Subchapter C-Certificate Of Inspection

(d) Affixing Certificate of Inspection or

Temporary Inspection Approval Indicator
The certificate of inspection or temporary
inspection approval indicator shall only be
affixed to the vehicle on the premises of the
official inspection station and on a portion
of the premises located within 100 feet and
on the same side of the street as the official
inspection station. A certificates of inspection
or temporary inspection approval indicator
may not be issued or affixed at another area
or location.

(1) It is the responsibility of the certified
inspection mechanic who performed
the inspection to affix the certificate
of inspection or temporary inspection
approval indicator to the vehicle in the
location prescribed by the Department.
The certificate of inspection or temporary
inspection approval indicator shall be
affixed only after completion of the entire
inspection, including the road test. A
mechanic exempted by the Department
from performing the road test under this
chapter is responsible for affixing the
certificate of inspection or temporary
inspection approval indicator.

(i) Inspection stations may not replace
a certificate of inspection to which
a temporary inspection approval
indicator has been affixed if one or
more of the following apply:

(A) The inspection station did not
perform the original inspection of
the vehicle or issue the temporary

inspection approval indicator
affixed to the current certificate
of inspection.

(B) The vehicle does not display a
renewed emission certificate of
inspection.

(C) The original safety certificate
of inspection has expired.

(D) The vehicle is in an obviously
unsafe condition, including, but
not limited to, bald tires, exhaust
leaks, broken glazing and broken
or missing lighting.

(ii) Inspection stations may charge
the posted fee for inspection of
a vehicle to which a temporary
inspection approval indicator has been
affixed, a fee may not be charged for
the temporary inspection approval
indicator. The posted fee for the new
certificate of inspection may only
be charged when the new safety
certificate of inspection is affixed to
the vehicle.

SUBCHAPTER C
CERTIFICATE OF INSPECTION
175.41. PROCEDURE.

(a) Unauthorized Display of Certificate of

Inspection-No certificate of inspection or
temporary inspection approval indicator may
be marked or affixed to a vehicle unless the
vehicle has successfully passed inspection,
meeting the requirements of 75 Pa. C.S.
101-9701 (relating to the Vehicle Code)
and this chapter.
(b) Type-A certificate of inspection shall
be selected for the particular type of vehicle
being inspected according to this chapter. The
certificate of inspection insert shall correspond
to the vehicles registration month based
on charts supplied by the Department. The
certificate of inspection shall be examined
before using. If found to be incorrect, the
inspection station supervisor and the Vehicle
Control Division shall immediately be notified.

(1) TS-460 shall be used for motor vehicles
except motorcycles and motor-driven
cycles.

(2) TS-463 shall be used for all trailers,
motorcycles and motor-driven cycles.

(3) A temporary inspection approval indicator
shall be used to designate a vehicle
which has successfully passed the
required periodic safety inspection, but
which shall display a renewed emission
certificate of inspection before a new
safety certificate of inspection sticker
may be affixed to the vehicle.
(c) Required Information-The information on
the rear of the certificate of inspection shall
be completed in its entirety in permanent ink.
The odometer reading is not required to be
completed for trailers and motorcycles.

(1) The temporary inspection approval
indicator shall be affixed as described in
subsection (e)(5) so as to be visible to
the vehicle operator (while seated in the
drivers location) without obscuring any
required information entered on the back
of the safety certificate of inspection.

