Download Pennsylvania State Auto Inspection and Certification Exam: Questions and Answers and more Exams Motor Vehicle Design in PDF only on Docsity!
PA State Auto Inspection and
Certification Exam.
List all the ways to check mirrors. - Correct Ans: ✔✔Mirrors can't be cracked, discolored or broken.,
Mirrors must hold adjustment. Can't be loose. Cars with louvers and sunscreens must have 2 outside mirrors (19-1/2 square inches each). No junk hanging from rear view mirror.
What's the rule for fender flares? - Correct Ans: ✔✔May not exceed 3 inches.
What do you check floor for? - Correct Ans: ✔✔Must be able to support weight of people and cargo.
No holes allowed.
What is the bumper height for a car and a truck. - Correct Ans:
✔✔Must be as strong as and no longer than original bumper.
Can't be broken or torn. Wood planks on service trucks (wreckers) only. Height- passenger vehicles 16-20 inches above ground MPVs, SUV's and light trucks 16-30 inches above ground.
Turn signals should have a frequency of flash between __________
flashes per minute. - Correct Ans: ✔✔60 - 120 flashes per minute.
What are the guidelines for back up lights? - Correct Ans: ✔✔Must turn off when not in reverse OR have a dash indicator light or
audible warning.
What are the guidelines for broken lenses? - Correct Ans: ✔✔Will not pass if white light shows through.
List three reasons for rejecting shocks. - Correct Ans: ✔✔Missing shocks
Mounts or mounting bolts broken Severe leakage. Slight dampness OK
What's the minimum steering wheel size? - Correct Ans: ✔✔ 13 inches
The horn should be heard at least ________feet away. - Correct
Ans: ✔✔200 feet
What do we look for when checking the brake pedal? - Correct Ans:
✔✔Can't go down more than 80% of total travel.
Can't fade when vehicle is stopped. (bleed by in master cylinder) No excessive friction in linkage. Can't be missing the rubber pedal pad.
Seat belts in good condition ( if originally equipped) Rear view mirror- no cracks or discoloration Rear view mirror- must hold adjustment. No junk hanging on it.
Describe steering "Lock to Lock" - Correct Ans: ✔✔Turning the front wheels as far as they go from one side to the
other. "Stop to Stop"
Describe the "1/4 inch Play Test" - Correct Ans: ✔✔Used to check tightness of steering linkage and gearbox.
Raise front wheels off the ground. Have someone hold on the brakes to eliminate bearing play. Wiggle the front tires. No more than 1/4 play allowed measured at the outside of the tire.
What do we check motor mounts for? - Correct Ans: ✔✔Reject if broken.
List all items for under hood inspection. - Correct Ans: ✔✔Hood latch in good working order. Must be double latched.
Check motor mounts No fuel leaks No loose fuel lines Fuel tanks and lines must be OEM or equal to. No fuels lines touching hot or moving surfaces.
No fuel system parts inside the car. Alternate fuel systems (propane) must meet code standards. Throttle must work properly No holes or cracks in firewall No exhaust leaks No master cylinder leaks No brake lines, flattened, disconnected, restricted or leaking. Booster for power brakes must be working properly Battery must be securely fastened.
What are the minimum requirements for tire tread? - Correct Ans:
✔✔No less then 2/32 on any two adjacent treads (side by side)
No less than 4/32 on vehicles with 10,000 GW No wear down to the tread wear indicators on two adjacent treads No exposed cord No repairs with blow out patches or boots. No regrooving below original tread depth. No retreads on the front of a taxi.
- Describe how to unload and check ball joints? - Correct Ans:
✔✔conventional & modified McPherson strut
Jack up tire under the A frame close as possible to the ball joint. McPherson Jack up under the frame or body.
. Can a ply be broken on a leaf spring? - Correct Ans: ✔✔Yes. MAIN leaf may not be broken.
What do we check inside the trunk for? - Correct Ans: ✔✔No holes in floor bed or inner panels
Floor strong enough to hold cargo.
How do we check the emergency brake? - Correct Ans: ✔✔Brakes must set before pedal travels it's limit.
Brakes must exhibit resistance when you try to move the car.
