Section 149.04. Department certification of inspectors.

 

(1)   Number and distribution of inspectors. The department shall periodically determine the number and distribution of certified inspectors necessary to meet the needs of the state and may restrict attendance at inspector training courses in order to achieve the desired number or distribution.

(2)   Department may rescind inspector certification. The department may at any time rescind the certification of an inspector to perform inspections under this chapter for the reasons specified in sub. (3) .

(3)   Grounds for recision. The department may rescind an inspector's certification to conduct inspections under this chapter under any of the following circumstances:

(a) The inspector's employing agency requests the inspector's certification be rescinded.

(b) The inspector passes a vehicle for inspection that contains stolen parts or parts of a stolen vehicle, or that does not meet the equipment safety requirements of ch. Trans 305 or ch. 347 , Stats.

(c) The inspector acquires an interest in or is employed by a salvage yard, auto body shop, motor vehicle dealership, or other entity involved in the rebuilding of motor vehicles.

(d) The inspector fails to comply with any provision of this chapter or any rule or regulation of the department.

(e) The inspector engages in any conduct which calls into question his or her fitness for duty as an inspector.

(f) The inspector fails to meet the certification requirements of s. Trans 149.03 (2) .

(4)   On-site examinations. The department may examine inspectors by requesting inspection of a motor vehicle and judging the inspector's performance.

(5)   Inspector identification card.

(a) The department shall issue an identification card to a certified inspector.

(b) The card shall display at least the following information:

1. The full name of the inspector.

2. If the inspector is a law enforcement officer, the officer's badge number.

3. The number of the agency employing the inspector, as assigned by the department.

4. The date on which the inspector's certification to perform inspections expires.

5. A space for the inspector's signature.

(c) An inspector identification card is not valid until the inspector signs the card in the space provided.

(d) An inspector shall retain the identification card and any evidence of extended certification issued under s. Trans 149.03 (3) in his or her immediate possession when performing inspections and shall display the card and evidence of extended certification to the applicant or agent of the applicant upon request.

(e) An inspector who no longer performs inspections, or whose authority to perform inspections under this chapter is rescinded by the department, or who leaves the employing agency shown on the identification card shall notify the department and surrender the identification card to the employing agency shown on the identification card.

(f) The employing agency shall notify the department in writing within 30 days after an inspector surrenders the identification card and shall destroy the card.

(g) The department may issue a new identification card to an inspector when presented with evidence from his or her employing agency that an inspector has a change of name or badge number, or when an inspector changes employment and the department is advised by the inspector's new employing law enforcement agency that the inspector has changed employing agencies and will continue to perform inspections.

History: Cr. Register, December, 1994, No. 468 , eff. 1-1-95; am. (3) (b), Register, February, 1996, No. 482 , eff. 3-1-96.