Title 18 . Environmental Conservation

Chapter 52 . Administrative Enforcement

Section 515. Inspection charges

18 AAC 52.515. Inspection charges

(a) A certified station shall post in its customer service area a clearly legible sign that states

(1) the total cost for an I/M test, pass or fail; or

(2) the cost for an I/M test and the cost for a certificate of inspection, if the vehicle passes the inspection, with each cost listed separately.

(b) If different inspection charges are imposed for different vehicles or circumstances, each separate charge must be posted.

(c) In addition to posting inspection charges, the station shall complete and provide each motorist with a cost quotation for the I/M test and issuance of a certificate of inspection. The quotation must be made by an employee of the station and agreed to by the motorist before an I/M test is conducted.

(d) The mechanic or station shall ensure that the motorist is

(1) advised that the

(A) inspection cost covers only the inspection of the vehicle and, if the vehicle

(i) passes the inspection, the certificate of inspection; or

(ii) fails the inspection, the cost of preparing a written repair estimate except as provided in (e) of this section;

(B) cost of any necessary repairs are not included in the inspection cost; and

(2) given a written itemized repair cost estimate, as described in (e) of this section, if the vehicle fails the inspection, and advised that

(A) another facility may perform the repairs;

(B) an additional inspection fee may be charged if the vehicle is taken to another certified facility for repairs; and

(C) there is no charge for an after-repair test if the repairs are performed at the station that performed the initial test.

(e) Unless the implementing agency provides otherwise, after a failed test, the certified station shall give the motorist a written repair estimate for all necessary I/M repair work that separately lists the cost of performing the labor and the cost of providing the parts. A written repair estimate

(1) repealed 1/1/2000.

(2) may be prepared after preparing an initial estimate for the cost of performing a recognized diagnostic procedure if that procedure is needed to determine the exact repair required; for purposes of this paragraph, "recognized diagnostic procedure" means a procedure listed in a current emissions control repair manual approved by an implementing agency under 18 AAC 52.520(b) ;

(3) may not be an open-ended estimate;

(4) must state the maximum amount to be charged for each repair or procedure;

(5) must be created by the certified station as part of the I/M test, and the cost of the estimate must be included as part of the cost of the test;

(6) may be based upon the cost of original equipment manufacturer (OEM) parts and repair procedures if the estimate is for repair of a vehicle that is covered by a manufacturer's warranty; and

(7) must reflect the least costly repair procedures available that satisfy the requirements of this chapter if the estimate is for repair of a vehicle that is not covered by a manufacturer's warranty; the motorist may specify a repair procedure that costs more than the repair procedure specified in the certified station's estimate, but if the motorist specifies a more costly repair procedure, the cost of the repairs that exceeds the certified station's written repair estimate based on the least costly repair procedure may not be applied to satisfy the repair cost minimum.

(f) No work may be done and no charges may accrue until authorized by the motorist. No charge may be made for work done or parts supplied in excess of the estimate without the motorist's oral or written consent. For an oral consent, a station employee shall enter on the work order or invoice the date, time, name of the person who authorized the additional repairs, telephone number, if any, and a detailed summary of the additional parts, labor, and total additional cost. After completion of repairs, a station employee shall request the motorist to sign a notice and consent form in the following language:

I acknowledge notice and my oral approval of an increase in the original estimated price.

__________________________ (customer's signature) (g) The certified station shall include in the written estimate a statement of any specialized automotive repair service that, if required to be done, will be done by another person. The station is responsible for this specialized, subcontracted service in the same manner as if the station or its employees had done it. No service may be done by someone other than the certified station without the motorist's consent. Unless the implementing agency requires otherwise, the station shall obtain the motorist's consent as follows: I acknowledge notice and approval of the subcontracted inspection and repairs indicated above. __________________________ _______________________________ (signature) (date) (h) If the motorist's consent for a subcontracted repair is oral, a station employee shall make a notation on the work order of the date, time, name of person authorizing the subcontracted repair, telephone number called, if any, a description of each subcontracted repair to be performed, and the cost of parts and labor for each repair. Unless the implementing agency requires otherwise, after the repair work is completed, the station employee shall request the motorist to sign the following statement: I acknowledge notice and oral approval of the subcontracted inspection and repairs indicated above. __________________________ _______________________________ (signature) (date)

(i) If the motorist authorizes subcontracted repairs under (g) or (h) of this section, an employee of the certified station shall deliver the vehicle or part to be repaired to the subcontractor and retrieve the vehicle or part after the repairs are completed. The certified station shall then perform an after-repair I/M test. The owner or operator of the certified station shall pay the subcontractor and the motorist shall pay the certified station for the repair.

(j) A certified station may not charge a fee, and shall give the motorist a work order or invoice marked "no charge," for the following work:

(1) an inspection performed by a certified station after repairs have been performed on a vehicle at that station;

(2) repealed 1/1/2000.

(3) an inspection of a vehicle under an overt performance review;

(4) an aborted test, unless the test was requested by the customer for purposes other than obtaining a certificate of inspection;

(5) an inspection performed when no estimate was provided to the motorist;

(6) a second I/M test after the motorist has been referred to the referee facility or to the dealer on a recall advisory;

(7) repealed 3/27/2002;

(8) an I/M test on a vehicle that fails the test if the station cannot repair that vehicle within a reasonable period;

(9) the repair of defects covered by a warranty unless the repair is requested by the motorist at a facility other than an authorized warranty repair facility;

(10) any emissions-related repair made to the vehicle before the initial I/M test, unless allowed by an implementing agency; and

(11) any emissions-related repair made to a vehicle with a registration that will expire in less than 90 days unless the vehicle has been inspected and a repair estimate has been prepared.

(k) If the cost quotation issued under this section includes a free or reduced-charge I/M test with the purchase of some other service, the certified station shall provide the motorist with a complete I/M test before providing or charging for the other service. If the vehicle fails, the station shall perform a complete I/M test and provide the motorist with all other required documents before providing or charging for the originally advertised additional service.

( l ) Repealed 1/1/2000.

History: Eff. 2/1/94, Register 129; am 6/24/94, Register 130; am 1/1/97, Register 140; am 1/1/98, Register 144; am 1/1/2000, Register 152; am 3/27/2002, Register 161; am 2/18/2006, Register 177

Authority: AS 46.03.020

AS 46.14.030

AS 46.14.510