HIGHWAY SAFETY PROGRAM
GUIDELINE No. 1
PERIODIC MOTOR VEHICLE INSPECTION

Each State should have a program for periodic inspection of all registered vehicles or other experimental, pilot, or demonstration program approved by the Secretary, to reduce the number of vehicles with existing or potential conditions which cause or contribute to accidents or increase the severity of accidents which do occur, and should require the owner to correct such conditions.

1. A model program would provide, at a minimum, that:

   1. Every vehicle registered in the State is inspected either at the time of initial registration and at least annually thereafter, or at such other time as may be designated under an experimental, pilot or demonstration program approved by the Secretary.

   2. The inspection is performed by competent personnel specifically trained to perform their duties and certified by the State.

   3. The inspection covers systems, subsystems, and components having substantial relation to safe vehicle performance.

   4. The inspection procedures equal or exceed criteria issued or endorsed by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

   5. Each inspection station maintains records in a form specified by the State, which includes at least the following information:

      1. Class of vehicle.

      2. Date of inspection.

      3. Make of vehicle.

      4. Model year.

      5. Vehicle identification number.

      6. Defects by category.

      7. Identification of inspector.

      8. Mileage or odometer reading.

   6. The State publishes summaries of records of all inspection stations at least annually, including tabulations by make and model of vehicle.

2. The program should be periodically evaluated by the State and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration should be provided with an evaluation summary.