§ 20-183.3. Scope of safety inspection and emissions inspection. - North Carolina Statutes

§ 20‑183.3.  Scope ofsafety inspection and emissions inspection.

(a)        Safety. – A safetyinspection of a motor vehicle consists of an inspection of the followingequipment to determine if the vehicle has the equipment required by Part 9 ofArticle 3 of this Chapter and if the equipment is in a safe operatingcondition:

(1)        Brakes, as requiredby G.S. 20‑124.

(2)        Lights, as requiredby G.S. 20‑129 or G.S. 20‑129.1.

(3)        Horn, as required byG.S. 20‑125(a).

(4)        Steering mechanism,as required by G.S. 20‑123.1.

(5)        Windows andwindshield wipers, as required by G.S. 20‑127. To determine if a vehiclewindow meets the window tinting restrictions, a safety inspection mechanic mustfirst determine, based on use of an automotive film check card or knowledge ofwindow tinting techniques, if after‑factory tint has been applied to thewindow. If after‑factory tint has been applied, the mechanic must use alight meter approved by the Commissioner to determine if the window meets thewindow tinting restrictions.

(6)        Directional signals,as required by G.S. 20‑125.1.

(7)        Tires, as requiredby G.S. 20‑122.1.

(8)        Mirrors, as requiredby G.S. 20‑126.

(9)        Exhaust system andemissions control devices, as required by G.S. 20‑128. For a vehicle thatis subject to an emissions inspection in addition to a safety inspection, avisual inspection of the vehicle's emissions control devices is included in theemissions inspection rather than the safety inspection.

(b)        Repealed by Laws2000‑134, s. 12, effective January 1, 2006.

(b1)      Emissions. – Anemissions inspection of a motor vehicle consists of a visual inspection of thevehicle's emissions control devices to determine if the devices are present,are properly connected, and are the correct type for the vehicle and ananalysis of data provided by the on‑board diagnostic (OBD) equipmentinstalled by the vehicle manufacturer to identify any deterioration ormalfunction in the operation of the vehicle that violates standards for themodel year of the vehicle set by the Environmental Management Commission. Topass an emissions inspection a vehicle must pass both the visual inspection andthe OBD analysis. When an emissions inspection is performed on a vehicle, asafety inspection must be performed on the vehicle as well.

(c)        Reinspection AfterFailure. – The scope of a reinspection of a vehicle that has been repairedafter failing an inspection is the same as the original inspection unless thevehicle is presented for reinspection within 60 days of failing the originalinspection. If the vehicle is presented for reinspection within this time limitand the inspection the vehicle failed was a safety inspection, the reinspectionis limited to an inspection of the equipment that failed the originalinspection. If the vehicle is presented for reinspection within this time limitand the inspection the vehicle failed was an emissions inspection, thereinspection is limited to the portion of the inspection the vehicle failed andany other portion of the inspection that would be affected by repairs made tocorrect the failure. (1965, c. 734, s. 1; 1969, c. 378, s. 2; 1971, c. 455, s. 2; c. 478,ss. 1, 2; 1979, 2nd Sess., c. 1180, s. 3; 1981 (Reg. Sess., 1982), c. 1261, s.1; 1989, c. 391, s. 2; 1991, c. 654, s. 2; 1993 (Reg. Sess., 1994), c. 754, s.1; 1995, c. 473, s. 2; 2000‑134, ss. 8, 10, 12; 2001‑504, s. 7;2007‑364, s. 1.)