Apply for a vehicle inspection station license

All inspection stations are required to be licensed by the Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV) to conduct vehicle inspections.

Registry of Motor Vehicles

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The Details   of Apply for a vehicle inspection station license

What you need   for Apply for a vehicle inspection station license

To apply for a vehicle inspection station license, you need:

  1. A business certificate issued to the inspection station by the municipality in which the business premises are located.
  2. If the inspection station is incorporated, official evidence of organization of the corporation, which may be fulfilled by submitting a letter from the Office of the Secretary of State, Corporation Records.
  3. A copy of the Certificate of Compliance or Certificate of Good Standing from the Department of Revenue.
  4. All applicable fees.

 

How to apply   Apply for a vehicle inspection station license

If you are interested in applying to be a licensed fleet or heavy-duty public inspection station, please email RMVinspection@dot.state.ma.us the following information:

  • Station Name (if applicable)
  • Contact Person
  • Address
  • Phone Number
  • Email Address
  • Class of Station for which you are interested in applying (Class C, D or E)

Or send your request to:

Registry of Motor Vehicles

Attention Vehicle Inspection Station Department
P.O. Box 55892
Boston, MA 02205-5892

The RMV does not anticipate licensing stations on the “waiting list” to be public light-duty inspection stations, except under special circumstances, such as in areas deemed to be underserved. If you are already on the waiting list for a Class A or Class B station license, you will be contacted when a license becomes available.

More info   for Apply for a vehicle inspection station license

Initial Inspection Station Site Assessment

After the approval of the station application, the RMV will conduct an initial site assessment to ensure that the inspection station has the appropriate bay sizes to accommodate the vehicles that station will be inspecting.

Initial Site Assessment Requirements:

  • All inspection bays with lifts of any type must meet the minimum requirements prescribed by 540 CMR 4.08 and be approved by the RMV
  • Inspection bays with lifts of any type must abide to the terms and conditions for lifts set by the Registry of Motor Vehicles. A terms and conditions form is available from the Vehicle Safety and Compliance Services Department and must be signed by the inspection station
  • The designated area for inspection must be unobstructed, suitably marked or otherwise outlined, and be of a smooth, level, substantial flooring surface (e.g. concrete) on which the wheels of the single vehicle or combination of vehicles will stand evenly while being inspected, and must be maintained in a neat manner
  • For commercial inspection stations, the inspection area must be equipped to provide regulated air supply of sufficient pressure and electrical power to any non-self-powered commercial motor vehicle that, in combination, cannot be accommodated in the designated area
  • The RMV may also approve an additional specifically designated area on the inspection station's premises convenient to the approved inspection bay to be used for the inspection of vehicles and/or trailers and converter dollies
  • All public Class C, Class D, and Class E commercial motor vehicle inspection facilities, and facilities using Class F mobile inspections, must have a specific area approved by the RMV where the inspection of commercial motor vehicles will be performed

Final Inspection Station Site Assessment

Once the initial inspection station requirements are fulfilled and verified, the inspection station will need to procure the appropriate inspection equipment. The inspection station must then pass a final site assessment by the RMV before the station is able to obtain a license and perform inspections.

Station Equipment Required for Final Site Assessment:

  • Approved Headlight Aimer
  • 48” Aiming Stick
  • Brake Meter (except Class M)
  • Dial Indicator Gauge (except Class M)
  • Tint Meter (except Class M and Fleet)
  • Jack
  • Jack Stands (except Class M)
  • Tire Tread Depth Gauge
  • Inspection Manual
  • Proper Station Sign (except Fleet)
  • Inspection Hours Sign (except Fleet)
  • Licensed Inspectors
  • Work Station
  • Required Emission Equipment (except M)

Each additional bay operated under the same license must be in the same building and must have a workstation and all required equipment except tint meter and brake meter. Adjacent bays in the same building may share a single workstation, tint meter, and brake meter. These configurations will be approved on a case-by-case basis.

Additional Inspection Station Requirements

Commercial Inspection Stations

(Class B, C, D, E, F)

•    Must meet the specific requirements to test commercial vehicles, such as adequate bay sizes and door heights

•    Must employ at least one inspector who specializes in commercial vehicle testing and possesses a valid commercial driver's license

7D Inspection Stations

(7D endorsement)

•    Only Class A, B, D, and F licensed inspection stations are eligible to apply for inspection station 7D endorsements

•    Must be licensed and free from violation enforcement action for a minimum period of one year

Motorcycle Inspection Station (Class M) 540 CMR 4.08 1(a)
  • An applicant for a Class M motorcycle inspection station license must be a licensed Motorcycle Dealer pursuant to M.G.L. c. 140, § 58 or a motorcycle repairer with a license to operate a repair business who has received factory training or equivalent training approved by the Registrar.
  • Must have all inspections performed by permanent employees who are in possession of a valid motorcycle inspector's license. A permanent employee is defined as a person who is on the payroll records of the customer, and regularly employed on the premises for a minimum of 20 hours a week
Mobile Inspection Stations (Class F)

•    Must be enclosed within a building with adequate security

•    Must have an entranceway that provides direct access to enforcement personnel of the Registry of Motor Vehicles

•    Must have a dedicated telephone line for business and access to a fax machine

•    Must conspicuously display sign with company name

•    Must have adequate provisions to store and secure all records on site

•    Must have record logs that include the date of inspection, company name, address, telephone number, quantity of scheduled inspections, and scheduled time of inspections. All inspections must be by appointment only and recorded in the log prior to inspection

•    Must conduct all inspections off-site. Mobile inspection stations are prohibited from conducting inspections at their place of business or garage location of their mobile testing equipment

•    Must house all testing equipment, including the workstation, inside a suitable vehicle or trailer to prevent damage or theft

•    Must provide a means of testing trailer brake systems and lights

  

Contact   for Apply for a vehicle inspection station license

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