FAQ

Section 2813 of the California Vehicle Code (VC) states in part,

"Every driver of a commercial vehicle to stop and submit the vehicle to an inspection of the size, weight, equipment, and smoke emissions of the vehicle at any location where members f the California Highway Patrol are conducting tests and inspections of commercial vehicles and when signs are displayed requiring the stop..."

The operative term here being "commercial vehicle."  Section 260 VC defines a "commercial vehicle" as, "...a motor vehicle of a type required to be registered under this code used or maintained for the transportation of persons for hire, compensation, or profit or designed, used, or maintained primarily for the transportation of property." 

As you can see there is no legal minimum limitation to the size or weight of the vehicle required to submit to inspection.  Mechanic trucks are motortrucks by definition (Section 410 VC) due to the fact that they are,"... designed, used, or maintained primarily for the transportation of property."  The mechanic may argue that they do not transport property because they only carry their own tools and parts needed to fix vehicles, however the very items they are transporting are still considered property.  Section 260 VC statute does require the transportation of the property to be on a for hire basis, it only requires the vehicle to be, "...designed, used, or maintained primarily for the transportation of property."

• CVC 2813.  Every driver of a commercial vehicle shall stop and submit the vehicle to an inspection of the size, weight, equipment, and smoke emissions of the vehicle at any location where members of the California Highway Patrol are conducting tests and inspections of commercial vehicles and when signs are displayed requiring the stop. Every driver who fails or refuses to stop and submit the vehicle to an inspection when signs are displayed requiring that stop is guilty of a misdemeanor.
• CVC 260.  (a) A "commercial vehicle" is a motor vehicle of a type required to be registered under this code used or maintained for the transportation of persons for hire, compensation, or profit or designed, used, or maintained primarily for the transportation of property.
• CVC 410. A "motor truck" or "motortruck" is a motor vehicle designed,used, or maintained primarily for the transportation of property.