North Carolina Administrative Code

19A NCAC 03D .0520 MECHANIC REQUIREMENTS (a) An applicant for an inspection mechanic license and the owner of the inspection station shall sign their names on Action Form for Inspector/Mechanical Certification (LT-310) demonstrating they meet the requirements as set out in G.S. 2…

19A NCAC 03D .0521 LICENSING REQUIREMENTS (a) In order to be licensed as a North Carolina Safety Inspection Mechanic, an applicant shall meet the requirements set forth in G.S. 20-183.4(c). For purposes of G.S. 20-183.4(c)(1), the applicant shall complete the following: (1) atten…

19A NCAC 03D .0522 DENIAL, SUSPENSION OR REVOCATION OF LICENSES (a) Denial of License: The Commissioner of Motor Vehicles shall deny the application of any applicant for a Safety Equipment or Safety Equipment Emissions Inspection Station License who fails to meet the qualificatio…

19A NCAC 03D .0523 OPERATION OF SAFETY OR EMISSIONS INSPECTIONS STATIONS (a) Safety or Emissions Inspection Stations shall post the following information: (1) Official Safety Equipment or Safety Equipment Emissions Inspection Procedure Poster; (2) Safety Equipment or Safety Equip…

19A NCAC 03D .0524 INSPECTION STICKERS (a) Acquisition: (1) Licensed safety equipment or safety equipment exhaust emission inspection stations and self-inspectors shall procure stickers from the Division of Motor Vehicles and from no other source. (2) Orders for stickers shall be…

19A NCAC 03D .0525 PRE-INSPECTION REQUIREMENTS Prior to performing an inspection, the inspection mechanic shall: (1) Have all occupants leave the vehicle; (2) Request that the operator produce the current registration card for the vehicle; (3) Enter applicable information in all …

19A NCAC 03d .0526 SAFETY EQUIPMENT, EMISSIONS INSPECTION, AND EMISSION CONTROLS TAMPERING EVALUATION During the safety or safety and emissions inspection of a vehicle, the inspection mechanic shall enter the information set forth in this Rule into the analyzer or inspection prog…

19A NCAC 03D .0529 CERTIFICATION When the vehicle receives a passing inspection result, the inspection mechanic shall: (1) finalize the inspection process in the analyzer or inspection program by entering all required data, then following the steps necessary to transmit the data …

19A NCAC 03D .0530 DISAPPROVAL If a vehicle inspected is disapproved, the inspection mechanic at the end of the total inspection shall advise the owner or operator of the defect or defects found during the inspection. Repairs shall only be made at the request of the owner or oper…

19A NCAC 03D .0531 REINSPECTION (a) A vehicle that is inspected at an inspection station and fails is entitled to be reinspected at the same station any time within 60 days of the failed inspection without paying another inspection fee. (b) If the vehicle is approved following re…

19A NCAC 03D .0532 BRAKES No vehicle brakes shall be approved for an inspection unless the items indicated in this Rule are inspected and found to meet the minimum requirements established in G.S. 20-124 and this Rule. (1) Footbrakes shall not be approved if: (a) when applying br…

19A NCAC 03D .0533 LIGHTS (a) Headlights shall conform to the requirements of G.S. 20-129(b) and (c). Headlights shall not be approved if: (1) there are not at least two headlamps, or at least four on dual headlamp systems. Motorcycles and motor driven cycles need only one headla…

19A NCAC 03D .0534 HORN (a) In addition to the requirements set forth in G.S. 20-125, the horn shall not be approved if: (1) it will not emit a sound audible for a distance of at least 200 feet. Original equipment, operating as intended by the manufacturer, shall meet these requi…

19A NCAC 03D .0535 STEERING MECHANISM (a) The inspection mechanic must raise the vehicle to check the steering mechanism. (b) The steering mechanism shall not be approved if: (1) with front wheels in straight ahead position there is more than three inches of free play in steering…

19A NCAC 03D .0536 WINDSHIELD WIPER Windshield wipers shall not be approved if: (1) the vehicle is not equipped with a windshield wiper or wipers, provided the vehicle has a windshield; (2) the wiper or wipers do not operate freely; (3) the wiper controls are not so constructed a…

19A NCAC 03D .0537 DIRECTIONAL SIGNALS Vehicles required to have directional signals pursuant to G.S. 20-125.1, which does not include motorcycles, shall be disapproved if: (1) The vehicle is not equipped with signals by which the operator of the vehicle may indicate to other mot…

19A NCAC 03D .0538 TIRES (a) A vehicle shall be disapproved if: (1) any tire has cuts or snags that expose the cords; (2) any tire has a visible bump, bulge, or knot related to tread or sidewall separation or partial failure of the tire structure including bead area; or (3) there…

