What should be checked first when performing a safety inspection?

When performing a safety inspection, the first thing to check is the vehicle's registration and inspection history. This is crucial because it provides important information about the vehicle's compliance with safety regulations and whether it has passed previous inspections. Understanding the inspection history can highlight any recurring issues or previous repairs that have been made, which can influence the assessment process during the current inspection. It also helps ensure that the vehicle is legally allowed to be on the road, as an expired registration or a failed inspection can indicate that the vehicle may not be safe to operate. By starting with this information, the inspector can make an informed decision about the vehicle's overall condition and what specific areas may need further attention. Checking the vehicle's age and model, tire pressure and tread depth, or engine performance is important, but those checks should occur once it's confirmed that the vehicle is registered and has a clean inspection history.