As of august 1st

[69RSZ]

Just heard on news 12 that NJ inspection will only consist of emission testing and mechanical testing will be discontinued.And new cars wont be inspected untill they are 5 yrs old.

[maroman88]

lol awesome... looks like ill wait to get the firebird inspected

[69RSZ]

here is the letter

P.O. Box 160
Trenton, NJ
Media Contact:
Mike Horan
(609) 292-5203
Public Information:
(888) 486-3339
RELEASE: July 16, 2010



en Espanol



MVC Chief Encourages Vehicle Owner Responsibility as State Inspection Program Changes August 1

(TRENTON) – Beginning August 1, biennial passenger vehicle inspections will entail only an emissions check and the exemption for new and used vehicles four years old or newer will be extended to five years under program changes announced today by New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC) Chief Administrator Raymond P. Martinez. The changes, which will produce an approximate annual savings of $17 million, will take effect as the MVC continues its efforts to encourage vehicle owner responsibility and regular maintenance through its NJ Inspections public education campaign.

While announcing the changes to the state’s Enhanced Motor Vehicle Inspection and Maintenance (I/M) Program, Martinez also stressed the need for vehicle owners to take proper care of their cars and trucks with regular maintenance, including oil changes, tire pressure checks and replacement, brake repairs and general tune ups. In 2009, the MVC, along with DEP, launched the NJ Inspections campaign aimed at educating vehicle owners about the importance of vehicle maintenance and servicing vehicles in between inspection visits.

“Owning a vehicle is just as much of a responsibility as driving one,” said Martinez. “Not only must a driver act responsibly behind the wheel, but keeping the vehicle well maintained and road ready is equally important. This is why our local service stations and auto dealerships play such a critical role in helping to keep our cars and trucks in excellent working shape with regular servicing.”

Soon to join 29 other jurisdictions, including California, Connecticut and Illinois, New Jersey-registered passenger vehicles required to submit for an inspection every two years will no longer be reviewed for mechanical-related defects. Inspectors will only conduct an emissions test. Of the 1.9 million initial vehicle inspections conducted annually at centralized lanes, only six percent are rejected for more serious mechanical defects related to brakes, steering, suspension or tires.

Despite this elimination of mechanical inspections, law enforcement may still cite a motorist for equipment out of compliance or failure to make repairs. MVC Mobile Inspection Teams will continue to regularly assist state and local law enforcement in conducting random vehicle inspections statewide. Vehicles that fail an inspection for mechanical defects prior to the start of the August 1 changes will still require repair and a re-inspection in order to obtain a valid inspection sticker.

Additionally, the exemption for new and used vehicles four model years old and newer will expand to five years. Presently, these vehicles are not required to be inspected until they are four years old from the date of registration, followed by regular inspections every two years. Vehicles will be provided with five-year stickers at the time of purchase, but those already on the road will receive a “1-Year Extension” sticker in the mail. Owners will be required to attach the extension sticker to the inspection decal already on the vehicle’s windshield.

“Cars are now made cleaner, more efficient, and with less than six percent of newer vehicles failing emissions testing, this was a common sense decision for the MVC,” added Martinez. “The extension allows New Jersey to maintain its stringent emissions testing while MVC customers gain the convenience of one additional year before they have to visit the inspection lanes.”

Changes to the I/M program will be implemented as a part of the MVC’s fiscal year 2011 budget. The changes, specifically the elimination of mechanical defect inspections, were proposed after a careful review of data, reports and studies related to vehicle inspections. States, educational institutions and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) have all studied the issue of vehicle inspections with data inconclusive as to their effectiveness.

“If we’re going to invest millions of taxpayer dollars year after year in a program, then it is essential that we be able to justify the expense and effectiveness of said program,” said Martinez. “With a lack of conclusive data, and the current fiscal crisis, we cannot justify this expense.”

Along with the change to the inspection of passenger vehicles, motorcycles and certain diesel-powered vehicles will no longer be required to submit for an inspection every two years. None of these vehicles presently undergo an emissions test. It should be noted that school buses, limousines, jitneys, taxis and other commercial-plated vehicles will still be inspected regularly for emissions and mechanical defects as outlined in state law.

Each year, the state’s 29 centralized inspection lanes conduct 2.4 million inspections/re-inspections, while an additional 578,000 are done for a fee by more than 1,100 licensed, private facilities. More information about New Jersey’s vehicle inspection program is available at www.njinspections.com.


FAQs- Frequently Asked Questions
Changes effective August 1, 2010- emissions check only [pdf]

[baddest434]

damn i just took my silverado though inspection 3 days ago. after sitting in line for 25 minutes i get pulled into the garage the inspector checks the weight of the truck and tells me the truck is to heavy for that lane go get in line in lane 1. (needless to say there were no signs directing any vechile to any certain lane!!) waited there for 15 more minutes so am glad about this. i hate anything to do with the DMV.

[1QWIKBIRD]

Sweet. It looks like the the big Cummins Powered Dodge will never see an inspection lane ever again. It was a total waste of time anyway. No emissions and no real mechanical inspection as the truck was too heavy to lift up or do much of anything with.

[trashman01]

Sweet. It looks like the the big Cummins Powered Dodge will never see an inspection lane ever again. It was a total waste of time anyway. No emissions and no real mechanical inspection as the truck was too heavy to lift up or do much of anything with.


lucky, up here in CT we just do emissions(no safety, been that way since the early 80s) but diesels must pass emission test, and the DOT has the right to pull over a diesel pick up to check it just like they do with class C, B, A vehicles

[The Fixer]

Does anyone know what they're doing with the OBD I (pre-'95) cars? Are they going back to a tailpipe idle test like the old days, or still running the dyno on them?