(2) When replacing a certificate of
inspection for which a temporary
inspection approval indicator has been
issued, the back of the new certificate of
inspection shall be completed using the
information recorded on the report sheet
(Form MV-431) at the time of the original
inspection.
C-1

Vehicle Equipment and Inspection Regulations

Certificate Of Inspection-Subchapter C

(2) The surface on which the sticker is to be

attached shall be wiped dry and clean of
road film, grease and moisture for proper
adhesion. The following apply:
(i) The glass or body surface shall be
cleaned thoroughly.
(ii) The protective slip sheet shall be
removed from the adhesive side of the
certificate of inspection or temporary
inspection approval indicator.
(iii) The sticker shall be positioned
carefully, then squeezed until it is
tightly affixed to the windshield, body
or existing certificate of inspection.
(iv) Only the current certificate of
inspection shall be visible.
(e) Certificate of Inspection Location-
The certificate shall be located as follows:
(1) On a motor vehicle, the certificate of
inspection shall be affixed in an upright
position, to the extreme lower left-hand
inside corner of the windshielddrivers
side.
(2) On a motorcycle or a motor-driven
cycle, the certificate of inspection shall
be affixed in a clearly visible, upright
position to one of the following areas
of the vehicle:
(i) On the left sidetraffic sideof the front
fork.
(ii) On the left sidetraffic sideof the front
fender.
(iii) On a plate attached by weld or rivets
to the left sidetraffic sideof the
vehicle for purposes of mounting the
certificate of inspection.
(3) The new certificate of inspection may
not be placed over the old certificate of
inspection. The certificate of inspection
which expired or is about to expire shall
be removed prior to placement of the
new certificate of inspection.
(4) On trailers, the certificate of inspection
shall be affixed, in an upright position,
to the left fronttraffic sideof the trailer,
approximately 6 feet high, if possible.
The certificate may not be placed on the
nose or front side of the trailer. A holder
is permitted if it is in the proper location
and the certificate of inspection is affixed
to prevent theft or transfer to another
vehicle. The new certificate of inspection
may not be placed over the old certificate
of inspection.

Vehicle Equipment and Inspection Regulations

(5) The temporary inspection approval

indicator shall be affixed to the top left
portion of the reverse side of the existing
safety certificate of inspection so as to
be visible to the vehicle operator (while
seated in the drivers location) without
obscuring any required information
entered on the back of the safety
certificate of inspection.
(f) Inspection Cycles-When selecting the
proper type of certificate insert, the new
expiration date is based upon whether the
inspection is an annual or semi-annual
inspection.

(1) An annually inspected vehicle will
receive an inspection for no more than
15 months and no less than 6 months
based on the vehicles registration month
and charts supplied by the Department.

(2) A semiannually inspected vehicle will
receive an inspection for no more than
9 months based on charts supplied by
the Department.

(3) Insert stickers will be selected based
upon the expiration date on the new
inspection. If the vehicle is subject to
emission inspection as determined by an
I/M indicator on the registration card, the
vehicle will receive an I/M indicator tab
on the safety certificate of inspection.

(4) A temporary inspection approval
indicator shall be used to indicate that
a vehicle has successfully passed the
required periodic safety inspection,
but shall display a renewed emission
certificate of inspection before a new
safety certificate of inspection sticker
may be affixed to the vehicle. The
temporary inspection approval indicator
does not extend the expiration of any
certificate of inspection to which it is
affixed.

175.42. RECORDING INSPECTION.

(a) Fraudulent Recording-Fraudulent

recording of an inspection report sheet will be
considered cause for suspension of inspection
privileges.
(b) Signature-The certified mechanic who
performed the entire inspection shall place his
signature in the appropriate column of Form
MV-431 or MV-480 immediately following the
inspection. Both the mechanic exempted from
performing the road test under this chapter
and the certified mechanic who performed the
road test shall place their signatures in the
appropriate column.
C-2

Subchapter C-Certificate Of Inspection

(1) When the inspection information is

transferred from a work order to the
Form MV-431 or MV-480 by anyone
other than the certified mechanic who
performed the inspection, the work order
shall contain the certified mechanics
signature and be retained for a period
of 2 years. The person who enters the
information shall place the name of the
certified mechanic in the appropriate
column and the initials of the person
putting the information on the form in
the appropriate column. A mechanic
exempted from performing the road
test under this chapter and the certified
mechanic who performed the road test
shall sign the work order. The person
who transfers the information shall place
the names of both certified mechanics in
the appropriate column.