Acute area - Correct Ans: ✔✔The part of the windshield 8-1/ inches wide by 5-1/2 inches high
directly in front of the driver's line of vision.
Critical area - Correct Ans: ✔✔The part of the windshield that the wipers sweep.
Fleet inspection station - Correct Ans: ✔✔A station certificate to inspect all types of vehicles leased or
owned by the person that has the station certificate. Must have at least 15 vehicles.
GVWR - Correct Ans: ✔✔The loaded weight of a single vehicle as specified on the Federal
weight certification label attached to the vehicle. ( DIFFERENT THAN (GW) GROSS WEIGHT )
Light truck - Correct Ans: ✔✔Registered gross weight of 11,000 lbs or less.
Medium truck
. - Correct Ans: ✔✔Registered gross weight from 11,001 to 17, lbs inclusive
Heavy truck - Correct Ans: ✔✔Registered gross weight in excess of 17,000 lbs.
Safety insert tab - Correct Ans: ✔✔The numbers applied to the inspection sticker (safety certificate
of inspection) that show when the sticker expires.
Passenger vehicle - Correct Ans: ✔✔Motor vehicle (except a motor cycle) designed to carry 15
passengers or less. Primarily used for transporting people. A bus is a vehicle designed to carry 16 or more passengers (including the driver)
Foreign vehicle - Correct Ans: ✔✔Any vehicle not registered in Pennsylvania.
How can we tell if a vehicle is from an emission inspection area? -
Correct Ans: ✔✔Look for the emissions insert on the inspection sticker or a
emissions inspection sticker. Look for the IM on the registration card.
If a vehicle is from an emission area, what is our responsibility
when inspecting the vehicle? - Correct Ans: ✔✔When placing the inspection sticker on the vehicle we must use an
emissions insert.
. Name the 3 types of vehicles we check "scrub" line on. - Correct
Ans: ✔✔Street Rods
Specially Constructed Vehicles Reconstructed Vehicles.
List the types of hammers required for the inspection station. -
Correct Ans: ✔✔Ball-peen
Plastic or Brass Rubber
An inspection station must be open for a minimum of ______ hours.
- Correct Ans: ✔✔40 hours per day unless you get a waiver from the Bureau.
If an inspection station is open on Saturday for fuel and service
only must an inspection mechanic be on duty? - Correct Ans:
✔✔NO- only during normal business hours (7:00 - 5:00 Mon-Fri)
Is the inspection fee for a vehicle that fails the same as for a
vehicle that passes? - Correct Ans: ✔✔Yes- Pass or Fail: Same price.
Is the price of the sticker included in the fee for inspection? - Correct
Ans: ✔✔NO- the price of the sticker is separate. Must have a sign listing
them separately.
How many stations can a technician be registered at? - Correct Ans:
✔✔As many as he/she wants to as long as they notify the inspection
supervisor and the Vehicle Control Division of the Names and station numbers of the places they are working.
What is the minimum age of the inspection mechanic? - Correct
Ans: ✔✔ 18
What two documents must a mechanic carry when performing an
What must be done if certificates of inspection are stolen? - Correct
Ans: ✔✔You must report it at once to the quality assurance officer.
If you replace any parts on a customer's vehicle what must you do
with the old parts. - Correct Ans: ✔✔Retain them until the vehicle is returned to the customer in case
they want to see the old parts.
What could happen if you perform repairs on a vehicle without the
owner's authorization? - Correct Ans: ✔✔4 months suspension 1st violation, 6 months-2ed, 1 year- 3rd
If Bonded brakes measure 3/32 what is the inspection mechanic
required to do? - Correct Ans: ✔✔Pass them BUT inform the owner in writing on the work order that
they may become dangerous.
Are utility trailers and recreational trailers recorded on the same
report sheets? - Correct Ans: ✔✔NO- use separate MV-480 forms
. May a motorcycle inspection certificate be placed on the left
front fork? - Correct Ans: ✔✔YES or left front fender or plate mounted on left side.
Should inspection stickers for trailers be placed on the
left-front-side OR the left-front-nose of the trailer? - Correct Ans:
✔✔Left-front- SIDE.
