Inspection and maintenance - North Carolina

North Carolina has adopted Part 396 of the Federal Regulations.

Part 396 applies to all intrastate vehicles with a gross vehicle weight rating, or gross combination weight rating, or gross vehicle weight, or gross combination weight of 26,001 pounds or more, whichever is greater, and any vehicles transporting hazardous materials required to be placarded.

The periodic/annual inspection requirements in Sec. 396.17 through Sec. 396.23 and including Appendix G apply to all vehicles engaged in intrastate commerce in North Carolina with a gross vehicle weight rating of greater than 10,000 pounds.

Every motor vehicle registered or required to be registered in North Carolina and subject to the inspection requirements must display a current federal inspection certificate when being operated. On self-propelled vehicles the federal inspection certificate must be displayed on the outside of the vehicle in a readily visible location on, or in the immediate vicinity of, the driver’s door exclusive of the window or the rear view mirror. On trailers and semi-trailers, the federal inspection certificate must be located on the left side as near as possible to the outside lower front of the vehicle. The inspection certificate shall contain the legible information required by Part 396.17(c)(2).