Stupid new NC DMV rule

[wscruiser]

I was one that thought the new "non sticker" vehicle inspection was a great idea; no more ugly sticker stuck in the corner of the windshield.

But I find out today that there were a few unmentioned rules that also when into effect with the new inspection procedure.

The one that got me today is:

Your vehicle must have been inspected within the past 3 months before you can renew your tag sticker. Not, 3 months and 1 day, 3 months period.

I traded for a new truck on December 29, 2009. I have a Blue Ridge Parkway tag, so I had it transfered to the truck. All vehicles sold in North Carolina by a licensed dealer must have a state inspection before they leave the lot with the new owner. So, my truck was inspected on 12/29 by the dealer. Although it is built into the price of the vehicle, you as the buyer pay for the state inspection.

Today, I go to renew my tag sticker. I can't get it because the truck needs a state inspection. WTF, It's a new truck, it was just inspected on 12/29. That doesn't matter you see, because it is past the 3 month grace period.

So basically, I've had to pay for 2 state inspections within the past 3 1/2 months due to the new vehicle inspection rules.

In the future, if you trade vehicles, and transfer a tag to your new vehicle, then you will most likely have to get the new vehicle reinspected when it comes time to renew your tag sticker.

Unless you have a special tag that you don't want to give up, the best solution is to get a new tag with the new vehicle, and avoid the inspection problem.

[wildcrazy442000]

Guess I paid for an extra inspection too. I purchased my new MINI end of July, reinspected end of September, new tag sticker in October.

[jcauseyfd]

Mark,

Do you have all the documentation to support all that? So that I could walk someone through it to show them the problem?

[minimark]

Might want to consider that if you trade in and get a new tag, property taxes will be due then for the full year, even if your old tag was months or whatever away from renewual. It is not prorated. If you transfer your old tag, property taxes are not due until it's time is up. Least ways that's the way I understand it.... So the cost of two inspections may be pennies on the dollar.

[wscruiser]

Mark,

Do you have all the documentation to support all that? So that I could walk someone through it to show them the problem?

Give me a couple of days to look. I'll be helping my oldest son do his taxes tomorrow night, so let me get that out of the way first.

[racephan]

Might want to consider that if you trade in and get a new tag, property taxes will be due then for the full year, even if your old tag was months or whatever away from renewual. It is not prorated. If you transfer your old tag, property taxes are not due until it's time is up. Least ways that's the way I understand it.... So the cost of two inspections may be pennies on the dollar.

Exactly what my response was going to be to the original post. We got a new car (other than my MINI) last summer and transferred a tag from our old car that we traded. The tag had recently been renewed and property tax paid on the old vehicle which than deferred our first property tax due on the new car until this summer. Considering the savings based on the value of the trade vs. our new car, I will gladly pay for two inspections (though I don't recall being charged an extra $30 by the dealer for an inspection on the new car).