. How long is the first violation suspension for putting a sticker
on a car without inspecting it? - Correct Ans: ✔✔1 year
What should you do when removing inspection stickers from vehicles?
with plastic inner liners? - Correct Ans: ✔✔Use a stiff plastic scraper instead of a metal one or razor blade.
How long do we keep a copy of the MV-431 inspection records? -
Correct Ans: ✔✔2 years
Must work orders be retained for two years? - Correct Ans: ✔✔Only if someone other than the mechanic fills out the inspection
record. The mechanic must sign the work order.
. If a vehicle passes inspection can we affix the sticker outside of
the inspection area? - Correct Ans: ✔✔YES. Within 100 feet of the station as long as it's on station
property and the same side of the street.
What must be 24" high and 21" wide? - Correct Ans: ✔✔The inspection station sign outside the garage.
What certificates must be displayed at the inspection station? -
Correct Ans: ✔✔Certificate of appointment
A fee chart for inspections Form TS-443 listing the inspections mechanics. Your outside inspection station sign.
What are the minimum sizes of inspection areas for the following? -
Correct Ans: ✔✔A. Mechanical aimers - 12' wide by 22' long
B. Approved headlamp aiming screen - 12' wide by 43' long
Can we use old discontinued head light aimers? - Correct Ans:
✔✔Yes, as longs as they are in good working order and able to test
all types of headlights.
. What is the maximum floor slope in the inspection area? - Correct
Ans: ✔✔1 percent.
How many vehicles can you inspect in one hour? - Correct Ans:
✔✔2 ( motorcycles -3)
Is a hoist of lift permitted in the inspection area? - Correct Ans:
✔✔Yes, as long as it doesn't interfere with the inspection.
What is the least amount of time and the most amount of time an
inspection is good for? - Correct Ans: ✔✔6 months to 15 months.
What determines when a vehicle is due for inspection? - Correct
Ans: ✔✔The month the vehicles registration renews.
Describe the procedure when a customer comes in to get a
replacement sticker because the windshield was just replaced. -
Correct Ans: ✔✔Up to 5 days to come in for a new sticker.
Customer must hand in the section of glass with old sticker on it. Old sticker must be saved for the inspection station supervisor. You don't have to re-inspect the vehicle. You may charge no more than $2.00 for the new sticker
Record information from old sticker onto the MV-431. Mark "replacement" on the MV-431 & on the back of the new sticker.
Refuse to issue a new sticker if the car is obviously unsafe.
How much is the wheel base allowed to differ from one side of the
vehicle to the other? - Correct Ans: ✔✔No more than 1 inch.
Is riveted brake lining measured from the shoe or the rivet head? -
Correct Ans: ✔✔From the rivet head.
When checking registration or VIN what do we look for, and what if
there's a problem? - Correct Ans: ✔✔VIN number and license plate must agree with registration card.
Allowed to have one number off or two numbers transposed (out of order) if the owner proves forms have been sent to Penn DOT. VIN plate can't be loose, defaced, or missing. If there is a problem owner must get a corrected registration or show that proper forms have been sent to Penn DOT.
What do you check glazing for? - Correct Ans: ✔✔Approved safety glass must be in every window and it must be
permanently labeled. See Appendix C(f) Non transparent material or glass etchings may not obstructs the drivers view and may not be higher than 3-1/2 inches from the bottom of any side or rear window. Glass may not be shattered, broken or have sharp edges. No defects in the acute area or the critical area or the windshield. Louvers can't obstruct driver's vision. Dual side mirrors are required when using sunscreen or louvers.
What area of the windshield can there be no imperfections? -
Correct Ans: ✔✔The acute area. (8-1/2 X 5-1/2)
List all the ways to check the wipers. - Correct Ans: ✔✔Speed at manufactures specs or at least 45 cycles per minute
Blades can't be torn or smear or streak after 5 cycles. Must have all wipers Wipers must reset to rest position. Washer system working on cars/light trucks newer than 1968.
What do you check the doors and trunk lid for? - Correct Ans:
✔✔Must be original equipment or same type.
Must close securely.
