Vehicle Inspection Procedures

(1) The Inspector shall reject, and issue a Certificate of Rejection for, any vehicle that fails to satisfy any one of the following requirements: (a) Floor. The vehicle floor shall be free of any holes or tears that may allow toxic exhaust fumes to enter the passenger compartment. (b) Brakes. 1. The parking brake shall be tested by accelerating the motor to approximately 1200 to 1300 RPMs with the vehicle in the lowest forward gear against the brake in the applied position, and shall be found to hold the vehicle. 2. The service brake shall be tested at a speed between four and eight MPH and shall be found to be reasonably equalized so that the vehicle does not pull noticeably to either side when applied; and, with the first application of the service brake pedal, to not travel more than 50% of the total distance the brake pedal can travel. In all questionable cases, service brakes shall be adequate to stop the vehicle while traveling at a speed of 20 MPH in not more than the distance of 30 feet. Any vacuum assisted system for service brakes shall be in good working order. (c) Seat Belts. The vehicle shall be equipped with a seat belt for each permanent seating accommodation, in good working order, and in compliance with the United States Department of Transportation's Safety Standard. (d) Window Tinting. Any window tinting shall comply with 540 CMR 4.04: Procedures for Inspection of Non-commercial Motor Vehicles. Side Doors and Rear Doors. The vehicle shall have, in good working order, an emergency door buzzer or warning device to indicate when door is open. (f) School Bus Signs, Alternating Flashing Red Signal Lamps and Actuation. The vehicle shall comply with all applicable provisions of 49 CFR 571.108. (g) Windshield. The windshield shall be free of any of the following defects: 1. any broken glass with sharp or jagged edges inside or outside; 2. any stone bruise, star break, or bull's eye damage in excess of one inch in diameter within the area covered by the sweep of the vehicle’s wipers provided by the vehicle’s manufacturer (the critical viewing area) or larger than two inches outside the critical viewing area, or multiple such damage; 3. any single line crack which extends more than three inches into the critical viewing area; 4. multiple cracks one or more which extends into the critical viewing area; 5. any wiper scrapes in excess of ¼ inch wide within the critical viewing area; 6. any clouding extending more than three inches within perimeter of the exposed glass; any poster, sticker, decal, or similar object, attached to the windshield in such a manner as to obstruct the vision of the operator. (h) Windshield Wipers/Washer System. The windshield wipers and washer system shall be in good working order. (i) Steering Box. The steering box shall be tested by turning the steering wheel until motion is detected at the front wheels, with the engine running if the vehicle is equipped with power steering, and found to have play not to exceed two inches on a steering wheel up to a diameter of 18 inches or 2½ inches on a steering wheel with a diameter in excess of 18 inches. (j) Horn. The horn shall be securely fastened to the vehicle, and provide adequate signal. (k) Turn Signals. The turn signals shall be in good working order. (l) Emergency Four-way Flashers. The emergency flasher shall be in good working order. (m) Ignition Lock. The ignition lock shall be in good working order. (n) Interior of Vehicle. All panels and seats shall be free of holes and tears larger than two inches. The vehicle interior shall be free of any sharp or protruding objects or defects. (o) Fluid. The vehicle shall be free of any fluid leaks or seepage: 1. in the brake or fuel system; 2. that may be a source of combustion; 3. that may come in contact with brake pads, linings, or exhaust system. (p) Headlamps. The headlamps shall be properly aligned and securely mounted. (q) Tires. The tires shall conform to the following standards: All tires shall be free of any fabric break or cut in excess of one inch, any bulge, bump or knot related to the deterioration of the tire structure or any ply or cord structure which is visible; 2. All tires shall have tread depth of at least 4/32 of an inch in any recut, regrooved, siped, or original tread groove, when measured with a tire depth gauge in a major tread groove nearest the tire center at two points, 15 inches apart, on the circumference. No studded tires shall be used between May 1st through November 1st, unless approved by the Registrar of Motor Vehicles. 