TRENTON -- State officials want to phase out motor vehicle inspections for mechanical defects on July 1, a move that could save $12 million and partially eliminate a process that has aggravated motorists for more than a decade.

If it goes through with the plan, New Jersey would become one of 30 states that don’t perform the inspections. Neighboring New York and Pennsylvania do.


Previous coverage:

• N.J. studies end to auto inspections, limiting emissions testing

• N.J. lawmakers approve creation of program to entice drivers to pay fines

• Complete coverage of the 2010 New Jersey State Budget
With the state facing a multi-billion-dollar budget deficit, officials could no longer justify paying $12 million a year for a program that resulted in a rejection rate of less than 6 percent, Motor Vehicle Commission chief administrator Raymond Martinez said.

In addition, he said, there has been no conclusive evidence eliminating mechanical inspections would lead to more traffic accidents.

"It’s a long overdue plan that could have saved us lots of time and money in the past," said Steve Carrellas, the New Jersey director of the National Motorists Association, an advocate of driving freedoms.

Carrellas has pushed for an end to the inspections, along with raising the speed limit above 55 and getting rid of the HOV traffic lanes.

Carrellas said the inspections are not needed because motorists will pick up on defects as part of their normal vehicle maintenance schedule.

"It just saves a lot of extra time and effort to fix something you’d get fixed anyway," he said.

Even if the mechanical inspections end, federal mandates require that vehicles be tested for emissions.

But instead of vehicles four years old or younger being exempt from emissions testing, the exemption would be extended to vehicles 5 years old or younger, saving $5.9 million, MVC officials said.

Vehicles older than five years would still have to be tested every two years for emissions.

NJ Sierra Club Director Jeff Tittel said more infrequent emissions testing and elimination of the mechanical inspections would lead to more pollution and possibly fewer federal dollars if counties are out of compliance for air quality standards.

Tittel said cars older than three should be tested regularly for emissions.

While the state may save $12 million, he said, "Compared to the potential loss of federal money and the impacts of the pollution, the cost will be at least 100 times greater."

The state will have to renegotiate the contract with Parsons Corp., which is only two years into a five-year, $276 million deal to do the emissions and mechanical inspections.

Parsons is paid $21.95 per test, including $3.24 for each mechanical inspection and the full amount for re-inspections of vehicles that failed the mechanical inspection.

The state conducts more than 1.94 million initial inspections a year and pays for all of them. Drivers only pay if they fail the inspections and have to get repairs done.

Michael Turner, a spokesman for Parsons, said the company was willing to work out a solution with New Jersey.

"Parsons Corp. recognizes the economic situation the state faces," he said. "To that end, in the spirit of being a true partner, this reduction, as well as several others that we have volunteered, can and will be discussed under the terms set forth in our contract."

In another driver-friendly initiative, Motor Vehicle Commission offices will remain open for a full-day instead of a half-day on Saturdays — the most popular day of the week — while closing Mondays.

 

I'm sure most of you on this forum are familiar with the new NJ inspection rules I just posted above. However, does anyone know if the new procedures will still require the removal of tints, front plate placement and removal of blue bulbs from our cars?

I know all of the above are illegal in NJ, and the inspection changes will not keep police from ticketing you, but I was wondering if you can fail for something "other than" emissions testing?

 

Win!11!11!!!

 

I am just gonna hold off paying someone for a sticker a biiit longer...unless someone can hook me up with a sticker for $100 or less... PM me!

 

What EXACTLY does a "mechanical" inspection entail? Brakes, tires, and suspension? I think lighting and tints are safety issues...

 

right after I leave NJ....

 

Hm. I guess it is good except for the whole emissions part ha. One of the only things I would be worried about while boosted.

 

Oh snap! When the hell did you move?

 

how's everything going down there ray? no inspections in florida right? also do they have steak and shake in palm beach? man i love the food there

 

about 2 months ago.

no inspections down here. but i learned my lesson w/ the 350Z, never put test pipes on a white car.

i have yet to go to steak & shake. google maps says there's a bunch down here. maybe i'll try it.

 

Clay bar takes it off...mine looked like **** but it came off. Clay, cleaner wax, wax, wax

 

Thank you Gov. Christie!!

 

UPDATE:

http://www.nj.com/news/jjournal/inde...710.xml&coll=3

Auto inspections to be limited to emissions tests
Saturday, July 17, 2010
TRENTON - New Jersey will stop inspecting privately owned vehicles for mechanical defects to save the cash-strapped state money beginning Aug. 1, limiting its checks to emissions tests, the head of the Motor Vehicle Commission announced yesterday.

Chief Administrator Raymond Martinez said the state could no longer justify spending millions on the inspections given the state's "current fiscal crisis."

Vehicles will still be tested for emissions, but not until they're five years old. Previously, inspections started at four years.

Martinez said the changes will save the state about $17 million. Most of the savings come from scrapping 2.4 million in mechanical inspections and re-inspections done each year and by pushing the new car emissions testing back a year.

The state pays a private company to do the inspections and is charged per inspection.

"If we're going to invest millions of taxpayer dollars year after year in a program, then it is essential that we be able to justify the expense and effectiveness of said program," said Martinez. "With a lack of conclusive data, and the current fiscal crisis, we cannot justify this expense."

New Jersey will become the 30th state that doesn't inspect for mechanical defects such as bald tires, worn brakes, non-working headlights and turn signals, and cracked windshields among other problems.

"Cars are now made cleaner, more efficient, and with less than six percent of newer vehicles failing emissions testing, this was a common sense decision for the MVC," Martinez added.

Martinez said the MVC will continue a public education campaign to encourage motorists to take proper care of their cars and trucks.

School buses, limousines, jitneys, taxis and other commercial-plated vehicles will still be inspected regularly for emissions and mechanical defects.

 

Wow so you can pass inspection with tint now!!!!! Still get tickets though.