• Look at the underside in the vicinity of the wheels.
• Is there any non-dry contamination apparent? Yes? The contaminant must be removed, and the wheel tread and sidewall area cleaned effectively before proceeding with further inspection. Look at the sides of the wheels.
• Is there anything dripping down the side of the wheel or oozing out from 
  the hub?  Yes?  The lubricant must be removed, and the wheel tread and sidewall area cleaned effectively before proceeding with further inspection.

Have the Cub Scout place the car on the scale.

• Does the weight exceed 5 ounces? (If so, have the car removed, reset the scale, check the scale with the 5 ounce standard, and repeat the weighing once.) Yes,  The car's weight must be reduced.

Have the Cub Scout shake the car gently up and down, then fore and aft.  Listen to the sounds the car makes.

• Are there any noises other than the wheels rattling on the axles?Yes?  Inspect the car more closely for moving parts in or on the body. Moving parts (other than the wheels, of course) must be immobilized.

Have the Cub Scout set the car on the track section.

• Look at the ends (nail heads) of the axles.  Are they shaped like a regulation axle nail? Normal dome shape, no indentation, normal texture, normal diameter, ...No?  The axles must be replaced.
• Look at the top and sides of the car.
  Is there tape or loose material on the car? Yes?  Tape must be removed. Loose material must be removed or affixed firmly.

Inspect all four wheels on the track section.

• Are all four wheels touching the track surface. Yes, proced to next test. No, place a 1/32" feeler gauge underneath tire that is raised.  Apply pressure to the top of the wheel toward the track.  If none of the wheel treads raise off the track section, the the wheels pass.  If any of the other wheels raise off the track secion during this process, the car is disqualified.  Three wheels cars are not allowed.

Look under the car from the end.

• Does the car belly touch the track section? Yes? Advise Cub Scout and his adult partner of possible problem. Tell them that they may repair or race as-is. Decide before getting the sticker on the car!

Look at the front of the car.

• Is there anything that could catch or stick onto the starting pin?
  Yes, The stickiness must be resolved.

Hang a steel (ferrous) paper clip against the front of the car. Then pull t away gently.  

• Does the paper clip tend to stick to the front of the car? Yes?  The stickiness must be resolved.

Tip the track section so that the front of the car rolls to the pin. From above, look at the front of the car.

• Does the car body extend past any part of the pin?  Yes?  The front of the car must be filled or extended so that no part of the car extends past the starting pin.

Have the Cub Scout set the car upside-down on the pad.

• Look at the wheels
• Are the wheels apparently Official BSA Pinewood Derby wheels? No?  The wheels must be replaced.
• Have the wheels been altered in any way from 'out of the kit box'?
  No? Skip the next six wheel inspection steps. Remember that many Districts allow the extreme edge of the wheels to be sanded to remove burs.  The rule of thumb is that ALL BSA markings must be visible inside and outside of the wheel.

Look at the wheel treads from the end of the car. Compare width with a fresh wheel of the same type.

• Have the treads been narrowed or are the treads uneven? 
• Yes?  The wheels must be replaced.  Remember that sanding the wheels is permitted to remove burs. However, all BSA markings must remain present and the wheel tread flat. 

Look at the inside of the wheels.

• Is the lettering 'Official BSA Made in USA' intact? No? The wheels must be replaced.
• Has the underside of the tread been cut away? Yes? The wheels must be replaced. Some undertread work can be performed on the wheels.  This should not affect the original tread width or the axle holder size.

Look at the junction between the wheels and axles.

• Is there evidence of washers, bushings, sleeves or bearings?  Yes? The washers, bushings, sleeves and bearings must be removed. The wheels and/or axles may be replaced.

Look at the axle between the wheels and car body.

• Is it really the axle, and not a brass tubing over the axle?  No?  That is a bushing/washer and must be removed. The wheels and/or axles may be replaced.

Look at the car body near the axle.

• Does the axle appear to be embedded directly in the wood of the body 
  (and not into a metal holder, for example)? No?  The axles must be moved or the car body replaced.

Look at the underside of the car.

• Is there tape or loose material on the car?  Yes?  Tape must be removed. Loose material must be removed or affixed firmly.

Look at the front of the car.

• Is there anything that could catch or stick onto the starting pin?  Yes?The stickiness must be resolved.