Frequently Asked Questions: Vehicle Safety Inspections - Station Owners/MechanicsBelow are questions that are frequently asked by station owners and mechanics about Pennsylvania's safety inspection program.
To apply to become an official PennDOT safety inspection station you should contact the Quality Assurance Officer that is assigned to your county. To find the Quality Assurance Officer in your area, please check the Quality Assurance Officers contact list. You must be at least 18 years of age, have a valid driver's license, attend a PennDOT-approved certification course and successfully complete the prescribed tests. Please check the list of Approved Safety Schools in Pennsylvania for locations. You will receive a renewal letter in the mail 90 days prior to the expiration of your mechanic license. You must return the letter to the Department to be renewed. If you do not receive your renewal letter, contact the Vehicle Inspection Division at (717) 787-2895.
To make changes to your station information, contact the Quality Assurance Officer assigned to your county. To obtain a Form MV-500 to file or update your Signature List, contact the Vehicle Inspection Division at 717-787-2895 or the Quality Assurance Officer assigned to your county.
You may call the Sticker Processing Unit at (717) 705-2182. If you mailed in your requisition, please allow 10 days before calling. You may call the Sticker Processing Unit at (717) 705-2182. If you mailed in your requisition, please allow 10 days before calling.
For inspection regulations, please reference Publication 45 of the Vehicle Equipment and Inspection Regulations.
Safety inspections for passenger cars and light-duty trucks require that the following items be checked: suspension components, steering, braking systems, tires and wheels, lighting and electrical systems, glazing (glass), mirrors, windshield washer, defroster, wipers, fuel systems, the speedometer, the odometer, the exhaust systems, horns and warning devices, the body and chassis. For a complete list of the rejection criteria for passenger cars and light-duty trucks, please reference Section 175.80 of Subchapter E of the Vehicle Equipment and Inspection Regulations.
Safety inspections for medium and heavy trucks and buses require that the following items be checked: suspension components, steering, braking systems, tires and wheels, lighting and electrical systems, glazing (glass), mirrors, windshield washer, defroster, wipers, fuel systems, the speedometer, the odometer, the exhaust systems, horns and warning devices, the body and chassis. For a complete list of the rejection criteria for medium and heavy duty trucks and buses, please reference Section 175.110 of Subchapter F of the Vehicle Equipment and Inspection Regulations.
Safety inspections for recreational, semi- and utility trailers require that the following items be checked: suspension components, braking systems, tires and wheels, lighting and electrical systems, glazing the body and chassis. For a complete list of the rejection criteria for recreational, semi- and utility trailers, please reference Section 175.130 of Subchapter G of the Vehicle Equipment and Inspection Regulations. Safety inspections for motorcycles require that the following items be checked: suspension components, steering, braking systems, tires and wheels, lighting and electrical systems, glazing (glass), mirrors, fuel systems, the speedometer, the odometer, the exhaust systems, horns and warning devices, the body and chassis. For a complete list of the rejection criteria for motorcycles, please reference Section 175.160 of Subchapter H of the Vehicle Equipment and Inspection Regulations.
Safety inspections for motor-driven cycles and motorized pedalcycles require that the following items be checked: steering, braking systems, tires and wheels, lighting and electrical systems, glazing (glass), mirrors, fuel systems, the speedometer, the odometer, the exhaust systems, horns and warning devices, the body and chassis. For a complete list of the rejection criteria for motor-driven cycles and motorized pedalcycles, please reference Section 175.190 of Subchapter J of the Vehicle Equipment and Inspection Regulations.
Quality Assurance Officers are assigned to specific geographic areas. To find the Quality Assurance Officer nearest you, please check the Quality Assurance Officers Contact List. Copies of the Vehicle Equipment and Inspection Regulations can be downloaded directly from the Web site. Hard copies of the Vehicle Equipment and Inspection Regulations may also be purchased directly from PennDOT. Requests for regulations should include a check or money order (made payable to Commonwealth of PA) for $5.30 per copy (tax is included) and be forwarded to the Vehicle Inspection Division, P. O. Box 68697, Harrisburg, PA 17106-8697. |
