North Carolina to Further Exempt Older Vehicles from Emissions Testing

Time to celebrate, North Carolina! Beginning December 1, 2019, all motor vehicles 20 years old or older will be exempt from emissions testing. On that date, the applicable clause from a 2017 regulatory reform bill goes into effect. Currently, 22 of the state’s 100 counties require vehicles model year 1996 or later to undergo an annual emissions inspection. The current emissions inspection exemption in these counties for new cars from the three most recent model years will also remain in effect . 

The new law, effective December 1st, acknowledges the relatively minimal environmental impact of the older vehicles targeted for this exemption.     

Please share this good news with others in the state. Thank you for your continued support!