Pat Brand
389 Country
During Wednesday’s session of the General Assembly, North Carolina lawmakers put forward a proposal to increase vehicle inspection fees across the state. Senate Bill 192, introduced by Senator Jim Burgin, aims to adjust the costs associated with mandatory safety and emissions testing for vehicles.
Under the proposed legislation, the combined Emissions and Safety Test fee would rise from its current rate of $23.75 to $40.15. For vehicles exempt from emissions testing, the Safety Only Test fee would increase from $12.75 to $29.15. The bill leaves other related charges unchanged, including the $10 window tinting fee and existing authorization and sticker costs. Drivers who fail their inspections will continue to have a 60-day window to address any issues.
If the bill is approved, these new rates would take effect starting October 1. In North Carolina, all vehicles must pass safety and emissions inspections before they can be registered, with fees standardized by the state and collected by authorized testing stations.
Senator Burgin and supporters of the measure have yet to publicly detail the reasons behind the proposed increases, but the bill’s introduction marks a significant potential shift in costs for drivers statewide. The legislation now awaits further debate and a vote in the General Assembly.
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