VA State Safety Inspection (Checklist for all project owners?)
06-01-2005, 10:54 PM
#1
Race Car
Thread Starter
VA State Safety Inspection (Checklist for all project owners?)
Well,
I have been trying to work toward getting my '83 back on the road and knew that I had to pass a state safety inspection and emissions. Well I stumbled across this while doing some research. Now, I have done them before with other cars that I have owned but never with the '83. Man do I have some work to do.
It just gives you an idea of how many things they could fail you for if the tester is having a bad day.
Was thinking that this might be a good "for starters" checklist for others that have project cars on their hands.
------------------------------------------
3. - INSPECT BRAKES FOR:
Worn, damaged or missing parts.
Worn, contaminated or defective linings or drums.
Leaks in system, proper fluid level.
Worn, contaminated or defective disc pads or discs.
(NOTE: A minimum of two wheels and drums must be removed from each vehicle at the time of inspection. Consult the official inspection manual for exceptions.)
4. - INSPECT PARKING BRAKE FOR:
Broken or missing parts.
Proper adjustment.
Standard factory equipment or equivalent.
5. - INSPECT HEADLIGHTS FOR:
Approved type, aim, and output.
Condition of lamp, wiring and switch.
Beam indicator.
6. - INSPECT OTHER LIGHTS FOR:
Approved type, proper bulbs, condition of lenses, wiring and switch.
Aim of fog and driving lamps.
Illumination of all lamps, lens color, and condition of lens.
(NOTE: Every vehicle must have a rear lamp showing a red light to the rear, a white light illuminating the rear license plate; vehicles over 7 feet wide or extending 4 inches or more beyond the front fender extremes must be equipped with approved clearance lamps and reflex reflectors. Count load in measuring.)
7. – INSPECT SIGNAL DEVICE FOR:
Approved type, proper bulbs, condition of lenses, wiring and switch.
Correct indications and tell-tale (visual or audible).
Illumination of all lamps, lens color, and condition of lens.
8. – INSPECT STEERING & SUSPENSION FOR: (Jack up front end as shown in Manual)
Wear in bushings, kingpins, ball joints, wheel bearings, tie rod ends.
Looseness of gear box on frame, condition of drag link and steering arm.
Play in steering wheel.
Wheel alignment and axle alignment.
Broken spring leaves, and worn shackles.
Shock absorbers.
Broken frame.
Broken or missing engine mounts.
Lift blocks.
9. – INSPECT TIRES, WHEELS & RIMS FOR:
Condition of tires including tread depth.
Mixing radials and bias ply tires.
Wheels that are cracked or damaged so as to affect safe operation.
10. – INSPECT MIRROR FOR:
Rigidity of mounting.
Condition of reflecting surface.
View of road to rear (Truck mirrors must extend at least halfway beyond edge of body) – (Visibility 200 feet to rear).
11. – INSPECT HORN FOR:
Electrical connections, mounting and horn button.
Emits sound audible for a minimum of 200 feet.
12. – INSPECT WINDSHIELD AND OTHER GLASS FOR:
Approved type safety glass.
Cloudiness, distortion or other obstruction to vision.
Cracked, scratched or broken glass.
Stickers. ALL UNAUTHORIZED STICKERS MUST BE REMOVED.
Sunshading material attached to the windshield to ensure it does not extend more than 3 inches downward from the top of windshield, unless authorized by Medical Waiver Certificate.
Operation of left front door glass.
13. – INSPECT WINDSHIELD WIPER/DEFROSTER FOR:
Operating condition.
Condition of blade.
14. – INSPECT EXHAUST SYSTEM FOR:
Exhaust line-manifold, gaskets, pipes, mufflers, connections, etc.
Leakage of gases at any point from motor to point discharged from system.
15. – INSPECT LICENSE TAGS FOR:
Illumination of rear plate.
16. – INSPECT HOOD AND AREA UNDER THE HOOD FOR:
Operating condition of hood latch.
Presence of emissions system
Evidence that any essential parts have been removed, rendered inoperative or disconnected.
Fluid levels that are below the proper level
1. Brake fluid.
2. Power steering fluid.
Power steering belt - proper tension, wear, or absence.
17. – INSPECT AIR POLLUTION CONTROL SYSTEM (1973 and Subsequent Models) FOR:
Installation.
