N.J.A.C. 13:20 — ENFORCEMENT SERVICE (Subchapter 1 to 53C)

(a) Every commercial motor vehicle shall be equipped with two front and two rear turn signals, except that a passenger vehicle manufactured before July 2, 1954, is not required to be equipped with turn signals. When any motor vehicle, regardless of the date of its manufacture, is…

(a) Reflectors are devices designed and used on vehicles to give an indication to an approaching driver by reflected light. (b) Reflectors shall be of a type approved as meeting the standards of the United States Department of Transportation or, for motor vehicles manufactured pr…

(a) Identification lights are used in groups of three in a horizontal row which show to the front and rear of a motor vehicle, respectively, and have light centers spaced not less than six inches nor more than 12 inches apart. (b) A truck or bus 80 inches or more in width manufac…

(a) Side-marker lights are lights on the left and right sides near the front and rear of a motor vehicle that show to the side and are intended to indicate vehicle length. (b) A truck or bus 80 inches or more in width manufactured after January 1, 1965, shall be equipped with one…

(a) Every motor vehicle, other than a motorcycle, shall be equipped on the rear with at least two red taillights and at least two red reflectors, one at each side of the vertical centerline at the same height and as far apart as practicable, except that a passenger vehicle manufa…

(a) Every motor vehicle, other than a motorcycle, shall be equipped on the rear with at least two stoplights, one on each side of the vertical centerline at the same height and as far apart as practicable, except that a passenger vehicle manufactured before July 2, 1954, may be e…

(a) Wheels shall turn freely and the lateral or radial runout of the rim bead shall not exceed the motor vehicle manufacturer's specifications. (b) Wheels shall be securely mounted and there shall be no visible cracks, elongated bolt holes, broken bolts, missing bolts or nuts, in…

(a) The tread on each front tire of a motor vehicle that is registered as a commercial motor vehicle pursuant to N.J.S.A. 39:3-20 or that is a bus that has been issued passenger, governmental, no fee, or commercial vehicle license plates by the Motor Vehicle Commission or that is…

(a) This subchapter contains the inspection standards and test procedures to be used by Class I, Class II, and Class III licensed private inspection facilities when conducting the following vehicle inspections: 1. Passenger vehicle inspection; 2. Commercial vehicle inspection; or…

(a) Passenger vehicles, commercial vehicles, or passenger vehicle transportation shall not be certified if there is evidence of tampering with the emission control apparatus. (b) In the case of commercial vehicle inspection, the following shall not be certified if: 1. An exhaust …

(a) With respect to each gasoline-fueled or bi-fueled motor vehicle that is presented for inspection, a licensed private inspection facility shall conduct the emission or OBD test(s) specified for such motor vehicle at N.J.A.C. 13:20-43.8 in accordance with the inspection standar…

The emission test equipment and OBD inspection equipment shall be maintained in accordance with the manufacturer's requirements and the general instructions for all tests adopted by the Department of Environmental Protection at N.J.A.C. 7:27B-4.2 and 5.2. Notes N.J. Admin. Code §…

(a) Every motor vehicle, other than a motorcycle, shall be equipped with at least two headlights mounted at the same level with an equal number on each side of the front of the motor vehicle. Headlights shall emit only a white light and shall be tested for proper operation. Headl…

(a) A motor vehicle shall not be certified if it is not equipped with at least one rear view mirror. A passenger automobile manufactured after January 1, 1965, shall be equipped with an interior mirror and an exterior mirror on the driver's side. (b) A commercial motor vehicle ma…

(a) All miscellaneous lights used on motor vehicles shall be of a type and color approved as meeting the standards of the Society of Automotive Engineers. The letters "SAE," along with the manufacturer's name and trademark, are often on the lens of such lights. In addition, the l…

(a) Certification of a motor vehicle shall be refused for any of the following reasons: 1. The wiring is not in proper condition, is improperly installed, or is so located as to cause damage; 2. Any connection that is not secure or shows signs of corrosion; 3. The switches are no…

