New Jersey Vehicle Inspectin Prgram FAQs Frequently Asked Questins Des my vehicle need t be inspected? Effective August 1, 2010, the New Jersey Mtr Vehicle Cmmissin made changes t the New Jersey Vehicle Inspectin Prgram eliminating the mechanical defects (safety) prtin f the inspectin prcess fr passenger vehicles. Mst passenger vehicles will be required t be inspected biennially (every tw years) fr emissins nly. Cmmercial vehicles and buses will be required t be inspected annually (every year) fr safety and the apprpriate emissins test. Mtrcycles are nw exempt frm inspectin. What vehicles have t be inspected every tw years fr emissins? Vehicles that have t be inspected fr emissins every tw years are: Gasline and bi-fueled vehicles plated as passenger, nt-fr-prfit, gvernmental, cmmuter van, farmer r farm truck, five (5) mdel years and lder, excluding buses. Diesel-pwered, passenger mtr vehicles plated as passenger, nt-fr-prfit, gvernmental, cmmuter van, farmer r farm truck mdel year 1997 and newer with a grss vehicle weight rating (GVWR) 8,500 punds r less, five (5) mdel years and lder, excluding buses. What if my vehicle failed inspectin prir t August 1, 2010? Any vehicle previusly rejected fr mechanical defects (safety) befre August 1, 2010 will still require repair and need t pass a re-inspectin at either a Private Inspectin Facility r CIF befre a certificate f apprval (inspectin sticker) can be issued. What if my vehicle was due fr inspectin prir t August 1, 2010 and I was unable t have it inspected until after that date? Any vehicle due fr inspectin prir t August 1, 2010 that is presented fr an initial inspectin after the law is enacted will nly be given the required emissin test. Even with the enactment f these changes, mtrists are still required t ensure that their vehicles are free frm mechanical defects. A vehicle with mechanical r equipment defects may be cited by law enfrcement. Page 1 f 7 As f 7/27/10
What vehicles d nt have t be inspected? Vehicles that d nt have t be inspected include: Mtrcycles Diesel-pwered, passenger mtr vehicles plated as passenger, nt-fr-prfit, gvernmental, cmmuter van, farmer r farm truck, with a Grss Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) f 8,501 t 9,999 punds, regardless f mdel year. Diesel-pwered, passenger mtr vehicles plated as passenger, nt-fr-prfit, gvernmental, cmmuter van, farmer r farm truck mdel year 1996 and lder with GVWR 9,999 punds r less. Diesel-pwered trucks plated as cmmercial, passenger, nt-fr-prfit, gvernmental, cmmuter van, farmer r farm truck with a GVWR f 10,000 t 17,999 punds (self-inspected under NJAC 13:20-26.16). Vehicles registered as farm use r farm tractr. Cllectr Vehicles (Odmeter and credential verificatin at Centralized Inspectin Facility). Histric Plates (QQ) Trailer Mpeds What vehicles are required t be inspected annually fr bth safety and emissins? Vehicles required t be inspected annually fr safety and emissins are listed blw: Taxis Limusines Jitneys All gasline r bi-fueled-pwered, cmmercial plated (x-plated) vehicles. Diesel-pwered, cmmercial-plated (x-plated) vehicles with a GVWR f 9,999 punds r less. Ambulances registered by the New Jersey Department f Health (DOH) (Frequency f inspectin is determined by DOH). Buses issued passenger, gvernmental, n fee, r cmmercial vehicle license plates nt subject t inspectin by the Cmmercial Bus Inspectin Unit r the Schl Bus Inspectin Unit. I saw a big diesel truck spewing ut all kind f black smke. What des the state d t stp these vehicles frm emitting this smke? Diesel-pwered vehicles with a GVWR f 18,000 punds and greater are required t have an annual (every year) smke pacity inspectin at a diesel Private Inspectin Facility nly. Page 2 f 7 As f 7/27/10
