Vehicles exempt from inspection

Certain vehicles are exempt from inspections, but they do vary, so be sure to check what is required for yours.

The following vehicles are exempt from inspection requirements (N.J.A.C. 13:20-7.2):

• Historic motor vehicles
• Collector motor vehicles
• Motorized bicycles
• Farm tractors and traction equipment
• Farm machinery and implements
• Fire trucks having a GVWR of more than 8,500 pounds
• In-transit construction equipment
• Diesel-fueled motor vehicles having a GVWR of 10,000 pounds or more that are required to be inspected by the owner or lessee
• Omnibuses having a seating capacity of 10 passengers or more which are subject to inspection by the Commission‘s Commercial Bus Inspection and Investigation Unit
• School buses which are subject to inspection by the Commission‘s School Bus Inspection Unit
• Tactical military vehicles operated on Federal installations within this State Contractor equipment in transit

Historic vehicles
General inspections are not required for historic or collector vehicles. To be classified as a "historic vehicle" it must be:

• At least 25 years old
• Specially registered and display QQ plates (1945 and earlier models are required to display one plate on the rear of the vehicle. 1946 and newer models will be issued two plates and both plates must be displayed, one on the front and one on the back of the vehicle).

Collector vehicles
To be classified as a "collector vehicle" you need to apply when you register and make sure that the vehicle:

• Is not registered as a "historic vehicle" or a "street rod"
• Is not driven more than 3,000 miles per year
• Is insured as a limited use "collector vehicle"

To qualify for an exemption:

• Visit an MVC Agency to purchase a voucher for a special decal to mark the vehicle exempt from safety and emission inspection; fee is $25 for an initial voucher and $10 to renew
• Take the collector vehicle to a State Inspection Station where the inspector will verify the odometer reading
• You must provide approval letter from the MVC I/M Support. Vehicle must be prequalified as a collector vehicle

Submit completed application to: