(a) All testing equipment must be approved by the department. All testing equipment must be installed and used in accordance with the manufacturer's and department's instructions. Equipment must be arranged and located at or near the approved inspection area and readily available for use.
(b) When equipment adjustments and calibrations are needed, the manufacturer's specifications and department's instructions must be followed. Defective equipment must not be used and the vehicle inspector or station must cease performing inspections until such equipment is replaced, recalibrated or repaired and returned to an operational status.
(c) To be certified as a vehicle inspection station, the station is required to possess and maintain, at a minimum, the equipment listed in paragraphs (1) - (7) of this subsection:
  (1) a measured and marked brake test area which has been approved by the department, or an approved brake testing device;
  (2) a measuring device clearly indicating measurements of 12 inches, 15 inches, 20 inches, 24 inches, 54 inches, 60 inches, 72 inches and 80 inches to measure reflector height, clearance lamps, side marker lamps and turn signal lamps on all vehicles, with the exception that the 80 inch measuring device requirement does not apply to motorcycle-only vehicle inspection stations;
  (3) a gauge for measuring tire tread depth;
  (4) a measuring device for checking brake pedal reserve clearance. This requirement does not apply to vehicle inspection stations with only a motorcycle endorsement;
  (5) a department approved device for measuring the light transmission of sunscreening devices. This requirement does not apply to government inspection stations, or fleet inspection stations that have provided the department biennial written certification that the station has no vehicles equipped with a sunscreening device. This requirement does not apply to vehicle inspection stations with only a motorcycle and/or trailer endorsement; and
  (6) a department approved device with required adapters for checking fuel cap pressure. The department requires vehicle inspection stations to obtain updated adapters as they become available from the manufacturer. A vehicle inspection station may not inspect a vehicle for which it does not have an approved adapter for that vehicle. This device is not required of government inspection stations or fleet inspection stations which have provided the department biennial written certification that the station has no vehicles meeting the criteria for checking gas cap pressure or that these vehicles will be inspected by a public inspection station capable of checking gas caps. This device is not required of motorcycle-only or trailer-only inspection stations and certain commercial inspection stations that only inspect vehicles powered by a fuel other than gasoline.
(d) To be certified as a non-emissions vehicle inspection station, the station must have:
  (1) an approved and operational electronic station interface device;
  (2) a printer and supplies necessary for printing a vehicle inspection report on 8 1/2 x 11 paper; and
  (3) a telephone line, or internet connection for the electronic station interface device to be used during vehicle inspections either dedicated solely for use with the electronic device, or shared with other devices in a manner approved by the department.
(e) For vehicle emissions inspection station requirements, see Subchapter E of this chapter (relating to Vehicle Emissions Inspection and Maintenance Program).

Source Note: The provisions of this §23.13 adopted to be effective March 13, 2013, 38 TexReg 1700; amended to be effective March 1, 2015, 40 TexReg 258; amended to be effective May 14, 2020, 45 TexReg 3139