When is a vehicle inspection required?

Passing the NC State Inspection is required for the tag renewal process. However, you don't want to wait for your tag to expire before scheduling a government review. You'll want to leave enough time for any services or repairs you may need to pass the inspection. So, here's a look at when you should check your car.

When should you check your car?

Annual vehicle safety and emissions checks must be completed. within 90 days after renewal of registration (tag). Is not mandatory until the day your tags expire, but it's best to check your car as early as possible.

When do my tags expire?

When you look at your license plate, you will notice a sticker in the upper right corner showing the month and year −your license plate registration expires on the last day of this month. 

You must also receive a renewal notice from NCDOT with all the necessary information about the process. If you have lost your renewal notice, you can find all the information you need on the DMV website. 

Finally, you can check your current vehicle registration, which lists the expiration date for your registration.

Frequently Asked Questions: Do I need a vehicle inspection?

North Carolina vehicles often require two checks: a safety check and an emissions check. Let's take a look at some frequently asked questions about registration:

• Can I skip the annual vehicle inspection? The short answer is no - you can't avoid government security checks. 

• What happens if you miss an inspection? Without verification, you won't be able to renew your registration when your tags expire. Expired tags can earn you a road ticket and additional fees when you upgrade your vehicle. Safety checks will also help you identify safety hazards present in your vehicle that could lead to problems on the road.

• Do I need an emission check? You may be exempt from the annual NC emissions test if you meet one of the following requirements:
  • The 22 counties of North Carolina are: Emission checks are currently required in only 22 of North Carolina's 100 counties. If your vehicle is registered in a county that does not require emissions checks, you can skip this step.
  • Old cars: Vehicles over 20 years old are exempt from emissions testing.
  • Diesel vehicles: Diesel vehicles are also not required to pass inspection.
  • Agricultural vehicles: If your vehicle is registered as an agricultural vehicle, it is exempt from this check.
  • New vehicles: If your vehicle is less than 3 years old with less than 70,000 miles, you may qualify for an exemption. You can use the NC Environmental Liability Exemption Calculator to see if you qualify for this exemption requirement.

Grace period for an expired NC tag

Will I get a ticket for driving with expired tags? According to NCDOT, you can drive for 15 days after your renewal date in North Carolina without getting a ticket. This window is a "grace period" to give you more time to renew your registration. However, even if you do not receive a ticket en route, you will still be entitled to a late fee.

Vehicle registration renewal fee

In North Carolina, late renewal fees depend on how long your tags expired:

• Less than 1 month: $15 commission
• Between 1-2 months: $20 commission
• More than 2 months $25 commission

What happens when you don't pass the inspection?

While failing your validation isn't ideal, it's also not as bad as you might fear. You will just need service or repair to fix any factor causing the failure. Here's a closer look at everything that's checked during NC's annual safety audit and the services you might need.

NC Car Inspections в Chapel Hill Tire

When your next government inspection is due, visit your nearest Chapel Hill Tire Factory. We also offer onsite inspections to make sure your car is ready for your next summer vacation. Chapel Hill Tire proudly serves the large Triangle area with nine offices in Raleigh, Durham, Carrborough, Apex and Chapel Hill. You can book an appointment here online or call our experts today to get started!

Back to resources