Md. Code Regs. 11.14.01.10 - Obligations of Authorized Inspection Stations, Maryland Manufacturers, Second-Stage Manufacturers, and Dealers

A. Inspections.

(1) At the request of a vehicle owner, dealer, or agent, the licensee shall perform a complete inspection or a reinspection of a vehicle.

(2) Whether the vehicle's equipment meets minimum safety standards or is rejected because it does not, the licensee shall give the owner, dealer, or agent a copy of the Division's vehicle inspection report which shall list all defective equipment, if any.

(3) If a rejected vehicle is repaired and returned within 30 days and within 1,000 miles after the original inspection to the same authorized inspection station where it was rejected, only the defective equipment or any defect visually observed is required to be reinspected. Otherwise, a complete inspection shall be performed.

(4) Appointments shall be honored, but if a complete inspection or reinspection cannot be performed when scheduled, an appointment for the complete inspection or reinspection shall be set for not more than 3 business days from the date of the original appointment.

B. Reinspections.

(1) For a reinspection, the registered inspection mechanic who originally performed the complete inspection shall perform the reinspection on the appointment date, if possible.

(2) If the registered inspection mechanic who performed the original complete inspection is not available on a scheduled reinspection appointment date, the licensee is responsible for a complete reinspection and may charge only the appropriate fee for reinspection of the equipment indicated defective when the original complete inspection was performed, or shall refund the fee for the original complete inspection.

(3) If the registered inspection mechanic who performed the original complete inspection has had the mechanic's registration suspended or revoked as a result of an administrative action, the licensee shall:

(a) Refund the initial inspection fee; or

(b) If there is another registered inspection mechanic at the station, have the vehicle completely reinspected and only charge the fee for the reinspected equipment.

(4) If the facility's authorized inspection station license is suspended or revoked as a result of an administrative action, the facility's owner shall refund the initial inspection fee.

C. The licensee shall have available for use by all inspection personnel the Vehicle Inspection Handbook including all supplements.

D. Except as provided in §D(1) and (2) of this regulation, the licensee and the supervisor shall permit only registered inspection mechanics to perform inspections and only within the designated inspection area.

(1) Certification of defects on safety equipment repair orders which require only a visual inspection may be performed outside the designated area but on the premises of the business.

(2) The inspection and certification of defect #61 "TINT" on safety equipment repair orders may be performed outside the designated inspection area but on the premises of the business.

E. The licensee and the supervisor shall permit only registered inspection mechanics to sign inspection certificates, vehicle inspection reports, safety equipment repair orders, or post manufacture window tint inspection reports.

F. Maryland manufacturers, second-stage manufacturers, or authorized dealers certifying equipment repair orders under COMAR 11.15.27 are responsible for supplying a list of individuals authorized to certify safety equipment repair orders to the Automotive Safety Enforcement Division (ASED), and shall notify the ASED of changes to the list within 10 days.

G. The licensee shall discontinue inspections and notify the Division of the following circumstances and may not resume inspections until authorized to do so by the Division:

(1) Change in ownership, partnership, corporate representatives, or trade name;

(2) Change in location of the facility;

(3) Any remodeling or significant change to the inspection area;

(4) Request of the licensee to cancel the licensee's license or application; or

(5) Any circumstance which prevents a complete inspection, the issuance of an inspection certificate, or a repair order certification.

H. Notifying the Division.

(1) The licensee or supervisor shall immediately notify the Division of the following circumstances:

(a) Change of inspection or supervisory personnel;

(b) Stolen, lost, or damaged inspection certificates, license, sign, or records pertaining to inspection;

(c) Conviction of criminal or motor vehicle laws, restrictions imposed on driver's license, or loss of driver's license of any registered inspection mechanic; or any condition or circumstance which may affect the mechanic's ability to conduct inspections or sign inspection certificates or safety equipment repair orders; or

(d) Anything unusual to indicate the serial number plate has been tampered with.

