Complete Inspection Checklist
What Gets Inspected
The VSSI covers 7 major safety systems and over 50 individual components. Here's a plain-language breakdown of everything the technician will check.
This checklist is a plain-language summary of the official BAR VSSI Manual. It is for general guidance only. The licensed technician's assessment is the authoritative determination. Read our full disclaimer.
💡Lighting
Chapter 1All lights and reflectors must be present, properly installed, and working correctly.
- Headlights (low beam, high beam, daytime running lights)
- Fog lights and auxiliary driving lights
- Taillights and brake lights
- Turn signals (front and rear)
- Hazard/four-way flashers
- Reverse (backup) lights
- License plate light
- Parking lights and side marker lights
- All reflectors (front, rear, and side)
- Headlight aim — must be properly aligned
- High beam indicator on dashboard
Note:All headlights must have the DOT symbol. No colored tapes or films covering any lens.
Passenger CompartmentEverything inside the cabin that protects occupants must be present and working.
- All mirrors (rearview and side mirrors) — properly mounted and undamaged
- Windshield — no cracks in the driver's line of sight
- Rear window — must be present and clear
- Windshield wipers — must work properly
- All seats — must be securely fastened
- Seatbelts — all must latch, retract, and function correctly
- Child seat LATCH anchors (if equipped)
- Airbag / Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) — visual inspection
- SRS warning light — must illuminate at startup and turn off
Note:If the airbag warning light stays on after the engine starts, the vehicle will fail.
Tires & WheelsTires and wheels must be in safe condition with adequate tread and proper inflation.
- Tread depth — minimum 2/32" for passenger cars and light trucks
- No damage, punctures, cracks, or dry rot on any tire
- DOT identification number must be present on each tire
- Proper tire inflation (per manufacturer's door jamb sticker)
- Wheels must be free of stress cracks, fractures, or severe bends
- Same size tires and wheels on each axle
- Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) light must turn off after startup
- No temporary spare tire installed on an axle
Note:A temporary spare tire installed and in use is an automatic fail.
BrakesThe entire brake system is thoroughly inspected — all wheels are removed for a complete check.
- Brake pedal — must feel firm and return to position
- Vacuum/hydraulic/electric brake booster — must function properly
- Brake pad thickness — must meet minimum specifications
- Brake rotors — checked for thickness, cracks, and grooves
- Drum brakes (if equipped) — linings, drums, and hardware inspected
- Brake fluid level — must be within the specified range
- No leaks in the hydraulic system
- Calipers and wheel cylinders — no leaks or damage
- Parking/emergency brake — must hold the vehicle
- ABS and brake warning lights — must turn off after startup
- Stopping test — vehicle must stop straight within required distance at 20 mph
Note:All four wheels are removed during the inspection for a thorough brake check.
Steering & SuspensionAll components that control how the vehicle steers and rides are inspected for wear or damage.
- Steering column — must be securely fastened and turn freely
- Power steering system — fluid level, no leaks, belt condition
- Rack and pinion or steering gear box — no damage or excessive play
- Tie rod ends — checked for wear
- Ball joints — inspected per BAR specifications
- Control arms, radius arms, and sway bars
- Struts and shock absorbers — no leaks or damage
- Springs (coil, leaf, air, or torsion bar) — no breaks or damage
- All suspension bushings — no deterioration or damage
- Wheel bearings — no looseness
- Traction control / stability control warning lights — must turn off
Note:Alignment and stability issues discovered during the road test will also cause a fail.
🚗Body Structure
Chapter 6The vehicle's structural integrity is visually inspected to ensure it can protect occupants in a collision.
- Hood — must latch securely (both primary and secondary latch)
- All doors — must open and close properly from inside and outside
- Trunk / liftgate / hatchback — must operate without binding
- Fenders — must be securely fastened and cover wheels
- Bumpers — must be present and securely fastened
- Frame — inspected for collision damage, improper repairs, and structural rust
- Unibody — checked for damage, gaps, or holes that could allow exhaust fumes inside
- Fuel system — visible fuel tank and lines checked for leaks
- Trailer hitch (if equipped) — must be securely fastened
Note:Structural rust (corrosion that has penetrated the metal) is a fail condition.
Road TestA final road test at 30+ mph checks brakes, steering, warning lights, and overall vehicle control.
- Horn — must activate and be audible (tested before entering the road)
- Dashboard warning lights — observed during driving for any safety alerts
- Stopping test — vehicle must stop straight within 25 feet at 20 mph (passenger cars)
- Vehicle control — must drive straight with minimal steering correction
- No pulling, drifting, or vibration that makes the vehicle difficult to control
- No warning lights for SRS, brakes, or steering/suspension during the drive
Note:The road test is the final step. If the vehicle fails any earlier inspection, the road test may be skipped.
Want the Official Manual?
The full VSSI Manual from the California Bureau of Automotive Repair is publicly available.