(2) A work order shall be available for
inspection upon request by the
inspection station supervisor or an
authorized representative of the
Department.
(c) Records Retention-The original official
inspection report sheet shall be retained as
a garage record and kept on file at the station
for 2 years. At the close of each inspection
period, the official inspection report sheet
shall be placed in the stations files, even
though all spaces may not have been used
and a new inspection report sheet shall be
started for the new inspection period.
(d) Content-The inspection report sheet (Form
MV-431 for passenger cars, trucks and buses
or MV-480 for motorcycles and trailers) shall
be neat and legible and completed in its
entirety. Details pertinent to every vehicle
inspected, including rejections, shall be

recorded on the report sheet. Items inspected,
adjusted or repaired shall be recorded. If the
report sheet lists a piece of equipment which
does not apply to the specific type of vehicle
being inspected, a dash shall be placed in the
column to indicate it has not been overlooked
or neglected. Certificates of inspection issued
shall be listed in numeric order.

(1) Temporary inspection approval
indicators, if issued in lieu of a certificate
of inspection, shall be recorded on
a separate report sheet (Form MV431) and shall be indicated in the area
designated for the sticker number. This
separate report sheet shall be completed
as described in this subsection except
C-3

a T shall be entered in the area

designated for the sticker number to
indicate that a temporary inspection
approval indicator was issued. An
inspection station may not impose a
sticker charge for the issuance of a
temporary inspection approval indicator.

(2) Upon the return of a vehicle for which
a temporary inspection approval
indicator has been issued, the station
which originally affixed the temporary
inspection approval indicator shall:

(i) Verify the year, make, body style, VIN
and proof of financial responsibility
for the vehicle presented for a renewed
certificate of inspection to ensure it
is the same vehicle indicated on the
report sheet (Form MV-431) when the
original inspection was performed.
This information shall be recorded as
a new entry on the regular report
sheet (Form MV-431) where all
inspection sticker serial numbers
issued are recorded.

(ii) Record, on the Form MV-431, the
serial number of the new certificate of
inspection to be affixed to the vehicle
along with the vehicle owners name,
address, VIN, license plate number,
vehicle year make and body style. A
reference to the date and number of
the original inspection performed shall
be noted in the shaded area to the left
of the area designated for the sticker
serial number and total cost (that is,
See T-inspection number 123 dated
01/01/97).

(iii) Enter, in the appropriate area of the
report sheet (Form MV-431), the name
of the certified inspection mechanic
that verified the original inspection
information and that is replacing the
certificate of inspection.

(3) The certified inspection mechanic
replacing the certificate of inspection
shall sign the back of the new certificate
of inspection and record the information
from the original inspection entry (wheels
pulled, date of inspection, and the like)
on the new certificate of inspection
before it is affixed to the vehicle. The
expiring certificate of inspection shall
be removed prior to affixing the new
certificate of inspection as described in
paragraph (2) .
Vehicle Equipment and Inspection Regulations

Certificate Of Inspection-Subchapter C

(4) Inspection stations may not replace

a certificate of inspection to which a
temporary inspection approval indicator
has been affixed if one or more of the
following apply:
(i) The inspection station did not perform

the original inspection of the vehicle

or issue the temporary inspection

approval indicator affixed to the

current certificate of inspection.
(ii) The vehicle does not display a

renewed emission certificate of
inspection.
(iii) The original safety certificate of

inspection has expired.
(iv) The vehicle is in an obviously unsafe

condition, including, but not limited

to, bald tires, exhaust leaks, broken

glazing, and broken or missing
lighting.
(e) Nonrelated Items-Gas, oil, or other
non-related items shall not be included in
the total charges for repair and inspection.
(f) Classifications-The form numbers and
colors listed in this subsection explain the
general classification of vehicles to be
recorded on each type of inspection record
sheet:

(1) Form MV-431. Motor vehicles except
motorcycles and motor-driven cycles
shall be recorded on this form.

