Hey all, I'm posting here primarily to vent but also because I'm hoping the rest of you might have some similar stories to share. So prepare for a novel.

I have owned my truck for a few years now but just last September I had it titled in my name, whereas before it was in my employer's name. Guess what, I get pulled over every time I pass a cop now because I'm 21 and the 10-12 and 13 come back as me (I have 0 points, BTW). So with the inspection sticker expired, it got to be a problem (it expired when I parked the truck over the summer). The MVC messed up and didn't give me a "Pink Card" which is THEIR fault but there isn't anything I can do about it now. So when I go to get the sticker renewed, they wouldn't test it because of the hollow cat, courtesy of PO. Fair enough on their part. So I mess with the tune a little and go to get it retested. No dice, they said they wouldn't even try because of the exhaust leak. I don't really understand the logic behind that, but whatever. So recently when I got some $$, I replaced the ENTIRE exhaust sytem- manifolds, Y-pipe, EVERYTHING from the heads to the open end of the tailpipe. I ended it under the bed, which is perfectly legal in my experience, and I've passed tests with it that way, many times before in various vehicles including this one. Medium-duty trucks are set up that way from the factory, actually. So after a week of waiting for some time off, with it in my head the whole time that I'll FINALLY get my sticker, I wait in line for an hour and a half and the lazy retard (I don't throw that term around) says she can't test it because "yo exhauss, izz broke" which, upon further inquiry, I came to find out was intended to mean "Your exhaust, it's brokEN". I responded that it was that way by design and inquired why that would preclude conducting an emissions test. She said, "da probe done fid" ("The probe doesn't fit").

I asked how that was MY problem and she gave me a blank stare then responded, "Yo EXHAUSS AZZ BA-ROKE". She said some BS about a 06 of 2013 sticker, which only angered me more as I'm entitled to an 09 of 2013 sticker because the I had 30 days from August 20, when it was last titled, to inspect. This gutter-dweller just read the last sticker, which said 06-2011, and presumably because of laziness and stupidity ASSUMED that was when I should have last gotten it inspected.

Already having serious resentments against the inspection personnel from previous experiences in other vehicles, I was more livid than I recall having been in years and was completely speechless. I left some rubber in the test lane and decided to cool off and go back tomorrow.

I have had inspection personnel pocket gas caps, take joy rides in my truck and fall asleep in the parking lot in it, rev my 4.9 to 5500 RPM, and burn my clutch (most can't drive stick). What bothered me this time is that they were unable to explain how I wasn't in compliance with the rules, yet they couldn't do the job my taxes pay them to do. Adding to it was the fact I made SEVERAL very good-faith attempts to do the "right thing" and not use a junkyard sticker (very easy to do). The lack of English speaking skills was a big factor too, in the house I grew up in I would've been disciplined for using the ghetto-speak and "attitude" these unprofessional STATE CONTRACTOR EMPLOYEES tried to use on me. And yes, the whole time I was polite as could be and didn't raise my voice, or use abusive language, and addressed everyone as "Ma'am" and "Sir" and wished everyone a good day.

Usually I ask for a supervisor, but it's by the grace of God I just left, as there is no doubt I would have punched the supervisor if given the chance to speak to her. Met her before, she's a c***. I am disgusted with this cesspool of a state to begin with, and this just adds to it. At this point I don't know what I should do, as I'm literally ENTITLED to the opportunity to take the emissions test but they're trying to force me to bribe them or go private, don't know exactly what. I might write a nasty letter to my congressman. All I'm trying to do is make a good-faith attempt to follow the law and be a good driver and a good citizen and they keep saying NO. Worst part is, I'm still technically guilty of "failure to inspect" and am liable to be pulled over and ticketed by the police (which I have been, several times), despite the fact that the failure to inspect was their fault and not mine.

In other words, I have yet again been "penetrated" by the Great State of NJ, and they didn't even have the common courtesy to give me a reach-around or use lube.

Rant cycle completed for now. Thanks for reading.

So, anyone have any similar stories, or advice?

 

For those of who don't know, can you explain what this means?

Ditto. What's a pink card? Every state has different paperwork and procedures for vehicle registration and ownership.