19A NCAC 03D .0539 TIRES - DEFINITIONS As used in this and Rule .0538 of this Section, these terms have the following meanings: (1) "Bead" is that part of the tire that is shaped to fit the rim. The bead is made of high tensile steel wires wrapped and reinforced by the plies. (2)…

19A NCAC 03D .0540 REAR VIEW MIRRORS Rear view mirrors shall not be approved if: (1) There is any movement between the attachment bracket and the windshield; (2) Forward vision of the device is obstructed by mirror assembly; (3) They do not provide a view of the highway to the re…

19A NCAC 03D .0541 EXHAUST EMISSION CONTROLS (a) An exhaust emission shall not be approved if the vehicle is a 1968-year model or newer and any of the visible emission control devices placed thereon by the manufacturer are missing, disconnected, made inoperative, or as set forth …

19A NCAC 03D .0542 EMISSIONS CONTROL DEVICE Pursuant to G.S. 20-183.8A(a)(2), a civil penalty shall be assessed against individuals who instruct or allow a person to remove, disconnect, tamper with, or render inoperable any emissions control device equipped by the manufacturer of…

19A NCAC 03D .0543 INSPECTION PROCEDURE FOR EMISSIONS EQUIPMENT (a) In accordance with G.S. 20-183.2, vehicles required to receive a State safety inspection are also subject to an emission inspection if it is propelled or has the ability to be propelled by a gasoline-powered moto…

19A NCAC 03D .0544 SAFETY INSPECTION OF MOTORCYCLES (a) Motorcycle brakes shall fail safety inspection if: (1) when applying brakes to moving vehicle, there is insufficient force to stop the vehicle; (2) brakes are worn in such a manner that there is an uneven braking force; (3) …

19A NCAC 03D .0545 INVESTIGATION/AUDIT/SAFETY OR EMISSIONS INSPECTION STATIONS (a) Complaints To Be Investigated: All complaints received by the Commissioner about any inspection station shall be investigated for the purpose of determining whether there has been a violation of th…

19A NCAC 03D .0549 APPROVAL AND DISAPPROVAL OF VEHICLES Vehicles shall not be disapproved for any reason other than those specified in 19A NCAC 03D .0533 through 03D .0553. History Note: Authority G.S. 20-2; 20-39; 20-127; 20-183.2; 20-183.3; 20-183.6(a); 20-183.7(a); Eff. Octobe…

19A NCAC 03D .0550 WAIVERS FROM EMISSIONS TEST REQUIREMENTS (a) The Commissioner of Motor Vehicles, or License and Theft Bureau employees who are designated by the Commissioner, shall issue a written waiver from the applicable emissions test standards for any vehicle, except vehi…

19A NCAC 03D .0551 WINDOW TINTING (a) All stations performing window tinting inspections shall have a light meter or photometer which has been tested and approved by the Division of Motor Vehicles and that complies with Rule .0552 of this Section. Stations that do not have an app…

19A NCAC 03D .0552 PHOTOMETER DESIGN AND PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENTS (a) Multi-piece photometers shall be designed to be operated by one person on front windows, roll-down and non-roll-down side windows, and rear windows with up to 1/4-inch glass thickness. The multi-piece photomete…

19A NCAC 03D .0553 PHOTOMETER COMPLIANCE (a) All devices used within the State of North Carolina to measure light transmittance through vehicle windshields or other windows shall, as a minimum, meet the requirements of Rule .0552 of this Section before being approved for use in e…

SECTION .0600 - WEIGHT OF VEHICLE AND REGISTRATION ENFORCEMENT 19A NCAC 03D .0601 VIOLATIONS OF WEIGHT: REGISTRATION OF FUEL TAX LAWS When a vehicle is found to be in violation of the weight, registration, or fuel tax laws of North Carolina, a Citation and Notice of Assessment sh…

19A NCAC 03D .0602 COLLECTION OF ASSESSMENTS (a) A notice of an outstanding or unpaid assessment shall be mailed to the owner of the vehicle by the Division of Motor Vehicles, Enforcement Section Director after 10 days if the assessed taxes or penalties have not been paid. (b) If…

19A NCAC 03D .0603 WEIGHING VEHICLES WITH PORTABLE SCALES History Note: Authority G.S. 20-1; 20-118.1; Eff. July 1, 1978; Amended Eff. February 1, 1985; February 1, 1982; April 11, 1980; Repealed Eff. November 1, 1991.

19A NCAC 03D .0604 RECIPROCITY AGREEMENTS History Note: Authority G.S. 20-1; 20-2; 20-4.1 through 20-4.12; 20-39; 20-84.2; Eff. February 1, 1982; Repealed Eff. January 1, 1994 pursuant to 1991 S.L., c. 477, s. 3.

