.03 Personnel Requirements.

A. Hours of Operation.

(1) Inspection stations shall have regular daytime business hours Monday through Friday from at least 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

(2) Inspection stations may adjust their regular business days in the best interests of the State and the public on written approval from the Division.

B. Inspection Mechanic Requirements.

(1) Each licensee open to the public shall have available for duty during regular daytime business hours at least one full-time registered inspection mechanic at each authorized inspection station who shall:

(a) Have successfully submitted an application for registered inspection mechanic which is complete, legible, bearing the applicant's signature in ink, and accompanied by the fee set forth in COMAR 11.11.05;

(b) Be at least 18 years old; or at least 17 years old and possess a certificate of satisfactory completion of an automotive mechanic's course from an accredited Maryland high school or its equivalent;

(c) Have a minimum of 12 months' general motor vehicle repair experience;

(d) Be thoroughly familiar with the contents of the Vehicle Inspection Handbook;

(e) Possess a valid driver's license issued in the applicant's name for the class of vehicle to be driven in the course of inspection;

(f) Receive a grade of at least 80 on the administrative part of the examination given by the Division and each part of the examination applying to the class of vehicle on which the applicant will be performing inspections;

(g) Be reexamined if inactive for more than 6 months and be subject to periodic reexamination as required by the Division;

(h) Be capable of performing and passing a demonstrated ability exam as required and prescribed by the Division;

(i) Be capable of road testing the motor vehicle as part of the inspection procedure;

(j) Be responsible for and capable of:

(i) Performing partial and complete inspections;

(ii) Completing all inspection certificates and safety equipment repair orders; and

(iii) Maintaining records pertaining to all complete or partial inspections that the mechanic performs; and

(k) Refrain from the use, or being under the influence, of alcoholic beverages or controlled dangerous substances (CDS) during work hours.

(2) Under §B(1)(f) of this regulation, an approved inspection mechanic need only take those parts of the examination for the additional vehicle class or classes for which the inspection mechanic is seeking to be approved with a grade of at least 80 for each additional part or parts. Three consecutive failures of the written examination shall require at least a 6-month waiting period before any subsequent written examination may be taken.

(3) Under §B(1)(h) of this regulation, in cases when a written examination is required, or upon transfer from one authorized inspection station to another, the Division may require a registered inspection mechanic to pass the demonstrated ability exam. Three consecutive failures of any demonstrated ability exam shall require at least a 6-month waiting period before any subsequent exam. Demonstrated ability exams will be administered by the trooper or civilian employee of the Division assigned supervision of the station where the individual is employed only on routine station visit days and reexamination after failure will be conducted upon the next routine station visit, unless exigent circumstances exist.

(4) Registered inspection mechanics may only be registered at one authorized inspection station on a full-time basis.

C. Controller Requirements.

(1) The applicant/licensee shall designate a controller to control inspection certificates within the facility who shall:

(a) Be approved by the Division to function in that capacity after successfully submitting a Division application and passing a written Supervisor/Controller Examination administered by the Division;

(b) Be authorized to receive inspection certificates from the Division;

(c) Be responsible for issuing in strict numerical sequence all inspection certificates to registered inspection mechanics upon satisfactory completion of inspection;

(d) Assure that all certificates contain the date the vehicle is fully certified and are issued before the vehicle leaves the facility premises;

(e) Maintain strict security of all unused inspection certificates in a locked desk, cabinet, or safe, and assure that only designated personnel have access to the unused inspection certificates; and

(f) Have all records of inspections available at the facility during normal working hours that may be removed by Division personnel as needed.

D. Supervisor Requirements.

(1) The applicant/licensee shall designate supervisory personnel who shall:

(a) Be approved by the Division to function in that capacity after successfully submitting a Division application and passing a written Supervisor/Controller Examination administered by the Division; and

(b) Be responsible for and supervise the daily operation of the inspection program at the licensee's facility.