(2) MV-480. Trailer, motorcycle, and
motor-driven cycles shall be recorded on
this form.

175.43. SECURITY.

(a) Check for Errors-When inspection stickers

are received by the inspection station, they
should be checked for errors. If errors are
discovered, they shall be reported to the
Vehicle Control Division at once.
(b) Not Transferable-An inspection certificate
is not transferable. It shall only be affixed
to vehicles as designated on the inspection
record sheet of the inspection station to
which the certificates were issued.
(c) Removal-Except as provided in paragraphs
(1) and (3), a certificate of inspection may
not be removed from a vehicle for which the
certificate was issued, except to replace it
with a new certificate of inspection issued
under this chapter and Chapter 177 (relating
to emission inspection program).

Vehicle Equipment and Inspection Regulations

(1) A person replacing or repairing a

windshield in a manner that requires
removal of a certificate of inspection
shall, at the option of the registrant of
the vehicle, cut out the portion of the
windshield containing the certificate of
inspection and deliver it to the registrant
of the vehicle or destroy the certificate.
The vehicle may be driven up to 5 days
if it displays the portion of the old
windshield containing the certificate.
Within the 5-day period, an official
inspection station may affix to the vehicle
another certificate of inspection for the
same period without reinspecting the
vehicle, in exchange for the portion of
the old windshield containing the
certificate of inspection. Example: A #1
certificate of inspection shall be replaced
with a #1 certificate of inspection. The
replacement may be made any time prior
to the expiration of the certificate of
inspection. A fee of no more than $2.00
plus the fee paid to the Department for
the certificate may be charged for
exchanging the certificate of inspection.

(i) A replacement certificate of
inspection may not be issued in the
following circumstances:

(A) 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:

(I) A valid financial responsibility
identification card issued in
accordance with 31 Pa. Code
(relating to insurance).

(II) The declaration page of a valid
insurance policy.

(III) A valid self-insurance
identification card.

(IV) A valid binder of insurance
issued by an insurance
company licensed to sell motor
vehicle liability insurance in
this Commonwealth.

(V) A valid insurance policy issued
by an insurance company
licensed to sell motor vehicle
liability insurance in this
Commonwealth.

C-4

Subchapter C-Certificate Of Inspection

(B) The vehicle is in an obviously

unsafe operating condition.
(ii) The portion of the windshield
containing the certificate of
inspection may be retained for audit
by the inspection station supervisors.
(iii) Record all information from old
certificate of inspection on Form
MV-431. The replacement certificate
of inspection shall be recorded on
the same Form MV-431 and marked
replacement sticker issued.
(iv) Replacement shall be marked on
the reverse side of the replacement
certificate of inspection.
(2) Only one current, valid certificate of
inspection shall be visible on a vehicle.
The old certificate of inspection shall
be removed and completely destroyed
before a new sticker may be affixed.
(3) A vehicle that has an expired
emission certificate of inspection
affixed and which no longer has an
I/M Registration Indicator on the
registration card, shall have the expired
emission sticker removed by the safety
inspection mechanic who is affixing a
new safety certificate of inspection.
(d) Security-Inspection certificates and
temporary inspection approval indicators
shall be kept under lock and key in a safe
place. The station owner shall be solely
responsible for their safety and shall account
for certificates of inspection and temporary
inspection approval indicators issued to the
station.
(e) Unused-Unused certificates of inspection
for an expired period shall be retained by
the inspection station until audited by the
inspection station supervisor. The

Department will refund 75% of the purchase
price of the unused certificates of inspection
after the audit has been completed.
(f) Issuance of Certificates of Inspection
Certificates of inspection will not be issued
by the Bureau to anyone who cannot display
an executed signature card, Form MV-417.
The signature card may not be entrusted to

anyone except an employe or other person
for whom the inspection station owner or
manager will accept full responsibility for
certificates of inspection delivered to that
person.

