Vehicle inspection is a duty that is fulfilled by law to avoid fines. In this article We will explain how much a car inspection costs in New Jersey and how to request it step by step.
The NJ vehicle inspection at a public center is free, while at a private center authorized by the authorities it costs between $100 and $250.
The inspection is performed at centers licensed by the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission (NJ MVC), some are public and others are private.
Private inspections are administered by state-licensed companies and their service fees apply. In public centers, managed by the state, inspections are free of charge but tend to take longer.
NOTE: If you want to do it for free and would like to avoid waiting, you can schedule an appointment at public facilities located in Washington (Warren County), Salem or Cape May.
How to Get a Vehicle Inspection in New Jersey
We will explain in a practical and simple way how to perform a vehicle inspection in New Jersey. To do it without problems, you must follow these steps:
- Choose the inspection center
- Gather what is needed for the inspection
- Request an appointment to have your car inspected
- Get your car inspected
- Save the inspection report
Choose Vehicle Inspection Inspection Center in NJ
Choose a car inspection center near your office or home. You can check the address of the inspection centers through the locator available on the NJ MCV website.
Vehicle inspection near me
On the following map you can find the car inspection centers closest to your location.
Gather what is needed for the inspection
To perform a vehicle inspection in NJ you must have on hand the original documents that are needed on the day of the inspection: Your driver's license, vehicle registration, and New Jersey auto insurance card.
You must be at least 17 years old to carry out the process. All documents must be submitted in their original form. Copies, faxes or emails are not accepted.
IMPORTANT: Vehicles with permitted tinting must have a 6″ wide x 8″ tall area in the lower left corner of the windshield (viewed from the driver's position), free of tint, to place the new sticker on the windshield.
Homeowners are responsible for having this area free of dyes before attending the inspection. Staff will not be responsible for removing the tint applied to the windshield.
Request an appointment to have your car inspected
If you prefer to schedule an appointment to expedite the process, you can do so at the state inspection centers in Salem, Cape May or Washington (Warren County)..
To request an appointment at a state inspection center, you have these options:
Request inspection appointment by phone
You can make an appointment at a state inspection center by calling NJ Motor Vehicle Inspection: 888-656-6867 (within New Jersey); If you are out of state, call 609 620 7992.
Office hours for appointment requests: Monday to Friday from 8:00 am to 4:30 pm and Saturdays from 7:00 am to 12:00 pm
Request inspection appointment online
To request an appointment online, enter through this link and follow the instructions of the state inspection appointment system. You will have to fill out a form with personal information.
Get your car inspected
You must show up on the day of your appointment with the required documents. Otherwise, you will lose your turn and must request a new one.
Save the inspection report
If your car passes the inspection, you will receive a detailed report and the updated inspection sticker that you must keep attached to the windshield of the car.
You should keep the inspection report along with the other documents of the car so that you can show them in case a traffic agent asks you to do so.
When should a vehicle inspection be performed in New Jersey?
Vehicle Inspection in NJ must be done every two years, But new cars must be inspected every 5 years.
To have precise information on when you should carry out the next inspection, we recommend that you Check the sticker that you have attached to the windshield of the car. You must have received this sticker when you carried out the last inspection; In it you can see the expiration date.
You can have the car inspection in New Jersey up to two months before that date and never after the expiration date.
What happens if my car fails the NJ vehicle inspection?
When the car does not pass the inspection you have 30 days to repair it. After solving the reason why the car failed the inspection, you must schedule a reinspection, preferably at the inspection center where the previous inspection was performed.
When is a vehicle inspection done in New Jersey?
If it is a new car, the inspection is carried out every five years. Some cars, depending on the model and age, must be inspected every two years. For vehicles such as limousines, taxis or ambulances, the inspection must be done annually.