Is Inspection Required for Registration in New Jersey?

Yes, inspection is required for registration in New Jersey. Most motor vehicles registered in the state must undergo periodic inspection to ensure they meet safety and emissions standards. The inspection requirement is enforced through the Motor Vehicle Commission and applies to vehicles based on age, model year, weight classification, and intended use.

New Jersey Inspection Requirements

New Jersey enforces a comprehensive vehicle inspection program administered by the Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC) to ensure that registered vehicles meet federal and state safety and emissions standards. The inspection mandate is established under N.J.S.A. Chapter 39, Article 8 and applies to most vehicles operated on New Jersey public roads and highways.

Vehicles need to be inspected once every two years in New Jersey with the exception of new vehicles, which require a five-year inspection before their first biennial cycle begins. The inspection requirement is integrated into the vehicle registration system, with the Motor Vehicle Commission refusing to issue or renew registration without proof of a valid inspection certificate. Inspection stickers are displayed on the vehicle's windshield and remain valid for the same period as the vehicle's registration.

The MVC operates a network of centralized inspection facilities (state inspection stations) throughout New Jersey as well as private inspection facilities licensed to perform the same inspections. Vehicles may be inspected up to two months in advance of their due date, allowing vehicle owners flexibility in scheduling their inspections.

Inspection Requirements for New Registrations in New Jersey

Vehicles Purchased from Dealers: Vehicles purchased from authorized New Jersey dealers arrive with a valid new car dealer inspection decal if the model is less than five years old. Dealer-inspected vehicles typically display a green card or SS-19 form indicating the vehicle qualifies for a five-year exemption from biennial inspections. Buyers of dealer vehicles do not need to obtain an immediate inspection if the vehicle is within this five-year window.

Vehicles Purchased from Private Sellers: When purchasing used vehicles from private sellers, buyers become responsible for obtaining the inspection if the seller has not completed it. The vehicle must display a valid inspection sticker, or the new owner has up to two months before the expiration date to obtain one. If purchased with an expired or missing sticker, the vehicle must be inspected before the MVC will issue permanent registration.

Vehicles from Out-of-State: Out-of-state vehicles being registered in New Jersey for the first time must undergo inspection within the timeframe specified by the MVC. For vehicles less than five model years old that have never been inspected in New Jersey, owners should visit a designated reinspection area of a state inspection station with the SS-19 form received at registration to obtain a new car dealer inspection decal. Vehicles more than five model years old must complete a standard biennial inspection before registration finalization.

Types of Inspections Required in New Jersey

New Jersey requires two primary types of inspections: safety inspections focusing on emissions compliance and on-board diagnostics testing. Following a major policy change in 2010, New Jersey transitioned from comprehensive mechanical safety inspections to emissions-focused testing for most passenger vehicles.

Emissions Inspection (Primary Inspection Type)

The primary inspection for most registered vehicles focuses on emissions compliance through on-board diagnostics (OBD) testing. Vehicles subject to biennial emissions testing include:

• Gasoline and bi-fueled vehicles registered as passenger, not-for-profit, governmental, commuter van, or farmer vehicles model year 1996 and newer (GVWR 8,500 pounds or less), five or more model years old
• Gasoline and bi-fueled vehicles model year 2008 and newer (GVWR 8,501 to 14,000 pounds), five or more model years old
• Gasoline and bi-fueled vehicles model year 2014 and newer (GVWR 14,001 pounds or greater), five or more model years old
• Diesel-powered passenger vehicles model year 1997 and newer (GVWR 8,500 pounds or less), five or more model years old

Annual Safety and Emissions Inspections

Certain vehicle classes require annual inspections for both safety and emissions compliance, including all passenger vehicle transportation-classified vehicles (ambulances, hotel buses, jitneys, limousines, mobility assistance vehicles, omnibuses, paratransit vehicles, and taxicabs) and all commercial-plated gasoline or bi-fueled vehicles regardless of weight.

Heavy-Duty Diesel Inspection

Diesel-powered vehicles with a gross vehicle weight rating of 18,000 pounds or greater require an annual smoke opacity inspection at a diesel private inspection facility to ensure compliance with smoke emission standards.

Inspection Fees

The state does not charge a separate emissions inspection fee; the cost is incorporated into vehicle registration fees, which vary based on vehicle type and weight.