SECTION .0700 - APPROVAL OF MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY EQUIPMENT 19A NCAC 03D .0701 VEHICLE EQUIPMENT APPROVAL (a) The Enforcement Section is responsible for issuing certificates of approval for all motor vehicle safety equipment that requires the approval of the Commissioner of Motor …

19A NCAC 03D .0702 INFORMATION FOR MANUFACTURER History Note: Authority G.S. 20-1; 20-124(f),(h); 20-125(a) through (c); 20-125.1(a),(b); 20-126(a) through (c); 20-127(b); 20-129(a) through (d),(f),(g); 20-129.1(7),(8); 20-130(a); 20-131(a) through (d); 20-135(c); 20-135.1(a); 20…

19A NCAC 03D .0703 REQUIRED LIGHTING EQUIPMENT FOR HOUSE TRAILERS Every house trailer, mobile home, modular home, or structural component thereof shall have two stop lamps, one on each side of the vertical centerline, at the same height and, as far apart as practicable; two tail …

19A NCAC 03D .0704 IDENTIFICATION DECAL An owner of a privately registered vehicle who is issued an identification decal permitting a vehicle to enter a secured or private area, such as a military base, a place of employment, or a parking lot, may affix the decal to the interior …

section .0800 - SAFETY RULES AND REGULATIONS 19A NCAC 03D .0801 SAFETY OF OPERATION AND EQUIPMENT History Note: Authority G.S. 20-17.7; 20-21; 20-37.22; 20-96; 20-183.2(a); 20-381; Eff. December 1, 1983; Amended Eff. November 1, 1991; October 1, 1991; Temporary Amendment Eff. Feb…

19A NCAC 03D .0802 HAZARDOUS MATERIALS History Note: Authority G.S. 20-2; 20-381; Eff. December 1, 1983; Amended Eff. April 1, 2001; January 1, 1994; Transferred and recodified to 14A NCAC 09J .0102 Eff. March 23, 2009.

SECTION .0900 - APPROVAL OF SUN SCREENING DEVICES 19A NCAC 03D .0901 PURPOSE AND DEFINITIONS This Section establishes rules for and provides information for sun screening devices. The following definitions define terms used in this Section: (1) "Sun screening film" means products…

19A NCAC 03D .0902 TESTING AND CERTIFICATION (a) Each manufacturer prior to offering for sale tinted sun-screening film to be installed on a motor vehicle shall demonstrate compliance with the applicable requirements of this Rule. Test specimens of the sun-screening film shall be…

19A NCAC 03D .0903 APPLICATION FEE Each manufacturer applying for approval of a sun screening device shall be registered with the Equipment Approval Unit of the Division of Motor Vehicles. Testing procedures and results shall be accompanied by the certification referred to in Rul…

19A NCAC 03D .0904 APPROVAL AND LABELING OF DEVICES (a) No devices manufactured with a luminous reflectance of more than 20 percent or a light transmittance of less than 50 percent will be approved for use on vehicles registered in this State. (b) After approval of the device by …

SUBCHAPTER 3E - INTERNATIONAL REGISTRATION PLAN (IRP) SECTION SECTION .0100 - GROSS RECEIPTS TAX: COMMON CARRIERS OF PROPERTY 19A NCAC 03E .0101 GENERAL INFORMATION History Note: Authority G.S. 20-1; 20-50; 20-88; 20-89; 20-90; 20-91; 20-92; 20-93; Eff. July 1, 1978; Amended Eff.…

19A NCAC 03E .0107 REGISTRATION UNDER THE INTERNATIONAL REGISTRATION PLAN History Note: Authority G.S. 20-86.1; Eff. July 1, 1978; Amended Eff. February 1, 1982; Repealed Eff. July 1, 1983.

19A NCAC 03E .0205 REPORTS History Note: Authority G.S. 20-1; 20-87; 20-89 through 20-92; Eff. July 1, 1978; Amended Eff. February 1, 1982; Repealed Eff. July 1, 1983.

SECTION .0300 - REGISTRATION OF RENTAL VEHICLES BY NONRESIDENTS 19A NCAC 03E .0301 GENERAL INFORMATION History Note: Authority G.S. 20-1; 20-66; 20-84.2; Eff. July 1, 1978; Repealed Eff. February 1, 1982.

19A NCAC 03E .0302 ONE-WAY TRUCK REGISTRATION (a) In addition to the General Statutes concerning truck registration, every registrant (owner) of trucks of less than 26,000 pounds gross vehicle weight operated as a one-way fleet shall allocate vehicles to North Carolina. (b) The m…

SECTION .0400 - INTERNATIONAL REGISTRATION PLAN 19A NCAC 03E .0401 GENERAL INFORMATION (a) Apportionable vehicles used or intended for use in two or more jurisdictions that allocate or proportionally register vehicles for the transportation of persons or property, shall be regist…

19A NCAC 03E .0402 REGISTRATION UNDER THE INTERNATIONAL REGISTRATION PLAN History Note: Authority G.S. 20-86.1; Eff. July 1, 1983; Repealed Eff. November 1, 1991.