Brake & Lamp Certification
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BRAKE AND LAMP CERTIFICATION FOR SALVAGED VEHICLES
 

People who are registering their vehicle with a "Salvaged Title" will need to have a brake and lamp inspection to receive a certificate of compliance that the vehicle is in safe operating condition before the DMV will issue a title to the owner of the vehicle. The brake and lamp inspections and certification must be performed by a repair shop that is certified to perform these inspections.

The following items will be inspected on a vehicle requiring a brake and lamp inspection and certification. Any deficiency on any item will result in a failure of that entire system and a certificate cannot be issued:

Brake System
1) Shoes or linings must be no thinner than 3/32 to metal of any kind. (They will be measured)
2) Drums and or rotors. Must be within manufacturers specs. (They will be measured)
3) All hardware must be present, installed correctly and in working order. (I.e. Self adjusters)
4) No signs of leakage in the hydraulic system; includes master cylinder, wheel cylinders, calipers, valves, lines & connections.
5) Hoses. No cracks allowed. Period (often overlooked)
6) Warning lamps. They must glow when they are supposed to glow and be off when they are supposed to be off.
7) Emergency brake. Must be capable of holding the vehicle on a 6% grade.
8) Vehicle must be able to stop (panic) in less than 20 feet at a speed of 25mph.

Lamp System
1) All originally equipped lighting equipment must be in working order. Please pre-inspect the following lights before your appointment. Headlamps, tail lamps, marker lamps, back-up lamps, brake lamps (third lamp if required), license plate lamps, turn signals, high beam indicator & any and all warning lamps. Dome light and instrument illumination are exempt from this inspection.
2) Headlamps must be aimable. All adjusting hardware must be in good working order.
3) Lenses must be intact. No cracks that will allow any white light to be emitted.
4) All reflectors must be intact.
5) Body damage that interferes with the visibility of lighting equipment must be repaired prior to inspection.
6) Damage to headlamp aiming pads will need to be corrected prior to the inspection. These are the little pointy things on the lamps glass. They cannot be broken off.
7) Headlamps must not have moisture built up on the inside of the glass or plastic lenses.
8) If the vehicle is equipped with aftermarket lighting equipment, it must work or be removed. This includes fog lamps and KC style spot lamps.

This is by no means a complete list of the things that are inspected. Every vehicle is different. If you have any doubts about your vehicle, please ask to speak with a licensed inspector/adjustor for clarification on the vehicle code pertinent to your vehicle and your concerns. You may call us at 530-257-5106.