Operation.
(NOTE: This includes the catalytic converter and the fuel tank filler pipe.)
18. – INSPECT DRIVER’S SEAT FOR:
Anchorage.
Location.
Condition.
19. – INSPECT SEAT BELTS FOR:
Approved type.
Installation.
20. – INSPECT DOORS AT THE RIGHT & LEFT SIDE OF THE DRIVER’S SEAT FOR:
Handle or opening device which will permit the opening of the door from the outside and inside of the vehicle.
Latching system which will hold door in its proper closed position.
21. – INSPECT FUEL SYSTEM FOR:
Any part that is not securely fastened.
Liquid fuel leakage.
Fuel tank filler cap for presence.
22. – INSPECT FLOOR PAN FOR:
(a) Holes which allow exhaust gases to enter occupant compartment.
(b) Conditions which create a hazard to the occupants.
23. - ISSUE STICKER
Michael ( LOTS of work to do
)
I have been trying to work toward getting my '83 back on the road and knew that I had to pass a state safety inspection and emissions. Well I stumbled across this while doing some research. Now, I have done them before with other cars that I have owned but never with the '83. Man do I have some work to do.
It just gives you an idea of how many things they could fail you for if the tester is having a bad day.
Was thinking that this might be a good "for starters" checklist for others that have project cars on their hands.
------------------------------------------
3. - INSPECT BRAKES FOR:
Worn, damaged or missing parts.
Worn, contaminated or defective linings or drums.
Leaks in system, proper fluid level.
Worn, contaminated or defective disc pads or discs.
(NOTE: A minimum of two wheels and drums must be removed from each vehicle at the time of inspection. Consult the official inspection manual for exceptions.)
4. - INSPECT PARKING BRAKE FOR:
Broken or missing parts.
Proper adjustment.
Standard factory equipment or equivalent.
5. - INSPECT HEADLIGHTS FOR:
Approved type, aim, and output.
Condition of lamp, wiring and switch.
Beam indicator.
6. - INSPECT OTHER LIGHTS FOR:
Approved type, proper bulbs, condition of lenses, wiring and switch.
Aim of fog and driving lamps.
Illumination of all lamps, lens color, and condition of lens.
(NOTE: Every vehicle must have a rear lamp showing a red light to the rear, a white light illuminating the rear license plate; vehicles over 7 feet wide or extending 4 inches or more beyond the front fender extremes must be equipped with approved clearance lamps and reflex reflectors. Count load in measuring.)
7. – INSPECT SIGNAL DEVICE FOR:
Approved type, proper bulbs, condition of lenses, wiring and switch.
Correct indications and tell-tale (visual or audible).
Illumination of all lamps, lens color, and condition of lens.
8. – INSPECT STEERING & SUSPENSION FOR: (Jack up front end as shown in Manual)
Wear in bushings, kingpins, ball joints, wheel bearings, tie rod ends.
Looseness of gear box on frame, condition of drag link and steering arm.
Play in steering wheel.
Wheel alignment and axle alignment.
Broken spring leaves, and worn shackles.
Shock absorbers.
Broken frame.
Broken or missing engine mounts.
Lift blocks.
9. – INSPECT TIRES, WHEELS & RIMS FOR:
Condition of tires including tread depth.
Mixing radials and bias ply tires.
Wheels that are cracked or damaged so as to affect safe operation.
10. – INSPECT MIRROR FOR:
Rigidity of mounting.
Condition of reflecting surface.
View of road to rear (Truck mirrors must extend at least halfway beyond edge of body) – (Visibility 200 feet to rear).
11. – INSPECT HORN FOR:
Electrical connections, mounting and horn button.
Emits sound audible for a minimum of 200 feet.
12. – INSPECT WINDSHIELD AND OTHER GLASS FOR:
Approved type safety glass.
Cloudiness, distortion or other obstruction to vision.
Cracked, scratched or broken glass.
Stickers. ALL UNAUTHORIZED STICKERS MUST BE REMOVED.
Sunshading material attached to the windshield to ensure it does not extend more than 3 inches downward from the top of windshield, unless authorized by Medical Waiver Certificate.
Operation of left front door glass.
13. – INSPECT WINDSHIELD WIPER/DEFROSTER FOR:
Operating condition.
Condition of blade.
