MARYLAND DEPARTMENT OF STATE POLICE
AUTOMOTIVE SAFETY ENFORCEMENT DIVISION
VEHICLE SAFETY INSPECTION
The Procedures Below Are Recommended Guidelines For The Order Of Operations During Vehicle Safety Inspection, However The Order Is Not Mandatory
All Inspections Shall Be Conducted According to COMAR 11.14 Motor Vehicle Administration – Vehicle Inspections
Begin the Inspection Report (Applicable To All Vehicles)
Record - Name, Address, and Phone # of Owner/Agent for the Vehicle
Year, Make, Model, Initial Mileage (If Applicable), and the Vehicle Identification
Number (VIN), Recorded From The Vehicle
All Required Vehicle Information
If the Public VIN is not Visible, Altered, Etc. STOP THE INSPECTION & REPORT!
Inspection Of The Vehicle
Inspect the Tire Size, Construction, and Air Pressure Before a Required Test Drive
*RECOMMEND THE FOLLOWING BE CHECKED BEFORE A TEST DRIVE*
(A Complete Inspection Must Be Performed In The Inspection Area)
Exterior & Dash Lamps - Mirrors - Hood Latches and Catches - Windshield Wipers/Washers -
Driver’s Seat & Seat Belt - Driver’s Door & Window - Steering Wheel - Horn - Brake
Application - (Brake Pedal Firmness)
**Vehicles, are Subject to Road Testing and Performance Brake Testing (N/A For Trailers)**
Inspection - Test Drive (N/A For Trailers)
Service Brake Performance Test – Speedometer, Odometer
Undesirable Steering or Handling Reactions
Wheel Misalignment -Turn Signal Mechanism
Inspection - Interior Of The Vehicle (N/A For Trailers)
All Seat Belts
Parking Brake Function - Neutral Safety Switch - Gear Shift Indicator (Auto Trans)
Brake Warning Light Self –Check & Illumination During Operation
Brake Pedal Assembly - Brake Pedal Application For Hydraulic Leakage Test
Brake Pedal Reserve (Minimum of 1/3 Pedal Height Remains When Brake Is Applied)
Inspect the Steering Wheel and the Entire Steering Column, for Size, Condition, Operation, and
Mounting as Required
Inspect the Steering Lash and Steering Travel as Required
Inspect the Turn Signal, Hazard Lamps, and High Beam Indicator Lights
Inspection – Exterior Of The Vehicle (As Applicable To Vehicle Type)
Headlamps, Fog, Driving Lamps - Fuel Tank Cap - Glass (Glazing)
(Lamp Aim In The Inspection Area - N/A for Trailers)
Bumpers/Rear Frame - Fenders/Flaps (All Vehicles)
Door Latches and Handles
Inspection - Under The Hood And As Otherwise Located
Emission Equipment - Exhaust System - Fuel System
Brake Master Cylinder - Brake Booster - Fluid Levels
Brake, Fuel, & Steering, Fluid Lines & Hoses, - Leaks, Damage, Missing Parts, Other Unsafe
Condition (All Vehicles)
Power Steering – Fluid Level, Leaks, Damage, Function, Drive Belts
Steering Shafts & Couplings - Engine Mounting Devices
Battery & Elect. Wiring - Mounting, Damage, Connection, Excessive Corrosion (All Vehicles)
Emergency Brake Application - Electric Brake Application (Trailers)
Inspection - Underneath The Vehicle (As Applicable To Vehicle Type)
(Use Manufacturer’s Procedure And Specifications -- Record Required Readings)
All Suspension Components and Attachments - Wheel Alignment (All Vehicles)
Ball Joints, Strut Bearings, Kingpins - Steering System
Wheel Bearings - (All Vehicles)
Tires, Wheels, and All Related Studs, Nuts, Retainers, etc. (All Vehicles)
Brake Shoes & Pad Linings - Record Brake Readings (All Vehicles)
Brake Drum & Disc Rotors - Record Brake Readings (All Vehicles)
Mechanical Brake Components. (All Vehicles)
Hydraulic Brake System, I.E. Calipers, Wheel Cylinders, Brake Lines/Hoses, etc. (All Vehicles)
Floor, Seat Mounting, Seat Belt Mounting, Body Mounting points, Frame Attachment.
Fuel System - I.E. Tank, Fuel Lines, Seals, & Other Fuel System Components
Power Steering Lines, Hoses (Engine Running To Inspect Visible Leaks)
Exhaust System (Audibly and Visually), Presence, Condition, Leaks
Emission & Evaporative System, I.E. Catalytic Converters, Evap. Canisters, Lines, Sensors, etc.
Universal Joints, Drive Shafts, Constant Velocity Joints, and Shafts
Engine Mounts (Includes Any Mount Holding The Engine In A Stable Position)
Complete Inspection Report (Applicable To All Vehicles)
Completely Fill out the Inspection Report & All Associated Records
The Initial Mileage (If Applicable) Shall be Listed on the Inspection Report
The Ending Mileage (If Applicable) Shall be Recorded on the Inspection Certification
Certification Of Vehicles Shall Be Performed Only After The Entire Inspection
Has Been Properly Completed, And Prior To The Vehicle Leaving The
Inspection Station
NOTES: 1. Vehicle Inspection Complaints Must Be Reported To ASED Within 30 Days Of The Purchase 2. Re-inspection Of Rejected Vehicles Must Be Performed Within 30 Days And 1,000 Miles Of
Date, And The Vehicle Must Not Have Been Driven More Than 1,000 Miles Since Inspection. The Initial Inspection, And Will Only Involve Rejected Items And New Visual Defects Found.