(2) If a licensee does not have a registered inspection mechanic in the licensee's employ, the licensee shall surrender all unused inspection certificates to the Division and remove the inspection station sign from public view. If a registered inspection mechanic is not employed within 90 days, the license shall be cancelled.

I. The licensee, when applicable, shall display the issued authorized inspection station sign on his property in a manner visible to the public on the main thoroughfare where the business is located.

J. The licensee shall prominently display in public view the following in a frame and under clear glass or plastic:

(1) Authorized inspection station license;

(2) Required official inspection procedure chart with approved inspection fee; and

(3) Registered inspection mechanic list.

K. The licensee or supervisor shall assure that the inspection area is kept clear.

L. Inspection Fee.

(1) The licensee of an authorized inspection station open to the public may establish a fee for a complete inspection based on the times listed in this section at the hourly flat rate charged for similar mechanical repairs:

(a) Vehicles 10,000 pounds and under GVWR - 1.5 hours, which includes 0.4 hour for adjustment of headlights;

(b) Vehicles 10,000 pound and under GVWR with 4-wheel drive or full floating axles - 2.0 hours, which includes 0.4 hour for adjustment of headlights, and with each additional axle add 1 hour;

(c) Vehicles over 10,000 pounds GVWR with front and rear brakes - 2.9 hours, which includes 0.4 hour for adjustment of headlights, and with each additional axle add 1.5 hours;

(d) Vehicles over 10,000 pounds GVWR without front brakes - 2.4 hours, which includes 0.4 hour for adjustment of headlights and with each additional axle with brakes add 1.5 hours;

(e) Trailers under 10,000 pounds GVWR without brakes - 0.5 hour, and with each axle with brakes add 0.5 hour;

(f) Trailers over 10,000 pounds GVWR - 0.5 hour:

(i) Each additional axle with single wheels add 0.75 hour; and

(ii) Each additional axle with dual wheels add 1.5 hours.

(g) Motorcycles - 0.75 hour; and

(h) Vehicles with post manufacture window tint applied to windows required to meet at least 35 percent light transmittance and compliant with all other post manufacture window tinting regulations under this subtitle - 0.2 hour of hourly flat rate in addition to applicable inspection fees established under this section.

(2) If the defects are not repaired at the authorized inspection station and the vehicle is returned for reinspection and certification, a prorated inspection fee may be charged for the reinspection of those defects requiring jacking, lifting, measuring, or testing. A fee, if charged, will be based on defect or defects inspection as set forth in the safety equipment repair order certification procedures. However, an additional fee may not be charged for the reinspection of those defects which may be visually inspected and do not require the use of test or inspection equipment.

(3) Safety Equipment Repair Order Certification Procedures. A fee for certification of defects on a safety equipment repair order may be charged as follows and based on the prevailing hourly labor flat rate at the authorized inspection station. Those defects which can be merged shall be charged at the single highest rate, for example, tires and steering, 0.2 hour of the facility's hourly labor flat rate, or tires and wheel alignment, 0.3 hour of the facility's hourly labor flat rate. The inspection fee for multiple defects which can be merged may not be higher than the highest single time increment. Those which cannot be merged may be charged separately provided the total inspection fee is not exceeded. An inspection fee may not be charged for the certification of a SERO with defects which may be visually inspected. These defects are noted with an asterisk on the SERO and do not require the use of test or inspection equipment. The licensee may establish a fee for certification of a SERO which cannot be visually inspected based on the following fee charged for inspections:

(a) Defect #50 brakes:

(i) Vehicles over 10,000 pounds GVWR with dual wheels - 1.5 hours of the facility's hourly labor flat rate per axle for removing each wheel and inspecting the brakes on each axle;

(ii) Vehicles over 10,000 pounds GVWR with single wheels - 0.5 hour of the facility's hourly labor flat rate per axle for removing each wheel and inspecting the brakes on each axle; and

(iii) All other vehicles requiring wheel removal - 0.5 hour of the facility's hourly labor flat rate per axle for removing each wheel and inspecting the brakes on each axle.

