The N.C. State Highway Patrol's Investigative Services Unit now handles the enforcement of North Carolina's vehicle safety and emission inspection laws. This page is for informational purposes only.
A motor vehicle must pass an annual safety inspection before it can be registered in North Carolina or the registration can be renewed. The inspection must be completed within 90 days of renewing the vehicle registration.
Motor vehicles registered in
19 North Carolina counties must also pass an emissions inspection, which is conducted at the same time as the safety inspection.
Failure to get a vehicle inspected by the due date will result in a vehicle's registration being blocked until the vehicle is inspected.
Fees
Out-of-state exemptions
Inspection exemption requests are now processed by the N.C. State Highway Patrol's Investigative Services Unit. To request an exemption, go to the Investigative Services Unit Portal and select "Request a Service".
Go to Investigative Services Unit Portal
Frequently asked questions
Below are common questions about North Carolina inspections. For answers to questions not addressed on this page, please contact the N.C. State Highway Patrol's Investigative Services Unit.
Window tinting
As of December 1, 2025, window-tint checks are no longer required as part of North Carolina safety inspections. The additional $10 window-tint inspection fee has also been eliminated (S.L. 2025-47).
Under the same law, during a traffic stop, drivers of vehicles equipped with window tinting must roll down the window on the side that the law-enforcement officer approaches.
Vehicles with after-factory window tinting must still comply with the requirements set by G.S. 20-127. Tinted windows may not measure darker than 32 percent when tested with a North Carolina-approved window-tint meter. The tint on the windshield may not extend more than 5 inches below the top of the windshield or below the AS1 line, whichever is longer.