Minimum Inspection Station Requirements

PURPOSE: This rule lists the minimum requirements for all official vehicle inspection stations. These requirements are necessary to insure that stations have the proper premises, equipment, and personnel to perform inspections in a uniform manner and in accordance with the inspection rules. (1) Premises. (A) Each inspection station must have an inspection area within an enclosed building of sufficient length, width, and height to accommodate the type of vehicle being inspected. Class A and D stations are required to accommodate a commercial vehicle. Class B stations must accommodate a standard full-size passenger vehicle. Class C stations are required to have sufficient length and width to inspect full-size motorcycles. 1. In addition to an inside area, an outside area may be approved for— A. Inspection of commercial vehicles at Class B stations; and B. Inspection of motor tricycles and autocycles at Class C stations. 2. The area shall be substantially level and constructed of hard material, such as asphalt or concrete. It shall be a part of and adjacent to the official vehicle inspection station. (B) The station must be in compliance with applicable city, county, and state regulations relating to zoning, merchant licensing, fictitious name, and retail sales tax number. (C) The inside inspection area shall be sufficiently lighted, adequately heated, and properly ventilated. (D) The floor must be substantially level and constructed of a hard material. Dirt, gravel and bituminous surface or sagging wood floors will not be accepted. The floor must be kept clean, free from excessive dirt, grease, and loose material. (E) If the station has only one (1) inspection area, no major mechanical repair work shall be permitted in the inspection area during normal business hours. (F) Public inspection stations shall be located on an allweather road and be readily accessible to the motoring public without entering the station premises by the opening of gates or other similar barriers. (G) Operational changes, except the addition or deletion of inspector/mechanics, unless the deletion of an inspector/ mechanic results in no inspector/mechanic for the station, affecting the current station application must be submitted to the Missouri State Highway Patrol immediately. (2) Equipment. (A) All inspection stations, except Class C, must have the following equipment which must be arranged and located at or near the inside inspection area: 1. Brake lining gauge. A gauge will be required to determine the remaining thickness in fractions of an inch of both bonded and riveted linings; 2. Brake pad gauge. Some type of gauging device to accurately measure the remaining thickness of the brake pad in fractions of an inch while the pad is within the caliper assembly; 3. Ball joint gauge. A ball joint gauge to accurately measure any looseness in the load-carrying ball joint. The gauge must be adapted to measure vertical (up and down) and horizontal (side-to-side) movement; 4. Lift or jack. A lift or jack, capable of hoisting a vehicle properly to check ball joints, suspension linkage, and wheel play. If a lift is used, it must be the type which allows the front wheels to be suspended by lifting under the outer extremity of a motor vehicle’s lower control arm, cross member, or frame; 5. Scraper. A scraper to remove old stickers; 6. Measuring device. Yardstick or steel tape preferred; 7. A tire tread depth gauge that is graduated into onethirty-second inch (1/32") increments must be part of the equipment at inspection stations that inspect school buses; and 8. A one-eighth inch (1/8") drawstring over thirty inches (30") in length with a one-half inch (1/2") hex nut attached to one (1) end to check handrails is required if the station will be inspecting school buses. (B) Class C inspection stations must have the following equipment: 1. Brake pad gauge. Some type of gauging device to accurately measure the remaining thickness of the brake pad in fractions of an inch while the pad is within the caliper assembly; 2. Ball joint gauge. A ball joint gauge to accurately measure any looseness in the load-carrying ball joint. The gauge must be adapted to measure vertical (up and down) and horizontal (side-to-side) movement; 3. A jack or lifting mechanism capable of lifting the vehicle so at least one (1) wheel is off the ground; and 4. Measuring device. (3) Personnel. (A) Minimum of one (1) inspector/mechanic, except for a short period of time due to illness or annual vacation. (B) Each inspection station will designate, on the station application, a person in charge of inspections who is responsible for the daily operation of the station ensuring that complete and proper inspections are being performed. The employee to be in charge of inspections will be present at the inspection station during the station’s hours of inspection, except for short periods of time, such as illness or annual vacation. AUTHORITY: section 307.360, RSMo 2016.* Original rule filed Nov. 4, 1968, effective Nov. 14, 1968. Amended: Filed March 9, 1970, effective March 19, 1970. Amended: Filed Nov. 9, 1971, effective Nov. 19, 1971. Amended: Filed May 21, 1974, effective May 31, 1974. Amended: Filed Dec. 1, 1975, effective Dec. 11, 1975. Amended: Filed Sept. 1, 1977, effective Dec. 11, 1977. Amended: Filed Aug. 16, 1979, effective Nov. 11, 1979. Amended: Filed July 14, 1982, effective Oct. 11, 1982. Amended: Filed Sept. 16, 1985, effective Jan. 1, 1986. Amended: Filed Aug. 30, 1989, effective Nov. 26, 1989. Amended: Filed April 2, 1992, effective Sept. 6, 1992. Amended: Filed June 2, 1993, effective Nov. 8, 1993. Emergency rescission filed Jan. 28, 1997, effective Feb. 7, 1997, expired Aug. 1, 1997. Emergency rule filed Jan. 17, 1997, effective Feb. 3, 1997, expired Aug. 1, 1997. Rescinded and readopted: Filed Jan. 17, 1997, effective July 30, 1997. Emergency amendment filed Aug. 15, 2001, effective Aug. 28, 2001, expired Feb. 28, 2002. Amended: Filed Aug. 15, 2001, effective Feb. 28, 2002. Amended: Filed Sept. 15, 2003, effective March 30, 2004. Amended: Filed Oct. 30, 2020, effective June 30, 2021. Amended: Filed July 12, 2024, effective Jan. 30, 2025. *Original authority: 307.360, RSMo 1967, amended 1971, 1973, 1979, 1999.