Meaningless Motor Vehicle Inspection Process in NJ

[leo]

Here in New Jersey we got a sort of gift from the DMV. If your vehicle is at least 25 years old you don't have to get it inspected any longer. Now the inspection process has become a joke here because all they do is check your emissions. They don't care about brakes or anything else which could really be a safety issue and cause you to have a serious accident. Have any other states "progressed" to this level of meaningless nonsense?

[Dick Steinkamp]

Here's the process for each state...

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vehicl..._United_States

[leo]

Hey Dick, thanks for the post but I don't really think wikipedia can be relied on for accuracy. You will note that it says all passenger vehicles are exempt from inspection in NJ as of 2010 and that is not true.

[Kevin in NJ]

Christy saving money. They have to do the emissions to get the federal dollars.

It has not been good for the garages since people are not bothering to get safety stuff fixed.

It was funny to watch them inspect my van. The lady thought my First Aid tag issued by the state was not a real tag. Even after reading my registration she was going around asking questions and being ignored. Then she messed up the computer and I had to wait 10 minutes for the machine to reboot. You could see other people shaking their heads.

Now what the state does to make money is set up mobile inspection stops. There they do a complete check for lights, wheels and such. Then they issue expensive tickets and make cars get towed.

Of course the big question is how many times will I get stopped in my 94 because the inspection is out of date?

[H. L. Chauvin]

Hi Leo,

In some states, in some areas of states, if one obtains an antique license plate, where driving is limited to car shows, etc., Motor Vehicle Inspections are not required because of a specific written law or legal exemption.

Obtaining a warning or ticket with an antique license plate for driving to just get ice cream usually depends on which state one resides, which area of each state one resides, and the general or specific attitude of the crappy person in these particular areas who is licensed to write tickets.

Several comments have been written on Forums where with an antique license plate, one received a warning for driving to a facility like a grocery store or drug store.

From past experiences, even devout religious ministers will always test their luck and try to see if they can get by with this or that ..... this one trial & error human event always keeps our prisons open for semi-permanent & permanent visitors.

[ronn]

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Of course the big question is how many times will I get stopped in my 94 because the inspection is out of date?



Kevin, I drive my 1993 taurus everywhere wo an inspection update and havent been pulled over once.

for those that dont know, NJ now does not inspect 1995 and older cars at all. As a matter of fact, dont tell anyone, but have been driving my 1500 silverado for 2 years wo an inspection sticker. It is a 2000, they should ticket me, but somehow just dont seem to care..............

I wish this had all occurred when I was only 17, because back then, I was so poor, that I drove 75. wrecks until they died, and then would repeat the process over and over. always had trouble with inspection back then.

Believe most states today are getting stricter, but gratefully, not NJ!

[leo]

Hi Kevin, so how do they justify the legality of the mobile inspection stop if they don't care about anything but emissions at the inspection station? I was unaware of this new form of taxpayer ripoff. Then again charging you for an annual vehicle inspection in your annual registration renewal is another ripoff since the inspection process has been watered down to nothing of any importance. We continue to be fleeced by a system that is only motivated by it's own survival and nothing else.

[H. L. Chauvin]

Would be interesting to hear Model A owners' innovative stories concerning their "unique" responses given to deputies and/or policemen who stopped them for not driving to a car show with their antique license plates; however, were driving to a post office with an antique license plate ....... like:

a. I had to charge my battery.

b. I had to circulate the newly added oil in my engine.

c. Just grease my wheel bearings so I had to drive to uniformly spread the wheel bearing grease.

d. Or whatever?

[Tim Ayers]

Originally Posted by H. L. Chauvin

Would be interesting to hear Model A owners' innovative stories concerning their "unique" responses given to deputies and/or policemen who stopped them for not driving to a car show with their antique license plates; however, were driving to a post office with an antique license plate ....... like:

a. I had to charge my battery.

b. I had to circulate the newly added oil in my engine.

c. Just grease my wheel bearings so I had to drive to uniformly spread the wheel bearing grease.

d. Or whatever?

I've been pulled over driving my dad's '49 F-1 in town. The cop said he saw it out earlier in the week (which was true).

I told him (which was also true) I was going to NAPA to get a part for it. He told me that's not allowed.

I said, "Why? I need to make sure I'm getting the correct one. You can follow me there is you'd like."

Cop went back to his car and 10 minutes late came back and said go to NAPA and take it back home.

I was really in shock that he was busting my chops.


To this point, should one get a regular plate in a state like NJ to avoid these hassles or was it just an over zealous cop?

[Tim Ayers]

Delete

[Kevin in NJ]

Originally Posted by leo

Hi Kevin, so how do they justify the legality of the mobile inspection stop if they don't care about anything but emissions at the inspection station? I was unaware of this new form of taxpayer ripoff. Then again charging you for an annual vehicle inspection in your annual registration renewal is another ripoff since the inspection process has been watered down to nothing of any importance. We continue to be fleeced by a system that is only motivated by it's own survival and nothing else.

Just because they do not inspect and fail the car at the inspection station does not take away from your responsibility to keep your car to state standards.

Our inspection system was privatized much to the profit of the company. It has screwed over the independent service places. The services stations needed to buy the special computer and put in special equipment. A lot of shops still have the rollers required for the first generation of inspection.

[Dick Steinkamp]

Originally Posted by leo

Hey Dick, thanks for the post but I don't really think wikipedia can be relied on for accuracy. You will note that it says all passenger vehicles are exempt from inspection in NJ as of 2010 and that is not true.

It certainly could be that Wikipedia is wrong, but....there are two paragraphs that apply. The first is for SAFETY INSPECTIONS under the heading...

