<P> In the United States, vehicle safety inspection and emissions inspection are governed by each state individually . 17 states have a periodic (annual or biennial) safety inspection program, while Maryland and Alabama require a safety inspection on sale or transfer of vehicles which were previously registered in another state . </P> <P> In 1977, the federal Clean Air Act was amended by Congress to require states to implement vehicle emissions inspection programs, known as I / M programs (for Inspection and Maintenance), in all major metropolitan areas whose air quality failed to meet certain federal standards . New York's program started in 1982, California's program ("Smog Check") started in 1984, and Illinois' program started in 1986 . The Clean Air Act of 1990 required some states to enact vehicle emissions inspection programs . State impacted were those in metropolitan areas where air quality did not meet federal standards . Some states, including Kentucky and Minnesota, have discontinued their testing programs in recent years with approval from the federal government . </P> <Ul> <Li> Delaware--annually or biennially, new cars are exempt from inspection for the first five years provided the car remains with the same owner . </Li> <Li> District of Columbia--biennially, the requirement for safety inspection for privately owned cars ended October 1, 2009 . </Li> <Li> Hawaii--annually, with the following exceptions: Brand new vehicles receive an inspection valid for two years . Emergency vehicles, school vehicles, rental cars, and vehicles used in public transportation must be inspected every six months . Sticker placed on rear bumper to right on license plate . </Li> <Li> Illinois--According to Illinois EPA, "Ensure your vehicle is safe to operate . Your vehicle may be rejected (for emissions testing) if the test cannot be safely conducted ." Emissions testing is required biannually only for vehicles registered in specific counties and zip codes (see below). </Li> <Li> Louisiana--annually . However, as of September, 2012, people in most jurisdictions have the option of getting a sticker good for two years, rather than one, by paying double the usual fee . Note that, in New Orleans and its suburbs of Kenner and Westwego, Inspection Stickers are commonly referred to as "Brake Tags"; they are placed on the inside of the windshield, in the lower - left corner of the windshield (on the driver's side). Colors change every year . </Li> <Li> Maine--annually . Color of sticker changes annually . Sticker placed in top center of windshield behind rear view mirror or lower left - hand corner of windshield . </Li> <Li> Massachusetts--annually . Stickers are placed in the lower right corner of the windshield . </Li> <Li> Mississippi--annually . Sticker placed in lower left corner of windshield . (Effective July 1, 2015, Mississippi will no longer require annual safety inspections) </Li> <Li> Missouri--biennially, based on the vehicle's model year . Odd - numbered model year renews in odd - numbered year, even - numbered model year renews in even - numbered year . Effective January 1, 2010, vehicles are exempt from safety inspection requirements for the first five years following the vehicle's model year . Vehicles displaying historical plates are completely exempt from inspection . </Li> <Li> New Hampshire--annually, except the first inspection of a new vehicle or upon an ownership transfer is adjusted to expire in the month of the registrant's birthday and is therefore valid for 4 to 15 months . Sticker placed in lower driver corner of the windshield . </Li> <Li> New Jersey--annually for commercial vehicles (including taxis, limousines, jitneys, and buses), effective January 1, 2010 . Passenger vehicles are exempt from safety inspections, effective August 1, 2010 . </Li> <Li> New York--annually . Color of sticker changes annually . Newly registered vehicles with a current inspection sticker from another state are exempt until the out - of - state sticker expires or for one year after registration in New York, whichever is sooner . Vehicles registered as farm vehicles are exempt . Stickers are placed on lower left corner of windshield . </Li> <Li> North Carolina--annually until the vehicle is 35 years of age, at which point inspections are no longer required . </Li> <Li> Pennsylvania--annually for most vehicles; every six months for all vehicles over 17,000 pounds (7,700 kg) GVW, which includes tractor - trailers, most non-articulated trucks, school vehicles (including school buses and school vans), motor coaches, mass transit buses, ambulances, fire department trucks, etc . Most vehicles that carry passengers for hire, including taxicabs but not limousines, are also required to be inspected semiannually . Stickers are placed on lower drivers sides corner on windshield . Vehicles bearing antique vehicle license plates are exempt from inspection, but vehicles bearing classic or collectible license plates are subject to inspection . Trailers in excess of 3,000 pounds (1,400 kg) GVW are also inspected annually as are motorcycles . </Li> <Li> Rhode Island--biennially; newly registered vehicles are exempt from the inspection requirement for 2 years from the date of purchase . Vehicles registered as antiques are subject to safety inspection, but are exempt from emissions testing . Stickers are placed on lower - right corner of windshield . </Li> <Li> Texas--new vehicles are sold with an inspection decal which expires 2 years after the sale of the vehicle . Annually thereafter . The inspection decal is placed in the lower left corner of the windshield near the registration decal . Beginning March 1, 2015, the inspection decal is being eliminated and proof of inspection will be required to renew the registration . Any vehicle registered as antique 25 years or older does not need safety inspection . </Li> <Li> Utah--Vehicles with model years four, eight, and ten years old require a safety inspection . Vehicles with model years ten years old and older must pass safety inspections every year . As of the beginning of 2018, private vehicles will no longer need a safety inspection . </Li> <Li> Vermont--annually; inspections are due at the end of even - numbered months only . Inspections performed in an odd - numbered month will receive a sticker for the next even - numbered month (e.g., a car inspected in November 2011 will receive a sticker good until December 31, 2012). Inspection stickers are placed behind the rearview mirror and are color - coded by year . </Li> <Li> Virginia--annually; . Newly registered vehicles with a valid inspection from another state are exempt from inspection until the out - of - state inspection expires . Primarily yellow; background color of year digits changes annually . Placed in the lower center part of the windshield (lower left windshield beginning January 1, 2018). </Li> <Li> West Virginia--annually; color of sticker changes annually; sticker placed in lower left corner of windshield . </Li> </Ul> <Li> Delaware--annually or biennially, new cars are exempt from inspection for the first five years provided the car remains with the same owner . </Li>

Do vehicles need to be inspected in north carolina