Vehicle Safety Systems Inspection Station Checklist

Preparing for a station inspection? Use this checklist to help ensure your station has the required equipment, tools, and reference materials to perform vehicle safety systems inspections. All equipment must be maintained and calibrated in accordance with manufacturer standards, and fully usable and operable as intended by the manufacturer during the station inspection. For additional information, see the Vehicle Safety Systems Inspection Manual.

Important! Vehicle safety systems inspection station license applicants are strongly encouraged to complete this checklist before submitting an application.

Signs and licenses

Automotive repair dealer sign

Post conspicuously in an area frequented by customers.

Vehicle safety systems inspection station sign

Post outside the business in a location easily visible to the general public.

Valid automotive repair dealer registration

Valid vehicle safety systems technician license(s)

Licenses must be mounted under glass or other transparent cover and displayed in a place where the licenses are easily visible, legible, and located adjacent to a counter where customers are served. Print a license

BAR Safety Inspection System (BAR-SIS)

Computer

The computer must run a BAR tested and approved version of Microsoft Windows operating system software. The operating system software version must be supported by Microsoft. When no longer supported, the operating system software must be updated to a supported version.

Printer

The printer may be any technology (laser, ink, etc.), compatible with the Microsoft Windows operating system used, and use 8½ inch by 11-inch plain paper. The printer may have a wired or wireless connection to the BAR-SIS computer.

Bar code scanner

The bar code scanner may be wired or wireless but must be capable of connecting to the computer (e.g., through USB connection, Bluetooth), compatible with the Microsoft Windows operating system, and able to at least scan 1-d (linear type) bar codes. Optionally, a 2-d (square type) bar code scanner may be used for late model-year vehicles.

BAR certified data acquisition device (DAD)

Biometric device (palm scanner)

Internet connection

California Vehicle Inspection System (Cal-VIS) software
Registration and download
Enrollment and billing

Vehicle Safety Systems Certificates of Compliance

Certificates may be purchased through Cal-VIS or ordered by completing a Certificate Order Form.

Lighting inspection equipment

Aiming screen, an optical-type headlamp-aiming machine, or mechanical-type headlamp aiming machine

Hand tools necessary for performing light inspections

Tire and wheel inspection equipment

Tire tread depth gauge capable of measuring up to 1” of tread in 1/32” increments

A tire pressure gauge or gauges capable of measuring from 10 to 120 pounds per square inch (psi) in increments of 1 psi

Tire inflator capable of inflating a tire to 120 psi

The tire pressure gauge and tire inflator may be a combined dual-purpose tool capable of measuring tire pressure and inflating the tire to any vehicle and tire manufacturer specifications

Brake systems inspection equipment

Brake drum diameter gauge capable of measuring in increments of 0.005 inch (0.125 millimeter (mm)) or smaller

Disc brake rotor thickness gauge capable of measuring in increments of 0.001 inch (or 0.01 mm)

Disc brake rotor runout gauge (dial indicator) capable of measuring in increments of 0.001 inch (or 0.01 mm) with magnetic or clamp type stand

Brake lining gauges capable of measuring thickness of remaining usable brake lining either in fractions of an inch or mm

Torque wrenches capable of measuring torque in accordance with vehicle manufacturer’s installation and adjustment specifications.

Hand tools necessary for performing brake inspections

Reference material and records

Vehicle Safety Systems Inspection Manual

All appropriate and current manuals, bulletins, and instructions, in accordance with Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) service specifications, or nationally recognized and industry-accepted service specifications that are accepted by the industry, including electronic forms.

Service manuals and operating instructions issued by the manufacturers for all inspection tools, instruments, machines, devices, and equipment used by the station and its technicians.