Everybody Makes Mistakes - but what if it is the Inspection Station?

Post date: Aug 27, 2016 11:10:13 AM

At this point, I have fielded nearly 100 questions from technicians and vehicle owners alike. The questions range from all kinds of things related to PA safety inspection, however many deal with things customers were told cause their vehicle to fail but upon further research seem not to be a rejectable items regarding PA safety inspection.

Some examples are:

• • A vehicle failed for a clutch neutral safety switch not preventing the vehicle from being cranked over. (not rejectable)

  • A vehicle failed for an old battery that was still functioning. (not rejectable)

  • A vehicle failed for a side window that will not go down. (not rejectable)

  • A motorcycle was issued the wrong inspection sticker expiration.

We all know that no one is perfect, and this goes for PA safety inspection stations as well. If you do encounter something that the inspection station may have done incorrectly or failed the vehicle for incorrectly, please, go back to that inspection station and discuss it with them. In most instances people have been able to resolve the situation that way, with the inspection station recognizing it was an error on their part and doing what they need to do to correct it.

Remember, it is your choice what inspection station you take your vehicle to. If you do not have a positive experience, you do not have to return to them for any future inspections. I have had a handful of people who have not been able to resolve the situation by contacting the inspection station on their own. In those cases, PennDOT recommends that you contact your Quality Assurance Officer (QAO) to explain the situation and they will contact the inspection station to get it resolved. Here is a link to the phone numbers of the QAOs by county:

http://www.dot.state.pa.us/Public/DVSPubsForms/BMV/BMV%20Safety%20Inspection%20Bulletins/QAOfficers.pdf

Please remember, in many instances the information the inspection station gave was correct and you should always do your best to try to resolve this on your own with the inspection station. If that is unsuccessful, then please feel free to contact your QAO.