Jurisdictions requiring periodic vehicle safety inspections

New Jersey—annually for commercial vehicles (including taxis, limousines, jitneys, and buses), effective January 1, 2010. Passenger vehicles are exempt from safety inspections, effective August 1, 2010.



The second is for EMISSIONS INSPECTIONS under the heading...


Jurisdictions requiring periodic vehicle emissions inspections

New Jersey—biennially. Effective January 1, 2010, commercial vehicles (including taxis, limousines, jitneys, and buses) are subject to an annual inspection. Effective August 1, 2010, new non-commercial vehicles are exempt for the first five years. Used non-commercial vehicles are also exempt for the first five model years, as indicated on the New Car Dealer inspection decal. Used non-commercial vehicles originally purchased outside of New Jersey will receive a decal valid for five years from the model year of the vehicle. Effective August 1, 2010, vehicles exempt from inspection include motorcycles, non-commercial diesel vehicles between 8,500 pounds (3,900 kg) and 10,000 pounds (4,500 kg) GVWR or older than model year 1997 and under 10,000 pounds (4,500 kg) GVWR, diesel trucks between 10,000 pounds (4,500 kg) and 18,000 pounds (8,200 kg) GVWR (subject to self-inspection), farm vehicles, collector vehicles, historic vehicles, trailers, and mopeds.[16] Effective May 2016, cars 1995 and older are no longer subject to emissions inspection


I think it says essentially the same thing you said in your first post. That is that in NJ only emissions are inspected and not even that for cars 1995 and older.

[SeaSlugs]

Originally Posted by Tim Ayers

I've been pulled over driving my dad's '49 F-1 in town. The cop said he saw it out earlier in the week (which was true).

I told him (which was also true) I was going to NAPA to get a part for it. He told me that's not allowed.

I said, "Why? I need to make sure I'm getting the correct one. You can follow me there is you'd like."

Cop went back to his car and 10 minutes late came back and said go to NAPA and take it back home.

I was really in shock that he was busting my chops.


To this point, should one get a regular plate in a state like NJ to avoid these hassles or was it just an over zealous cop?

haha wow, I drive my chevette anywhere and everywhere with antique YOM plates on it.. never been hassled. Usually cops that see it or pass me on the highway I get a nod or a thumbs up from them :P

[RonC]

Vehicle Inspections are nothing more than just a State tax. I think the federal law requirement was eliminated back in 1976.

[mhsprecher]

In Maryland you only need to get your car, not including antiques, inspected when you buy it used. There is no annual inspection other than emissions. You can get stopped and cited for safety equipment reasons, the repair of which needs a certification of some sort. I have not been stopped for a safety equipment reason for decades, so I really don't know how that works any more. The District of Columbia recently did away with its periodic safety inspections. I assume that if there were major problems caused by poor maintenance and the like, we would have inspections, but we do not. I drive my antiques fairly often and have never been stopped.

[Terry, NJ]

Jersey made huge progress with making the transportation ordeal much simpler. By contrast, Pa is mired in a antiquated system that doesn't just invite corruption, it ushers it in! Pa. hasn't gotten the word about computers and printers. No, all titles are issued out of Harrisburg and consequently They must be run to H-burg daily, For a Fee of course, and this perk Gig, whatever is dished out to the party faithful. NJ has the titles in the MVA and you walk out with it, no "Couriers" To Trenton! All back and forth is on the computer. The Inspection System depends on private garages charging anywhere from $25 up to God knows what, just to look at your car. We all know where that goes. The only time and place where I'll defend NJ is on the transportation system. We don't have many accidents because of Mechanical failure anymore, So NJ wisely changed the inspection cycle from the old one years to two years and saved considerable wait time. And! There is no reason to lift the car and remove the wheels and drums as in Pa. I really like Pa. except for it's backward motor vehicle system.
Terry

[SeaSlugs]

Originally Posted by Terry, NJ

Jersey made huge progress with making the transportation ordeal much simpler. By contrast, Pa is mired in a antiquated system that doesn't just invite corruption, it ushers it in! Pa. hasn't gotten the word about computers and printers. No, all titles are issued out of Harrisburg and consequently They must be run to H-burg daily, For a Fee of course, and this perk Gig, whatever is dished out to the party faithful. NJ has the titles in the MVA and you walk out with it, no "Couriers" To Trenton! All back and forth is on the computer. The Inspection System depends on private garages charging anywhere from $25 up to God knows what, just to look at your car. We all know where that goes. The only time and place where I'll defend NJ is on the transportation system. We don't have many accidents because of Mechanical failure anymore, So NJ wisely changed the inspection cycle from the old one years to two years and saved considerable wait time. And! There is no reason to lift the car and remove the wheels and drums as in Pa. I really like Pa. except for it's backward motor vehicle system.
Terry

Or like majority of IL, there is no inspection of any kind. Sometimes I wish there was as ive seen some things that should be taken off the road with collapsed suspension, pieces barely hanging on, over half their lights out and or broken...

On the other hand im sure my s10 would fail bad so i dont want inspections haha.

[ronn]

To this point, should one get a regular plate in a state like NJ to avoid these hassles or was it just an over zealous cop?

you got a jack arse cop................... they dont bother me here in Mt Laurel

keep your tank half full and next time tell him you are going to the station to fill up........

like to see his face then!

[Mitch//pa]

And dont carry a gun in NJ...permits are basically non - exsistant

[Mikeinnj]

Leo,

Read the latest (attached) law from Motor Vehicle Services.

Vehicles 20 years old are exempt from emmissions testing

The reasoning behind the legislation that created the new exemption for passenger vehicles 20 years and older is that there are not that many vehicles of that vintage left on the roads.

The strong factor was that NJ legislators considered Obamas "cash for clunkers' program which took most vehicles of that age off the roads.

See below