As the Road Worrier reported today ("DMV system to wipe out inspection stickers"), drivers will see changes in the safety and emissions inspection program, starting Oct. 1.
Unfortunately, today's print edition omitted lots of helpful, important details (the technical term for this is: big screw-up!).
We've added the missing material as sidebars to the online story, but I'll repeat it below, too. Some readers have asked today about online registration, so I've added info about that below.
The big changes are:
- You won't get a windshield sticker again,
- Your inspection and registration renewal deadlines will be synchronized so they fall in the same month, and
- You'll have to get your inspection before DMV will issue a new license tag or renew your old one.
Keep reading below for details about how the inspection program works now -- and how it will change in the future.
The old rules
Under the current system, a vehicle must have a valid registration before it can receive its required annual inspection.
After a car passes inspection, it gets a new windshield sticker showing the deadline month for next year's inspection. Most cars' inspection and registration deadlines fall in different months. Many drivers have trouble keeping track of two deadlines each year.
DMV keeps track of the 4 million vehicles required to get both emissions and safety check-ups. If an emissions inspection is more than four months overdue, DMV issues a civil penalty of $250 and blocks the car's registration. That means the owner will have to get the car inspected before he or she can renew the registration.
But for 3 million vehicles that are required only to get safety inspections, DMV does not know which ones are current and which ones are not.
The new rules
Starting Oct. 1, cars and trucks no longer will be adorned with fresh windshield inspection stickers. A vehicle must have a current inspection before it can receive a new or renewed registration.
DMV will receive immediate electronic notification from the inspection station -- for all safety as well as emissions inspections. DMV will check the car's registration anniversary and issue a new inspection date -- so that both deadlines now fall in the same month.
DMV says it will update its database instantly to show that you have gotten your inspection. Right away, that same day, you'll be able to renew your registration as you have done before -- online or at a DMV tag office.
The car owner will leave the inspection station with a receipt for the inspection, as before -- along with a notice of the deadline for the next inspection. DMV registration renewal notices also will include the inspection deadlines.
Bringing a car to North Carolina from another state? You'll have to get it inspected before you go to the DMV tag office.
Phasing in the changes
No car will have to be inspected twice within 12 months. It will take nearly two years to synchronize the two dates for everybody.
Some cars will go as long as 23 months between their last inspection on the old calendar and their first inspection under the new, synchronized schedule.
Take, for example, a car now due for inspection in November and registration in March: After passing inspection in November 2008 and getting a new registration in March 2009, this car’s next inspection and registration deadline will be March 2010.
Although both deadlines will fall in the same month, remember that you'll have to get the inspection first. You can get your car inspected up to 90 days before that deadline.
Safety and emissions inspections
What's a safety inspection? It's a check to make sure the car's lights, signals, wipers, mirrors, horn and emergency brake work properly, and that there has been no tampering with pollution devices.
Who gets it? It's required in all 100 counties for about 7 million vehicles up to 35 years old.
What does it cost? Currently, $9.10, but that will increases to $13.60 effective Oct. 1.
What is an emissions inspection? It's required in 48 mostly urban counties subject to federal air-quality rules, and covers about 4 million gasoline vehicles made since 1996. The aim is to curb nitrogen oxides emissions -- the main cause of ozone, acid rain and haze in North Carolina.
How is it done? The inspector uses a car's on-board diagnostic computer to make sure its air-pollution controls are working properly.
What does it cost? $30 -- no change Oct. 1.
For more info
Consult NC DMV online or by telephone at 888-999-3044.
Bruce Siceloff reports on traffic and transportation. A News & Observer reporter and editor since 1976, he took over the 
Comments
I think this is a really
Thu, 09/17/2009 - 09:28 — JoeAnne10I think this is a really important piece of information for all the drivers not only for a certain number of them. This is something we all should be aware of. I went to a donate a car shop, owned by one of my friends and he had not clue about this things until I let him know.
Parking is the act of
Tue, 09/08/2009 - 08:06 — johnandyParking is the act of stopping a vehicle and leaving it unoccupied for more than a brief time. Parking on one or both sides of a road is commonly permitted, though often with restrictions. Parking facilities are constructed in combination with most buildings, to facilitate the coming and going of the buildings' users.
John
Liverpool Airport Parking
About new rules
Thu, 08/27/2009 - 01:10 — samcan123new rules are affect to our Car Transport service badly. but it is good for our safe.
The issue of vehicle
Mon, 08/24/2009 - 04:52 — Jack_ThornleighThe issue of vehicle inspections is certainly a hot one, especially with the new changes to the program. Another option for synchronization of the different elements of the program would be to bring insurance companies into the process, allowing them to ask drivers about the current status of their inspection documentation when they are doing car insurance quotes. This would help the company get a better picture of the consumer’s risk profile as a driver and help the state get a better grip on their compliance numbers. Over the next 2 years, it could bring things up to total compliance with the program.
The governor and Envirotest
Thu, 07/16/2009 - 04:13 — peterson77The governor and Envirotest agreed to several emissions program modifications at the contractor's expense including hiring additional DMV inspectors to monitor test station activities, hiring an independent contractor to do continuing performance evaluations and covert audits of inspection operations, installing video equipment in all emissions testing lanes, hiring an inspector to review tapes of questionable cases, expediting installation of new fraud detection computer software, and requiring a supervisor to approve any attempts by failed vehicles for reinspection on the same day.
