Inspection before title transfer/registration?

JamesShort · **Posted:** Tue Sep 25, 2012 9:25 pm

Both of the last 2 cars I've bought I went to the DMV to do the title transfer and got a temp tag and was told I can't get a tag or registration until I got an inspection. Can I get an inspection before any of this? As in does the car have to be tagged or registered to get an inspection or does the digital record of inspection follow the VIN?

steve remchak · **Posted:** Tue Sep 25, 2012 9:30 pm

I know that new cars are inspected pre-sale and that the inspection cycle follows that date.

There is some law that every vehicle has to be inspected at least every 15 months or so. Probably has something to do with the used car market.

shawnwhipple · **Joined:** Wed Aug 20, 2003 6:28 pm **Posts:** 603

I think you can get it inspected prior to getting the tag. I've heard that if the vehicle was inspected no more than 90 days before the transfer you are ok. Any longer than that and you have to get it inspected.

MikeWhitney · **Joined:** Wed Aug 20, 2003 9:15 pm **Posts:** 4724

JamesShort wrote:

Both of the last 2 cars I've bought I went to the DMV to do the title transfer and got a temp tag and was told I can't get a tag or registration until I got an inspection. Can I get an inspection before any of this? As in does the car have to be tagged or registered to get an inspection or does the digital record of inspection follow the VIN?

Inspect to the vin before plate. I have driven several cars to the inspection place with a borrowed tag and told them to inspect on the vin. In fact, I am going to do that tomorrow.

... and we now have a really good excuse to tell a cop why we're driving on the wrong tags. I'm on my way to the inspection place now officer so I can get a plate. I wonder how long I could get away with that...

BretLuter · **Posted:** Wed Sep 26, 2012 6:48 pm

http://www.ncdot.gov/download/dmv/inspection_faq.pdf

See #14

14. If the registration cannot be issued until it is inspected, and I can’t drive the
vehicle to the inspection station, how do I legally get the car in compliance?
DMV may issue a 10-day permit to a person that authorizes him/her to drive an insured
vehicle for the purpose of inspection and registration. You should contact your local
license plate agency or License and Theft Bureau office for the permit. Office addresses
and phone numbers are available at http://www.ncdot.org/dmv under “Office Locations.”

The problem with Mike's method is, you run the risk of getting a ticket, and if you don't have insurance on the car, you're taking a BIG risk driving the car on the street in terms of liability if something should happen.

I'd be lying if I said I'd never done it that way before- but...............

:shock:

Donnie Barnes · **Posted:** Wed Sep 26, 2012 7:18 pm

BretLuter wrote:

http://www.ncdot.gov/download/dmv/inspection_faq.pdf

See #14

14. If the registration cannot be issued until it is inspected, and I can’t drive the
vehicle to the inspection station, how do I legally get the car in compliance?
DMV may issue a 10-day permit to a person that authorizes him/her to drive an insured
vehicle for the purpose of inspection and registration. You should contact your local
license plate agency or License and Theft Bureau office for the permit. Office addresses
and phone numbers are available at http://www.ncdot.org/dmv under “Office Locations.”

The problem with Mike's method is, you run the risk of getting a ticket, and if you don't have insurance on the car, you're taking a BIG risk driving the car on the street in terms of liability if something should happen.

I'd be lying if I said I'd never done it that way before- but...............

:shock:

There's no reason to drive it uninsured, though. You *can* put insurance on it with a phone call, generally (as in you don't need to have it inspected or have the title in your name or anything to add it to your insurance). I'm also fairly positive that as long as you have insurance on SOME vehicle and you've got a bill of sale, your insurance company will cover you within some amount of days of purchase, too, if something happens. Cline, care to confirm?

--Donnie

RobLupella · **Posted:** Wed Sep 26, 2012 9:27 pm

Paging Cline Hall.

I think that when you buy a car your current insurance coverage is in effect for a period of time until you can call your agent and get it insured

JamesShort · **Posted:** Wed Sep 26, 2012 10:08 pm

I had it insured this morning before I picked it up :-)

.

MikeWhitney · **Joined:** Wed Aug 20, 2003 9:15 pm **Posts:** 4724

BretLuter wrote:

The problem with Mike's method is, you run the risk of getting a ticket, and if you don't have insurance on the car, you're taking a BIG risk driving the car on the street in terms of liability if something should happen.

Bah, I run the risk of getting a ticket every time I drive :twisted:

I'm pretty sure the insurance coverage is 14 or 30 days on a newly purchased car. Probably liability only unless you call. Paging Mr. Hall....

Matt McGrain · **Posted:** Thu Sep 27, 2012 8:29 am

State Farm's policy is up to 30 days to report the new vehicle, fwiw. Probably not the best idea to call a month after purchase though. :wink:

JamesShort · **Posted:** Thu Sep 27, 2012 10:10 am

Wow, that was the most competent, smoothest DMV experience ever (5401 N. Highway 55). Usually I go to North Gate Mall (most abysmal place on the planet) to do DMV tag/title stuff. Inspection station did the inspection super fast with no questions. Apparently they only ask for registration for the purpose of having all the address and VIN info in the same place.

jeremy gast · **Posted:** Thu Sep 27, 2012 10:52 am

James dont tell many people about that DMV office. Then it will turn into the rest of them.

Matt McGrain · **Posted:** Thu Sep 27, 2012 11:57 am

Going to DMV and TWC (to upgrade hardware stuff) is the same way; it's all about the time of day. If you go during lunch or after 4:30, you better bring a book or smartphone to kill time. The DMV on Wake Forest Rd. isn't too terrible around mid-morning.

THSCC Forums

Inspection before title transfer/registration?

Who is online