Vehicle Exemptions from Inspections

The following vehicle categories are exempt from New Jersey inspection requirements:

• Gasoline-powered passenger vehicles model year 1995 or older (GVWR 8,500 pounds or less)
• Gasoline-powered passenger vehicles model year 2007 or older (GVWR 8,501 to 14,000 pounds)
• Gasoline-powered passenger vehicles model year 2013 or older (GVWR 14,001 pounds or greater)
• 100% electric vehicles
• Historic motor vehicles (at least 25 years old, unmodified from manufacturer specification, with QQ registration plates)
• Approved collector vehicles less than 25 years old (limited to 3,000 miles annually)
• Motorcycles and motorized bicycles
• Farm tractors, traction equipment, farm machinery, and implements
• Fire trucks with GVWR exceeding 8,500 pounds
• Omnibuses and school buses (subject to specialized inspection by MVC units)
• Tactical military vehicles operated on federal installations
• Contractor equipment in transit
• Diesel-fueled commercial and passenger vehicles with GVWR of 8,501 to 17,999 pounds (self-inspection by owner required)
• Certain diesel-powered vehicles, model year 1996 or older, with specific weight and registration classifications

New Jersey Registration Renewal and Inspection Requirements

New Jersey maintains a registration-based enforcement system in which vehicle registration renewal is directly dependent on valid inspection compliance. The Motor Vehicle Commission will not issue or renew registration without proof of a current inspection certificate. Inspections are tracked in the state's computer system, and registration cannot be processed if inspection records show an expired or failed inspection status.

Vehicle owners are notified by mail when their inspection is due. Registration renewal requests that do not coincide with a valid inspection certificate will be denied until the vehicle is inspected. Vehicles may be presented for inspection up to two months in advance of the month in which they are due, allowing owners to plan ahead for renewal.

Penalties for Expired Inspections in New Jersey

Driving a vehicle with an expired inspection sticker constitutes a violation enforceable by law enforcement at any time. Police officers are authorized to initiate traffic stops based solely on observation of an expired or missing inspection sticker. Drivers presenting a vehicle with an expired inspection sticker may result in fines between $100 and $200 and/or imprisonment for up to 30 days.

Additionally, the Motor Vehicle Commission may revoke registration privileges under N.J.S.A. 39:8-9 for vehicles with expired inspection stickers. A civil penalty of $200 may be imposed on the owner or lessee when license plate confiscation is ordered by the MVC director.

It is important to note that there is no official grace period for expired inspection stickers in New Jersey. Drivers presenting their vehicles to inspection stations with expired stickers will not be penalized by the inspection staff, but law enforcement officers may cite them at any other time or location.

Where to Get an Inspection in New Jersey

Vehicles in New Jersey may be inspected at either state-operated centralized inspection facilities or at private inspection facilities licensed by the Motor Vehicle Commission. Both facility types are authorized to perform the same safety and emissions inspections and issue valid inspection stickers.

Finding a Licensed Inspection Station

The Motor Vehicle Commission maintains a searchable online directory of inspection facility locations accessible through the NJOIT Open Data Center. Vehicle owners can search by municipality or facility type to locate the nearest inspection station. State inspection facilities are located in Washington (Warren County), Salem, and Cape May and accept appointments by calling (888) NJMOTOR (656-6867) or (609) 620-7992 for out-of-state callers. Appointments may also be scheduled online through the Schedule Inspection Web Page.

Types of Inspection Facilities

Licensed inspection facilities in New Jersey include:

• State inspection facilities (Centralized Inspection Facilities or CIF): Government-operated locations where emissions testing and safety inspections are conducted at no additional charge beyond registration fees
• Private inspection facilities (PIF): Privately-owned and licensed garages authorized to perform the same inspections as state facilities
• Specialty inspection facilities: Designated locations for high-rise vehicle stability inspections, lifted vehicle testing, and referee inspections
• Diesel private inspection facilities: Licensed facilities for annual diesel opacity smoke inspections on heavy-duty vehicles
• Emission repair facilities (ERF): Licensed shops where certified emission repair technicians diagnose and repair emission-related defects identified during failed inspections

Government Agencies

New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission
225 East State Street, Trenton, NJ 08666
Phone: (609) 292-6500
Inspection Services: (609) 633-9474
Official Website: New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission

New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission - Inspection Facilities
Main Inspection Line: (888) NJMOTOR (656-6867)
Out-of-State Calls: (609) 620-7992
Official Facility Locator: Vehicle Inspection Facility Locations Map