I was curious, so I checked out the
Delaware Vehicle Inspection Manual. It's a .pdf
I don't see anything in there about metal or plastic gas tanks. Not to mention, your DOT website is a bear!
PLEASE NOTE: I am not a lawyer! Seriously, I have no idea what I'm talking about, but this is what I dug up because I'm bored.
MOTORCYCLE INSPECTIONS
PROCEDURE:
All motorcycles presented for any DMV inspection must be ridden under their own power into the lane and cannot be inspected while on a trailer or truck.
1. Fenders – must have front and rear. REJECT IF: One or more fenders are missing.
2. Headlamp – shall have at least one or not more than two; height not more than 54” nor lower than 24”. Must have high and low beams. Must show a white light (fed. reg.)
REJECT IF: Any headlamps inoperative or no high or low beam.
3. Tail lamp – shall emit red light plainly visible from 500 feet. At least one not more than 72” high nor less than 20”.
REJECT IF: Light not installed; shows white light, inoperative or light is weak.
4. Stop lamp – at least one; visible from 100 feet in normal sunlight. Must be activated by application of front brakes and rear brakes on vehicles manufactured after January 1, 1969. Must have 8 square inches of lighted lens.
REJECT IF: Lamp does work by both brake controls, the lens is broken, or the lighted area is too small.
5. Tag lamp – so placed to illuminate tag with a white light and render it clearly legible from a distance of 50 feet to the rear.
REJECT IF: Lamp not operating or installed.
6. Reflectors – up to 1976 model year shall have at least one on the rear at a height of no more than 60” or less than 20”. 1977 and newer models require five reflectors. The reflectors must have 4 square inches of reflective area.
REJECT IF: Reflectors not installed or too small.
7. Turn signals – required on all motorcycles manufactured since 1974. Minimum 3-1/2 square inches of luminous lens.
REJECT IF: Turn signals are inoperative, weak, or do not flash. If size is less than 3-1/2 square inches of luminous lens on 1974 or newer models. Rear must be a minimum of 9 inches of separation from center of lense and 16 inches on the front.
Revised 9/12
- 70 -
This circle = 3-1/2 square inches
This rectangle = 3-1/2 square inches
8. Horn – must be audible for 200 feet under normal conditions. Sirens, whistles, and bicycle horns are prohibited. Horn button must be on the handlebars close to handgrip.
REJECT IF: Horn weak or inoperative, wrong type of horn or horn button in wrong place.
9. Mirror – at least one so placed to readily ascertain the presence of vehicles approaching from behind or following.
REJECT IF: Mirror not installed or placed in an unusable position.
10. Muffler – must be installed. Perform Test DMV2001-01 on all motorcycles. REJECT IF: Muffler is loud, not baffled, leaks or does not conform to DMV Standard
2001-01.
VEHICLE
NOISE STANDARDS
TYPE/AGE
ENGINE RPM (approx.)
2500/3000
Above idle
2500/3000*
2500/3000*
2500/3000
MAX. NOISE (dBA)
95 – 96.5**
95 – 96.5**
98 – 99.5**
100 – 101.5**
95 – 96.5**
Cars, LT Trucks 8,500 pounds or less
Cars, LT Trucks All diesel
Motorcycles
1976 or Newer
Motorcycles 1975 or Older
All
8,501 pounds or more
Engine RPM Range for Noise Test
2000 - 2500
2225 - 2725
2450 - 2950
2675 - 3175
2900 - 3400
3125 - 3625
3350 - 3850
3575 - 4075
3800 - 4300
4025 - 4525
Tachometer Red Line
5000
5500
6000
6500
7000
7500
8000
8500
9000
9500
Tachometer Red Line
Engine RPM Range for Noise Test
10000 4250 - 4750
10500 4475 - 4975
11000 4700 - 5200
11500 4925 - 5425
12000 5150 - 5650
12500 5375 - 5875
13000 5600 - 6100
13500
14000
14500
15000
5825 - 6325
6050 - 6550
6275 - 6775
6500 - 7000
Note: Sound testing is under a moratorium, until further notice, test will be performed if a police check is required.
11. Tires – must have a minimum of 2/32” of tread being uniform not cupped. REJECT IF: Tires have less than 2/32” cupped.
12. Footrest or pegs – all motorcycles shall be equipped with footrests. REJECT IF: One or more missing or broken.
13. Chain – must be kept tight; adjusted according to manufacturer’s specifications. REJECT IF: More than 3⁄4-inch play.
Revised 9/12
- 71 -
14. Brakes – all brakes shall be maintained in good working order and shall be adequate to control the movement of and to stop and hold the motorcycle.
REJECT IF: Front and rear brakes not working—both required on motorcycles manufactured after January 1, 1969.
15. Speedometer – must be equipped with a speedometer in good working order. REJECT IF: Not installed or not working.
16. Display of number plates – the license plate assigned to the motorcycle shall at all times be securely fastened to the rear of the vehicle at a height not less 12” from the ground and maintained in a condition to be clearly legible. The plate must be mounted horizontally. The plate can be to the left or right of the rear fender but must mount between the rear fender and the rear axle.
REJECT IF: Plate not securely fastened or obscured so that letters, numbers, or “Delaware” cannot be identified. If registration sticker covers any number or letter or if the plate is covered with plastic or tint material. If the plate is mounted vertically. If the plate is further forward than the rear axle.
17. Chain guard/drive pulley cover – required if originally equipped 1969 or newer. REJECT IF: If chain guard/drive pulley cover is missing, broken or cracked. Note: Some
motorcycles are factory equipped with a chain guard that does not cover the rear half of the chain—these vehicles will not be rejected.
18. Helmet – required for every person operating or riding on a motorcycle. REJECT IF: Helmet is not in the possession of the operator.
