North Carolina § 20-183 - 5A. When a vehicle that fails a safety inspection because of missing emissions control devices may obtain a waiver.
Full text of North Carolina North Carolina General Statutes § 20-183 — 5A. When a vehicle that fails a safety inspection because of missing emissions control devices may obtain a waiver., with citation guidance and answers to common questions.
§ 20-183. 5A. When a vehicle that fails a safety inspection because of missing emissions control devices may obtain a waiver.
Requirements. - The Division may issue a waiver for a vehicle that meets all of the following requirements: Fails a safety inspection because it does not have one or more emissions control devices. Has documented repairs within the previous calendar year to replace missing emissions control devices costing at least the waiver amount made to the vehicle to correct the cause of the failure. The waiver amount is two hundred dollars ($200.00) if the vehicle is a 1996 or newer model. Procedure. - To obtain a waiver, a person must contact a local enforcement office of the Division. Before issuing a waiver, an employee of the Division must review the inspection receipts issued for the inspections of the vehicle, review the documents establishing what repairs were made to the vehicle and at what cost, review any statement denying warranty coverage of the repairs made, and do a visual inspection of the vehicle, if appropriate, to determine if the documented repairs were made. The Division must issue a waiver if it determines that the vehicle qualifies for a waiver. A person to whom a waiver is issued must present the waiver to the self-inspector or inspection station performing the inspection to obtain an electronic inspection authorization. Repairs. - The following repairs and their costs cannot be considered in determining whether the cost of repairs made to a vehicle equals or exceeds the waiver amount: Repairs covered by a warranty that applies to the vehicle. Repairs needed as a result of tampering with an emission control device of the vehicle. Repairs made by an individual who is not professionally engaged in the business of repairing vehicles. Electronic Inspection Authorization Expiration. - An electronic inspection authorization issued to a vehicle after the vehicle receives a waiver from the requirement of passing the safety inspection expires at the same time it would if the vehicle had passed the safety inspection. History (2007-503, ss. 8, 9.) Effect of Amendments. - Session Laws 2007-503, ss. 8 and 9, effective October 1, 2008, and applicable to offenses committed on or after that date, in subdivision (a)(2), deleted "seventy-five dollars ($75.00) if the vehicle is a pre-1981 model and is" following "amount is" and substituted "1996" for "1981"; substituted "electronic inspection authorization" for "inspection sticker" at the end of subsection (b); in subdivision (c)(3), deleted "If the vehicle is a 1981 or newer model" from the beginning, and inserted "professionally"; and in subsection (d), substituted "Electronic Inspection Authorization" for "Sticker" and "electronic inspection authorization issued to" for "inspection sticker put on." § 20-183.6: Repealed by Session Laws 2007-503, s. 10, effective October 1, 2008, and applicable to offenses committed on or after that date.
Source: official North Carolina text · Last verified 2026-08-27
Frequently Asked Questions About North Carolina § 20-183
What does North Carolina General Statutes § 20-183 cover?
Section 20-183 ("5A. When a vehicle that fails a safety inspection because of missing emissions control devices may obtain a waiver.") is part of the North Carolina General Statutes, the codified statutory law of North Carolina. It sets out the legal rule or procedure described in the text above. Statutes are amended regularly, so always verify against the official source.
How do I cite North Carolina § 20-183?
A common citation format is "North Carolina General Statutes § 20-183" (North Carolina). Legal writing may require the code abbreviation, section number, and year or edition. Match the style required by your court, professor, or publisher.
Is this the official text of North Carolina law?
No. This page is for research and education and may not include the most recent amendments. For official current law, check the North Carolina official source linked on this page or consult a licensed North Carolina attorney.
How does North Carolina § 20-183 apply to my situation?
Statutes are interpreted in context, and application depends on your specific facts. Only a licensed attorney in North Carolina can advise on how this section applies to you. Contact your state or local bar association for a referral.
Sources & Verification
Not legal advice. Verify against the official source and consult a licensed attorney in North Carolina.