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  The New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC) recently changed a few state laws regarding auto inspection and emission testing, which can lead to confusion. That car you've had your eye on may not even be allowed on New Jersey roads if it's not up to emission standards. Knowing the updated laws before you head to the next inspection station may help you avoid a costly fine and unwanted attention from the police.
  
  

Emission Law

• A law that went into effect January 1, 2009, requires all new vehicles bought within New Jersey state limits to meet California's emission requirements. Simply put, if you purchase or lease a new vehicle in New Jersey, the car has to be "California certified". This means the Manufacturer Source of Origin (or Manufacturer Certificate of Origin) has to clearly state the car is either certified for sale in California, or in all 50 states. According to the New Jersey MVC website: "New Jersey has yet to reach the level of air quality required by the National Clean Air Act standards that were set in 1990." Consequently, the emission test was put into place, along with a law requiring vehicles to pass the test to remain on the road. If your vehicle doesn't pass the emission test, you have up to one month to repair it or take it to a registered Emission Repair Facility. If a new car was titled outside New Jersey and brought into the state, it can be titled in New Jersey without passing an emission test. But if the car was never titled before, you need to fill out the proper paperwork.
  
  

4-Year Inspection Sticker

• A new car, whether purchased in or out of New Jersey, is automatically eligible for a one-time 4-year inspection sticker rather than the usual 2-year sticker. If purchased out-of-state, you must prove you are the first owner of the car. As of January 2010, the 4-year sticker option was extended to used vehicles provided they are under four years old. Upon registering the used car at the MVC, you'll receive a SS-19 form to present along with your license, registration and insurance at the inspection station. The form allows you to bypass the traditional inspection and obtain a 4-year "New Car Dealer Inspection" sticker.
  
  

Safety Regulations

• The MVC states that a vehicle will fail inspection if it is not "maintained according to the original manufacturer's specifications". As with most states, this includes a routine inspection of the car's major functions: steering, brakes, wheel alignment, wipers, etc., along with searching for possible mechanical issues. If you own a BMW 7 series, state law requires you to remove the cover plate (a task that can be completed at licensed BMW dealers) so the inspector can reach the On-Board Diagnostic computer. Upon passing the inspection you'll either receive a 4-year sticker if you meet the requirements listed in the paragraph above, or a regular 2-year sticker. If your car fails the safety inspection, you're given up to one month to fix the problems. If the hazard is deemed dangerous, you'll only have 48 hours to complete repairs. You don't need to prove the car has been repaired; it will simply be re-evaluated.