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PA Inspection Definitions

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Term
Definition
Bond or proof of insurance   Each inspection station is required to have a bond or insurance shall be in the amount of $10,000 for each place of business and shall provide compensation to a vehicle owner for any damage.  
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Certificate of Inspection   Also known as the "inspection sticker", this is selected based on the type of vehicle and indicates a vehicle that has successfully met the PA safety inspection criteria.  
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Acute Area of the Windshield   The center of the critical area on the driver's side of the vehicle directly in the drivers normal line of vision 8 1/2 inches wide and 5 1/2 inches high.  
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Energy absorbing column   Safety feature of a steering column that is designed to collapse upon itself in case of impact in order to protect the driver.  
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Alteration   A change in the construction, design, or installation of a container that affects the strength or safety of the system.  
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Antique Motor Vehicle   A motor vehicle 25 years old or older, which has been maintained in or restored to near original condition. Refer to Vehicle Code for full definition (75 Pa.C.S. § 102)  
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Auxiliary Driving Lamp   A lighting device mounted to provide illumination in front of the vehicle and to supplement the upper beam of a standard headlamp system; it is not intended for use alone or with the lower beam of a standard headlamp system.  
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Back-up lamp   Also known as "reverse lights", a lamp used to provide illumination behind the vehicle and to provide a warning signal when the vehicle is in reverse gear.  
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Bead   The part of the tire made of steel wires wrapped or reinforced by ply cords, that is shapd to fit the rim.  
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Belt   A layer made of fabric or other material located under the tread area.  
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Bureau   The Bureau of Motor Vehicles of the Department.  
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Bus   A motor vehicle designed to transport 16 or more passengers, including the driver. Refer to Vehicle Code for full definition (75 Pa.C.S. § 102)  
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Cargo Lamp   A lamp mounted on a multipurpose passenger vehicle, truck or bus that provides illumination to load or unload cargo  
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Certified Inspection Mechanic   A person who holds a valid certification card issued by the Bureau certifying that the person is qualified, has passed all requirements to inspect specific vehicles and holds a valid driver's license for the correct class of vehicle.  
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Catalytic Convertor   Emissions control device located in the exhaust stream that uses the heat from combustion to convert pollutants into environmentally acceptable non-pollutants.  
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Classic Motor Vehicle   A motor vehicle 15 years old or older, which has been maintained in or restored to near original condition. Refer to Vehicle Code for full definition (75 Pa.C.S. § 102)  
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Clearance Lamps   Lamps which show to the front or rear of a vehicle to indicate overall width and height of a vehicle - on trucks and buses 80 inches or more in width.  
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Collectible Motor Vehicle   A reconstructed or modified motor vehicle substantially modified from the manufacturer's original specifications and appearance. Refer to Vehicle Code for full definition (75 Pa.C.S. § 102)  
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Combination   Two or more vehicles physically interconnected in tandem.  
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Commonwealth Inspection Station   An inspection station appointed to inspect all types of vehicles, space permitted, owned by and engaged exclusively in the performance of the official duties of the Federal Government, the Commonwealth, or a political subdivision of the Commonwealth  
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Cord   The strands forming the plies in the tire.  
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Critical Area of the Windshield   The part of the vehicle windshield cleaned by the sweep of the windshield wiper system.  
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Emergency Vehicle   A State or county emergency management vehicle, fire department vehicle, police vehicle, sheriff vehicle, ambulance, etc. Refer to Vehicle Code for full definition (75 Pa.C.S. § 102)  
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Fleet Inspection Station   An inspection station appointed to inspect all types of vehicles, space permitting, leased by or owned and registered in the name of the person in whose name the certificate of appointment is issued.  
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Fog Lamps   Lamps which are used with or in lieu of the lower beam headlamps to provide illumination under conditions of rain, snow or fog.  
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Heavy Truck   A truck having a registered gross weight in excess of 17,000 pounds or a truck tractor.  
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Indicator Lights   Lamps that are visible to the operator of a vehicle that indicate operation of appropriate electrical circuits, malfunction of vehicle performance and requirement for remedial action by the operator of the vehicle.  
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Inspection Area   The area of a station in which all inspections must be conducted.  
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License Plate Lamp   A lamp used to illuminate the license plate on the rear of the vehicle.  
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Light Truck   A truck having a registered gross weight of 11,000 pounds or less.  
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Motor Carrier Vehicle   A truck, truck-tractor or combination having a gross weight or registered gross weight in excess of 17,000 pounds.  
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Motorcycle Inspection Station   An inspection station appointed to inspect only motorcycles.  
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Motor-driven Cycle   A motorcycle, including a motor scooter, with a motor which produces not to exceed five-brake horsepower, and every pedal cycle with motor attached.  
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Multi-Purpose Passenger Vehicle   A passenger car which is constructed on a truck chassis or which has special features for off-road use, in addition to highway use.  
