North Carolina requires drivers annually renew their vehicle registration information and complete an on-board diagnostic (OBD) emissions and safety inspection. The time for renewal will be determined by the initial date of registration; failure to maintain a valid vehicle registration is punishable by law.
North Carolina issues one warning card to the vehicle owner reminding them of the upcoming renewal date. If the individual fails to renew the registration, they can be cited up to $250 (as of 2010) each time they are pulled over and be denied the ability to renew until the emission test is passed. Repeat or continual offenders may face higher fees.
In some circumstances, the state grants the driver a fee waiver allowing them to drive the unregistered vehicle for a short time. This usually only happens when the vehicle fails the emissions test for the following reasons: the compliance part in your vehicle is no longer made and unobtainable or you bought the correct parts and made the repairs but the vehicle still fails. Should the parts be found or a waiver issued, the driver must use the waiver amount to bring the vehicle into compliance.
To obtain a waiver based on the above criteria, your car must meet several other requirements. All other issues will not exempt the car and the driver caught operating the vehicle with an expired registration will be fined. Those waiver requirements are: that the vehicle passes the safety test, all the emissions components must be operating, the owner must make an attempt at repairs, and the vehicle must fail the initial OBD test only.
Submit a renewal application to the North Carolina Department of Transportation Division of Motor Vehicles, pay the $14 per plate registration fee (as of 2010) and have the vehicle inspected by a certified repair technician.
