vehicle.
(viii) The highway bars exceed maximum width
of 26 inches or are located more than 15 inches from foot controls.
(4) Inspect exhaust system and
reject if one or more of the following apply:
(i) The vehicle has no muffler or muffler has
external repair.
(ii) There are
loose or leaking joints.
(iii)
There are holes, cracks or leaking seams in the exhaust system.
(iv) There is a muffler cutout or similar
device.
(v) The elements are not
securely fastened with proper clamps and hangers.
(vi) The exposed exhaust system does not have
an adequate heat shield or protective system or is not located to prevent
contact with riders.
(d) Road test. Perform a road test and reject if any of the following apply:
(1) The vehicle is not capable of stopping
within the maximum stopping distance prescribed in Table I.
(2) There is a malfunction of the braking or
steering mechanism-particularly shimmy, wander, or pull-or another questionable
operating behavior that affects safe operation of vehicle.
(3) The speedometer, if originally equipped,
does not operate.
(4) The odometer,
if originally equipped, does not operate, except motor-driven cycles at least
25 years old.
(5) The vehicle
cannot be driven forward.
(e) Exemption. A motorized pedal cycle is exempt from inspection.
The provisions of this §175.190 amended under the Vehicle Code, 75 Pa.C.S. §§ 4103, 4301, 4501, 4521, 4524, 4702 and 6103.
This section cited in 67 Pa. Code § 175.172 (relating to steering); 67 Pa. Code § 175.173 (relating to braking systems); 67 Pa. Code § 175.174 (relating to tires and wheels); 67 Pa. Code § 175.175 (relating to lighting and electrical systems); 67 Pa. Code § 175.176 (relating to glazing); 67 Pa. Code § 175.177 (relating to mirrors); 67 Pa. Code § 175.178 (relating to fuel systems); 67 Pa. Code § 175.181 (relating to exhaust systems); 67 Pa. Code § 175.182 (relating to horns and warning devices); 67 Pa. Code § 175.183 (relating to body); 67 Pa. Code § 175.184 (relating to chassis); 67 Pa. Code § 175.203 (relating to braking systems); 67 Pa. Code § 175.206 (relating to glazing); 67 Pa. Code § 175.207 (relating to mirrors); and 67 Pa. Code § 175.208 (relating to body).
Disclaimer: These regulations may not be the most recent version. Pennsylvania 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.
