Section 451.110   Official Testing Stations (OTS) Classifications, Specifications and Safety Test Equipment

a)         Classification of the OTS shall be governed by the smallest dimensions of the land configuration, the building (interior and exterior), and the maximum capacities of the required testing equipment.

b)         The following are minimum dimensions and lane OTS classifications:

*       With a combination wheel alignment and brake testing device

**     With a separate wheel alignment tester and brake testing device

+       Must have an entrance and exit door in direct line with the safety test equipment.  D OTS's have optional drive through capabilities.

++     Lane dimensions have been waived to accommodate vehicles. Refer to subsections (e) and (f) for requirements.

c)         Class A OTS are limited to testing single vehicles or combinations of vehicles which are less than twelve feet in height when measured to the highest point of the vehicle(s).  The weight of the vehicle(s) must not exceed the capacity of the authorized safety test equipment.

d)         Class B OTS are limited to testing single unit motor vehicles (trucks, tractors and buses).  No trailers or semitrailers shall be tested at a B OTS.  Vehicles tested at B OTS must not exceed authorized capacity of test equipment or Permit limitations (refer to subsection (b) for limitations).

e)         Class B1 OTS are authorized to test single motor vehicles. The Station can be a drive-through operation but it is not required.  Special category vehicles or school buses being tested cannot exceed the capacity of the authorized safety test equipment.  No trailers or semitrailers shall be tested at a B1 OTS.

f)         Class B2 OTS are authorized to test all sizes and combinations of vehicles.  B2 OTS must have drive-through capabilities.   Special category vehicles or school buses being tested cannot exceed the capacity of the authorized safety test equipment. The size of any vehicle being inspected shall not exceed the limitation of the Official Testing Station's building.

g)         Class C OTS are authorized to test all sizes and combinations of vehicles which can enter the lane facilities and not exceed the capacity of the authorized safety test equipment.

h)         Class D OTS are public OTS established solely to conduct school bus safety tests.  These OTS are authorized to test all school buses which can enter the lane facility and not exceed capacity of the authorized safety test equipment.  D OTS may have drive through capabilities, if their building so permits, but it is not a requirement.

i)          Any size classification OTS may test school buses provided Department authorization has been granted.  The OTS operator must indicate that he has at least one employee who has been certified as a school bus tester.  The lane equipment must be capable of testing the weight of a school bus.

j)          The requirements for a private Official Testing Station shall be the same as for a public Official Testing Station.  The testing capabilities of the private lane or designated testing area are dependent upon the largest vehicle or combination of vehicles in the firm's fleet and the capacity of the authorized safety test equipment in the lane or the building's dimensions.

k)         Department personnel will determine appropriate OTS classifications based on lane dimensions and equipment capabilities set forth by the Department. OTS Permits shall display the allowable size dimensions for vehicles being tested in that OTS.

l)          For any lane or designated testing area, a perimeter line at least three inches wide and readily visible must be permanently marked on the floor in at least the minimum dimensions set forth in subsection (b). For lane areas, the perimeter lines must meet the minimum dimensions set forth in subsection (b).  For designated testing areas, the perimeter lines must be able to accommodate the largest vehicle in the firm's fleet.

m)        There must be no obstruction caused by building design or fixture placement within the minimum dimensions of the lane or designated testing area perimeter lines.

n)         All authorized safety test equipment must be located within the lane perimeter lines.

o)         In addition to the minimum dimensions in subsection (b), a lane must have the appropriate capacity equipment installed and utilized as approved by the Department (refer to subsection (x) and Sections 451.130(b) and (d)).  The Commercial Vehicle Safety Section will establish and maintain a list of authorized safety test equipment (see Section 451. Appendix F for approved list).  This list will be available upon written request to the CVSS.

p)         Safety test equipment must be installed according to the respective manufacturer's specifications.  The location of the installed equipment must be approved by the CVSS (refer to subsection (x)). The center line of the brake tester or wheel alignment tester may be offset from the center of the lane entrance to the center of the lane exit; however, drive-through capabilities and accurate test readings must be maintained.

