Motor vehicles registered in 22 North Carolina counties must pass an emissions inspection, which is conducted at the same time as the safety inspection. These counties are: Alamance, Buncombe, Cabarrus, Cumberland, Davidson, Durham, Forsyth, Franklin, Gaston, Guilford, Iredell, Johnston, Lee, Lincoln, Mecklenburg, New Hanover, Onslow, Randolph, Rockingham, Rowan, Wake, and Union.
Diesel Vehicles:
Diesel vehicles are not tested for emissions.
Exemptions:
1. Some light-duty vehicles less than 3 years old or have fewer than 70,000 miles
2. Vehicles that are 20 model years old or older
3. Vehicles with an antique automobile license plate
For more information visit: https://www.ncdot.gov/dmv
General Statute of North Carolina
§ 20-128. Exhaust system and emissions control devices
(a) No person shall drive a motor vehicle on a highway unless such motor vehicle is equipped with a muffler, or other exhaust system of the type installed at the time of manufacture, in good working order and in constant operation to prevent excessive or unusual noise, annoying smoke and smoke screens.
(b) It shall be unlawful to use a "muffler cut-out" on any motor vehicle upon a highway.
(c) No motor vehicle registered in this State that was manufactured after model year 1967 shall be operated in this State unless it is equipped with emissions control devices that were installed on the vehicle at the time the vehicle was manufactured and these devices are properly connected.
(d) The requirements of subsection (c) of this section shall not apply if the emissions control devices have been removed for the purpose of converting the motor vehicle to operate on natural or liquefied petroleum gas or other modifications have been made in order to reduce air pollution and these modifications are approved by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources.
Historic
Available for vehicles that meet the requirements for "Antique Auto" or "Horseless Carriage" vehicles:
- Antique Auto - Available for vehicles that are at least 30 years old.
- Horseless Carriage – Available for vehicles manufactured in 1943 or earlier.
YOM
Vehicles that are more than 35 years old may display YOM plates with DMV approval as long as the current registration plate is kept within the vehicle at all times.