GSTA - Diesel Smoke Emissions Testing

Diesel Smoke Emissions Testing

Inspection for diesel smoke opacity guidelines

The following letter was sent out to Diesel Emission Inspection Centers from Denise Mattel, Manager, New Jersey department of Transportation:

Beginning July 1, 1998, all New Jersey registered diesel-powered motor vehicles, with a gross vehicle weight rating of 18,000 pounds or more, must be tested for smoke opacity at a licensed Diesel Emission Inspection Center within 90 days of their month of registration renewal.

EXAMPLE:  A vehicle with a renewed registration expiring in July 1999 has until October 31, 1998 to comply with the smoke opacity test requirement and would not be in violation of N.J.S.A. 39:8-64 until November 1, 1998.

Vehicles which successfully pass the smoke test will display a special approval sticker in the lower right corner (passenger side) of the windshield.  A photocopy of the yellow 1999 sticker, which will be issued this year, is attached for your information.  The year 2000 sticker, which will be used beginning in January 1999 will be orange.

The following vehicles are exempt from the smoke opacity test: contractor equipment in-transit, farm vehicles, vehicles operated by a county, municipality, fire district, or duly incorporated non-profit organization, and used for first aid, emergency, ambulance, rescue, or fire-fighting purposes.  These exemptions apply to both New Jersey and out-of-state registered vehicles.

This program is being phased in beginning July 1, 1998.  Vehicles with registrations renewed from January through June 1998 will not be subject to enforcement of this inspection until right corner those registrations expire in 1999.

The citation for this violation is N.J.S.A. 39:8-64.  

Vehicles are also subject to safety inspections by the State Police.  Roadside inspections apply to both New Jersey and out-of-state registered heavy duty diesel vehicles.  First Offense:$700.00 (reduced to $150.00 if paid within 45 days with proof of repairs. Second Offense:$1300.00 (reduced to $500.00 if paid within 45 days with proof of repairs.  For information about Licensed Diesel Emission Inspection Center locations, please call 1-888-486-3339.