New Jersey Administrative Code

No school bus operator shall compel, coerce, or otherwise cause a driver to include false information on a daily school bus inspection report. Notes N.J. Admin. Code § 13:20-31.40

(a) The following are the out-of-service criteria pertaining to frame members: 1. Any cracked, loose, sagging, or broken frame siderail permitting shifting of the school bus body onto moving parts or any other condition indicating an imminent collapse of the frame; 2. Any cracked…

(a) The following are the out-of-service criteria pertaining to the fuel system: 1. A fuel system with a fuel leak at any point, including refrigeration or heater fuel systems; 2. A fuel tank or any part of the fuel system is not properly secured or fastened to the school bus in …

(a) The following are the out-of-service criteria pertaining to lighting devices: 1. A school bus does not have at least one headlight operative on low beam; 2. A school bus does not have at least one steadily burning taillamp on the rear of the vehicle visible from 500 feet; 3. …

(a) The following is the out-of-service criterion pertaining to instruments and the instrument panel: 1. A school bus is equipped with an air or vacuum brake indicator gauge or light that is not in proper operating condition so that such gauge or light does not provide a warning …

(a) The following is the out-of-service criteria pertaining to a power steering system: 1. Any components of the power steering system are not in operating condition; any part is loose or broken; belts are frayed, cracked or slipping; the system leaks; or there is insufficient fl…

The following words and terms, when used in this subchapter, shall have the following meanings unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. "Acute area of the windshield glazing" means the rectangular area of the windshield, eight and one-half inches by 11 inches, directly in …

(a) Every vehicle having a windshield shall be equipped with at least one windshield wiper in proper operating condition to provide clear vision for the driver. A motor vehicle manufactured with only one windshield wiper shall have the wiper so located that it cleans the portion …

(a) Clearance lights are lights that show to the front and rear of the vehicle, respectively, mounted on a permanent part of the vehicle as near as practical to the upper left and right extreme edges, so as to indicate the overall width and height of the vehicle. (b) A truck 80 i…

(a) Every motor vehicle, other than a noncommercial motorcycle, 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 th…

(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 that 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 80 inches or more in width manufactured a…

(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 80 inches or more in width manufactured after January 1, 1965, shall be equipped with one amber …

(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 level and as far apart as practicable, except that a passenger vehicle manufac…

(a) Every motor vehicle, other than a motorcycle, shall be equipped on the rear with at least two stoplights, one at 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 tire shall not be less than 2/32 of an inch deep. (b) Many tires have tread depth indicators that become exposed when the tread depth is less than 2/32 of an inch. Tread depth indicators on commercial vehicles shall be inspected and a tire rejected if it is …

(a) This subchapter contains the inspection standards and test procedures to be used by official inspection facilities when inspecting and certifying automobiles, trucks, and buses that have been issued passenger, governmental, no fee, or commercial vehicle license plates by the …

(a) The following shall not be certified: 1. An exhaust system in which the muffler is missing, defective, or not in proper operating condition; 2. An exhaust system if there is evidence of exhaust gas leakage at any point in the system; 3. An exhaust system if there is a muffler…

(a) With respect to each gasoline-fueled or bi-fueled motor vehicle that is presented for inspection, an official 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 standards 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(b) and 5.2. Notes N.J. Admin. Code § 13:20-32.22 Amended by 48 N.…

(a) Every motor vehicle, other than a motorcycle, shall be equipped with at least two headlights 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. (b) Headlight…

(a) A commercial motor vehicle shall not be certified if it is not equipped with at least one rear view mirror. A passenger vehicle 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 ve…

(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 commercial 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 a…

Certification of a commercial 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 § 13:20-32.27 Repealed by 48 N.J.R. 810(a…

(a) Certification of a commercial 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 …

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 commercial vehicle shall not be refused because of an unsecured antenna; however, the motorist shall be advised to have the condition correct…

(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 commercial vehicle shall not be refused because the body panels, floor pan, or other sections have excessive rust. However, the motorist shall be advised to have the defe…

(a) Bumpers, if present, shall be securely mounted on a motor vehicle. Commercial vehicles are required to have bumpers. Front and rear bumper heights shall be in accordance with the vehicle manufacturer's specifications. (b) Certification of a commercial vehicle shall not be ref…

(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 that are equipped with glazing material that …

(a) Fenders shall be securely mounted and shall have no rips or sharp edges that 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 vehicle from throwing dirt, …

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 § 13:20-32.34 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 § 13:20-32.35 Repealed by 48 N.J.R. 810(a), effective 5/16/2016 Adopt…

(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 § 13:20-32.37 Repealed by 48 N.J.R. 810(a), effective 5/16/2016 Amended by 53 N.J.R. 2056(a), effective 12/6/2021

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 § 13:20-32.38 Repealed by 48 N.J.R. 810(a), effective 5/16/2016 Amended by …

A motor vehicle may be equipped with racks or carriers; provided the maximum vehicle dimensional limits set forth at 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 § 13:20-32.39 Repe…

(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 § 13:20-32.40 Repealed by 48 N.J.R. 810(a), effective 5/16/2016 Ame…

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 § 13:20-32.41 Repealed by 48 N.J.R. 810(a), effective 5/16/2016 Ame…

(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, codified at 49 CFR 571.208 and 49 CFR 571.209, respectively, both of which are incorporated herein by reference. All…

A motor vehicle equipped with an automatic transmission shall be equipped with a gear shift indicator in proper operating condition. Certification of a commercial vehicle shall not be refused because of a minor misalignment of a gear shift indicator, that is, a misalignment of no…

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 § 13:20-32.44 Repealed 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 camer…

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 § 13:20-32.46 Repealed by 48 N.J.R. 810(a), effective 5/16/2016 Amended by 53 N.J.R. 2056(a), effect…