North Carolina Antique Vehicle Inspection Law

It may be a good idea to keep a copy of this page with the excerpts of the general stature handy in your vehicle just in case somebody isn't up to date and tries to give you a hard time about not having your antique vehicle (military or civilian) inspected.

The North Carolina Law on vehicle inspections comes under NCGS §20-20-183. 

In the 2003-2004 Legislative session, NCGS §20-20-183.2 was amended by adding a new subsection that became effective January 1, 2005:
"(a1) Safety Inspection Exception. – Historic vehicles, as defined in G.S. 20-79.4(b)(17), shall not be subject to a safety inspection pursuant to this Article."

Since the amended section referenced a different section:
G.S. (20-79.4(b)(17) This is actually the section on specialty liscense plates, but since the legistaltion above says "as defined", I don't think that you need to have the tag and that this paragraph is just being used as a definition of the type of vehicle that is exempt from inspection....

G.S. (20-79.4(b)(17) Historic Vehicle Owner. – Issuable for a motor vehicle that is at least 35 years old measured from the date of manufacture. The plate for an historic vehicle shall bear the word "Antique" unless the vehicle is a model year 1943 or older. The plate for a vehicle that is a model year 1943 or older shall bear the word "Antique" or the words "Horseless Carriage", at the option of the vehicle owner.

Chapter 20 of the General Statutes is located at:
http://www.ncleg.net/EnactedLegislation/Statutes/HTML/ByChapter/Chapter_20.html

You might want to keep a reference to this in case somebody asks about your lack of inspection until folks get used to the new law.

Comment on State Vehicle Safety Inspections:
The vehicle safety inspection is based upon the equipment that was installed by the manufacturer at the time the vehicle was built or that an individual has since added.  Thus a vehicle that did not have seatbelts or turn signals installed at the factory does not have to have them, but if you have them installed as a personal safety upgrade, they need to be in good functioning condition.

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