• Texas Automobile Rules And Rating Manual Rule 14 1
• Texas Automobile Rules And Rating Manual Rule 14 7

Compulsory Inspection of Commercial Motor Vehicle1. The term “commercial motor vehicle” means a self-propelled or towed vehicle, used to transport persons or property that is used on a public highway to transport passengers or cargo if:a. The vehicle or combination of vehicles has a gross weight, registered weight, or gross weight rating of more than 26,000 pounds; orb. The vehicle is a farm vehicle with a gross weight, a registered weight, or a gross weight rating of more than 48,000 pounds; orc. The vehicle is designed to transport more than 15 passengers, including the driver; ord. The vehicle is used to transport hazardous materials in a quantity requiring placarding by a regulation issued under the Hazardous Materials Transportation Act; ore. The vehicle or combination of vehicles has a gross weight rating of more than 10,000 pounds and is operated in interstate commerce and registered in this state.2.

A commercial motor vehicle that is registered in this state shall be required to pass an annual inspection of all safety equipment required by the Federal Safety Regulations.3. A commercial motor vehicle required to be inspected under the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations is also subject to the regular state inspection requirements set forth in Chapter 4 of this Rules and Regulations Manual.NOTE: For inspection requirements on house moving and converter dollies refer to Chapter 4.NOTE: Issuance of VI-88, Annual Vehicle Inspection Report, refer to Records and Reports, Chapter 5.Acceptance of out-of-state commercial vehicle inspection certificates:1.

A valid commercial vehicle inspection certificate issued outside of Texas is acceptable on a Texas registered commercial vehicle.2. Valid out-of-state inspection certificates will not be honored on commercial vehicles required to be registered in this state.Exceptions to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations inspection are as follows:1. All school bus operations used to transport only children and/or school personnel from home to school and school to home - (contract school buses are not exempt if used for any purpose other than transporting children to and from school only).2. Transportation performed by the Federal Government, state, or any political subdivision of a state or an agency established under a compact between states that has been approved by Congress of the United States.3. The occasional transportation of personal property by individuals not for compensation or in the furtherance of a commercial enterprise.4. The transportation of human corpses or sick or injured persons.5. The operation of fire trucks and rescue vehicles while involved in emergency and related operations.6.

Farm vehicles with a gross weight, registered weight, or gross weight rating less than 48,000 pounds except interstate operation of more than 10,000 pounds.The statutory fee may be charged for each Federal Motor Carrier inspection. A unique inspection certificate will be issued which will designate the vehicle has met the FMCSR and state inspection requirements. (Refer to Chapters 1, 2, and 3.)1. Procedure for appointment2.

Classes of Official Vehicle Inspection Stations3. Periods of inspection4. Responsibility of inspection station owner or operator5. Minimum requirements for Official Vehicle Inspection Station:a. Operation of Vehicle Inspection Station:a. Inspection feeb.

Refund of unused inspection certificatesc. Change of location, name, ownershipd. Going out of businesse. Inspection station cancellationf.

Texas Automobile Rules And Rating Manual Rule 14 1

Certification of inspectors. The following is a list of items to be inspected in order to be in compliance with the FMCSR Annual Inspection.20.01 Inspect items listed below which are applicable for the class of vehicle being inspected. Refer to Chapter 4 for types of vehicles.Check for evidence of Financial Responsibility1.

Windshield wiper4. Wheel assembly10. Safety guards or flaps11. Exhaust system12. Exhaust emission system13. Beam indicator14. Tail lamps15.

Stop lamps16. License plate lamp17. Reflective sheeting tape, conspicuity18. Turn signal lamps19. Clearance lamps20. Side marker lamps21. Identification lamps22.

Head lamps23. Coupling devices24.

Fuel systems25. Window tinting or coating28. Motor, serial, or vehicle identification number29. Hazard warning lights30.25.01 Backup Lamp1.

Inspect for and reject if:a. Lamp is not presentb. Not securely mounted and properly locatedc. Lamp does not emit proper color; lamp or bulb paintedd. Lens cracked, broken, discolored, or missinge. Wiring insulation is worn, rubbed bare, or evidence of burning, short circuiting, or poor connectionf. Visibility requirements not met g.