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Ornamental Lamps   Lamps not required and not located as described in Tables III, IV and V, unless available as original equipment. Flashing or revolving lights are not ornamental lamps.  
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Rake   On motorcycles, the angle, measured in degrees, of a motorcycle’s steering axis in relation to a line which is perpendicular to the vehicle wheel base.  
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Recreational and Utility Trailer Inspection Station   An inspection station appointed to inspect only recreational and utility trailers.  
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Tail Lamp   A steady burning low-intensity light used on the rear of a vehicle.  
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Temporary Inspection Approval Indicator   Also known as "T*", or "T-DOT"; An insert affixed to the current certificate of safety inspection, used to designate vehicles which have successfully passed a required periodic safety inspection, but need a renewed emission certificate of inspection.  
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Trail   The distance measured in inches between the point at which the steering axis of a motorcycle intersects with the ground in front of the motorcycle and the point at which the forward limit of the wheelbase intersects with the surface below the motor cycle.  
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Trailer Inspection Station   An inspection station appointed to inspect only trailers.  
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Tread   That portion of the tire that comes into contact with the road.  
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Turn Signals   A lamp showing to front and rear for the purpose of indicating an intention to turn either to the right or left or for pulling into traffic or changing lanes.  
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Ice Grips or Studs   Wear-resisting material which have projections up to 2/32 inches beyond the tread of the traction surface of the tire.  
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Rear window louvers   Slanted bars (slats) across a rear window designed to keep out direct sunlight and increase privacy. Permissible only if at least two outside rearview mirrors are present.  
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Scrub Line   An imaginary surface created if lines were drawn from the bottom of the wheel rim on one side to the bottom of the tire on the other side. Checked on street rod, specially constructed and reconstructed vehicles.  
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Dimmer Switch   A manual switch used to select between low and high beam of the headlamp system. An automatic dimming device may be used in addition to the manual switch.  
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Snow Plow Lamp   A lamp used in substitution of headlamps on vehicles equipped with snow plows.  
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Type 1 Headlamp   A Type I lamp consists of a high beam only.  
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Type II Headlamp   Headlamp consisting of both high beam and low beam.  
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Rear Wheel Shields   Commonly known as mudflaps, designed to bar water or other road surface substances thrown from the rear wheels of the vehicle or combination at tangents exceeding 22.5°, measured from the road surface.  
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Glazing   Transparent glass material used in the windshield, window and wings.  
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Wheelbase   Distance between the center of one wheel to the center of the other wheel along the side of a vehicle. Must not vary by more than 1 inch when compared to the other side.  
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Air Pump   Emissions control device making up the main part of the Air Injection Reaction (AIR) System. Typically belt driven and used to pump fresh air into the exhaust system.  
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Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR)   Emissions control device used to recycle some of the exhaust gases back into the intake manifold.  
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Evaporative Control System   Emissions control that uses a charcoal canister to collect and store gasoline vapors until they can be reintroduced into the engine.  
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Fuel Inlet Restrictor   Emissions device located under the fuel tank cap that reduces the diameter of the opening to prevent the addition of leaded fuels.  
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Positive Crankcase Ventilation (PCV)   Emissions control device that regulates the flow of blow-by gases leaving the crankcase and directs them into the intake manifold.  
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Fender flare   An extension of the fender that provides additional coverage for heavily offset or oversized wheels and tires. Fender flares must not exceed 3 inches.  
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Fifth Wheel   A coupling device used to attach a trailer to a truck or tractor; typically consists of a pivot plate and locking jaws.  
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Filler cap   Also known as a gas cap or fuel cap; used to seal the fuel filler neck and prevent the loss of fuel vapors.  
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Implement of Husbandry   Farm equipment that meets specific criteria as defined in Vehicle Code 75 Pa.C.S. § 102.  
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Mechanic Certification Card   License issued by Department indicating the areas in which a mechanic is certified to perform vehicle safety inspections. This card must be carried by the mechanic when performing and inspection.  
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Non-Pneumatic Tires   Tires of a solid design or otherwise "non-inflated" and are prohibited for on highway use except for antique vehicles if originally equipped.  
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QAO   Quality Assurance Officer; representative of the Department responsible for visiting inspection station locations, performing audits and ensuring compliance with PA safety inspection regulations.  
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Service brake system   A brake system used for retarding, stopping and controlling the vehicle under normal operating conditions.  
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Specially Constructed Vehicle   A vehicle not originally constructed under a distinctive name, make, model or type by a generally recognized manufacturer of vehicles. Refer to Vehicle Code for full definition (75 Pa.C.S. § 102)  
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Windscreen   Alternative name for a windshield; typically used to refer to the piece of glass above the handlebars of a motorcycle.  
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Wood plank bumper   Wooden material attached to a regular bumper or equivalent steel backing permissible only for use on a road service truck or wrecker.  
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Wrecker   A motor vehicle designed or constructed and used for the towing of abandoned or disabled vehicles.  
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