Newer cars exempt from emission tests, starting Wednesday

Cars and light trucks 3 years old or newer no longer need North Carolina emission tests, starting Wednesday.

This comes from 2012 legislation that took three years of rule changes, air-quality studies and federal approval to put into effect.

The exemptions apply to newer vehicles with fewer than 70,000 miles on the odometer.

They will save owners $16.40 a year in the 48 counties – including Mecklenburg and surrounding counties – in which emission tests are required.

An online calculator has more specifics on which vehicles are exempt.

All vehicles still have to undergo annual safety inspections, which cost $13.60.

Cars and trucks seldom fail emission tests during their first three model years, the N.C. Division of Air Quality says.

This story was originally published March 31, 2015 at 12:22 PM with the headline "Newer cars exempt from emission tests, starting Wednesday."