3/9/18 12/11/20 (Effective 8/24/20) 4. No vehicle shall have radial tires on the same axle with non-radial tires, or radial tires on the front axle with non-radial tires on the rear axle, with the exception that vehicles equipped with dual rear tires may have radial or non-radial on any axle, provided they are not intermixed on the same axle. (r) Wheels. Wheels shall not be missing, bent, cracked, have broken tire rims, broken studs or missing nuts. (s) Front End. Both sides of all vehicles shall be raised and all ball joints, tie rod ends, drag links, pitman arm, idler arm, and kingpins shall be visually or manually examined and found not to be excessively worn. (t) Muffler and Exhaust System. The muffler and exhaust system shall be tested by accelerating the motor, and shall be found to prevent unnecessary noise and emission of any unreasonable amount of smoke. The exhaust system, exhaust manifolds, exhaust pipes, mufflers and tail pipe shall be free of leaks. Systems components shall be securely fastened with fasteners in place and undamaged. All motor vehicle exhaust systems shall discharge the exhaust beyond the operator, passenger and or trunk compartment. (u) Fuel Tank. The fuel tank shall not leak and shall be securely attached to the vehicle’s body or chassis. (v) Springs. All springs shall be in good condition. The main leaf shall not be broken or have more than one broken leaf per spring. The center bolt shall not be broken. Spring shackle and U-bolts must maintain proper axle alignment. (w) Tail Lights. The vehicle shall be equipped with two tail lights and two stop lights, one of each mounted at each side of the rear of the vehicle, provided both functions may be combined on a single tail lamp, one at each side. (x) Bumpers. All bumpers, as originally equipped by the manufacturer, shall be securely mounted in place and shall not be bent, broken or twisted or have any sharp edges or protrusions. (y) Hood, Doors, and Compartment Lids. The hood and all doors and compartment lids shall open and close properly and be capable of being firmly latched. (z) Fenders (Front and Rear). All fenders shall be securely mounted in place, and shall not be bent or broken. The exterior sheet metal or moldings shall be free of sharp edges or abnormal protrusions extending beyond normal vehicle extremities. Any vehicle whose tires extend beyond the fender or body shall be equipped with flaps or other suitable guards to reduce spray or splash to the rear and side. Additional Required Equipment. (aa) The vehicle shall carry a first-aid kit, body fluid clean-up kit, two chock blocks, a seat belt cutter (accessible to the driver), a fire/evacuation blanket (wheel chair vehicles only), and a fire extinguisher with a total rating of 2A10BC or greater (accessible to the driver) and three reflective triangles. The vehicle shall be equipped with a pressurized, dry chemical fire extinguisher complete with hose. Extinguisher must be mounted in a bracket, located in the driver's compartment and readily accessible to the driver and passengers. A pressure gauge shall be mounted on the extinguisher so as to be easily read without moving the extinguisher from its mounted position. 2. The fire extinguisher shall be of a type approved by the Underwriters Laboratories, Inc. The seal shall be intact and gauge shall read green at all times. (bb) Back-up Warning Alarm. All School Pupil Transport Vehicles shall be equipped with an audible back-up alarm effective July 1, 2018. This alarm shall be located behind the rear axle. (cc) School Bus Light Indicator. All School Pupil Transport Vehicles shall be equipped with a school bus light indicator effective July 1, 2018. Such indicator must be equipped with a continuous warning light(s) readily visible to the driver to indicate if the school bus lights are activated. (dd) Child Reminder System. All School Transport Vehicles shall be equipped with a child reminder system. The child reminder system must include an audible device that must be disengaged by the driver before leaving the vehicle. The child reminder system shall be installed on all School Pupil Transport Vehicles of model year 2018 or newer. The child reminder system control shall be located in the rear most seating compartment. (2) The Inspector shall issue a Defective Equipment Card for any vehicle that fails to satisfy any one of the following requirements: (a) Speedometer. The speedometer shall be in good working order. (b) Sun Visor and Rearview Mirror. The sun visor and rearview mirror shall be in good condition. (c) Windows. In addition to the requirements for the windshield, all windows shall be free of broken glass, cracks, or any condition that may constitute a hazard. (d) Defroster and Heater. The defroster and heater shall be in good working order. Interior Lights. All interior lights shall be in good working order to illuminate the interior of the vehicle. (f) Instruments, Lamps, and Gauges. All instruments, lamps and gauges shall be in good working order. (g) Power Train, Cooling System and Steering System. The power train, cooling system and steering system shall be free of any fluid leaks or seepage. (h) Battery. The battery shall be securely mounted in a carrier and free of excessive terminal corrosion. (Bungy straps are not acceptable as tie downs.) (i) Belts (Alternator/Power Steering). Belts shall not be loose and shall be in good condition. Adjustment shall be tested by turning the drive pulley, which should not turn by hand. If the vehicle is equipped with a serpentine belt, a visual inspection shall be performed for the presence of cracks or chaffing, and to check alignment. (j) Mirrors. Mirrors shall be in good condition and mounted one on each side of the vehicle with a clear view to the rear. (k) Side Marker Lamps. The side marker lamps shall be as installed by the manufacturer, and in good working order. (l) Shock Absorbers. The vehicle shall have two shock absorbers in the front and two in the rear, and they shall not be damaged, worn, broken or hanging.