DOT INSPECTION & REQUIREMENTS
Patriot offers Convenient Mobile Inspections for your fleet of Commercial Vehicles.
DOT Information
Vehicles Exempt From Inspection
Exempted Vehicles
Certain vehicles are exempt from inspections, but they do vary, so be sure to check what is required for yours.
The following vehicles are exempt from inspection requirements (N.J.A.C. 13:20-7.2):
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Gasoline powered vehicles registered passenger, model year 1995 & older with a GVWR 8,500 pounds or less.
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Gasoline powered vehicles registered passenger, model year 2007 & older with a GVWR 8,501 to 14,000 pounds.
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Gasoline powered vehicles registered passenger, model year 2013 & older with a GVWR 14,001 pounds or more.
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Historic motor vehicles
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Approved Collector Vehicles which are less than 25 years old
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100% Electric vehicles
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Motorcycles
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Motorized bicycles
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Farm tractors and traction equipment
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Farm machinery and implements
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Fire trucks having a GVWR of more than 8,500 pounds
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In-transit construction equipment
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All Diesel-fueled motor vehicles with a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) 8,501 pounds to 17,999 that are plated commercial. The owner or lessee is required to inspected these vehicles.
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All diesel powered vehicles with a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) 8,501 to 17,999 that are plated passenger, not for profit, governmental, commuter van, farmer or farm truck except buses
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All diesel powered vehicles model year 1996 and older that are plated passenger, not for profit, governmental, commuter van, farmer or farm truck except buses
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Omnibuses which are subject to inspection by the Commission‘s Commercial Bus Inspection and Investigation Unit
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School buses which are subject to inspection by the Commission‘s School Bus Inspection Unit
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Tactical military vehicles operated on Federal installations within this State
Historic vehicles
General inspections are not required for historic or collector vehicles. To be classified as a "historic vehicle" it must be:
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At least 25 years old
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Must not be modified from original manufacturer specification
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Specially registered and display QQ plates
Collector vehicles
To be classified as a "collector vehicle" make sure that the vehicle:
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Is not registered as a "historic vehicle" or a "street rod"
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Is not driven more than 3,000 miles per year
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Is insured as a limited use "collector vehicle"
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Is not a vehicle with an elevated chassis height subject to an inspection in accordance with NJAC 13:20-37
To qualify for an exemption:
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A vehicle must first be prequalified as a collector vehicle. Click here to see if your vehicle qualifies as a collector vehicle.
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Visit an MVC Agency to purchase a voucher for a special decal to mark the vehicle exempt from safety and emission inspection; fee is $25 for an initial voucher and $25 to renew. You must provide the approval letter from the MVC I/M Support to the
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agency when initially applying collector vehicle status. The approval letter is not required for renewal.
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Take the collector vehicle to a State Inspection Station where the inspector will verify the odometer reading
Emission Standards
Diesel Inspection & Maintenance
The intent of the diesel inspection program is to identify diesel vehicles with excessive smoke emissions as these emissions are an indicator of poor vehicle maintenance and contribute to air pollution. Diesel engines emit soot, or black carbon particles which then become airborne.
The diesel inspection program is jointly administered by the NJ Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC), the NJ State Police (NJSP), and NJDEP. The 75,000 vehicles that are subjected to annual inspections must pass an emission test for smoke opacity within 90 days of their annual registration. Inspections are performed at licensed diesel PIFs under our Periodic Inspection Program. The Roadside Enforcement Program fields teams of MVC inspectors and State Police. Smoking vehicles and excessive idling of diesel engines are also prohibited.
To ensure the annual and roadside inspection programs operate effectively, the Diesel I/M unit:
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Develops and refines the procedures and standards for testing diesel vehicles
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Collects and analyzes inspection data from the licensed inspection centers as well as the roadside teams
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Audits the roadside teams to ensure proper operation of equipment and correct procedures
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Coordinates with the NJ MVC on licensing procedures and enhancements to these two inspection programs.
This unit maintains its leadership role by promulgating more stringent inspection requirements for heavy duty vehicles. This unit continues to explore ways to enhance its program by increasing outreach, developing partnerships, and testing new equipment and concepts.
ROADSIDE ENFORCEMENT PROGRAM
All HDDVs, New Jersey registered or out of state, are subject to random roadside inspections. Teams of MVC inspectors and State Police monitor a network of inspection sites that cover the entire state. The inspection sites are selected to provide maximum safety for the motoring public, the truck drivers, and the inspection team. The roadside inspection utilizes the snap-acceleration test, one of three test methods adopted by NJDEP. Penalties, in the form of fines, are issued for exceeding the emission standards, and for failing to have the annual inspection performed.
PERIODIC INSPECTION PROGRAM
All diesel-powered vehicles 18,000 pounds or more GVWR must undergo an annual emissions inspection within 90 days after the date of initial or renewed registration. The inspection, which utilizes one of the three test methods adopted by NJDEP, must be performed at a MVC licensed diesel Private Inspection Facility (PIF). A network of almost 300 diesel PIFs has been developed across the state, in all 21 counties.
Not all diesel PIFs are repair facilities. If your vehicle needs repairs or maintenance, check with your local diesel PIF to see if they provide the services you need.
848-241-1095