(g) New Signature Cards-A new signature card

shall be ordered from the Vehicle Control
Division immediately whenever one or more of
the following occur:
(1) The station copy is lost or stolen. The
loss shall be immediately reported to the
Vehicle Control Division.
(2) Any employe, whose signature appears
on the card is no longer employed by the
station.
(3) The card is defaced, torn or illegible.
(4) A signature is to be added.

175.44. ORDERING CERTIFICATES

OF INSPECTION.

(a) Forms-The following requisition forms shall

be used to order certificates of inspection and
inserts:
(1) MV-436A-For vehicles.
(2) MV-467A-For inserts and temporary
inspection approval indicators.
(b) Contents-Required information shall be
entered on the order form.
(1) The correct name, address and station
number, as shown on the certificate of
appointment, shall be entered on every
requisition form.
(2) A requisition shall be personally signed
by one of the persons whose signature
appears on the signature card, Form
MV-417. The signature shall be identical
to the one on file or the requisition will be
rejected. No one may order certificates
of inspection unless his signature is
on the signature card on file with the
Department.

(c) Additional Instructions-The following also

apply:

(1) When special delivery is desired, a
separate check shall be enclosed for
postage. Do not enclose cash or add
the amount for postage to the check for
certificates of inspection.

(2) Each sticker requisition shall be
accompanied by a separate check.
Certificates of inspection may be ordered
on one requisition form. Checks shall
be made payable to the Department of
Transportation or PennDOT.

(3) Requisitions may be snap-out forms with
two sheets in each set. All copies shall
be forwarded to the Department. No copy
shall be detached.
C-5

Vehicle Equipment and Inspection Regulations

Certificate Of Inspection-Subchapter C

(4) Orders for certificates of inspection

shall be in multiples of 25, with a
minimum of 50 certificates, except that,
Commonwealth and fleet inspection
stations shall order a minimum of 25
certificates.

(5) All incomplete or improper certificate of
inspection requisitions or checks shall be
returned to the official inspection station
for correction. To avoid unnecessary
inconvenience or delay, information shall
be rechecked carefully.

(6) If certificates of inspection are to be
delivered to a mailing address instead
of the inspection station address, the
mailing address shall be included
on every requisition submitted to the
Department.
(d) Copies-A copy of the requisition or a
Department receipt will be returned with the
order of certificates of inspection shipped
from the Department. Station copies of all
requisitions or Department receipts shall be
kept on file at the station for 2 years and shall
be made available for inspection upon request
of the inspection station supervisor or an
authorized representative of the Department.
(e) Suggested Schedule-Certificates of
inspection should be ordered as needed.
Thirty days should be allowed for delivery.
(f) Additional Certificates-An inspection
station should anticipate their need for

additional certificates of inspection.

(3) Furnish, loan, give or sell certificates

of inspection and approval to other
official inspection station or other person
except upon an inspection made in
accordance with this chapter. See 75 Pa.
C.S. 4730(b).

175.45. VIOLATION OF USE OF

CERTIFICATE OF
INSPECTION.
A person may not do any of the following:

(1) Make, issue, transfer or possess an
imitation or counterfeit of an official
certificate of inspection or temporary
inspection approval indicator and shall be
sanctioned consistent with 75 Pa. C.S.
4730(c) (relating to penalty).

(2) Display or cause to be displayed on a
vehicle or have in his possession a
certificate of inspection or temporary
inspection approval indicator knowing
it is fictitious, stolen, issued for
another vehicle or issued without an
inspection having been made and shall
be sanctioned consistent with the
provisions of 75 Pa. C.S. 4730(c)
(relating to penalty).
Vehicle Equipment and Inspection Regulations

C-6

Notes

NOTES
_______________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
Vehicle Equipment and Inspection Regulations

Notes

NOTES
_______________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
Vehicle Equipment and Inspection Regulations