Certification of a motor vehicle shall not be refused because the headlight beam indicator light is inoperative or does not operate properly; however, the motorist shall be advised to have the defect corrected. Notes N.J. Admin. Code § 13:20-33.27 Amended by 48 N.J.R. 810(a), eff…

(a) Certification of a motor vehicle shall not be refused because of an inoperative turn signal indicator light and/or an inoperative hazard warning signal indicator light; however, the motorist shall be advised to have the defect corrected. (b) If any turn signal indicator light…

Any antenna mounted on a motor vehicle shall be securely attached, so as not to swing or project in a hazardous manner. Certification of a motor vehicle shall not be refused because of an insecure antenna; however, the motorist shall be advised to have the condition corrected. No…

(a) The driver of a passenger motor vehicle presented for inspection shall possess a valid driver's license for the class of motor vehicle being operated, a valid New Jersey motor vehicle registration certificate, and a valid New Jersey insurance identification card for the motor…

(a) The motor vehicle body panels, floor pan and other sections shall not be missing. (b) Certification of a motor vehicle shall not be refused because the motor vehicle body panels, floor pan, or other sections have excessive rust; however, the motorist shall be advised to have …

(a) Bumpers, if present, shall be securely mounted on a motor vehicle. Front and rear bumper heights shall be in accordance with the motor vehicle manufacturer's specifications. (b) Certification of a motor vehicle shall not be refused because a bumper has excessive rust; however…

(a) The motor vehicle doors and all door operating devices, handles, buttons, hinges, and latches shall be in proper operating condition. A method of opening the door from the outside is not required on motor vehicles with fabric tops which are equipped with glazing material whic…

(a) The motor vehicle fenders shall be securely mounted and shall have no rips or sharp edges which could cause injuries to persons. (b) Fenders shall cover the width of the tire tread. The rear fenders shall be designed and installed so as to prevent the wheels of the motor vehi…

Fuel leakage at any point in the motor vehicle fuel system shall be cause for rejection. The fuel tank and piping shall be securely mounted and in proper condition and the fuel tank shall be properly capped. Notes N.J. Admin. Code § 13:20-33.34 Amended by 48 N.J.R. 810(a), effect…

Motor vehicles shall be equipped with an engine hood. The hood shall be properly secured and latched, and all hinges, latches, and other components shall be in proper operating condition. Notes N.J. Admin. Code § 13:20-33.35 Amended by 48 N.J.R. 810(a), effective 5/16/2016

(a) Vehicles used for commercial purposes on a street or highway, except for passenger automobiles and vehicles owned or leased by a pharmacy and utilized for the transportation or delivery of drugs, shall have conspicuously displayed on the vehicle, or on a name plate attached t…

All motor vehicle ornaments shall be free of sharp parts or edges that could cause injury to persons. Notes N.J. Admin. Code § 13:20-33.37 Amended by 48 N.J.R. 810(a), effective 5/16/2016

Brake, clutch, and accelerator pedals shall have rubber pads or some other method of providing the pedals with a non-skid surface. All pedals shall be in proper operating condition. Notes N.J. Admin. Code § 13:20-33.38 Amended by 48 N.J.R. 810(a), effective 5/16/2016

A motor vehicle may be equipped with racks or carriers provided the maximum vehicle dimensional limits set forth in N.J.S.A. 39:3-84 are not exceeded and provided they do not create a dangerous condition that may cause injury to persons. Notes N.J. Admin. Code § 13:20-33.39 Amend…

(a) A motor vehicle shall not be certified unless at least one of the license plates is in the possession of the operator when the motor vehicle is presented for inspection. (b) Certification of a passenger motor vehicle shall not be refused because the following requirements are…

Reflective tape of a color amber to white may be displayed on the front of a motor vehicle. Reflective tape of a color red or amber to white may be displayed on the rear of a motor vehicle. Notes N.J. Admin. Code § 13:20-33.40 Amended by 48 N.J.R. 810(a), effective 5/16/2016

