Sec.
17C-16-1.  Vehicles not to operate without required equipment or in unsafe condition.
17C-16-2.  Inspection by Division of Public Safety.
17C-16-3  Owners and drivers to comply with inspection laws.
17C-16-4.  Commissioner to require periodical inspection; acceptance of certificate of inspection from another state; suspension of registration of unsafe vehicles.
17C-16-5.  Permit for official inspection stations; fees for and certificate of inspection.
17C-16-6.  Assignment, transfer and posting of official inspection station permit; issuance and record of certificate of inspection; inspection fee.
17C-16-7.  Improper representation as official stations.
17C-16-8.  False certificates.
17C-16-9.  Operation without certificate or failure to produce certificate; penalty for misdemeanor.
 

            § 17C-16-1.  Vehicles not to operate without required equipment or in unsafe condition.

   No person shall drive or move on any highway any motor vehicle, trailer, semitrailer, or pole trailer, or any combination thereof unless the equipment upon any and every said vehicle is in good working order and adjustment as required in this chapter and said vehicle is in such safe mechanical condition as not do endanger the driver or other occupant or any person upon any highway. (1951, c. 129.)
 
                           § 17C-16-2.  Inspection by Division of Public Safety

   (a) The Division of Public Safety may at any time upon reasonable cause to believe that a vehicle is unsafe or not equipped as required bylaw, or that its equipment is not in proper adjustment or repair, require the driver of such vehicle to stop and submit such vehicle to an inspection and such test with reference thereto as may be appropriate.
   (b) In the event such vehicle and its equipment are found to be in safe condition and in full compliance with the law, the officer making such inspection shall issue to the driver an official certificate of inspection and approval of such vehicle specifying those parts or equipment so inspected and approved.
   (c) In the event such vehicle is found to be in unsafe condition or any required part or equipment is not present or is not in proper repair and adjustment the officer shall give a written notice to the driver and shall send a copy to the department.  Said notice shall require that such vehicle be placed in safe condition and its equipment in proper repair and adjustment specifying the particulars with reference thereto and that a certificate of inspection and approval be obtained within five days. (1951, c. 129.)
 
 

               § 17C-16-3.  Owners and drivers to comply with inspection laws.
 

   (a) No person driving a vehicle shall refuse to submit such vehicle to an inspection and test when required to do so by the Division of Public Safety.
   (b) Every owner or driver, upon receiving a notice as provided in section two [§ 17C-16-2] of this article shall comply therewith and shall within five days secure an official certificate of inspection and approval which shall be issued in duplicate, one copy to be retained by the owner or driver and the other copy to be forwarded to the department.  In lieu of compliance with this paragraph the vehicle shall not be operated, except as provided in the next succeeding paragraph.
   (c) No person shall operate any vehicle after receiving a notice with reference thereto as above provided, except as may be necessary to return such vehicle to the residence or place of business of the owner or driver, or to a garage, until said vehicle and its equipment has been placed in proper repair and adjustment and otherwise made to conform to the requirements of this chapter and a certificate of inspection and approval shall be obtained as promptly as possible thereafter.
   (d) In the event repair or adjustment of any vehicle or its equipment is found necessary upon inspection, the owner of said vehicle may obtain such repair or adjustment at any place he may choose, but in every event an official certificate of inspection  and approval must be obtained otherwise such vehicle shall not be operated upon the highways of the State.
   (e) "Inspection and test," as used in this article, shall mean inspections and tests as related to the actual mechanical and operating ability of such vehicle. (1951, c. 129; 1974, c 76.)