Utah Administrative Code
Topic - Public Safety
Title R714 - Highway Patrol
Rule R714-160 - Equipment Standards for Passenger Vehicle and Light Truck Safety Inspections
Section R714-160-8 - Tires and Wheels

Universal Citation: UT Admin Code R 714-160-8

Current through Bulletin 2024-06, March 15, 2024

(1) When examining the tire and wheels, the inspector shall:

(a) check tires for cuts, cracks, or sidewall plugs; and
(i) advise the customer when a tire has weather cracks, but no cords showing; or

(ii) issue a rejection inspection certificate when a tire has sidewall plugs, cuts, or cracks deep enough to expose cords;

(b) check tires for indication of tread separations; and
(i) issue a rejection inspection certificate when tire integrity has been compromised due to visible bumps, bulges, or tire separation;

(c) check tire pressure for proper inflation with tire pressure gauge; and
(i) issue a rejection inspection certificate when:
(A) a tire is flat, has a noticeable air leak, or is inflated to less than half, or 50% of the vehicle manufacturer's recommended tire pressure; or

(B) a tire is over inflated;

(d) check tires for regrooving or recutting; and
(i) issue a rejection inspection certificate when a tire is regrooved and is not identifiable as regroovable;

(e) check tires for "restricted usage only" markings; and
(i) issue a rejection inspection certificate when a tire is marked "for farm use only", "off-highway use only", "for racing only", "for trailers only", or other non-highway use;

(f) check tires for the same size and same type of construction, but mismatched tread design is allowed; and
(i) issue a rejection inspection certificate when tires on the same axle are not the same size or construction;

(g) check tire wear; and
(i) advise the customer when tread wear bars are touching the road surface; or

(ii) issue a rejection inspection certificate when:
(A) the tread depth is less than 2/32 inch when measured in any two adjacent major tread grooves at three equally spaced intervals around the circumference of the tire. Tread depth measurement shall not use a tread wear bar; or

(B) secondary rubber is exposed in the tread or sidewall area;

(h) check wheels for damage and proper mounting; and

(i) issue a rejection inspection certificate when:
(A) wheel bolts, nuts, studs, or lugs are loose, missing, or not properly fastened;

(B) wheels are bent, cracked, re-welded, or have elongated bolt holes;

(C) spacers are used to increase the wheel track width; or

(D) bead lock wheels are installed that do not meet the SAE J2530 Aftermarket Wheel Performance Requirements and Test Procedures;
(i) check vehicle tires for proper size and weight load ratings; and

(i) issue a rejection inspection certificate when:
(A) tires do not meet the proper weight load rating for the vehicles actual gross vehicle weight; or

(B) tires are mounted on wheels that are not within tire manufacturer specifications;

(j) check that fenders and mudflaps are in place when required; and
(i) advise the customer when:
(A) fenders or fender extenders do not cover the full width of a tire;

(B) rear tires do not have the top 50% of the tire covered by mudflaps, fenders, or the vehicle body construction when required; or

(C) rear mudflaps are not directly aligned with the tire and at least as wide as the tire when required; or

(ii) issue a rejection inspection certificate when:
(A) tire tread is not fully covered by existing fenders or fender extenders;

(B) tires make contact with any other vehicle parts or accessories;

(C) fender flares or mud flaps are not made of durable material; or

(D) fender flares or mud flaps are not secured properly; and

(k) check for studded snow tires; and
(i) advise the customer when studded snow tires are mounted on a vehicle between April 1 and October 14 of any year.

Disclaimer: These regulations may not be the most recent version. Utah 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.
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