Car credit
Inspect Your Gadgets
Thu, 02/05/2009 - 15:44 — eshavmI have to agree that a full vehicle inspection is a little out of line. Emissions is really the end of where the state gov should be able to control any aspect of your vehicle. If more states (ones in the west specifically) had an inspection program like that, they'd have to fine half the people who come in for improperly installed or obstructive truck accessories. I know the program means well and aims at safety, but there's a point where it becomes a burden on both the state and its citizens, just like this one is.
Just more money for the state
Thu, 09/11/2008 - 00:40 — Anonymous (not verified)Just another way for the state to raise revenues to take more of the tax payers money. The safety inspection fee is going up almost 45% It still amazes me how SC dont have any automobile inspections and NC cant seem to keep the cost under control for the one we have now.
Stickers
Tue, 09/09/2008 - 13:55 — Mr Shaw (not verified)Sir,
It would have been nice to see a comment as to why a lot of states are getting rid of the inspection entirely. Why has NC not taken the next step? After much research states like Tennessee and Florida have realized that an annual inspection may sound good but in reality its a waste of time and money.
Regards,
A waste?
Wed, 09/10/2008 - 08:02 — BruceSiceloff (author)Mr Shaw -
If you mean safety inspections, why do you think they are wasteful? They catch headlights burned out or out of alignment, signals not working properly, brake lights and other lights burned out, and other things that go wrong with lots of cars. Drivers often don't realize their brake lights are dead or that they're driving half-blind with just one headlight. If we don't catch these things in the inspection, the burden falls to the police to pull every car they see with a dark headlight or a burned out brakelight. We need cops for other stuff.
If you mean emissions inspections, I think they're mandated by the federal government in urban and other areas with air quality problems. Is it a waste of time and money to keep car pollution controls working properly?
DMV Inspections
Tue, 09/09/2008 - 12:11 — Russ (not verified)What about the car/trucks that are 35 years old or older that currently are not required to have an inspection. What will be the rules for our "Classics"?
Classics
Wed, 09/10/2008 - 08:04 — BruceSiceloff (author)The rules for old jalopies -- sorry, classics -- are unchanged. No safety inspection for cars more than 35 years old. Emissions inspections only for 1996 gas (not diesel) models and newer, and only in the counties where emissions inspections are required.
Emissions Inspection
Tue, 09/09/2008 - 09:59 — MrCaniacGuyBruce ... I wonder if you might also do a review of what goes along with the emission's inspections ... ie:
What if my car fails and the cost of getting it to pass is more than the value of the car?
What if the car fails and the cost of getting it to pass is more than I can afford?
Exemptions? Exclusions? Appeals!?!? Etc.
Thanks in advance
If your car flunks
Wed, 09/10/2008 - 08:12 — BruceSiceloff (author)MrCaniacGuy -
If your headlight is burned out, you have to fix it. If your pollution control device isn't working, you have to fix it. I don't know what the cost of fixing one of these things is.
Has this happened to you? Does it cost a lot of money to bring a car into compliance? I'd like to hear about it if that is the case.
DMV website http://www.ncdot.org/dmv/vehicle_services/emissioninspection/denialPenalties.html has some information about this, but it does not appear to answer all of your questions.
If you really think your car is in danger of flunking, call em at 1-888-999-3044. Let me know what you find out.
So....
Tue, 09/09/2008 - 09:53 — scocca...if my car is due for registration in October, and I've had inspections in February, then I register this October WITHOUT a new inspection, but am required to get an inspection NEXT October before I can register?
Phasing it in
Tue, 09/09/2008 - 11:08 — BruceSiceloff (author)Yes and no.
Yes, you get your registration in October as usual, and your inspection status is not a factor. Your next inspection is still due February 2009.
No, you won't be told to get a second inspection during the same year. So after your Feb 09 inspection you won't have to get another one in October 09.
Instead, when you pick up your car after your February 09 inspection, you'll be told that your NEXT inspection falls due in October 2010. And you'll get a reminder of this in the mail in 2010.
Aha!
Wed, 09/10/2008 - 02:34 — phelpsgatesMany thanks. This clarifies something that had been presented very confusingly (in both news stories and on the dmv site). Now for another question (hehe)... our other car has both inspection and registration expiring in February 2009. Does this mean that I need to get inspected before renewing it next year? Or just that I need to get it inspected before renewing it in Feb. 2010?
Same month
Wed, 09/10/2008 - 08:16 — BruceSiceloff (author)The latter. In Feb 2009 you'll be able to renew registration whether or not you've gotten your new inspection. Starting in Feb 2010 for your car, the inspection must come first. You'll have the option to get the inspection 90 days early -- 90 days before the last day of your deadline month.
Thanks
Tue, 09/09/2008 - 13:36 — scoccaSo it's phased in in the other order--the last "inspection-with-sticker" lasts exactly one year, but the first "inspection-without-sticker" lasts one year plus as long as it takes to sync up with your registration.