NC State Inspection

Sugar Creek Tire & Auto is a certified state inspection station. We're authorized to perform safety and emissions inspections in North Carolina. To stay road legal, make sure to schedule your appointment by the date indicated on your annual registration renewal. We recommend doing this sooner rather than later to ensure it's out of the way, and you're good to complete the registration of your vehicle.

We serve drivers across Charlotte, NC, including Uptown Charlotte and Downtown Charlotte, NODA, Concord, NC, Matthews, NC, and surrounding areas.

Visit Us for Your NC State Inspection

About NC State Inspections

In North Carolina, some vehicles are required to undergo an emissions and safety inspection each year. Depending on your county, you may only need a safety inspection. Vehicles registered in Mecklenburg County require both. Please refer to the list below for other counties.*

Counties Requiring Safety & Emissions Inspections

• Alamance
• Buncombe
• Cabarrus
• Cumberland
• Davidson
• Durham
• Forsyth
• Franklin
• Gaston
• Guilford
• Iredell
• Johnston
• Lee
• Lincoln
• Mecklenburg
• New Hanover
• Onslow
• Randolph
• Rockingham
• Rowan
• Wake
• Union

If you don't get an inspection by your due date, vehicle registration will be blocked. For this reason, it's recommended that you don't wait around when your renewal notice arrives. Call (704) 597-9513 to schedule an appointment with our team.

NC State Inspection Overview

For many drivers, an NC state inspection is a two-part process that consists of the Safety Inspection and On-Board Diagnostics (OBD) Emissions Inspection. The Safety Inspection includes checking your headlights, accessory lights, directional signals, foot brake, parking brake, steering, and windshield wipers. During the Emissions Inspection, special equipment is used to read your OBD. If you're within legal emission levels, then your vehicle passes the test.

Call (704) 597-9513 to set up an appointment with our team.

Passing and Failing

Passing: After your vehicle passes the NC state inspection, you'll be able to complete your registration. It's important to note that you'll no longer receive a windshield striker after passing. Today, North Carolina uses an electronic inspection program that removes the need for a sticker. Instead, the record of your vehicle's inspection is entered into the DMV registration database. Agencies and law enforcement can access this system to look up your inspection information as needed.

Failing: You'll need to get your vehicle repaired and pass the inspection before you can register it.

See Us for Your NC State Inspection