Hello, all.

My wife and I are contemplating a move to my birth state, California, or to North Carolina. What are the emissions requirements (i.e. a cut-off year) for old cars?

Hmm. This could be a question for any state, couldn't it?

In Texas, a car 25 years old or older need not take the emissions test. :classic:

How about some other states....?

Frank

We dont have emissions testing

In Oregon my '73 is exempted and I am fairly sure the cutoff is '74. It was 25 years in the past but that has been changed. At present not all the State is under the Emissions testing.

I seem to remember that Cal has a '74 cut off also, however I believe the whole state is under the emissions rules.

In California, 1976 and up has to be smogged every other year. Side note: with a new car, they give you a six year exemption. But for those six years, you still have to pay a yearly 'smog abatement fee' which, in some cases exceeds what you'd have paid for the three smog checks druing that period. We love L.A.!

It's a 25 years exemption in Ohio, but I get mine checked anyway. Allways way below the limits.

NC I think also has the 25 year excempt. I know in Harnett County, they have NO emissions, and vehicles 35/40 years old (can't remember) are totally inspection EXCEPT. Meaning, just bring your happy title to the dmv, register it, and you get plates/tags. Doesn't matter WHAT you do to the car because it's so old