Titling a vehicle from TN->NC

13bullets

13bullets

Chris
Joined
Dec 14, 2008
Location
Lincolnton
If I understand correctly, TN doesn't require a notary for the seller of a vehicle but NC does. If I buy a car out of TN and am titling it in NC, what do I need to do? Just roll up to the tag office with the un-notarized TN title?
 
Shreddinlettuce said:
What if it’s over 25 years old, just curious
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If over 25yrs, the DMV could decide they want to inspect the vehicle first. They will come out and look for the VIN numbers on the car to verify it matches the title and not stolen.
 
In NC, the notary requirement is dependent upon the state from which the title originated. If there is no spot on the current title to be notarized, then it doesn’t require a notary to be transferred to a NC title. The opposite is true too - if there is a notary spot on the current title, then it has to be notarized to transfer it to NC.

Re: inspections - I believe the law somewhat recently changed (last year or 2). If the vehicle is 25 or 30 years old (can’t remember which age) it does not require an inspection for new registration or renewal.

I just did a title transfer and new registration yesterday on a 1989 truck, and the only requirements were a properly filled out title and proof of insurance. No inspection required.
 
Kickdeez said:
In NC, the notary requirement is dependent upon the state from which the title originated. If there is no spot on the current title to be notarized, then it doesn’t require a notary to be transferred to a NC title. The opposite is true too - if there is a notary spot on the current title, then it has to be notarized to transfer it to NC.

Re: inspections - I believe the law somewhat recently changed (last year or 2). If the vehicle is 25 or 30 years old (can’t remember which age) it does not require an inspection for new registration or renewal.

I just did a title transfer and new registration yesterday on a 1989 truck, and the only requirements were a properly filled out title and proof of insurance. No inspection required.
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The inspection I was referring to is done by the License & Theft Bureau to verify VINs, not a standard inspection.

But a vehicle inspection may be required depending on the age. It has been a mixed bag for me, in the past, when registering a new vehicle as to whether they want an inspection or not. Also doesnt seem to matter when it was last inspected, or if in NC.
 
paradisePWoffrd said:
The inspection I was referring to is done by the License & Theft Bureau to verify VINs, not a standard inspection.

But a vehicle inspection may be required depending on the age. It has been a mixed bag for me, in the past, when registering a new vehicle as to whether they want an inspection or not. Also doesnt seem to matter when it was last inspected, or if in NC.
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This is what I was referring to. The theft bureau one. The dmv lady said something about it but then said meh, don’t worry about it.
 
Link to official NCDMV requirements regarding emissions inspections: Official NCDMV: Vehicle Emission Inspection
These requirements were updated late 2022.

Emissions Inspections​

In conjunction with an annual safety inspection, motor vehicles registered in 19 North Carolina counties in the table below must undergo an on-board diagnostic emissions inspection as part of requirements to keep air quality standards in compliance with U.S. Environmental Protection Agency guidelines.

Exemptions​

Vehicles are exempt from emissions inspections under the following conditions:
Antique Vehicles
Vehicles 30 years old or older may qualify for an antique automobile license plate. Those vehicles with an antique automobile license plate are exempt from both annual safety and emissions inspections. Antique plates should be used for vehicles primarily used for exhibitions, club activities, parades and other public interest events.


Link to official NCDMV requirements regarding annual safety inspections: Official NCDMV: Vehicle Safety Inspection
These requirements were updated early 2023.

Safety Inspections​

A motor vehicle registered in North Carolina must pass an annual safety inspection before its registered owner can renew its vehicle registration. They can be conducted no more than 90 days before the license plate and registration expires.

Exemptions​

Vehicles more than 30 years old are exempt from the annual safety inspection.

Antique Vehicles

Vehicles 30 years old or older may qualify for an antique automobile license plate. Those vehicles with an antique automobile license plate are exempt from both annual safety and emissions inspections. Antique plates should be used for vehicles primarily used for exhibitions, club activities, parades and other public interest events.


Don't let those DMV asshats strong-arm you into inspections that are not required!
 
paradisePWoffrd said:
The inspection I was referring to is done by the License & Theft Bureau to verify VINs, not a standard inspection.

But a vehicle inspection may be required depending on the age. It has been a mixed bag for me, in the past, when registering a new vehicle as to whether they want an inspection or not. Also doesnt seem to matter when it was last inspected, or if in NC.
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Gotcha!

I was just trying to include the "normal" inspection requirements for the sake of completeness. But also because I know the laws have been updated recently and there's a lot of misunderstanding/misinterpretation floating around out there.
 
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