newjerseynewsroom.com

State will only check vehicle emissions

BY JOE TYRRELL

NEWJERSEYNEWSROOM.COM

The New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission, already closing two offices, has announced dramatic reductions in its vehicle inspections.

In a statement, MVC Chief Administrator Raymond P. Martinez said the state will now rely on the "responsibility" of New Jersey drivers to keep their vehicles in proper working condition.

He was not speaking with tongue-in-cheek. Beginning Aug. 1, MVC inspections will only check vehicle emissions, not their mechanical or electrical functioning.

The agency also will extend the inspection exemption period for new vehicles to five years, from four. New cars will automatically get five-year exemption stickers. The MVC said it will mail one-year extension stickers to owners of vehicles already on the road.

The state will no longer require motorcycles and some diesel-powered vehicles, not covered by emissions tests, to submit to inspections every two years.

The cutbacks are another byproduct of the state's fiscal problems. In an MVC statement, Martinez estimated they will save $17 million a year, while the agency "continues its efforts to encourage owner responsibility."

The MVC announcement did not address safety issues directly, but downplayed the effect of loosening standards. The changes came a review of data, reports and studies, which were "inconclusive" about the effectiveness of inspections, according to the agency.

MVC inspectors have failed only 6 percent of the 1.9 million vehicles a year they see for "more serious mechanical defects related to breaks, steering, suspension or tires," according to the agency.

"With a lack of conclusive data, and the current fiscal crisis, we cannot justify this expense," Martinez said.

Besides plugging New Jersey drivers, Martinez coupled the announcement with praise for service stations, car dealers and automakers.

"Our local service stations and auto dealerships play such a critical role in helping to keep our cars and trucks in excellent working shape with regular servicing," Martinez said.

Until now, the costs of private inspections have meant most drivers user the state system. The roughly 578,000 inspections a year done by service stations and cardealers represent only 24 percent of the total.

Martinez also praised the industry, saying "cars are now made cleaner, more efficient." The emissions test failure rate for newer vehicles is also about 6 percent, he said.

Joe Tyrrell may be reached at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it