North Carolinians will say good-bye to windshield inspection stickers starting Saturday.
The Division of Motor Vehicles is starting a new program to synchronize annual renewal dates for car inspections and registration.
The old program:
Most cars had one monthly deadline for emissions and safety inspections, and another deadline for renewing their registrations. After each inspection, the car received a new windshield sticker that displayed next year’s expiration date.
Drivers had to have current registrations before they could get their cars inspected.
The new program:
After the change is phased in over the next two years, inspection and registration will be due the same month for every car.
Drivers will be required to have current inspections before they get new or renewed registrations.
Starting with inspections performed today, the inspection station will issue only a paper receipt to indicate that the car has been inspected. No windshield sticker.
The receipt also will show when the next inspection is due — the same month the car’s registration is due.
But DMV will not require any car to be inspected twice in the same year, so most drivers will go more than 12 months before they get their next inspection.
As the Road Worrier reported a few weeks ago, DMV originally planned to start its so called "electronic sticker" program Oct. 1. But some stations were not ready for the switch. Inspection fees will increase for cars that get safety inspections only, but there is no change for cars that get safety and emissions checks.
For example:
If your windshield sticker says your car inspection is due in December 2008, that’s when you should get your inspection.
If your license plate says your registration is to be renewed in April 2009, that’s still true. Online registration options have not changed.
Then your next inspection and your next registration are both due in April 2010. You’ll get reminders in the mail.
Got questions?
DMV and the N.C. Division of Air Quality have posted information and a calculator online, so you can plug in the dates for your own car. Or call DMV at 1-888-999-3044.
Or 919-715-7000.
Bruce Siceloff reports on traffic and transportation. A News & Observer reporter and editor since 1976, he took over the 
Comments
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Vehicle "Safety" Inspections
Fri, 10/31/2008 - 23:40 — MG (not verified)These so-called "safety inspections" have absolutely nothing to do with safety, but everything to do with another hidden tax. DOT has a record of mishandling money and corruption and this program simply provides more funds for them to waste instead of forcing them to practice better money management. This, and the coming toll roads, are turning the once-different and great state of North Carolina into one just like any other - loaded with corruption and bureaucracy.
I think that's a good
Tue, 07/28/2009 - 00:53 — makemineI think that's a good program of car inspection, can't wait to find more great feature for car
Best Car
Tell it, MG
Tue, 11/04/2008 - 17:33 — UNCAlumnusThis state if full of hidden taxes masked as fees for our wellfare. It is frustrating to pay, and doubly so to see the money mismanaged.
true
Mon, 02/16/2009 - 07:40 — notelegantI couldn't agree more. I'm not sure what's even bothering me more... the fact that they are charging more money or the money being managed so poor. I would love to see that money working for every citizen ! if we pay taxes for our cars then let's see good roads, highways etc ! I had to pay hundreds of dolars for my windshield replacement because of their roads.
Cutting Cost
Fri, 10/31/2008 - 21:13 — Anonymous (not verified)Just another way to cut the cost in printing the stickers. Ohio has did way the the emission testing.... why can we??
DMVs no sticker inspection
Fri, 10/31/2008 - 19:44 — henryeAs a Tar Heel, living in florida, the reason I say Tar Heel is because once a Tar Heel always a Tar Heel. But Florida did away with Auto Inspections back I believe in the 80s
Back when we had it... no matter how well your vehicle was maintained they would almost always find something usually something minor like lights needed adjusting ,wiper blades etc. It was decided that the inspectors were protecting their jobs and so the Legislature did away with it
except that the High Way Patrol or Other Officers could pull a car over for inspection at any time. and it has worked very well since