(A) The public utilities commission may, through the commission's inspectors or other authorized employees, enter in or upon any motor vehicle of any motor carrier, or any person engaging in the transportation of hazardous material or hazardous waste, to inspect the motor vehicle or driver subject to rules adopted under section 4923.04 of the Revised Code.

(B) In order to assist the commission in performing its duties under this section, authorized employees of the state highway patrol of the department of public safety may conduct inspections of motor vehicles and drivers.

(C) Inspectors and employees authorized to conduct inspections under divisions (A) and (B) of this section may, under the direction of the commission, stop motor vehicles to inspect those vehicles and drivers to enforce compliance with rules adopted under section 4923.04 of the Revised Code.

(D) Inspectors and employees authorized to conduct inspections under divisions (A) and (B) of this section shall conduct inspections consistent with the North American standard inspection procedure of the commercial vehicle safety alliance and the standards of the United States department of transportation. The inspectors and employees may declare drivers and motor vehicles out-of-service consistent with this procedure and these standards.

(E) The commission may adopt rules to carry out this section that are not incompatible with the requirements of the United States department of transportation.

Added by 129th General AssemblyFile No.127, HB 487, §101.01, eff. 6/11/2012.