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I went down to my local Suzuki dealership on my birthday, since I had the day off, to get my new (new to me) Hayabusa inspected, so I could get it registered in Maryland. Unlike some states, Maryland does not require annual inspections; just at the time of purchase, before registration can be completed. I brought the bike to the shop in my truck, so there could be no doubt I was obeying the rules, and because the MD state patrol sometimes hangs out there to check the bikes being inspected.
I was seen right away, but as I feared there was a MD state police cruiser parked in the lot. My bike failed because the mirrors were too small (less than 7 sq inches); it had no side reflectors; and finally because the LED undertail lights (turn signals and brake lights), although working perfectly, didn't have the raised letters"DOT" on the lens or lamps. The state police officer was standing nearby when they gave me the inspection sheet and went over the failures with me.
I pointed out to the inspector that Maryland State Law says motorcycles must have a minimum of one reflector in the rear, which I have. I also pointed out that state law also says motorcycles are exempt from the requirement for electric turn signals, plus there is no mention in state law of the size for rear view mirrors on motorcycles. The inspector said he was following the Maryland Vehicle Inspection Handbook, which he happily showed me. When I pointed out that this Handbook is not state law, just an administrative regulation by the Maryland DOT, he seemed a little confused.
At this point I noticed in the "lighting" section of the handbook that I was flipping through stated "all lamps, lenses, and reflectors must be approved." Then I noticed on the inspection sheet that the inspector had failed my turn signals and brake lights because of the lack of raised "DOT" letters. He had actually written "No raised DOT letters" in the remarks area. When I asked the inspector how they determined my lights weren't approved, the state cop chimed in and said, "DOT places the raised letters on all lighting equipment to show they're approved."
I said, "No, they don't. DOT doesn't have the authority to approve or disapprove any vehicle or equipment. The raised letters "DOT" are put on some lighting equipment by the manufacturer to voluntarily attest that the equipment meets all federal requirements. It's isn't an approval by DOT, and it isn't required by federal law."
He then said, "Well, that's the way we're interpreting the regulation and that's the requirement in Maryland."
When I asked how the state administrative regulations could violate state law, specifically that motorcycles aren't required to have electric turn signals, he said, "Well, that's up to the Director of Maryland DOT, but those are the rules."
Then I saw the requirement in the handbook for two reflectors on each side of the bike (amber forward and red to the rear), not just one in the rear as the state law requires. When I asked the state cop about that he said "It's just like the turn signals, the Director of Maryland DOT has set stricter rules."
When I asked him what authority the Director of Maryland DOT has to alter state law without legislative approval, he couldn't give me an answer. He told me, "If you think there's a mistake you should call or write the Maryland DOT about it, but the shop is just following the rules."
The I asked, "I see an awful lot of cars and trucks with LEDs, how is it they get passed in their Maryland inspection..? I don't know of any LEDs that have the raised DOT letters." The inspector said,"We just inspect motorcycles, not cars." So I flipped to the section for cars, and there wasn't any phrase, "all lamps, lenses, and reflectors must be approved." "Well, that explains it", I said. They pass these 4-wheelers because there's no requirement for their lights to be "approved". When I asked the cop if he thought the DOT was discriminating against motorcyclists, he just shrugged.
So I went home and took the plate off my old 'Busa and installed it on the new 'Busa. I sold the old 'Busa this week, and the new owner picks it up on Saturday. He lives in another state. The plate is good for another 9 months, and then I can renew through the mail. I still intend to get the bike registered, but now I have to find a shop that isn't as retarded as my usual shop. But what am I supposed to do if all the inspectors follow the same insanity..?
Do any of you have the same trouble getting your bikes inspected with after-market parts..?
I was seen right away, but as I feared there was a MD state police cruiser parked in the lot. My bike failed because the mirrors were too small (less than 7 sq inches); it had no side reflectors; and finally because the LED undertail lights (turn signals and brake lights), although working perfectly, didn't have the raised letters"DOT" on the lens or lamps. The state police officer was standing nearby when they gave me the inspection sheet and went over the failures with me.
I pointed out to the inspector that Maryland State Law says motorcycles must have a minimum of one reflector in the rear, which I have. I also pointed out that state law also says motorcycles are exempt from the requirement for electric turn signals, plus there is no mention in state law of the size for rear view mirrors on motorcycles. The inspector said he was following the Maryland Vehicle Inspection Handbook, which he happily showed me. When I pointed out that this Handbook is not state law, just an administrative regulation by the Maryland DOT, he seemed a little confused.
At this point I noticed in the "lighting" section of the handbook that I was flipping through stated "all lamps, lenses, and reflectors must be approved." Then I noticed on the inspection sheet that the inspector had failed my turn signals and brake lights because of the lack of raised "DOT" letters. He had actually written "No raised DOT letters" in the remarks area. When I asked the inspector how they determined my lights weren't approved, the state cop chimed in and said, "DOT places the raised letters on all lighting equipment to show they're approved."
I said, "No, they don't. DOT doesn't have the authority to approve or disapprove any vehicle or equipment. The raised letters "DOT" are put on some lighting equipment by the manufacturer to voluntarily attest that the equipment meets all federal requirements. It's isn't an approval by DOT, and it isn't required by federal law."
He then said, "Well, that's the way we're interpreting the regulation and that's the requirement in Maryland."
When I asked how the state administrative regulations could violate state law, specifically that motorcycles aren't required to have electric turn signals, he said, "Well, that's up to the Director of Maryland DOT, but those are the rules."
Then I saw the requirement in the handbook for two reflectors on each side of the bike (amber forward and red to the rear), not just one in the rear as the state law requires. When I asked the state cop about that he said "It's just like the turn signals, the Director of Maryland DOT has set stricter rules."
When I asked him what authority the Director of Maryland DOT has to alter state law without legislative approval, he couldn't give me an answer. He told me, "If you think there's a mistake you should call or write the Maryland DOT about it, but the shop is just following the rules."
The I asked, "I see an awful lot of cars and trucks with LEDs, how is it they get passed in their Maryland inspection..? I don't know of any LEDs that have the raised DOT letters." The inspector said,"We just inspect motorcycles, not cars." So I flipped to the section for cars, and there wasn't any phrase, "all lamps, lenses, and reflectors must be approved." "Well, that explains it", I said. They pass these 4-wheelers because there's no requirement for their lights to be "approved". When I asked the cop if he thought the DOT was discriminating against motorcyclists, he just shrugged.
So I went home and took the plate off my old 'Busa and installed it on the new 'Busa. I sold the old 'Busa this week, and the new owner picks it up on Saturday. He lives in another state. The plate is good for another 9 months, and then I can renew through the mail. I still intend to get the bike registered, but now I have to find a shop that isn't as retarded as my usual shop. But what am I supposed to do if all the inspectors follow the same insanity..?
Do any of you have the same trouble getting your bikes inspected with after-market parts..?
