Livingston drivers can get their vehicles inspected for free on Friday, July 31, when the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission's Mobile Inspection Unit sets up at 290 West Mount Pleasant Ave.
The unit will operate from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on a first-come, first-served basis. No appointment is needed.
A Livingston Township notice announced the visit, recommending that residents arrive early to avoid long waits.
What to bring
Drivers must present three original documents:
- A valid driver's license
- A valid vehicle registration
- A State of New Jersey Insurance Identification Card
Photocopies, faxes, and computer-generated PDFs are not accepted, according to the NJMVC. Electronic insurance cards accessed through an app or website are permissible.
Why it matters
The mobile unit visit comes as Essex County drivers have fewer nearby state inspection options. The NJMVC's Newark Inspection Station at 228 Frelinghuysen Ave. permanently closed on Saturday, April 11, to make way for a new, expanded Newark Agency. The closest remaining state stations include Secaucus, Rahway, Wayne, and Paramus.
New Jersey requires most passenger vehicles to pass inspection every two years. New vehicles are exempt for the first five years from initial registration. Drivers can present their vehicle up to two months before the sticker's expiration date.
Penalties for expired stickers
Driving with an expired inspection sticker can result in fines of $100 to $200 and potential imprisonment for up to 30 days, according to state statute N.J.S.A. 39:8-9. The MVC may also revoke registration privileges. Drivers who bring an overdue vehicle to an inspection station will not be fined at the station itself.
One partial reprieve: the NJMVC automatically extended expiration dates for stickers expiring between April and July 2026 by three months to offset the Newark closure. July stickers are now valid through October 2026.
Exemptions
Fully electric vehicles and motorcycles are exempt from New Jersey's inspection requirement. Collector vehicles less than 25 years old and driven fewer than 3,000 miles annually are also exempt.
The July 31 event is a one-day visit. The NJMVC has not announced additional mobile unit dates for Livingston. Residents can visit nj.gov/mvc for a list of inspection stations and private facilities statewide.
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