Texas Automobile Rules And Rating Manual Rule 14 7

Lamp is not activated properly when vehicle is in reverse.25.02 Beam Indicator1. Inspect for and reject if:In accordance with Chapter 4.25.03 Brake SystemEvery commercial motor vehicle shall be equipped with brakes acting on all wheels except trucks and truck-tractors having three or more axles manufactured before 1981.House moving dollies that are required to be inspected under the Commercial Vehicle Inspection Program are exempt from braking requirements under the Motor Carrier Safety Standards and under special mobile equipment sections of state law. Therefore, to avoid conflice, it shall be Department policy to not inspect the brakes on house moving dollies. The inspection certificate for these vehicles should be placed on a plate next to the license plate.

This will require the owner of the vehicle to install a special metal plate that allows the inspection station to affix the certificate.Converter dollies are not exempt from the braking requirements under the Motor Carrier Safety Standards or under special mobile equipment sections of state law.NOTE: Refer to Chapter 3, 20.05, for certificate mounting requirements.Every vehicle inspection station must have designated brake test area where road tests are conducted unless a machine is ued to brake tests. Any number of inspection stations may use the same area in a given town if authorized by the Department representative.All road tests for braking efficiency shall be made only at a measured, marked, and approved brake test area. The area shall be substantially level (not to exceed plus or minus 1% grade), smooth, hard surface and free of loose material, oil, or grease. The area must be designated by painted lines, stakes, or other devices noting where the brakes are to be applied.NOTE: See Chapter 1 for proper marking of brake test area.Brake test area must be used on every inspection made. Brake tests are permitted when it is raining, snowing, or when the brake test area surface is wet; however, if the certified inspector feels they cannot safely and with due care accurately check the service brakes, they may refuse to make the inspection.No inspections are permitted when the brake test areas are icy.

Extreme care must be exercised and sudden stops must be avoided if other traffic is affected.All vehicles so tested (brake test area) should be driven at a speed of 20 mph and the vehicle must stop as indicated by the Stopping Distance Chart. (See Reference Section.)1.

Inspect for and reject if:a. Absence of braking action on any axle required to have brakes upon application of the service brakes (such as missing brakes or brake shoe(s) failing to move upon application of a wedge, S-cam, cam, or disc brake).b. Missing or broken mechanical components including: shoes, lining, pads, springs, anchor pins, spiders, cam rollers, push rods, and air chamber mounting bolts.c. Loose brake components including air chambers, spiders, and cam shaft support brackets.d. Audible air leak at brake chamber (Example: ruptured diaphragm, loose chamber clamp, etc.)e. Any brake stroke is at the readjustment limit (See Annex #1).f.

Brake linings or pads1) Lining or pad is not firmly attached to the shoe;2) Saturated with oil, grease, or brake fluid; or3) Nonsteering axles: Lining with a thickness less than 1/4-inch at the shoe center for air drum brakes, 1/16-inch or less at the shoe center for hydraulic and electric drum brakes, and less than 1/8-inch for air disc brakes.4) Steering axles: Lining with a thickness less than 1/4-inch at the shoe center for drum brakes, less than 1/8-inch for air disc brakes, and 1/16-inch or less for hydraulic disc and electric brakes.g. Brake is missing on any axle required to have brakes.h. Mismatch across any power unit steering axle of:1) Air chamber sizes2) Slack adjuster lengthi.

Parking Brake System - In accordance with Chapter 4j. Brake Drums or Rotors1) Any external crack or cracks that open upon brake application (do not confuse short hairline heat check cracks with flexural cracks).2) Any portion of the drum or rotor is missing.k. Brake Hose1) Hose with any damage extending through the outer reinforcement ply2) Bulge or swelling when air pressure is applied3) Any audible leaks4) Two hoses improperly joined (such as a splice made by sliding the hose ends over a piece of tubing and clamping the hose to the tube)5) Air hose cracked, broken, or crimpedl. Brake Tubing1) Any audible leak2) Tubing cracked, broken, or crimpedm. Low Pressure Warning DeviceMissing, inoperative, or does not operate at 55 psi and below, or 1/2 the governor cut-out pressure, whichever is lessNOTE: 1974 and earlier model vehicles may have either an audible or visible warning device. 1975 and later model vehicles must have a visible device amd may have an audible warning driver in addition. Gauges alone are not acceptable as warning devices.n.

Tractor Protection ValveInoperable or missing tractor protection valve(s) on power unito. Air Compressor1) Compressor drive belts cracked or frayed2) Loose compressor mounting bolts3) Cracked, broken, or loose pulley4) Cracked or broken mounting brackets, braces, or adaptorsp. Electric Brakes1) Absences of braking action on any wheel required to have brakes2) Missing or inoperable breakaway braking deviceq.

Hydraulic Brakes.