I'm not sure what legal has to do with your experience. Typically something is either legal or not legal. If I were you, I would find out for sure before making any repairs or modifications to your truck.

Which could mean you got a lazy or incompetent inspector and doesn't necessarily mean that the exhaust configuration was legal.

Yes but you don't have one. Light duty pickups are essentially passenger vehicles and are subject to vastly different regulations than medium duty trucks.

Did you ask to speak to supervisor?

I see.

I'm not saying I was there, BUT I find this *extremely* difficult to take at face value. The overall tone of your post, your attitude, your choice of words, and statements like (among many others):

You strike me as a young man with a very large chip on his shoulder. Just calling it like I see it. One day you will learn that when you change your attitude towards people they will change theirs towards you. On the other hand, if you continue to act like this, you'll find it difficult to get along with co-workers, friends, girls, bosses, etc. and you're honestly cutting out a very hard path for yourself in your life.

And if my response upsets you, remember that you asked for advice in a public forum and that not everyone is going to tell you things you want to hear.

 

Very true on all counts. You guys are usually pretty good at getting me off my soapbox, so thank you for your reply.

I'm never like this during any other situation so I guess that's what upset me the most. And since you mentioned it, just after I left I was thinking about how I would have behaved differently had a certain female been with me during the event.

Yea, I know. Honestly, if anything, I felt really scared that I seemed to have forgetten that for a bit today. Have I become weak and fearful enough that something like this can rattle me so?

Hey, believe me, I'm always the first to say READ THE LAW before arguing about it. I spent about 3 hours doing my homework, and I didn't find anything that would prohibit the setup I have. However, I am wise enough to know that the letter of the law is not particularly consequential when dealing with government. If they said it was illegal even when it wasn't, I would have accepted it and moved on because that's a fact of life.

Once again, thank you. I just really need to cool off, your reply helps me keep in mind that I can never stop trying to be more humble and forgiving. Everyone gets the same runaround from the State as I do.

 

Oh yeah, 10-12 is the radio code for "find out who the registered owner is".

Again, sorry for the rant but I wanted to get it out here rather than in the inspection station. Thanks for reading, to anyone who has.

 

what station did you go to?
i only deal with freehold or south brunswick.

 

I did not expect that response. That takes a considerable amount of character and self-awareness. I think you'll be alright after all.

Behind every good man is a better woman, remember that one.

Having the mental discipline to not get angry when something/someone seems to be trying really hard to set you off is one of the hardest things to do as a person. When you have no patience left is when you seem to need it the most.

 

Against my better judgment, I went to Kilmer because I was up that way to begin with.

I am leaving for Freehold in about half an hour, that place is by far the most professional and knowledgeable station in Central NJ. I've never had a complaint about them.

Never been to So. Brunswick, how does it compare to Freehold and Eatontown?

Kilmer is the worst of all 3 I've ever been to.

 

south brunswick is ok, it all depends on the time of month and how many people are there. if you think kilmer is bad, try rahway.
the people at the freehold station are without a doubt the most courteous i have ever met!

 

Also, the reason that I recognized the chip is because I used to have one too (for no good reason). Once I realized it and started getting rid of it, I get along a lot better with everyone.

 

bullshivec!!
you are still a grumpy old fart that almost no one likes!

 

That's true... but that's only because I tell it like it is, not because of the chip.

 

Tom, Andy,

I went to Freehold today and the guy said he couldn't inspect it, as the Kilmer station had said. I told him he probably didn't want to get involved in this one, so he got his boss.

She tried several times to fit the probe in the pipe. Wouldn't fit. I asked why that was my responsibility and if she could cite the NJ Administrative Code that said it was.

"Yes, I can".

She took me in her office and carefully explained what they need.

I went to the parts store in Neptune, got the part she wanted, installed it (in the rain) in the parking lot, and went back.

Got a good sticker until 6 of 2013!

Of course, I also went back inside later and told the lady (that is the correct term here) that I much appreciated her help and that I would make sure to go to only Freehold from now on. She said she "completely understood" what it was like to get the run-around. We had a short chat about various things not related to autos, and both went our seperate ways.

 

That's great to hear. Good job!