[Jersey Mike]

I was actually expecting a longer delay. Anyone have info as to whether or not window tint is included under "Mechanical?" I mean, it's certainly not emissions related, but...

[The Fixer]

I was actually expecting a longer delay. Anyone have info as to whether or not window tint is included under "Mechanical?" I mean, it's certainly not emissions related, but...

IIRC, you won't fail inspection for tints, but you can still be ticketed by the police since it's on the MVC code as being illegal. Same deal with the front license plate - you won't fail inspection if you don't have it, but you can get a ticket.

[r0nin89]

Hoorah! No more inspection woes for lifted trucks!

[NJ Torque]

Hoorah! No more inspection woes for lifted trucks!


I feel there may still be some cluas that covers tilt testing needing to be required.

[r0nin89]

I feel there may still be some cluas that covers tilt testing needing to be required.

Ballz

[sweetbmxrider]

Does anyone know what they're doing with the OBD I (pre-'95) cars? Are they going back to a tailpipe idle test like the old days, or still running the dyno on them?

95 and older cars have been getting an idle tail pipe test since april 09

[98tadriver]

does this mean i can Roll up to inspection with my big black VFN SS hood, purple HIDs and tint ? :D and as far as emissions goes, i guess they will still be checking for cats? :(

[V]

95 and older cars have been getting a tail pipe test since april 09

he asked if the tail pipe idle test would be at idle or still done on the rollers.

[Frosty]

Part of me like that change so you guys won't fail for stupid BS like window tint and crap like that.

The other part of me kind of worries...most people are completely retarded when it comes to cars...oh my pads are at 2/32's? Still plenty of meat on them! My front axle boot is leaking like Niagra Falls? It's just fine....

I like what Christie is doing over there on some things...not sure if this is an area that should be cut....

[Firebird92]

lucky, up here in CT we just do emissions(no safety, been that way since the early 80s) but diesels must pass emission test, and the DOT has the right to pull over a diesel pick up to check it just like they do with class C, B, A vehicles


really wow I didn't know that ... and they give you a weight and emission♦ test on the spot ... damn

[Tru2Chevy]

he asked if the tail pipe idle test would be at idle or still done on the rollers.

Idle test - the rollers are now useless as far as inspections go.

- Justin

[sweetbmxrider]

he asked if the tail pipe idle test would be at idle or still done on the rollers.

forgot to put in idle. its been an idle test since april 09.

[Savage_Messiah]

Does emissions include exhaust volume, or will it strictly be the readings?

[BigAls87Z28]

I wonder if that means they will now be looking for emissions stuff.

[SRGN]

Keep in mind that local LEOs will now be more conscious of vehicle condition. Since the state is no longer taking responsibility for keeping the mechanically unsafe vehicles off the road, cash strapped municipalities will be ready to take up the slack, so to speak. I foresee a drastic increase of spot checks in the very near future. Being equipment violations with no points, many will not fight the summons and just pay it.

[Untamed]

... blah, blah, blah... we had to reduce state spending in some areas so the inspection stations will get reduced funding, state employees will be paid less since they'll have to do less, and many employees will be moved to part time work ... blah, blah, blah.....

[JW]

So will codes no longer matter?

JW :D

[Frosty]

So will codes no longer matter?

JW :D

Yes they will, that's part of the emissions testing.

[JW]

Bummer :(

JW :D

[V]

so will all this mean a change in pricing for an inspection at private shops?

[Savage_Messiah]

Does emissions include exhaust volume, or will it strictly be the readings?


:?:

[BonzoHansen]

:?:

my gut is the exhaust is considered part of the emission system and therefore still falls under the scrutiny of the emissions testing.

[sweetbmxrider]

what do you even mean by volume?

[Savage_Messiah]

i mean will i still fail for loud exhaust :lol:

[BonzoHansen]

i'm saying yes, i bet you would. especially at a state facility where they get paid for repeat visits.

[LTb1ow]

i mean will i still fail for loud exhaust :lol:

You have a car that runs?
:lol:

[BonzoHansen]

^^zing!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Frosty]

You have a car that runs?
:lol:

That's gonna leave a mark.

Anyway, to answer the question...I'd say it's a gray area. The exhaust inspection really would be a safety check item...if the car passes a PCM scan or the smog sniffer it shouldn't, in theory, matter how loud it is....the car still passes emissions.

[sweetbmxrider]

if safety tests are no longer part of the inspection, then i would say you only need a cat and no back! look at florida and their !inspection vehicles

i'm saying yes, i bet you would. especially at a state facility where they get paid for repeat visits.

they are trying to completely privatize the inspection program so we will see.

[BonzoHansen]

if safety tests are no longer part of the inspection, then i would say you only need a cat and no back! look at florida and their !inspection vehicles



they are trying to completely privatize the inspection program so we will see.

then the next question is will they still do the spot checks like the one that nabbed a member last week. that sounded a hell of a lot worse than failing inspection.

[sweetbmxrider]

like it was stated earlier, i wouldn't be surprised if municipalities started cracking down on lack of vehicle maintenance offenses and illegal mods. still no official word from big bird so all of this is really rumor. the press is the press and likes to hype it up!

[WildBillyT]

if safety tests are no longer part of the inspection, then i would say you only need a cat and no back! look at florida and their !inspection vehicles



they are trying to completely privatize the inspection program so we will see.

Depends. If they want to split hairs and bust balls:

Your car emits two things from the tailpipe- exhaust gases and noise.

[sweetbmxrider]

ya ya i'm just messin. gotta wait for the big dogs to make the rules up