Sept. 13, 2022—Three counties in North Carolina have joined over 80 other counties in getting rid of yearly vehicle emissions testing protocols.
According to Fox 8 WGHP, just 19 out of the 100 counties in North Carolina require this testing. Fox 8 WGHP reported that the counties of Rockingham, Lee, and Onslow have recently announced that they will no longer be required to participate in the state's Motor Vehicle Emissions Inspection and Maintenance Program beginning Nov. 1.
A study conducted by the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality on county emissions revealed that removing these three counties from the program, “will not interfere with continued attainment or maintenance of any applicable National Ambient Air Quality Standard," as reported by Fox 8 WGHP. This has been approved by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
All counties in North Carolina still have to abide by annual vehicle safety inspection requirements. The counties that have opted out of the emissions testing program will not have to undergo that segment of the inspection.
