The most idiotic registration Catch-22 you will ever hear...

[Johndale]

Why not take them down and get an earlier inspection. Yea I know you will loose a couple of months but what is the lease pain.

[wajell]

I was out of state (NC) WITH MY VEHICLE when renewal time came. I got a 1 year inspection extension and was able to renew my tags online. Try calling again?

What is the best way to see NC? In the rear view mirror.

[wajell]

Remember, this is the same State that will give you a $360 ticket for not wearing your seat belt, but allow you to drive around with all your kids in the back of a pickup truck.

[Lifemember]

Originally Posted by smiller

Because in order to order to get the exemption you have to have the vehicle inspected in the state you are presently in, or if the state has no inspection program you have to get some kind of safety inspection somewhere (auto repair place, whatever, just so that you have a recipient showing the VIN number.) So you must have the vehicle with you on your travels in order to get an exemption (kind of an interesting requirement, especially if you are headed to Europe )

Silly me, clearly what I should have done is tow all three vehicles across North America and back with my View just so I can get them inspected.

I would guess taking the penalty would be less expensive then towing them all over the USA. I lived in NC once many years ago in the 90s but for the live of me I can't remember having the cars inspected back then
that what happens when you live in several different states. Chicago ILL is one of those states I am happy to forget. When they have you by the Cojones your heart and mind fallow.

[wajell]

Oh, yeah. One last thing to raise your blood pressure. It used to be they would send you a warning letter with your final "get an inspection by xx/xx/xxx or else". They mean it. If you don't pay the fine on time they will garnish your bank account. So if you have ever sent them a check or had an automatic transfer (maybe tax refund?) with the State, get ready to have your world rocked to the tune of $600+++ dollars per vehicle.

If it were me, I'd have the tags turned in by somebody you know in NC and start all over.

[wajell]

Originally Posted by MRUSA14

Totally outrageous. Re-register in Florida. No inspections and no excise taxes.

Yes, FL is a good State to be "out of State in" at inspection time as they have no inspections there. Hence my 1 year extension.

[palehorse89]

In Penna. , I can spend my money buying registrations for vehicle's and not have to inspect them........I have done it for years now on a old Harley that I have not ridden in years, but I want to keep the plate up on it........just in case I want to inspect it and ride it........most likely it will be this summer , as I have not rode it for years......
We have to have a registration card and insurance card for inspection........along with a current plate sticker.

[Danielsand]

If I would be in this situation (thankfully not), I would sit down with my calculator, and figure out what will the penalties be when I get back. Then I would call nearest airport, and get the RT ticket price home. Park the coach in the RV resort, and fly to take care of business (IF the plane ticket is cheaper!). If the ticket is more than the penalties,.......well, just drive on. Before the next trip, I would definitely change my domicile (even if only on the paper).

[USMCRET]

I would find a friend or family member willing to get the inspections done and give them limited POA to do that.

[ralphie]

The more I hear about NC taxes, vehicle registrations and inspections, the more I'm glad I didn't decide to move there.

[southernlady]

I agree with the limited POA for a family/friend to handle it for you. The DMV should be able to give you the amount of all the taxes so sending a certified bank check may be the way to handle it. ASK them if they accept a certified bank check (or money order). Do NOT send the cash to the family/friend as you may not see it again.

[smiller]

Originally Posted by Johndale

Why not take them down and get an earlier inspection.

As was mentioned earlier you cannot obtain an inspection earlier than 90 days prior to registration expiration. If you leave earlier than this then you cannot get an inspection.

Originally Posted by wajell

I was out of state (NC) WITH MY VEHICLE when renewal time came. I got a 1 year inspection extension and was able to renew my tags online. Try calling again?

As was mentioned earlier you can get an exemption if you have your vehicle with you, but this is of no relevance if you do not have your vehicle(s) with you as in my case.

[wajell]

Originally Posted by smiller

So I am on a long trip from NC to Alaska and back. I have two vehicles stored in my garage in NC whose registration expires in May. I was not allowed to renew the registration before I left because registration cannot be renewed more than 90 days prior to expiration, and I cannot renew online because the vehicles require an inspection (which I obviously cannot do since the vehicles are in storage and I am not present.) The DMV says there is no exception available, my only choice is to let the registrations expire and pay penalties. Furthermore, in NC property taxes are paid at time of registration. I called my local tax department and was told that the only way I can pay the taxes is through the vehicle registration process so the taxes too will become delinquent and accrue penalties. I said 'So I want to pay my taxes but you're telling me I cannot, and furthermore must pay any associated penalties' and the answer was 'yes'.

So, there is essentially no way that one can leave North Carolina for more than several months without paying penalties if your registration renewal for any vehicles left in the state becomes due. I asked all parties about what a citizen could possibly do to avoid this Catch-22 and was told "turn in all your plates back to the state before you leave" or "take all your vehicles with you."

Incredible. Absolutely incredible.

Well.. sounds like you got some pretty solid advice and options from the NCDMV.

[smiller]

Originally Posted by wajell

Well.. sounds like you got some pretty solid advice and options from the NCDMV.

Lol... yes, it's good that they are always thinking.