q)        Each lane within a Public or Private Station must be equipped with the following equipment:

1)         jack or lift;

2)         wheel alignment indicator (drive-on type);

3)         brake testing device (drive-on type);

4)         tread depth gauge; and

5)         small hand tools (e.g., screwdriver, pliars, wrench).

r)         All Official Testing Stations authorized to perform Appendix G inspections must be equipped with the following items:

1)         marking device;

2)         measuring device;

3)         tread depth gauge;

4)         set of calipers;

5)         wheel chocks;

6)         flashlight; and

7)         scratch pad or small notebook.

s)         Each jack or lift must equal or exceed the following minimum capacities and must be capable of lifting the vehicle so that the bottom of the tires are at a distance from the floor to allow inspection of the vehicle's underside components.

1)         Classes A, B1, B2, C and D OTS must have a jack or lift with a Manufacturer's Rated Minimum Lifting Capacity of 18,000 pounds.

2)         Class B OTS, with an 8,000 or 10,000 pound vehicle scope, must have a jack or lift with a Manufacturer's Rated Minimum Lifting Capacity of 5,000 pounds.

3)         Class B OTS with a 14,000 pound vehicle scope must have a jack or lift with a Manufacturer's Rated Minimum Lifting Capacity of 8,000 pounds. This requirement pertains only to OTS licensed on or after January 1, 1977, or those where the jack or lift is replaced.

t)          Every wheel alignment indicator must be the drive-on type approved by the CVSS and must be permanently installed according to the respective manufacturer's specifications (refer to Section 451.Appendix F).

u)         Each brake testing device must be the drive-on type approved by the CVSS and must be permanently installed according to the respective manufacturer's specifications (refer to Section 451.Appendix F).

v)        Maximum vehicle weight which can be safety tested at a Class B OTS is based upon the total maximum reading of the brake testing machine.  The three classes of B OTS are:

1)         Class B OTS which have a brake testing machine capable of registering a capacity of 1,500 pounds on the tube or dial for each tread plate may test motor vehicles up to 8,000 pounds vehicle empty weight.

2)         Class B OTS which have a brake testing machine capable of registering a capacity of 2,000 pounds on the tube or dial for each tread plate may test motor vehicles up to 10,000 pounds vehicle empty weight.

3)         Class B OTS which have a brake testing machine capable of registering a capacity of 3,000 pounds on the tube or dial for each tread plate may test motor vehicles up to 14,000 pounds vehicle empty weight.

w)        Class B OTS established prior to July 1, 1973 with brake testing machine capabilities of 8,000 and 10,000 pounds empty vehicle weight, may remain active provided ownership has not changed and equipment remains in the existing building.  After July 1, 1973, all new B OTS which are opened must have equipment with the capacity to test vehicles up to 14,000 pounds vehicle empty weight.

x)         For each wheel alignment indicator installed after January 1, 1977, the indicator tower must be located to the driver's left.  For each brake testing device installed after January 1, 1977, the tower must be located either on the left side or at the right front corner.  Both the wheel alignment indicator and brake testing device towers must be installed so they can be easily read from the driver's seat.

y)         On brake testing machines which are mounted flush with a floor, no vehicles shall be tested if any part of the tire tread of the vehicle extends over the side or sides of the tread plate.

z)         Each item of equipment required must be maintained in proper calibration.  Maintenance, calibration and repair shall be performed in accordance with the respective manufacturer's instruction manuals and specifications.

aa)       Failure to meet the qualifications in this Section will nullify an application until the qualifications are met.

bb)       Any Station that has a change in ownership, business name, equipment or location will be reclassified to the appropriate OTS classification. Any change in ownership, business name or location requires a new application and payment of the ten dollar filing fee.  Following approval by Department personnel in accordance with the requirements of this Section, a new Permit will be issued.

cc)       Any Station issued a Permit for Class C or Class A OTS prior to January 1, 1977, which does not meet any specifications for its respective classification, shall be required to reclassify to the appropriate OTS classification and abide by the resultant limitations.

(Source:  Amended at 17 Ill. Reg. 12839, effective July 27, 1993)