R714-162-8. Tires and Wheels

  (1) When examining the tire and wheels of a vehicle, the inspector shall:

  (a) check the vehicle for proper mudguard protection, which must be at least as wide as the tire it is protecting, be directly in line with the tire, and maintain a ground clearance of not more than 50% of the diameter of a rear axle wheel under any conditions; and

  (i) issue a rejection inspection certificate when:

  (A) tire tread is not fully covered by the body, trailer, or fender;

  (B) rear tires do not have the top 50% of the tire covered by mudflaps; or

  (C) rear mud flaps are not as wide as the tire;

  (ii) Wheel covers, mudguards, flaps, or splash aprons are not required if the motor vehicle, trailer, or semi-trailer is designed and constructed to meet the requirements in Subsection R714-162-8(1)(a).

  (b) check for proper tire width, size, and load rating; and

  (i) issue a rejection inspection certificate when:

  (A) a tire's width is beyond the outside of the vehicle body; or

  (B) a tire is not of proper size and load rating per axle as determined by OEM specifications;

  (c) check valve stems for damage or cracks; and

  (i) issue a rejection inspection certificate when:

  (A) a valve stem is cracked, damaged, or shows evidence of wear because of misalignment;

  (d) check the rims; and

  (i) issue a rejection inspection certificate when:

  (A) rims and rings are mismatched;

  (B) a ring shows evidence of slippage, rust, or damage;

  (C) a rim or ring is bent, sprung, cracked, improperly sealed, or otherwise damaged;

  (D) there is slippage on Louisville or Dayton type wheels;

  (E) wheel nuts, studs, or clamps are loose, broken, damaged, missing, mismatched, cracked, stripped, have improper thread engagement, or otherwise ineffective;

  (F) wheel rings, disc, spoke, or rim type wheels show any evidence of having been repaired or re-welded;

  (G) stud holes are out of round or elongated;

  (H) there are cracks between the hand holes or the stud holes in the disc; or

  (I) wheel casting is cracked or there is evidence of wear in the clamping area; and

  (e) check the wheel welds; and

  (i) issue a rejection inspection certificate when:

  (A) there are any cracks in welds attaching wheel disc to rim;

  (B) there are any cracks in welds attaching tubeless demountable rim to the adapter;

  (C) there are any welded repairs on any aluminum wheels; or

  (D) there are any welded repairs other than disc to rim attachment on steel disc wheels mounted on the steering axle.

  (2) When examining the front steering axle tires of a vehicle, the inspector shall:

  (a) check tire tread depth, which may not be measured on the tread wear bar; and

  (i) issue a rejection inspection certificate when tread depth is less than 4/32 inch on steering axle tires when measured in any two adjacent major tread grooves at three equally spaced intervals around the circumference of the tire; and

  (b) check tire condition and inflation; and

  (i) issue a rejection inspection certificate when:

  (A) a tire is cut or otherwise damaged, exposing body ply or belt material through the tread or sidewall;

  (B) a tire has any tread or sidewall separation;

  (C) a tire is labeled for other than highway use or displaying other markings that would exclude use on a steering axle;

  (D) a tire is a tube-type radial tire without radial tube stem markings, which include a red band around the tube stem, the word "radial" embossed in metal stems, or the word "radial" molded in rubber stems;

  (E) there is mixing of bias and radial tires on the same axle;

  (F) a tire flap protrudes through the valve slot in rim and touches the stem;

  (G) There are re-grooved tires on the steering axle;

  (H) a tire has a boot, blowout patch, or other ply repairs;

  (I) the weight carried exceeds the tire load limit, including an overloaded tire resulting from low air pressure;

  (J) a tire is flat, has noticeable leak, or is inflated to less than 50% of the vehicle manufacturer's recommended tire pressure;

  (K) a tire is mounted or inflated so that it comes in contact with any part of the vehicle;

  (L) a tire is over inflated;

  (M) a tire is worn to the extent secondary rubber is exposed in the tread or sidewall area; or

  (N) if the vehicle is a bus and is equipped with a re-capped or re-treaded tire.

  (3) When examining tires other than the front steering axle tires of a vehicle, the inspector shall:

  (a) check the tire tread depth, which may not be measured on the tread wear bar; and

  (i) issue a rejection inspection certificate when tread depth is less than 2/32 inch in any two adjacent major tread grooves at three equally spaced intervals around the circumference of the tire; and

  (b) check the tire condition and inflation; and

  (i) issue a rejection inspection certificate when:

  (A) the weight carried exceeds the tire load limit, including an overloaded tire resulting from low air pressure;

  (B) a tire is flat, has noticeable leak, or is inflated to less than 50% of the vehicle manufacturer's recommended tire pressure;

  (C) a tire is cut or otherwise damaged, exposing body ply or belt material through the tread or sidewall;

  (D) a tire has any tread or sidewall separation;

  (E) a tire is mounted or inflated so that it comes in contact with any part of the vehicle, including a tire that contacts its mate;

  (F) a tire is labeled for other than highway use or displays other markings that would exclude its use; or

  (G) a tire is worn to the extent secondary rubber is exposed in the tread or sidewall area.

  (4) When examining the dual tires of a vehicle, if equipped, the inspector shall:

  (a) check for mismatching of tire construction, such as radial and bias, sizes, and wear on any set of duals; and

  (i) issue a rejection inspection certificate when:

  (A) the tire diameter of one of the duals is not within 1/4 inch of the other on 8.25-20 and smaller, or 1/2 inch on 9.00-20 and larger;

  (B) the dual tires are in contact with any part of vehicle body or adjacent tire; or

  (C) a tire has a boot, blowout patch, or other ply repairs that are sub-standard and not identified by a triangular label in the immediate vicinity.