Recruitment of Private Inspection
Facilities for New Emissions Program on Schedule

Over 1,100 PIFs Have Committed to the Program

The Department also announced that more than 1,150 emissions inspectors have been licensed to perform the new inspections. Certification classes for inspectors will continue through the year.

Under the new emissions program -- which becomes mandatory in December 1999 -- PIFs have until March 31, to either have leased or purchased, or have a purchase order for, the required new emissions testing equipment. The new equipment consists of a dynamometer, a treadmill-like device that simulates actual driving conditions, and a five-gas analyzer which tests the exhaust.

Of the more than 1,100 private inspection facilities which have met the requirements to date, nearly 300 have the equipment installed. The deadline for installation of new equipment is July 1. Of those PIFs with equipment already installed, most are independent test and repair shops. For them, the equipment represents an important investment offering both valuable diagnostic services for their customers and profitable repair revenues for their business.

State officials said a review of the number of PIFs with equipment installed or purchase orders on file show a broad geographic balance with the majority of PIFs located in the state’s more populated areas.

"Preserving choices for motorists when it comes to getting their vehicles inspected is key to making the entire inspection system customer-friendly and efficient, " said C. Richard Kamin, Director of Motor Vehicle Services.

"The new inspection program calls for private inspection facilities performing 30 percent of the initial tests, a largely market-driven portion of retests, and a substantial number of repairs. With more than 1,100 PIFs already meeting the program requirements to date, we are well on our way to having all components of the new inspection program up and running,"

Kamin added.

PIFs not in the program by the deadline (March 31),will not be allowed to inspect vehicles. However, the state is waiving payment of a new licensing fee for PIFs that decide to become reinstated in the program prior to July 1, provided they have obtained the new inspection equipment. Starting April 1, state officials will begin checking PIFs for compliance and verification with the new program

New Jersey is among 28 states, including Connecticut, Pennsylvania, New York and Delaware, that are required by the federal Clean Air Act to implement an enhanced emissions testing program. New Jersey is subject to sanctions, including the withholding of hundreds of millions of dollars in federal highway funds, if it does not comply.

Consumers can obtain information about the location of PIFs in their area by visiting the DMV website at www.cleanairnj.org., or by calling 1-888-NJ MOTOR.