NJ MVC Seal
P.O. Box 160
Trenton, NJ
Contact: Mike Horan
Kevin Cranston
609-292-5203
RELEASE: February 23, 2007


MVC To Utilize Inspection Advisories
New regulations will lead to cost savings and reduced customer trips

(TRENTON) – New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC) Chief Administrator Sharon A. Harrington, today, announced that the agency will begin utilizing Enhanced Inspection Advisories for passenger vehicles and motorcycles that will reclassify certain violations that previously led to rejections. Effective March 1, certain minor equipment defects will no longer be cause for rejection under new regulations that will annually save the state approximately $2.9 million and allow nearly 100,000 motorists to avoid re-inspecting their vehicles.

"The goal of our inspection program has always been to ensure that only the safest vehicles are traveling our roads, and we will continue to uphold that standard," said Harrington. "While serious issues involving items such as brakes, steering, and tire wear will always be cause for rejection, those items that do not pose a safety risk should not be cause for a second trip to an MVC facility."

Items that will warrant an advisory include:
  • missing or defaced license plates
  • a registration containing typographical errors in the vehicle identification number (provided the make, model year and license plate number on the registration is accurate)
  • missing or burned out license plate lights
  • high-mounted rear stoplights that are missing, obstructed, inoperative or do not operate properly
  • headlights that are cracked, chipped or contain moisture and headlights that are equipped with brush guards or grills (as long as they are operational and visible)
  • broken, cracked or missing turn signal light lenses (provided that no white light is showing in the rear of the vehicle)
  • specialty lights, regardless of number, location and condition, including fog, passing, supplemental driving, spotlight, cowl, fender or any other auxiliary lights
  • excessive rust or sharp edges on the vehicle body or bumper
  • cracked or broken mirrors (as long as the motorist has adequate rearview vision)
  • motorcycle helmets that have reflective tape or helmets that are not reflective.            

Upon completing inspection, motorists will receive a handout from an inspector listing any advisory conditions that must be repaired. Motorists will then have 60 days from the date of the inspection to make those repairs. If not, the motorist may be cited for failure to make repairs and be subject to penalties. Motorists, though, do not have to re-inspect their vehicle for the advisory items.

"Although these are minor defects that can be easily fixed, customers should understand that minor does not mean they should be ignored," added Harrington.

In the event a vehicle is rejected for one of the advisory items before March 1 and returns to an inspection station after March 1, the vehicle should be inspected again and should be issued a conditional approval in compliance with the new regulations.

To ensure that the new regulations are implemented smoothly, the MVC is coordinating with the law enforcement community so they are aware of the specifics of the advisories and their role in regard to them.