(b) Other defects:

(i) Defect #51 tires - 0.2 hour of the facility's hourly labor flat rate;

(ii) Defect #52 steering - 0.2 hour of the facility's hourly labor flat rate;

(iii) Defect #53 exhaust system - 0.3 hour of the facility's hourly labor flat rate;

(iv) Defect #54 windshield wipers*;

(v) Defect #55 headlights* - 0.3 hour of the facility's hourly labor flat rate to check for aim; and an additional 0.1 hour may be added if adjustment is needed;

(vi) Defect #56 taillights*;

(vii) Defect #57 horn*;

(viii) Defect #58 driver's seat - 0.2 hour of the facility's hourly labor flat rate;

(ix) Defect #59 suspension/shocks - 0.2 hour of the facility's hourly labor flat rate;

(x) Defect #60 bumper or bumpers*;

(xi) Defect #61 glass* tint - 0.2 hour of the facility's hourly labor flat rate to test the light transmittance of windows equipped with post manufacture window tint and required to have at least 35 percent light transmittance;

(xii) Defect #62 load cover*;

(xiii) Defect #64 stop lights*;

(xiv) Defect #65 tag light or lights*;

(xv) Defect #66 dash lights*;

(xvi) Defect #67 wheel alignment - 0.3 hour of the facility's hourly labor flat rate;

(xvii) Defect #68 rearview mirrors*;

(xviii) Defect #69 door latch or door handle*;

(xix) Defect #70 fuel system - 0.2 hour of the facility's hourly labor flat rate, except cap*;

(xx) Defect #71 turn signals*;

(xxi) Defect #72 wheel or wheel lugs - 0.2 hour of the facility's hourly labor flat rate;

(xxii) Defect #73 hood catch or hood catches*;

(xxiii) Defect #74 floor/trunk pan or pans - 0.2 hour of the facility's hourly labor flat rate;

(xxiv) Defect #76 fenders or flaps*;

(xxv) Defect #77 speedometer/odometer - 0.2 hour of the facility's hourly labor flat rate;

(xxvi) Defect #78 hazard warning lamps*;

(xxvii) Defect #79 parking lamps*;

(xxviii) Defect #80 side marker lamps*;

(xxix) Defect #81 fog/auxiliary lamps - 0.3 hour of the facility's hourly labor flat rate;

(xxx) Defect #82 emergency warning lamps*;

(xxxi) Defect #83 back-up lamp or lamps*;

(xxxii) Defect #84 reflectors*;

(xxxiii) Defect #85 external air brake components - 0.3 hour of the facility's hourly labor flat rate;

(xxxiv) Defect #86 low air warning device*;

(xxxv) Defect #87 clearance lamp*;

(xxxvi) Defect #88 identification lamps*;

(xxxvii) Defect #89 safety belts - 0.3 hour of the facility's hourly labor flat rate;

(xxxviii) Defect #90 lift axle air/weight ratio - 0.5 hour of the facility's hourly labor flat rate; and

(xxxix) Defect #91 diesel emission - 0.5 hour of the facility's hourly labor flat rate.

(4) Any class of authorized inspection station open to the public may certify any defect on a safety equipment repair order which is indicated as visually certifiable. Defects which can be visually certified are indicated by an asterisk after the defect on a safety equipment repair order.

(5) A request for an inspection fee increase shall be justified to the satisfaction of the Division before being charged. Inspection fee increases shall be approved by the Division. Requests to increase the inspection fee shall be submitted to the Division on the approved form.

Notes

Md. Code Regs. 11.14.01.10

Regulation .10 amended effective October 9, 1995 (22:20 Md. R. 1544)
Regulation .10F_I amended effective April 1, 1991 (18:6 Md. R. 686)
Regulation .10L amended effective July 10, 2000 (27:13 Md. R. 1212)