Section 14-78-40 - Inspection. Vehicle requirements(a) The department shall use its inspection lanes to inspect each motor vehicle designated for behind-the- wheel instruction to verify its fitness for use and that the required safety equipment is installed prior to any behind-the-wheel instruction or driver testing. Thereafter, the department shall inspect all motor vehicles on an annual basis using the department's inspection lanes. Upon passing inspection, the commissioner may affix an inspection decal to the windshield of each vehicle showing the inspection series. No motor vehicle shall be used for driver education or driver testing unless the motor vehicle has passed the required inspection by the department.(b) Vehicles used in driver education programs shall be maintained in safe operating condition in accordance with law. Maintenance records for each vehicle shall be kept by the commercial driving school, and made available to the commissioner or other law enforcement officer during reasonable business hours. The commissioner, or other law enforcement officer may inspect any vehicle used in a driver education program at any reasonable time.(c) Every vehicle used in a driver education program for the purpose of instructing a student in the operation of a motor vehicle shall be marked as required by section 14-292 of the Connecticut General Statutes. On vehicles where mounting of a sign on the front and rear of the vehicle itself is impractical, a secure roof-mounted sign clearly readable from a distance of at least two hundred (200) feet to the front and rear of the vehicle may be used.(d) Each driver education vehicle shall be equipped with seat safety belts for each person in the vehicle, which belts shall be used by all occupants during driver instruction. Every vehicle when being used to provide behind-the-wheel instruction shall have its headlights or running lights turned on.(e) Every vehicle used in a driver education program shall be equipped with at least three (3) mirrors which give the operator thereof a clear reflected view of the highway directly to the rear, on a line parallel to the left side of the vehicle body, and on a line parallel to the right side of the vehicle body. In addition to the driver's rear view mirror, each vehicle shall also be equipped with a second rear view mirror mounted to permit a clear view of the rear zone to an instructor seated in the front eight hand passenger seat. Such second rear view mirror may be mounted in a temporary manner.(f) A commercial driving school shall notify the commissioner immediately and in writing when a vehicle is out of service and no longer used for behind-the wheel instruction or driver testing.Conn. Agencies Regs. § 14-78-40
Effective February 24, 1997; Amended October 1, 2012