§ 175.43. Security.

 (a)  Check for errors. When inspection stickers are received by the inspection station, they should be checked for errors. If errors are discovered, they shall be reported to the Vehicle Control Division at once.

 (b)  Not transferable. An inspection certificate is not transferable. It shall only be affixed to vehicles as designated on the inspection record sheet of the inspection station to which the certificates were issued.

 (c)  Removal. Except as provided in paragraphs (1) and (3), a certificate of inspection may not be removed from a vehicle for which the certificate was issued, except to replace it with a new certificate of inspection issued under this chapter and Chapter 177 (relating to emission inspection program).

   (1)  A person replacing or repairing a windshield in a manner that requires removal of a certificate of inspection shall, at the option of the registrant of the vehicle, cut out the portion of the windshield containing the certificate of inspection and deliver it to the registrant of the vehicle or destroy the certificate. The vehicle may be driven up to 5 days if it displays the portion of the old windshield containing the certificate. Within the 5-day period, an official inspection station may affix to the vehicle another certificate of inspection for the same period without reinspecting the vehicle in exchange for the portion of the old windshield containing the certificate of inspection. Example: A #1 certificate of inspection shall be replaced with a #1 certificate of inspection. The replacement may be made any time prior to the expiration of the certificate of inspection. A fee of no more than $2 plus the fee paid to the Department for the certificate may be charged for exchanging the certificate of inspection.

     (i)   A replacement certificate of inspection may not be issued in the following circumstances.

       (A)   Acceptable proof of financial responsibility is not provided. For the purpose of this chapter, financial responsibility shall be proven by one of the following documents:

         (I)   A valid financial responsibility identification card issued in accordance with 31 Pa. Code (relating to insurance).

         (II)   The declaration page of a valid insurance policy.

         (III)   A valid self-insurance identification card.

         (IV)   A valid binder of insurance issued by an insurance company licensed to sell motor vehicle liability insurance in this Commonwealth.

         (V)   A valid insurance policy issued by an insurance company licensed to sell motor vehicle liability insurance in this Commonwealth.

       (B)   The vehicle is in an obviously unsafe operating condition.

     (ii)   The portion of the windshield containing the certificate of inspection may be retained for audit by the inspection station supervisor.

     (iii)   Record all information from the old certificate of inspection on Form MV-431. The replacement certificate of inspection shall be recorded on the same Form MV-431 and marked ‘‘replacement sticker issued.’’

     (iv)   ‘‘Replacement’’ shall be marked on the reverse side of the replacement certificate of inspection.

   (2)  Only one current, valid certificate of inspection shall be visible on a vehicle. The old certificate of inspection shall be removed and completely destroyed before a new sticker may be affixed.

   (3)  A vehicle that has an expired emission certificate of inspection affixed and which no longer has an I/M Registration Indicator on the registration card, shall have the expired emission sticker removed by the safety inspection mechanic who is affixing a new safety certificate of inspection.

 (d)  Security. Inspection certificates and temporary inspection approval indicators shall be kept under lock and key in a safe place. The station owner shall be solely responsible for their safety and shall account for certificates of inspection and temporary inspection approval indicators issued to the station.

 (e)  Unused. Unused certificates of inspection for an expired period shall be retained by the inspection station until audited by the inspection station supervisor. The Department will refund 75% of the purchase price of the unused certificates of inspection after the audit has been completed.

 (f)  Issuance of certificates of inspection. Certificates of inspection will not be issued by the Bureau to anyone who cannot display an executed signature card, Form MV-417. The signature card may not be entrusted to anyone except an employe or other person for whom the inspection station owner or manager will accept full responsibility for certificates of inspection delivered to that person.

 (g)  New signature cards. A new signature card shall be ordered from the Vehicle Control Division immediately whenever one or more of the following occur:

   (1)  The station copy is lost or stolen. The loss shall be immediately reported to the Vehicle Control Division.

   (2)  An employe whose signature appears on the card is no longer employed by the station.

   (3)  The card is defaced, torn or illegible.

   (4)  A signature is to be added.

   The provisions of this §  175.43 amended under the Vehicle Code, 75 Pa.C.S. § §  4101, 4103(a), 4702, 4703, 4728 and 6103.

   The provisions of this §  175.43 adopted July 9, 1982, effective July 10, 1982, 12 Pa.B. 2181; amended October 29, 1982, effective October 30, 1982, 12 Pa.B. 3859; amended June 1, 1984, effective June 2, 1984, 14 Pa.B. 1874; readopted December 2, 1988, effective December 3, 1988, 18 Pa.B. 5362; amended February 18, 1994, effective February 19, 1994, 24 Pa.B. 962; amended September 26, 1997, effective September 27, 1997, 27 Pa.B. 5003. Immediately preceding text appears at serial pages (221217) to (221219).