Where can I get my vehicle inspected? Vehicles that require a biennial gasline emissin-nly test and an annual mechanical defect (safety) and emissin test must be inspected at either a CIF r Private Inspectin Facility. Heavy-duty diesel-pwered mtr vehicles (GWVR 18,000 r greater) are required t have an annual pacity inspectin perfrmed at a Diesel Private Inspectin Facility. What d I have t bring t have my car inspected? Bring riginal dcuments (phtcpy, fax r e-mail unacceptable): Valid driver license; yu must be at least 17 years ld. Driver des nt need t be vehicle wner Valid vehicle registratin dcument (nline renewal receipt unacceptable) State f New Jersey Insurance Identificatin Card. Fr ID card specificatins, dwnlad NJ Dept. f Banking & Insurance regulatins [pdf] Surname f the insured must match wner s surname n vehicle registratin Leasing cmpanies must be listed as wner n leased vehicle ID cards Owner insured fleet, dealer r leasing cmpany insurance ID cards are acceptable with the wrds "All Owned Vehicles" r "Fleet" inserted in the vehicle descriptin prtin f the card Insured name and wner name, matching the vehicle registratin, are required fr "Fleet" leased vehicle ID cards What if I dn t want t wait in line at the Inspectin Statin? If yu d nt want t wait in line at the Inspectin Statin, yu can always make an appintment at ne f the fur select State Inspectin Facilities, which include Westfield, Salem, Bridgetn, Cape May, and Washingtn (Warren Cunty). Yu can make an appintment by calling (888) NJMOTOR (656-6867) tll free in NJ r (609) 620-7992 ut-f-state. Custmer service representatives are available: 8 a.m. 7 p.m. Mn-Thurs 8 a.m. 4:30 p.m., Friday 7 a.m. 12 p.m., Saturday Yu can als schedule yur appintment n-line using the Schedule An Inspectin Web Page. T g t the webpage CLICK HERE. Where else can I get my car inspected? Yur ther ptin wuld be t have yur car inspected at yur lcal Private Inspectin Facility. A Private Inspectin Facility is a privately wned garage licensed by the state t perfrm the same safety and emissin inspectin as a state Page 3 f 7 As f 7/27/10
inspectin statin fr a fee. T find the nearest Private Inspectin Facility g t www.njmvc.gv/private Inspectin Facility. If my vehicle fails an emissins test where can I get it repaired? The mtrist has a chice t either make the emissin repairs themselves r have the repairs made at an MVC- registered Emissin Repair Facility. An Emissin Repair Facility is a registered emissin repair facility that meets the qualificatins and training requirements fr emissin repairs and maintenance set frth by the New Jersey Department f Envirnmental Prtectin. T find the nearest Emissin Repair Facility lcatin, click here. Is my mtrcycle required t be inspected? Effective August 1, 2010, mtrcycles are n lnger required t submit fr an inspectin in the State f New Jersey. As a result f this change, a rider shuld keep in mind that it is their respnsibility t ensure that their mtrcycle is free frm mechanical defects and is perating prperly. Hw d I self-inspect my mtrcycle? Here are sme pints that every rider shuld remember befre they hit the rad. They shuld be mindful t have the current mtrcycle registratin, insurance card and driver license with them whenever they ride. Of curse, they must always ride with the crrect prtective equipment which includes the fllwing: USDOT apprved nn-reflective helmet with fur inches f reflective tape n each side Apprved gggles r face shield if mtrcycle is nt equipped with an apprved wind screen Finally, it is imprtant that the mtrcycle be examined t ensure that every cmpnent is wrking in accrdance with the manufacture s specificatins and is nt bent, lse, damaged, brken, defective, r ut f alignment. These cmpnents are as fllw: Steering, suspensin, and wheel alignment Handlebar grips that are nt higher than yur shulders when yu are seated n the mtrcycle in nrmal driving psitin Hrn Red rear light and reflectr Stp light Head light Rear view mirrr Exhaust system Tires Seat, hand hlds, and ft rests Page 4 f 7 As f 7/27/10
