car inspection

Other than the DMV, where, locally, do you go to get your car inspected?  I guess it's a state inspection...to get the sticker on the windshield up to date. Thanks.

Some mechanics do it, but for a fee.  I'm pretty sure that Nelson's in Maplewood does inspections. 

Yes, Nelson's does them. 

I go to the state one in Newark. It's free and if you go in the middle of the month, late morning it is surprisingly quick and easy.

https://local.dmv.org/new-jersey/essex-county/newark/dmv-office-locations.php

We usually go to Newark DMV.  The one time we paid a local repair shop (now defunct), we subsequently learned that the inspection sticker we got was fake.  I think I have seen reports that as many as 20-30% of the stickers from non-DMV sources are fakes.

I cannot justify paying a garage any more when all that's being checked is emissions. The actual inspection takes maybe four minutes. Last summer I went to DMV in Randolph for inspection. Maybe I was just lucky, but from pulling into the (short) line to completion was less than 10 minutes. 

I used the one in Edison -- took less than 10 minutes.  

Ive gone to the one in Newark the past few times. Early on a Tuesday has been good. This link below has a list of web cams for the NJ locations. The Newark cam doesn't have the best view but it can give you an idea of how busy it is.

http://pweb.nj-cleanair.com/waitqueue/pages/facility/home.jsf

Not only is the DMV free, most times it's way more convenient than going to a garage. As long as you don't go at the end of the month, minus the drive time, the total time it takes to get inspected is less than 30 minutes.

If someone has a busy schedule, and are dropping the car off for an oil change anyway, I can see them having the inspection done at the same time out of convenience.  

I just had my inspection done at Randolph DMV. I couldn't go first thing in the morning. Went at about 11. Was in and out in about 30 minutes. (2 days later, I realized I passed inspections depsite a headlight being out!)

Agree on how fast and easy the one in Newark is... Last time I went, in and out in less than 15 minutes...  There is a very good diner just across the street if you are hungry afterwards!

I used DMV facility in Plainfield. Very quick in and out. It’s a few blocks off RT22.

cubby said:
(2 days later, I realized I passed inspections depsite a headlight being out!)

New Jersey does not do a safety inspection.  The only thing that is checked is emissions.

The OP’s specific question was for someplace local though...

Nelson’s next to the Maplewood train station does it for $75 and the sticker is legit. 

max_weisenfeld said:

cubby said:
(2 days later, I realized I passed inspections depsite a headlight being out!)

New Jersey does not do a safety inspection.  The only thing that is checked is emissions.

They will fail you if the check engine light is on.    with most cars you can reset the light before you go into the inspection station.  

A reset only clears the light not the fault code which is stored on the vehicle's computer (for varying lengths on various vehicles) and will still generally cause you to fail the diagnostic check at the inspection.

DannyArcher said:
A reset only clears the light not the fault code which is stored on the vehicle's computer (for varying lengths on various vehicles) and will still generally cause you to fail the diagnostic check at the inspection.

worked for me -- 

DannyArcher said:
A reset only clears the light not the fault code which is stored on the vehicle's computer (for varying lengths on various vehicles) and will still generally cause you to fail the diagnostic check at the inspection.

Fault codes are cleared.

But after the reset indication the car is in reset mode until new internal car diagnostics are run. You fail inspection if your car is in reset mode, that is not all diagnostics were done. 

After all diagnostics have been run, reset mode is turned off. If the fault did not reoccur then you're in the clear.

I had an issue with an exhaust failure that occurred every 3 to 6 months. I would reset and later pass inspection. Probably a flaky sensor.

Until this thread I did not know that DMVs conduct car inspections....So good to know.  

bklyngirl said:
Until this thread I did not know that DMVs conduct car inspections....So good to know.  

Not regular DMV, for example you can't go to Springfield to have your car inspected.  You need to look up inspection stations and go to one of those.  But yes, they are free.  Wait times can be anywhere from none at all to an hour plus, depending on when and where you go. 

Agree with everyone's comments regarding the Newark DMV inspection and it's a straight shot on 78, only a couple of blocks from the exit.

I think it is unfortunate that NJ no longer does safety inspections, yet maintains all those inspection stations just to run emissions checks. I'd feel safer on the road knowing that the other cars had working brakes, tires with treads, etc. Another thing to thank Chris Christie for?

Factotum said:
I think it is unfortunate that NJ no longer does safety inspections, yet maintains all those inspection stations just to run emissions checks. I'd feel safer on the road knowing that the other cars had working brakes, tires with treads, etc. Another thing to thank Chris Christie for?

It was a waste of money. 

Statistically none one has shown removing inspections has lead to an accident increase. 

Also, you can have an inspection followed by brake or tire wear half a year later. Cars can be easily driven 12,000 miles in a year. You need to inspect every three thousand miles if you want that type of assurance.

Heynj said:
I cannot justify paying a garage any more when all that's being checked is emissions. The actual inspection takes maybe four minutes. Last summer I went to DMV in Randolph for inspection. Maybe I was just lucky, but from pulling into the (short) line to completion was less than 10 minutes. 

My justification is that I go to my regular local mechanic who takes care of all of the cars in our family.  Yes, we pay more than it is worth for that particular service, but I look at it as part of the overall package. And on an overall basis, we get what we pay for and then some.