What must be retained by the inspection station after using stickers or decals?

The requirement for inspection stations to retain the covers from used sticker books is primarily for accountability and verification purposes. The covers typically contain important information such as the unique serial numbers of the stickers and the inspection station's details. Keeping these covers helps ensure that the inspection station can track usage and maintain accurate records of inspections performed.

Retaining the covers provides a clear audit trail, which can be helpful during inspections by regulatory authorities. This practice helps to prevent fraud and ensures compliance with state regulations regarding vehicle inspections. Moreover, these covers serve as a form of documentation that can be referenced if there are questions or disputes regarding the stickers that were issued.

In contrast, while customer records, old inspection forms, and the entire sticker book may seem relevant in the context of vehicle inspections, the specific retention requirement focuses on the covers to facilitate efficient monitoring and compliance with regulatory standards.