Inspection station Recommendation? RECON ?

Then why is it, that in portions that the state doesnt have regulations for, they make reference to the fmvss? IE Lighting Color ... If MANUFACTURERS have to build it that way, why is it not enforced for everyone else?

 

Lighting color is enforced. All marker light colors must be properly oriented. I'm sure you already know that aftermarket HID's don't pass. Aftermarket lighting fixtures are permissible provided the lighting colors are correct and in the proper positions. The car you buy at the dealership already conforms to the FMVSS and can be sold in the US. The state PMVI is an inspection that Hawaii says you need to pass in order to drive that car on our roads. Does it keep the roads safe? No. Not by a long shot but it generates revenue for the state and ensures all Hawaii drivers have paid their registration fees.

 

Damn communist!

 

So the state picks and chooses what parts of federal regs they want to enforce and not? Is it based on how convenient it is for them in a bind? Dont sound like very good ambassadors to me... No wonder our state is at the bottom of the barrel, were too busy throwing good money for bad choices... Since you work in this dept im going to leave you alone already... but Im sorry for not being sorry... Take it as you will...

 

that very statement is what inspector "B" sounded like when he "failed" my truck for something after 2 other shops, A & C, have passed before & after dealing with said inspector.

all 3 places seemed very knowledgeable and keen on all the requirements, and all are reputable locations. not pointing fingers or anything, but having a license doesn't mean it's correct.

 

Safety inspectors across the state are consistently inconsistent. To be fair, it all depends on what the fail was for and how the inspector interprets the law. Take for instance the sound level of the exhaust. To one inspector, it may be fine but another would say it's too loud. We are not issued db meters nor are required to have one so its open to judgement. Same goes for horn volume. There are many subjective inspection items but I'm not a complete ass. Some guys go for the throat and fail for leaking cv boot clamps or slightly misaligned headlight. Also, if you ever feel like you've been inspected unfairly, there is a phone number on the back that you can call and voice your complaints.

 

And its no longer in my book being called a safety inspector... Its now safety regulation INTERPRETER... They aren't by the book, they are basing it all om their interpretation of the book

 

If one thing the state needs to do its to get rid of subjection. That's when things get screwed up and people can take advantage of the system. The inspectors should have every tool required to limit subjection by the inspection.

 

Yep. But it's the Periodic Motor Vehicle Inspection. There's barely any "safety" at all involved in the inspection.

 

straight from DOT hawaii emailed to me 1/20/2015

"You may access the Inspector's Manual at web site: http://hidot.hawaii.gov/highways/home/doing-business/hawaii-administrative-rules/. When you get there scroll to 19-233.2, Periodic Inspection of Motor Vehicles. Click on the PMVI Manual for Inspectors of Passenger cars and light trucks. Go to page 20. The failure criteria are listed at the bottom of the page. The TPMS is not on the list. "

email note sent from Lovstedt at DOT. he states TPMS warning light has been omitted from the latest inspection manual. Lovstedt is the head man in charge of the inspections at the DOT level.


this is their way of saying TPMS isnt "Required" for the inspection - you may still need it to obey FEDERAL law but for hawaii law its not a item checked.

also the only dash warning light that CAN fail is SRS/AIRBAG and or "BRAKE" NOT ABS, Check engine light etc etc.

if you wish to confirm you can call the recon station since they are the same people who oversee oahu inspectors. they will confirm word for word. Then you can update your inspectors at your job since the DOT nor the C&C fail to ever update anyone except a type writer who has to type this crap out




also- insurance cards on your cell phone is now proof of insurance for inspections as of 07/2016.... a rule that hasnt been explained to the public

 

and to prove your point - The same guys in charge of the oahu inspectors are the same guys that handle Recon. Which is why you have all these confusions. the whole system is run to point the blame at the lowest guy on the pole which is the technician at the shop conducting the inspections.

 

Again, I for real don't do these inspections.. I don't work in that evnirontment, it don't pay well enough.. I'm in a heavy equipment shop... Furthermore it states in there that tires used must conform to the FMVSS standards with an S indicating more than 1.. But could it be 1 more than 1, all of them? And tpms is on there.. And that was the criteria upon which I have been personally failed for before.. And you know I'm ok with that because I found a work around anyways. I've also failed upon check engine lamp illumination... CEL is referenced in the state book, but not as failure criteria... But what is failing if not just illumination? We don't have smog here because we rely upon this lamp during inspections....

 

They should be called "meh looks okay to me inspection" lol

 

No for real though.. There is so much bullshit going on with the "opinions" of inspectors riding the line of the book and claim other grey area type stuff and fail you just because

 

The tires themselves must comply with regulations set by the federal government regarding load carrying ability and DOT information. All vehicles after a particular model year must be equipped with an approved TPM system in order to be sold for use in the USA. Years ago, inspectors were instructed to fail vehicles that have the TPMS light on. Since then, the rules have been altered to only fail vehicles with stock wheels and inoperative TPM sensors. Now the rule is that no vehicle should fail because of the TPMS light being on. Regarding the CEL, the inspectors handbook states that all warning lights are to be checked for operation. When turning the key to the "on" position, all dash warning lights should illuminate. This is known as the bulb check. If any of the warning lights DO NOT illuminate, that is a fail. There are only 2 bulbs that could cause someone to fail if they remain illuminated after starting the engine. Those would be the red brake warning light or RBWL, and the SRS light. Now, let's say the catalytic converter has been removed from the vehicle. As a result, the CEL will illuminate. The car will fail for the missing cat, not the CEL. We don't have smog inspection because our air quality does not require it. If we did though, the CEL being on would then be grounds for failure. So yea, maybe other inspectors twist the rules to suit their needs but not me. I try to be as fair as the state will allow me to be. I don't use the PMVI to sniff out extra work for myself or the shop. I certainly don't do it to listen to the crap I get for failing a car from the mainland with dark tint. I do it because I can and we all need to have that stupid sticker on our cars and trucks.

 

this makes the safety process clear as mud. not that I really understood it in the first place. lol. just gimme da sticker

 

I don't quite understand why one would not pass because of aftermarket headlight bulbs...

 

No headlight modifications from bone stock are legal...

 

I would think the closest you could get is a retrofit... Some have passed with retrofits... A legit retrofit would entail the dot projector lens and shroud assy, with the proper dot d2s or other legal bulb, and proper dot ballast, with a proper wiring job to finish.. But even that is still not legal

 

so are painted black head light housing Illegal?

I was mainly talking about installing LED opt7 bulbs. I removed my LED back to stock to inspection