Clean air makes North Carolina a more pleasant place to live. When our air is clean, we breathe better, feel better, and remain healthier. That's why North Carolina complies with the federal Clean Air Act by requiring emissions inspections in highly populated areas.

When you register your newer gasoline-powered vehicles in an emissions county, your vehicle will have to pass an On Board Diagnostics emissions test. This is in addition to the safety inspection that your vehicle must also pass.

Top No More Inspection Stickers

The state's method of keeping track of inspections went electronic on November 1, 2008. This means your vehicle will receive electronic authorization, rather than a windshield sticker, once it passes inspection.

This new electronic method also means the date you must have your vehicle inspected will change, too. From now on, the month of your inspection will match the month of your registration renewal (the month on your license tag). This won't affect drivers who already have inspections and renewals during the same month, but it will affect those who don't.

To help those vehicle owners ease into this new method, the state offers the "what comes first" rule. Look at the date your next inspection is due and the date your next registration renewal is due, and:

• If your next inspection is due before your registration renewal, bring your vehicle in for the inspection and take note of the new inspection schedule the next time you receive a registration renewal notice.

• If your registration renewal is due before your next inspection, register your vehicle on time and according to your reminder's instructions and forget about the inspection date. Your renewal reminder will include instructions about future inspections.

For more information about the new electronic authorization, how it affects your inspection and renewal dates, and changes in fees, visit the state's No More Sticker! and FAQ pages.

Top Emission and Safety Inspection Standard Exemptions

If your vehicle is at least 35 years old, it doesn't have to undergo safety or emission inspections.

If your vehicle's model year is previous to 1996, your vehicle doesn't have to undergo emission inspections. However, unless your vehicle is also at least 35 years old, it will have to face the safety inspections.

Top Emissions Inspections by County

Rather than offering one centralized system, certain NC gas stations and repair shops are licensed by the state to provide these inspections. To locate a provider, you can look in your local phone book, on the Web, or drive by repair shops to see if they display a sign stating that they are licensed to provide emissions inspections.

You can also search online for inspection stations by city or county on the DMV site.

Current year models are exempt from emissions inspections, as are registered motor homes.

Fees vary by county and by repair shop. Find a current schedule of fees on the DMV Web site.

If you live in an emissions county and you are out of state when your sticker expires, you have 10 days to have it inspected after you return to North Carolina.

Top Emissions Inspection Waivers

Under certain circumstances, you may be eligible for a waiver of your emissions requirements. For example, if you need a certain part that is no longer available, and you can demonstrate to the Bureau of License and Theft that you have made a good-faith effort to get the part, the bureau might give you a waiver. However, if the DMV locates the part, you must comply with the requirements.

If your vehicle still fails the emissions inspection after you have made necessary repairs, you could be eligible for a waiver. But you must have spent a minimum amount of money for parts and labor in order to qualify.

The current Regulations Manual, as well as the North Carolina statutes 20-183.5A, outline the requirements for a waiver.

Top Penalties for Failed Emissions Tests

You will have four months from the time your current inspection sticker expires to have your vehicle pass the emissions inspection. If it does not, you will not be able to renew your vehicle's registration.

Within those four months, keep an eye out for an official warning letter in the mail. Before the Penalty & Registration Block goes into effect, you should receive this letter by mail. Keep in mind that should you get pulled over, a law enforcement officer can still hand you a traffic citation for driving with an expired sticker. The penalty will run you $100 if your vehicle is a 1977, 1978, 1979, or 1980 model. For those driving a 1981 or newer vehicle, expect the penalty to jump to $250.

If your vehicle fails inspection, it's because it is not fuel-efficient. High levels of carbon monoxide and hydrocarbon contribute to air pollution, and your vehicle must be repaired. Under certain circumstances, you can receive a waiver if there are no parts available to repair your car.

Top How to Report a Gross Polluter

If you notice a vehicle spewing dark exhaust smoke for five or more consecutive seconds, note the license plate number. With it, you can report the vehicle as a gross polluter using the North Carolina Division of Air Quality's online Smoking Vehicle Complaint Form.

Top Window Tinting Inspections

If your vehicle has after-factory window tinting, it must be checked during the routine safety inspection and there is an additional $10 fee. Windows cannot be any darker than 35% visible light transmission. The combination of factory and after-factory tinting cannot be less than 32% visible light transmission as measured by a photometer.

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