Vehicle Testing Center

Over a million people die in road accidents every year worldwide and tens of million people suffer injuries. Road accidents are the leading cause of death around the world. The reason for these accidents can be either the irresponsible driver or the vehicle's condition. Out of the two, the latter turns out to be the major cause which can be mitigated to a large extent by implementing stricter vehicle testing measures through competent vehicle testing centres. The government is encouraging the establishment of Vehicle Testing Centers in the country to curb the fleet of unfit vehicles from traffic. This is the time to join the initiative and set up a vehicle testing centre. The easy availability of these centres will ensure last-mile connectivity.

Applicable Rules for Vehicle Testing in India

Presently, the vehicle's fitness testing is done based on the guidelines issued by the central government and the state government performs the functions to test the vehicles and provide them with the fitness certificate. The Central Motor Vehicle Rules of 1989 provide the procedure for testing the vehicle. Under rule 62 of the Central Motor Vehicle Rules of 1989, all vehicles need to be tested every year after two years of vehicle registration. Also, the vehicle must be tested for mandatory idle emission tests and free acceleration smoke tests every six months after one year of vehicle registration.

Setting up a vehicle testing centre will result in various financial, social and infrastructural benefits. Some of the major benefits are as follows-

• Enhanced Reach

More units of Vehicle Testing Centers will ensure the last mile connectivity while providing the facility to test the vehicle in remote locations where infrastructure is not sufficient. It will reduce travel, save time and cut costs for consumers to test their vehicles and get the fitness certification.

• Job Creation

It requires manpower to run a vehicle testing centre. The newly established vehicle testing centres will provide jobs in the locality they serve.

• Infrastructure Development

Overall infrastructure for the maintenance of road transport will develop in the country with the establishment of new Vehicle Testing Centers. The consumers will be able to get services in remote locations and traffic compliance will be managed more efficiently.

• Financial Perks

By establishing a Vehicle Testing Center, you not only serve the vehicle owners but also earn a significant amount of profits from the operations.

To set up a vehicle testing centre, the following requirements must be considered and accordingly, the arrangements have to be done-

• Land Requirements

Around three acres of land will be required to set up a vehicle testing centre. This land includes the capacity of four lanes, a control cabin, utilities, stores, an admin office, a parking area, movement space and canteen facilities.

• Utility Requirements

Various utilities shall be arranged at the vehicle testing centre to perform the day-to-day operations. These utilities include general power supply, backup power supply for data centres, ventilation, air conditioning, fire safety, first aid station, availability of water, security, maintenance of the premise etc.

• Fund Requirements

The central government provides funds for building construction and utility establishments while the state government is responsible for the acquisition of land and pays for the cost. Then it gets into an agreement with a private party for the operations of the vehicle testing centre.

Various stakeholders are involved in the establishment of the Vehicle Testing Center. They play their respective roles as different powers are conferred to different regulatory authorities. The responsibilities of some major stakeholders are as follows-

Responsibilities of Central Government

• Funds for building and utilities
• Grant for test centre setup
• Tender for equipment and procurement
• Changes in CMVR for fees and standards updates

Responsibilities of State Government

• Acquire and provide land
• Develop land, build walls
• Ensure access to roads, power, water, drainage, and telecom
• Training of staff
• Provide authorization for fitness tests
• Certify fitness certificates by government staff
• Sign agreement after public bidding in 2 years
• Provide vehicles for testing
• Collect test fees
• Train personnel as per scheme guidelines

Responsibilities of Equipment Supplier

• Equipment supply, installation, and commissioning
• Centre operations and management
• Equipment integrated with software and hardware
• Calibrate and maintain for the first two years
• Equipment, software, and facility maintenance
• Test data maintenance for two years
• Train State personnel for centre operation
• Run centre with competent operator for two years
• Provide test data to State and Central Governments
• Proper handover to State after two years
• Create an operations manual for the State to run via contract operator after two years

Responsibilities of Other Regulatory Authorities

• Facilitate Vehicle Testing Center establishment
• Plan layout with a consultant
• Prepare bid docs for building and utilities
• Aid Ministry in equipment tender preparation
• Supervise building construction
• Set up automation software
• Link vehicle database with automation
• Calibrate, and maintain the center for two years
• Create garage specs
• Assist State's takeover after two years
• Conduct audits during the initial two years
• Prepare manual for State's operation

The vehicle testing centre needs to perform various tests to assess the fitness of the vehicle based on documented procedures. The major steps in the vehicle inspection procedure are as follows-

Types of Inspection

• Visual Inspection:- The inspections that can be performed visually without requiring any specific tools are placed in this category. It includes the inspection of legal documents related to the vehicle, steering play, chassis and frame integrity, gas safety, fuel tank, piping, catalytic converter, engine mounting, battery, seat belts, tyres, lighting, signalling, oil leakage, leaf springs, shock observers, windscreens, wipers, doors, horn, toolbox, first aid, fire extinguisher, warning triangle and registration plates.
• Equipment:- Based Inspection- Some tests need to require specific equipment and these tests are called equipment-based inspection. They cannot be performed visually. These tests include service brakes, parking brakes, speedometer, headlight, side slip, and suspension test.
• Emission Inspection:- For emission inspection, different tests are performed for different engine types. A free acceleration test is performed for diesel vehicles using the opacity metre. On the other hand, the idle test is performed for petrol, CNG, and LPG vehicles using gasoline.

Inspection Lane

The inspection lane is used to test the vehicle and perform tests one by one in a sequence. The sequence used on inspection lanes is as follows-

• The first step includes confirmation of the identity of the vehicle. The chassis number, engine type, number plate, and outer body are examined at this stage.
• In the next step, the sideslip inspection is done, in which the steering wheel alignment is tested. It is followed by brake inspection, speedometer inspection, and headlight inspection.
• In the third stage, the carbon monoxide and hydrocarbons are tested in exhaust emission inspection separately for diesel engines and petrol or gas engines.
• Further in the inspection lane, the vehicle goes through an underbody inspection where the steering system, suspension system, brake system, engine, power train system, frame and body, exhaust emission, control system, fuel system, electric system and running system are examined.
• In the fifth stage, an overall vehicle evaluation is done and documents are examined.
• The sixth and last stage of inspection on the inspection lane includes the assessment of the proximity exhaust noise, diesel smoke, stable inclination angle, and dimensions.

Inspection Process Flow

In each testing lane designed for 3-4 simultaneous tests, the process begins with welcoming the vehicle and creating a work order. Tests are conducted at different positions: emissions, speedometer, and exterior checks at one, weight, brakes, lights, and gaps at another, and headlamps and underbody at a third. The process concludes with the generation of reports and a visible windshield sticker indicating the test's validity. This streamlined approach ensures efficient evaluation of vehicles at the testing station.

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