14. – INSPECT EXHAUST SYSTEM FOR:
Exhaust line-manifold, gaskets, pipes, mufflers, connections, etc.
Leakage of gases at any point from motor to point discharged from system.
15. – INSPECT LICENSE TAGS FOR:
Illumination of rear plate.
16. – INSPECT HOOD AND AREA UNDER THE HOOD FOR:
Operating condition of hood latch.
Presence of emissions system
Evidence that any essential parts have been removed, rendered inoperative or disconnected.
Fluid levels that are below the proper level
1. Brake fluid.
2. Power steering fluid.
Power steering belt - proper tension, wear, or absence.
17. – INSPECT AIR POLLUTION CONTROL SYSTEM (1973 and Subsequent Models) FOR:
Installation.
Operation.
(NOTE: This includes the catalytic converter and the fuel tank filler pipe.)
18. – INSPECT DRIVER’S SEAT FOR:
Anchorage.
Location.
Condition.
19. – INSPECT SEAT BELTS FOR:
Approved type.
Installation.
20. – INSPECT DOORS AT THE RIGHT & LEFT SIDE OF THE DRIVER’S SEAT FOR:
Handle or opening device which will permit the opening of the door from the outside and inside of the vehicle.
Latching system which will hold door in its proper closed position.
21. – INSPECT FUEL SYSTEM FOR:
Any part that is not securely fastened.
Liquid fuel leakage.
Fuel tank filler cap for presence.
22. – INSPECT FLOOR PAN FOR:
(a) Holes which allow exhaust gases to enter occupant compartment.
(b) Conditions which create a hazard to the occupants.
23. - ISSUE STICKER
Michael ( LOTS of work to do
)
Last edited by michaelathome; 06-02-2005 at 03:40 PM.
06-01-2005, 11:17 PM
#2
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Yes, but is there anything on the list that is actually BAD? Granted, some of the stuff is subject to "interpretation" (like the guy who said last year he would reject my brake rotors for "dangerous" cracks when they were minor heat-stress cracks from tracking the car; the next shop passed them with no questions.)
I have learned that when you go to a VA inspection station, and they have a 20 year old Toyota Corolla with no more than two fenders with matching colors up on the lift, it's better to drive on to another station because that car is likely to be up there for a Loooonnnggg time!
I have learned that when you go to a VA inspection station, and they have a 20 year old Toyota Corolla with no more than two fenders with matching colors up on the lift, it's better to drive on to another station because that car is likely to be up there for a Loooonnnggg time!
06-01-2005, 11:20 PM
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Yeah, there's a lot of stuff there, but most places don't really put that much effort into it (although the old Jetta once failed because the mount for the interior hood release handle broke, so it was no longer fixed to the car. It still worked, tho...). Hell, during the decade and a half that I have taken Porsches to inspection, I found that if the car looks nice, they won't likely pay much attention to it and just pass it. As one inspector told my dad "People who own these cars tend to take care of 'em."
BB.
BB.
06-01-2005, 11:55 PM
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If you happen upon an inspector who actually does all (or ANY) of these things, get back in the car and go down the street to the next shop. I'm with Brian, they've never even smogged my NA, let alone pulled 2 wheels off to inspect the brakes. Most of the time, they honk the horn, turn on the lights and send me on my way.
The Turbo, on the other hand, they failed (emissions, not safety). Bastards.
The Turbo, on the other hand, they failed (emissions, not safety). Bastards.
06-01-2005, 11:59 PM
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Originally Posted by Clowd
That sucks, when I got my car inspected they checked that all the lights worked and that there were no exhaust leaks. Then they slapped a sticker on it.
06-02-2005, 12:07 AM
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Yeah, VA stations are hit or miss. Usually I get the middle of the scale guy who threatens to fail me for tiny stress cracks on my thick rotors (today), or (on a POS beater car) a wheel that was SLIGHTLY out of true. If it's taking the guy more than 5-7 minutes to do the actual inspection (without peeling off the sticker etc) then just move on. I've found that independent shops are generally more lenient.
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06-02-2005, 12:50 AM
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i recently passed emissions in february and was actually amazed
i have a safety inspection coming up in November so i need to get my parking brake adjusted and trouble shoot why the horn works randomly
i have a safety inspection coming up in November so i need to get my parking brake adjusted and trouble shoot why the horn works randomly
