New car or not next year, you’ll be seeing some new laws that affect North Carolina drivers. Let’s take a quick peek at two new laws you’ll be seeing the bulk of change with next year.
- Backup Cams Are Now Mandatory
Maybe you have a car coming of lease in a few months, or maybe you’re looking to upgrade your current car. Maybe you just don’t like what you’ve got now but there’s something on the dealer lot you had your eye on. Whatever the reason, your rear vision is about to improve in your next car. As of May 2018, every new vehicle under 10,000 pounds, even base models, must be sold with a backup camera installed. This comes from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) in hopes to prevent some of the 14,000 injuries and 200 deaths caused yearly by back over accidents. Autotrader estimates this will add between $40-$140 to the price of a new car.
- North Carolina Removes Emissions Inspections in 26 Counties
If your car is registered in a county like Catawba, your inspections just got cheaper. After approval from the EPA, North Carolina no longer requires Emissions Inspections in 26 new counties, bringing the total of Emissions counties down to 22. Mecklenburg, Union and Cabarrus still require emissions tests however, so if your vehicle is registered there and is model year 1996 or newer, you’ll still have the traditional $30 inspection.
The full list can be seen online.
Despite this, starting January 2019, vehicles from the 2019, 2018 and 2017 model years with under 70,000 miles will be exempt from emissions tests under North Carolina’s three-year, 70,000-mile rule.
If you have any questions don’t hesitate to contact Ken at 704-545-4597 or stop by Manchester Auto and Tire of Mint Hill for an answer.
