The New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission (NJMVC) recently sent notices to thousands of New Jersey consumers who own older vehicles that are now exempt from the New Jersey Vehicle Inspection Program due to the ending of tailpipe testing for older vehicles, effective May 1, 2016.
These notices were only for vehicles due for inspection in May 2016. Similar mailings will continue for the next 24 months until all of the exempted vehicles have been notified. Other upcoming changes to the vehicle inspection process (scheduled for implementation this summer) include:
•Only passenger-plated vehicles will be initially inspected at a Central Inspection Facility. (Note: passenger-plated vehicles may continue to receive initial inspections at a Private Inspection Facility.)•Any passenger vehicle that FAILS initial inspection will have to be re-inspected at a Private Inspection Facility. •All commercial vehicles currently requiring an inspection will have to be inspected at a Private Inspection Facility. •All re-inspections will be conducted at a Private Inspection Facility. Step-by-step instructions for repairs and re-inspection will be given once the new inspection process is in place.•Under the new program, model year 1995 and older passenger-registered vehicles (with a GVWR of 8,500 lbs. or less), will no longer be required to have an inspection. However, inspections of this type of vehicle will continue until a new program is in place.
Please make sure your customers are aware that they will have to take their vehicle to a private inspection station to get it re-inspected, if it fails emissions testing under the new rules. Also, the State will no longer pay for a second test given by private contractors at State inspection stations, if the motorist brings their vehicle back to be re-tested after failing.
Even though some vehicles may now be exempt from inspection, vehicle owners are still required to maintain all mechanical and emissions equipment, and may at any time be cited for malfunctioning or missing required equipment.
For more information on changes to the emissions program, visit the NJMVC’s New Cessation of Tailpipe Emission Testing page (http://www.state.nj.us/mvc/Inspections/tailpipe.htm).