The Diesel Inspection and Maintenance unit administers the Heavy Duty Diesel Inspection and Maintenance (HDDVIP) program, which was one of the first programs in the country. Established by law in 1995, the Diesel Inspection and Maintenance (I/M) program requires that all heavy-duty diesel powered motor vehicles (HDDVs) with a manufacturers gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of 18,000 pounds or more be annually inspected by one of the 300 licensed diesel Private Inspection Facilities (PIFs) throughout the state. The GVWR may be different from the vehicles' registered weight. All diesel-powered trucks, commercial buses and school buses including private and government vehicles are subject to regulation. Emergency vehicles such as ambulances and fire trucks are exempted.

Environmental and Health Benefits

The intent of the 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. Diesel emissions are responsible for more than half of black carbon emissions in the U.S. Black carbon is a strong absorber of solar radiation and black carbon mixtures may be the second biggest contributor to global warming. It is estimated that New Jersey has annual emissions of black carbon of approximately 5,000 tons and approximately 70% of these emissions are due to mobile, onroad and nonroad sources.

Diesel smoke has major health impacts due to the fine particles and air toxins it contains. These fine particles and toxins cause increased symptoms of asthma, increased hospitalization for respiratory ailments, lung cancer, and chronic decrease in lung function among children under age 18.

Please scroll down or select a topic ------------------------------------------ Roadside Enforcement Program Periodic Inspection Program Diesel PIFs Test Methods Opacity Opacimeters Emission Standards Penalties Smoking Vehicles Idling Vehicles Toxic Emissions Rules & Regulations HDDV Links

PROGRAM FORMAT

The HDDVIP 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 four teams of MVC inspectors and State Police. Smoking vehicles and excessive idling of diesel engines, are other elements of the HDDVIP which are controlled by state law.

To ensure the annual and roadside inspection programs operate effectively the Diesel I/M unit:

• develops and refines the procedures and standards for testing diesel vehicles
• collects and analyzes inspection data from the licensed inspection centers as well as the roadside teams
• audits the roadside teams to ensure proper operation of equipment and correct procedures
• 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. Four 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.

For more information on the roadside enforcement program, click here:

 

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.

Find a diesel PIF near you: New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission

Find out more information on diesel PIF reporting requirements.

 

RULES & REGULATIONS

Established by Public Law 1995, Chapter 157, the rules that govern the HDDVIP are:

NJ Department of Environmental Protection

N.J.A.C. 7:27-14 - Control and Prohibition of Air Pollution from diesel- fueled Motor Vehicles

N.J.A.C. 7:27B-4 - Air Test Method 4: Testing procedures for Motor Vehicles

NJ Department of Transportation

N.J.A.C. 13:20-26 - Periodic Diesel Inspection Program
N.J.A.C. 13:20-46 - Diesel Emission Inspection and Maintenance Program
N.J.A.C. 13:20-47 - Diesel Private Inspection Facility - Licensing

NJ State Police

N.J.S.A. 39:8-59 - 76 - Periodic Diesel Inspection Program

 

Questions and comments about the HDDVIP: dieseld@dep.state.nj.us