New Jersey drivers would once again be required to have their vehicles undergo safety inspections under new legislation introduced in the state Legislature that would significantly expand the state’s current inspection program beyond emissions testing.

The bill, sponsored by Senator Patrick Diegnan Jr., would require passenger vehicles and noncommercial trucks registered in New Jersey to pass inspections of key safety equipment and verify certain driver and vehicle credentials before receiving a certificate of approval.

New Jersey eliminated routine safety inspections for most passenger vehicles in 2010, citing budget constraints and data showing relatively few accidents were caused by mechanical defects. Since then, vehicles have only been inspected for emissions and related equipment.

Diegnan’s proposal would reinstate safety checks for items including horns, brake lights, headlights, tail lights, turn signals, windshields and wipers, rear-view mirrors, tires and seat belts. Inspectors would also verify that motorists possess a valid driver’s license, current vehicle registration and active insurance coverage.

The legislation also authorizes the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission to add additional inspection requirements it deems necessary to ensure safe vehicle operation.

Under the bill, motorists whose vehicles fail either the emissions or safety portions of the inspection would not receive a certificate of approval until the deficiencies are corrected.

The measure also clarifies existing law by explicitly requiring that all headlamps, tail lamps, stop lamps and turn signals mandated under state law be operational.

Motorcycles, historic vehicles, designated collector vehicles and certain heavy commercial vehicles already subject to other inspection programs would remain exempt from the new safety inspection requirements.

Only 14 states currently require periodic safety inspections for passenger vehicles, meaning New Jersey would join a relatively small group of states if the legislation is enacted.