Brake and Light Inspection
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GIC Car Clinic is an Official California Licensed Brake and Lamp Certification station.
GIC Car Clinic is a full service shop with ASE-certified mechanics providing auto repair services for all makes and models. Contact us in San Jose, California to schedule your vehicle repairs.
375 Bird Avenue, San Jose, CA 95126
Open Monday to Saturday, 8:30am to 6:00pm
What is a Brake and Lamp Inspection?
The intent of a Brake and Light inspection is to make sure that a salvage titled vehicle is not dangerous to drive on the road prior to being retitled.
When you "restore" a salvaged car, because of either accident, flood, fire, or theft of your vehicle; the California Department of Motor Vehicle considers the owner of the vehicle to be changed, although the owner remains the same.
Department of Motor Vehicle requires that a CA licensed brake and light inspection station perform a complete and thorough inspection of critical parts which may have been damaged as a result of the accident, flood, fire, or theft.
A vehicle might also need an inspection to correct any deficiencies citied by a local law enforcement agency or the CHP. After the defect is corrected and inspected by a CA licensed brake and lamp inspection facility, brake and lamp certificates will be issued to be presented to the Department of Motor Vehicles or California Highway Patrol as proof of repair.
How is the Brake Inspection Performed?
During the brake inspection, our licensed technicians will determine if any deficiencies exist in the car's brake system, which includes the removal of the car's wheels to perform a general visual check. Our licensed technicians will use micrometers to measure the brake pads, rotors, shoes, drums. We will perform a visual inspection of brake master cylinder, calipers, wheel cylinders, brake lines, brake hoses, combination valves, porportional valves, anti-lock brakes components(if equipped). All brake components are required to be within manufacturer's specs. There should be no hazards exist which would cause the brake system to not operate properly or fail. Also, make sure the "brake" light and the "ABS" light(if equipped) on the dash are functional and does NOT staying on.
How is the Lamp Inspection Performed?
For the Lamp Inspection, the our licensed technicians will check to see if all the exterior lights of the vehicle are in correct operating condition, including headlights, low beam, high beam, brake lights, high mount/3rd brake light, turn signals, hazards, parking/running lights, side markers, reflectors, fog lights(if factory equipped). All exterior lamp housings/lens should have NO cracks. Aftermarket housings/lens should be SAE or DOT approved. Headlight housings should be mounted securely and adjustable. Both front low and high headlight beams should be aimed correctly to manufacturer's specs. Our licensed technician will use our most advanced Hoppy Laser Aimer to check the headlights.

Once successfully passed, our licensed technician will issue a brake certificate and a lamp certificate, good for 90 days, to be presented to the Department of Motor Vehicles.

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