The Inspection/Maintenance (I/M) Program for cars and trucks makes sure that the air pollution controls are working properly on vehicles. This is important because motor vehicles contribute substantially to air quality problems.
For Station Owners & Inspectors For Analyzer Vendors
- General Information FAQ
- Map of Counties
- Inspection Station Locations
- Inspection Fee Pie Chart
- 3-Year Exemption FAQ
- 3-Year Exemption Calculator
Emissions Testing
North Carolina requires emission systems tests for cars and light-duty trucks as part of the annual safety inspection in 19 counties. Vehicles from 1996 and newer are usually equipped with On-Board Diagnostic (OBD) systems, which help inspectors check that the vehicle's pollution controls are working.
Update: Inspection & Maintenance Program Set to End Statewide
Recent changes to state law may soon terminate the vehicle Inspection & Maintenance (I&M) Program in the 19 counties that are currently subject to the program.
Section 12.7 of Session Law (S.L.) 2023-134 (House Bill 259) of the 2023 session of the North Carolina General Assembly, passed into law October 3, 2023, will remove 18 counties from the I&M program. Section 12.13.(b) of Session Law (S.L.) 2026-41 (Senate Bill 257) of the 2026 session of the North Carolina General Assembly, passed into law July 7, 2026, will also remove Mecklenburg County from the program.
The changes are not effective until approved by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and finalized by DEQ and the N.C. Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV).
Note: All counties will still require the annual safety inspection.
Next Steps
On Oct. 1, 2024, DEQ's Division of Air Quality submitted to EPA a revised I&M State Implementation Plan (SIP) and Clean Air Act (CAA) Section 110(l) noninterference demonstration to remove all nineteen counties from the I&M program.
On May 8, 2026, EPA proposed to approve North Carolina’s revised SIP and accepted public comments for 30 days. The news release was issued May 11, 2026. EPA is currently reviewing public comments.
If EPA finalizes approval, within 15 days of EPA publishing its final action, the DMV will implement the program change and the DEQ Secretary will submit a certification letter of the SIP approval by EPA to the Revisor of Statutes.
DEQ will coordinate with the DMV to provide notice of the EPA approval along with the program change effective date on the DEQ and the DMV websites and notify the emissions inspection mechanic license holders, emissions inspection station licensees, and self-inspector licensees in the counties where motor vehicle emissions inspection requirements are no longer applicable.
Additional Resources
Have any questions? Email your questions to us and we'll get back to you as soon as we can.
For free copies of brochures and publications, please contact the DAQ Public Information Officer.