A vehicle presents with a cracked windshield in the driver's primary viewing
area. Under Texas safety inspection rules, which decision is correct?
A. Pass if the crack is shorter than 6 inches and not in the wiper sweep.
B. Fail only if the crack obstructs the driver's vision.
C. Fail because any crack in the driver's primary viewing area is a
rejectable defect.
D. Pass if the crack is repaired with resin and is not leaking.
Correct Answer: C - Fail because any crack in the driver's
primary viewing area is a rejectable defect.
RATIONALE
Texas inspection standards reject any crack in the driver's primary
viewing area because it can impair vision and compromise windshield
integrity. Repair alone does not cure a defect in the primary viewing
area under the inspection criteria. Options that allow passing based on
length or lack of leakage misapply the standard.
Question 2
An inspector notices the VIN plate is missing but the VIN on the door jamb
sticker matches the title. What is the correct inspection action?
A. Pass if the door jamb sticker and title match.
B. Fail and advise the customer to obtain a rebuilt/assigned VIN
inspection.
C. Pass with a note on the inspection report.
D. Fail only if the vehicle is being sold.
Correct Answer: B - Fail and advise the customer to obtain a
rebuilt/assigned VIN inspection.
Page 2
, RATIONALE
A missing VIN plate is a rejectable condition because the vehicle's
identity cannot be verified at the required location; matching
paperwork does not substitute for the physical plate. The appropriate
action is to fail the inspection and direct the owner to the proper VIN
reassignment/rebuilt process. Passing with a note or limiting failure to
sales situations is noncompliant.
Question 3
Which situation most clearly requires the inspector to stop the inspection and
contact DPS/TxDOT?
A. The customer refuses to pay the inspection fee.
B. The vehicle's odometer reading is inconsistent with the title and the
customer asks to 'adjust' it.
C. The vehicle has an expired registration sticker.
D. The customer requests an inspection for a vehicle titled in another
state.
Correct Answer: B - The vehicle's odometer reading is
inconsistent with the title and the customer asks to 'adjust' it.
RATIONALE
Odometer fraud and requests to alter odometer readings are
criminal/administrative violations that must be reported; inspectors
must not participate in or ignore such requests. Expired registration or
out-of-state titles are routine and do not require immediate DPS
notification. Fee disputes are business issues, not inspection integrity
violations.
Question 4
A vehicle's horn fails to sound. The inspector confirms the horn button works
but the horn is disconnected. The correct outcome is:
A. Pass, because the horn is not a required item for all inspections.
Page 3
, B. Fail, because the horn must be operational and properly connected.
C. Pass if the vehicle has a valid inspection from another state.
D. Fail only if the vehicle is a commercial vehicle.
Correct Answer: B - Fail, because the horn must be operational
and properly connected.
RATIONALE
A horn is required equipment and must be operational; a disconnected
horn is a rejectable defect. Out-of-state inspections do not substitute
for Texas requirements, and the horn requirement applies to passenger
vehicles as well as commercial vehicles. Passing because the button
works ignores the actual requirement that the horn sound.
Question 5
An inspection station's records show a missing inspector certification for one
employee who performed inspections. What is the most likely consequence?
A. No consequence if the inspections were performed correctly.
B. A warning only, because certification is an administrative formality.
C. The station may face suspension/revocation and penalties for allowing
an uncertified inspector to perform inspections.
D. The station can retroactively certify the inspector without penalty.
Correct Answer: C - The station may face suspension/revocation
and penalties for allowing an uncertified inspector to perform
inspections.
RATIONALE
Inspections must be performed by certified inspectors; allowing an
uncertified person to inspect violates program rules and can result in
station sanctions. Correct inspection results do not cure the
certification violation because the requirement is regulatory, not
outcome-based. Warnings or retroactive certification are not
guaranteed and do not eliminate liability.
Page 4