Safety Inspection Program Frequently Asked Questions for Station Owners and Mechanics
1. How do I apply to become an official PennDOT safety inspection station?
2. How do I become a certified safety inspector?
3. How do I renew my safety inspector certifications?
4. How do I apply for a reappointment after suspension?
5. How do I apply to re-open an inspection station after it was voluntarily cancelled?
6. How do I make changes to my station information listed on my current Certificate of Appointment (Form MV-427)?
7. Can I, or someone I authorize, pick up safety inspection stickers at the Riverfront Office Center's Dealer Counter?
8. How can I check on the status of my safety inspection sticker order?
9. How can I check on the status of my request for inserts?
10. How do I access Pennsylvania's safety inspection regulations?
11. What are the inspection criteria for passenger cars and light duty trucks?
12. What are the inspection criteria for medium- and heavy-duty and buses?
13. What are the inspection criteria for recreational, semi- and utility trailers?
14. What are the inspection criteria for motorcycles?
15. What are the inspection criteria for motor-driven cycles and motorized pedalcycles?
16. How do I contact a Quality Assurance Officer regarding a safety inspection?
17. How can I obtain a Pennsylvania safety inspection manual?
18. Can an incomplete vehicle undergo a safety inspection?
1. How do I apply to become an official PennDOT safety inspection station?
To apply to become an official PennDOT safety inspection station you must complete a new station application packet. If you are applying to become a Safety Station and Emission Station you must complete a packet for each type.
2. How do I become a certified safety inspector?
You must be at least 18 years of age, have a valid driver's license, attend a PennDOT-approved certification course and successfully complete the prescribed tests. Please check the list of Approved Safety Schools in Pennsylvania for locations.
3. How do I renew my safety inspector certifications?
You will receive a renewal letter in the mail 180 days prior to the expiration of your inspector license. You must take and pass your exam prior to the expiration of your inspector license.
4. How do I apply for a reappointment after suspension?
If your inspection station was suspended for over 2 months, you must complete a new station application packet. If you are applying to become a Safety Station and Emission Station you must complete a packet for each type.
If your inspection station was suspended for 2 months or less, contact the Quality Assurance Officer assigned to your county.
5. How do I apply to re-open an inspection station after it was voluntarily cancelled?
To re-open an inspection station after it has been voluntarily cancelled, you must complete a new station application packet. If you are applying to become a Safety Station and Emission Station you must complete a packet for each type.
6. How do I make changes to my station information listed on my current Certificate of Appointment (Form MV-427)?
You must complete a new station application packet if you are making any of the following changes:
- Adding Emissions to an already existing Safety Station
- Change of ownership
- Change from partnership to sole proprietor
- Change of partners or corporate officers
- Change from company to corporation
- Change from sole proprietorship to a corporation, LLC, or partnership.
If changing from Corporation to LLC, an Article of Amendment must be filed with the Pennsylvania Department of State.
If you are applying to make changes to a Safety Station and Emission Station you must complete a packet for each type.
If you make a:
- Change in station authority only or;
- Change of ownership between family members (i.e. owner dies, family member takes over)
You must complete a Change of Authority packet. If you are applying to make changes to a safety and emission station you must complete a packet for each type.
- Contact the Quality Assurance Officer assigned to your county to make the changes to your station information for the following scenarios:
- Change of Location
- Change of mailing address
- Add mailing address
- Delete mailing address
- Change of address by post office
- Change of Trade Name - NOTE: If changing from a sole proprietor to LLC or corporation, a complete new application packet is required.
- Change of Station Type
- Change in Insurance Carrier
- Change in status of Pennsylvania Tax Number (number has been revoked, participating in a payment plan)
- Any scenarios not listed above.
7. Can I, or someone I authorize, pick up safety inspection stickers at the Dealer Counter?
Effective December 1, 2014, inspection stickers are no longer issued at the Dealer Counter. Bonded messengers may continue to submit safety inspection sticker orders to be filled and mailed to the inspection station.
