South Carolina Car Inspection
Drivers in South Carolina are not required to get a smog, VIN, or safety inspection for their vehicles.
Written by Melanie Reiff
Edited by Melanie Krieps Mergen
Drivers in the state of
South Carolina
are not required to get any vehicle inspections to register their vehicle. - Drivers in South Carolina may want to get vehicle inspections to keep track of vehicle safety and emissions before moving to another state or selling a car.
- Nearby states like North Carolina and Virginia may still require vehicle inspections for things like emissions testing, VIN security, and safety.
- South Carolina has been able to forego a state-mandated emissions testing program because the air quality of its major cities meets the national standard according to the Clean Air Amendment.
- Drivers in South Carolina may want to get vehicle inspections to keep track of vehicle safety and emissions before moving to another state or selling a car.
- Nearby states like North Carolina and Virginia may still require vehicle inspections for things like emissions testing, VIN security, and safety.
- South Carolina has been able to forego a state-mandated emissions testing program because the air quality of its major cities meets the national standard according to the Clean Air Amendment.
South Carolina does not require vehicle inspections
Drivers in South Carolina are never required to get car inspections as part of their car ownership agreement.
Keep in mind: Most states require car inspections to apply for and renew
vehicle registration
. You may want to keep up with annual inspections if there’s a high chance that you’ll move out of state
.There are three main types of automotive inspections that other states may require:
What to do: Find an inspection station or qualified auto repair shop to examine your vehicle according to the inspection code of your new state. Check with your new state’s Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) to learn their state inspection requirements.
Additionally, you might want to get a safety inspection or emissions test before
selling your car
. This will give you and your buyer peace of mind about the quality of the vehicle as you make the sale. Why South Carolina doesn’t require testing: Air quality
The federal Clean Air Amendment, passed in 1977, required states to implement vehicle emissions inspection measures in metro areas where air quality did not meet the national standard.
The bottom line: The air quality in South Carolina’s major cities has been sufficient for the state to forego a mandated statewide inspection program.
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FAQs
Do I have to get an inspection before I sell my car?
It is not required to get an inspection before you sell your car in South Carolina, but it is generally a good idea for your protection and the protection of the buyer.
How much does an emissions inspection cost?
There is no set cost for emissions testing in South Carolina since it is not implemented by a state-mandated program. Rather it will depend on the inspection providers in your area.
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