All motor vehicle seats shall be securely mounted and free of hazardous conditions. The driver's seat shall lock securely in a position that permits the safe operation of the motor vehicle. Notes N.J. Admin. Code § 13:20-33.41 Amended by 48 N.J.R. 810(a), effective 5/16/2016

(a) All motor vehicles that are required by law to be equipped with seat belts shall be in compliance with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards Nos. 208 and 209, incorporated herein by reference. All motor vehicles that are required by law to be equipped with air bags shall be …

A motor vehicle equipped with an automatic transmission shall be equipped with a gear shift indicator in proper operating condition. Certification of a motor vehicle shall not be refused because of a minor misalignment of a gear shift indicator (that is, a misalignment of not mor…

The transmission of a motor vehicle shall operate properly and shall be capable of operating in reverse. A reverse detent mechanism shall be present and shall be in proper operating condition. Notes N.J. Admin. Code § 13:20-33.44 Amended by 48 N.J.R. 810(a), effective 5/16/2016…

(a) A motor vehicle shall not have a television, videocassette recorder or digital video disk player installed in such a manner that the viewing screen is visible to the driver while he or she is operating the motor vehicle. (b) A motor vehicle may be equipped with a video camera…

A motor vehicle trunk lid shall be capable of being securely fastened in accordance with the motor vehicle manufacturer's original design and specification. Notes N.J. Admin. Code § 13:20-33.46 Amended by 48 N.J.R. 810(a), effective 5/16/2016

(a) The inspection for motor vehicle service brake pedal reserve shall be performed as set forth in this section. "Pedal reserve" is the amount of total pedal travel left in reserve when the pedal is depressed to the brake applied position. The service brake pedal reserve test do…

(a) The parking brake shall be able to hold the motor vehicle stationary on any up or down grade upon which it can be operated, whether the motor vehicle is empty or loaded. (b) The parking brake shall be equipped with a ratchet and pawl, or other type of automatic locking device…

Certification of a motor vehicle shall be refused if the speed recording instrument (speedometer) or the mileage recording instrument (odometer) for such motor vehicle is inoperative or does not operate properly. Notes N.J. Admin. Code § 13:20-33.49 Amended by 48 N.J.R. 810(a), e…

(a) The suspension system shall consist of the basic elements originally provided by the motor vehicle manufacturer and shall be geometrically arranged in accordance with the manufacturer's specifications. No suspension system component shall be replaced unless the replacement co…

All diesel powered vehicles with a gross vehicle weight of 18,000 pounds or more are required to be tested on an annual basis in accordance with N.J.A.C. 7:27-14.6 and 14.4. Notes N.J. Admin. Code § 13:20-33.50 Amended by 48 N.J.R. 810(a), effective 5/16/2016

The emergency exit door on all buses shall comply with provisions of 49 CFR 393.62, as adopted, amended, and supplemented, and in accordance with N.J.A.C. 13:60-2.1 and N.J.S.A. 39:5B-32, which are incorporated herein by reference. Notes N.J. Admin. Code § 13:20-33.51 Adopted by …

(a) Certification of vehicles registered as limousines and displaying license plates as such shall be refused if the following requirements at N.J.S.A. 48:16-22.1 are not met: 1. Two-way communications system, which, at a minimum, shall provide for communication to a person outsi…

Notes N.J. Admin. Code § 13:20-33.53 Amended by R.2006 d.249, effective 7/3/2006. See: 38 N.J.R. 386(b), 38 N.J.R. 2835(a). Substituted "Chief Administrator" for "Director" two times in (a)6. Repealed by R.2014 d.008, effective 1/6/2014. See: 45 N.J.R. 842(a), 46 N.J.R. 103(c). S…

Notes N.J. Admin. Code § 13:20-33.54 Amended by R.2006 d.249, effective 7/3/2006. See: 38 N.J.R. 386(b), 38 N.J.R. 2835(a). Substituted "Chief Administrator" for "Director" in (a)7. Repealed by R.2014 d.008, effective 1/6/2014. See: 45 N.J.R. 842(a), 46 N.J.R. 103(c). Section was…