Adequate brakes (all mtrcycles made after 1974 require brakes n frnt and rear wheels.) It is imprtant fr all riders t remember that any vehicle, including mtrcycles, may be cited by law enfrcement at any time fr mechanical defects r when equipment is ut f cmpliance. Fr further additinal infrmatin n mtrcycle safety and training please refer t www.njriderinf.rg. Hw d I get a replacement inspectin sticker? T get a replacement inspectin sticker issued fr an inspectin cnducted at a Private Inspectin Facility r CIF, yu must g t designated re-inspectin area f yur lcal state inspectin statin. Yu must present t the inspectr at the statin yur driver license, vehicle registratin and insurance card. All dcuments must be riginals, n cpies, faxes r cmputer generated pdf files. Yu must als present ne f the dcuments listed belw: Inspectin sticker Vehicle Inspectin Reprt ( available n the web at http://njvir.appslgrp.cm:8010/virprint/pages/vir/virsearch.jsf) Repair invice frm a glass cmpany fr windshield replacement. A plice reprt The inspectr will install a new inspectin sticker at n cst t the mtrist. I bught a mdel year 2010 car frm a New Jersey New Car Dealer this year, when des it have t be inspected? If yu have purchased any car less than five (5) mdel years ld including a mdel year 2010, it will nt required t be inspected until it is five (5) mdel years ld. Starting August 1, 2010 all vehicles less than five (5) mdel years ld purchased fr a new car dealer. At the time f purchase, the dealer will install a New Car Dealer Inspectin Decal n the car s windshield n the lwer driver side crner. The decal will expire n the last day f the mnth which the car was registered 5 years frm the mdel year. Page 5 f 7 As f 7/27/10
I bught a mdel year 2010 car prir t August 1, 2010 and received a New Car Inspectin Decal fr fur (4) years. Why didn t my car get a five (5) year decal? Since the law just went int effect n August 1, 2010, yu were nt eligible fr five (5) year inspectin decal when yu purchased yur car. Hwever, if yu purchased a car less than five mdel years ld including 2010 between TBD 2006 and TBD 2010, yur car qualifies t receive an additinal ne (1) year extensin. Owners f these vehicles will received a 1-YEAR EXTENSION Inspectin Decal in the mail during the summer f 2010. See the sample belw: Page 6 f 7 As f 7/27/10
What if a car less than five (5) mdel years ld is purchased frm smene ther than a New Jersey New Car Dealer and has never inspected in the State f New Jersey, when des my car have t be inspected? Any car less than five (5) mdel years is eligible fr a five (5) exemptin which means that it can receive a New Car Dealer Inspectin Decal expiring n the last day f the mnth which the car was registered 5 years frm the mdel year. Yu shuld have received a green card r SS-19 frm a MVC Mtr Vehicle Agency at the time f registratin. New Jersey Mtr Vehicle Cmmissin INSPECTION DECAL REPLACEMENT FOR VEHICLES LESS THAN 5YEARS OLD FOR USED VEHICLES BEING REGISTERED IN NJ WITHOUT A VALID INSPECTION DECAL Unless therwise required by law, vehicles are nt required t be inspected until they are 5 mdel years ld. Upn registratin, the vehicle will receive an inspectin decal, at an fficial inspectin facility, expiring n the last day f the mnth in which it was registered 5 years frm the mdel year. The vehicle indicated belw* must be presented at a designated area f an fficial state inspectin facility within 14 days f this ntice t receive a mtr vehicle inspectin apprval decal. The peratr must have a valid driver license, current registratin, and prf f New Jersey apprved insurance upn arrival. Date vehicle was registered Make f Vehicle License Plate N. NJ Mtr Vehicle Agency where vehicle was registered: Inspectin Decal N. Date Issued SS-19 (R6/10) Please read back f this frm *If yur vehicle has a current NJ Inspectin decal, yu must use the remaining time befre presenting yur vehicle fr inspectin. ALWAYS BUCKLE UP AND DRIVE FRIENDLY...AND... DON'T FORGET...WIPERS ON -- LIGHTS ON. IT'S THE LAW. NEW JERSEY MOTOR VEHICLE COMMISSION On the Rad t Excellence Visit us at www.njmvc.gv The SS19 instructs yu g t designated re-inspectin area f yur lcate state statin inspectin with yur car t receive a New Car Dealer Inspectin Decal. At the statin yu must present t the inspectr yur driver license, vehicle registratin and insurance card. All dcuments must be riginals, n cpies, faxes r cmputer generated pdf files. After reviewing the dcuments, the inspectr will install a New Car Dealer Inspectin Decal expiring n the last day f the mnth which the car was registered 5 years frm the mdel year. Page 7 f 7 As f 7/27/10