A drop box is available at the Dealer Counter for customers who wish to drop off their inspection sticker order. Safety inspection sticker orders placed in the drop box will be collected, processed and mailed daily, Monday through Friday.
8. How can I check on the status of my safety inspection sticker order?
You may call the Sticker Processing Unit at (717) 705-2182. If you mailed in your requisition, please allow 10 days before calling.
9. How can I check on the status of my request for inserts?
You may call the Sticker Processing Unit at (717) 705-2182. If you mailed in your requisition, please allow 10 days before calling.
10. How do I access Pennsylvania's safety inspection regulations?
For inspection regulations, please reference Publication 45 for the Vehicle Equipment and Inspection Regulations.
11. What are the inspection criteria for passenger cars and light-duty trucks?
Safety inspections for passenger cars and light-duty trucks require that the following items be checked: suspension components, steering, braking systems, tires and wheels, lighting and electrical systems, glazing (glass), mirrors, windshield washer, defroster, wipers, fuel systems, the speedometer, the odometer, the exhaust systems, horns and warning devices, the body and chassis. For a complete list of the rejection criteria for passenger cars and light-duty trucks, please reference Section 175.80 of Subchapter E of the Vehicle Equipment and Inspection Regulations.
12. What are the inspection criteria for medium and heavy trucks and buses?
Safety inspections for medium and heavy trucks and buses require that the following items be checked: suspension components, steering, braking systems, tires and wheels, lighting and electrical systems, glazing (glass), mirrors, windshield washer, defroster, wipers, fuel systems, the speedometer, the odometer, the exhaust systems, horns and warning devices, the body and chassis. For a complete list of the rejection criteria for medium and heavy duty trucks and buses, please reference Section 175.110 of Subchapter F of the Vehicle Equipment and Inspection Regulations.
13. What are the inspection criteria for recreational, semi- and utility trailers?
Safety inspections for recreational, semi- and utility trailers require that the following items be checked: suspension components, braking systems, tires and wheels, lighting and electrical systems, glazing the body and chassis. For a complete list of the rejection criteria for recreational, semi- and utility trailers, please reference Section 175.130 of Subchapter G of the Vehicle Equipment and Inspection Regulations.
14. What are the inspection criteria for motorcycles?
Safety inspections for motorcycles require that the following items be checked: suspension components, steering, braking systems, tires and wheels, lighting and electrical systems, glazing (glass), mirrors, fuel systems, the speedometer, the odometer, the exhaust systems, horns and warning devices, the body and chassis. For a complete list of the rejection criteria for motorcycles, please reference Section 175.160 of Subchapter H of the Vehicle Equipment and Inspection Regulations.
15. What are the inspection criteria for motor-driven cycles and motorized pedalcycles?
Safety inspections for motor-driven cycles and motorized pedalcycles require that the following items be checked: steering, braking systems, tires and wheels, lighting and electrical systems, glazing (glass), mirrors, fuel systems, the speedometer, the odometer, the exhaust systems, horns and warning devices, the body and chassis. For a complete list of the rejection criteria for motor-driven cycles and motorized pedalcycles, please reference Section 175.190 of Subchapter J of the Vehicle Equipment and Inspection Regulations.
16. How do I contact a Quality Assurance Officer regarding a safety inspection?
Quality Assurance Officers are assigned to specific geographic areas. To find the Quality Assurance Officer nearest you, please check the Quality Assurance Officers Contact List.
17. How can I obtain a Pennsylvania safety inspection manual?
Updated Manuals Now Available - While it is still available to download free of charge, the Vehicle Equipment and Inspections Regulations Manual, (Pub 45), is available for download on PennDOT's website. You can access Pub 45 in the forms and publications sections of our website or you may download and print it at this link: Vehicle Equipment and Inspections Regulations Manual.
18. Can an incomplete vehicle undergo a safety inspection?
No. An incomplete vehicle must either be completed by a second stage manufacturer and receive a new MCO or the incomplete vehicle can be modified and go through the enhanced inspection receiving a modified title, then the vehicle can be safety inspected.