States
North Carolina
Charlotte

Emissions Testing in Charlotte, North Carolina

Find 17 licensed smog check stations in Charlotte. Browse test-only centers, STAR-certified locations, and shops offering registration renewal inspections. Requirements in North Carolina vary by vehicle type and model year.

17 stations
Charlotte, NC
View North Carolina requirements
PI

Performance Inspections

4.9 · 204 reviews
Car inspection station · 8118 Statesville Rd #F, Charlotte, NC 28269

Performance Inspections offers emissions testing and vehicle inspection services in Charlotte, North Carolina. View hour...

emissions testing Vehicle Inspection OBD-II Diagnostics Check Engine Light Diagnosis
ZI

Zeus Inspections

4.9 · 283 reviews
Car inspection station · 6619 South Blvd, Charlotte, NC 28217

Zeus Inspections offers emissions testing and vehicle inspection in Charlotte, North Carolina. View hours and details.

emissions testing Vehicle Inspection OBD-II Diagnostics Check Engine Light Diagnosis
AI

Auto Inspection In/Out

4.8 · 491 reviews
Car inspection station · 5610 South Blvd, Charlotte, NC 28217

Auto Inspection In/Out offers emissions testing and vehicle inspection in Charlotte North Carolina. View hours and detai...

emissions testing Vehicle Inspection OBD-II Diagnostics Check Engine Light Diagnosis
AI

Auto Inspector

4.8 · 269 reviews
Car inspection station · 5775 Brookshire Blvd, Charlotte, NC 28216

Auto Inspector provides emissions testing and vehicle inspection services in Charlotte, North Carolina. View hours and d...

emissions testing Vehicle Inspection OBD-II Diagnostics Check Engine Light Diagnosis
I&

In & Out Inspections

4.7 · 687 reviews
Car inspection station · 3717 Freedom Dr, Charlotte, NC 28208

In & Out Inspections provides emissions testing and vehicle inspection services in Charlotte, North Carolina. View hours...

emissions testing Vehicle Inspection OBD-II Diagnostics Check Engine Light Diagnosis
SL

Super Lube

4.7 · 177 reviews
Oil change service · 2900 Eastway Dr, Charlotte, NC 28205

Super Lube offers emissions testing and vehicle inspection in Charlotte, North Carolina. View hours and details.

emissions testing Vehicle Inspection OBD-II Diagnostics Check Engine Light Diagnosis
SE

South End Auto Inspection

4.7 · 361 reviews
Car inspection station · 2321 South Blvd, Charlotte, NC 28203

South End Auto Inspection offers emissions testing and vehicle inspection in Charlotte, North Carolina. View hours and d...

emissions testing Vehicle Inspection OBD-II Diagnostics Check Engine Light Diagnosis
AI

Auto Inspector

4.6 · 272 reviews
Car inspection station · 4808 Monroe Rd, Charlotte, NC 28205

Auto Inspector offers emissions testing and vehicle inspection in Charlotte, North Carolina. View hours and details.

emissions testing Vehicle Inspection OBD-II Diagnostics Check Engine Light Diagnosis
SA

Sunset Auto Inspections

4.6 · 409 reviews
Car inspection station · 5221 Sunset Rd A, Charlotte, NC 28269

Sunset Auto Inspections offers emissions testing and vehicle inspection in Charlotte, North Carolina. View hours and det...

emissions testing Vehicle Inspection OBD-II Diagnostics Check Engine Light Diagnosis
MI

Mr Inspection

4.5 · 432 reviews
Auto repair shop · 6940 Lawyers Rd, Charlotte, NC 28227

Mr Inspection provides emissions testing and vehicle inspections in Charlotte, North Carolina. View hours and details fo...

emissions testing Vehicle Inspection OBD-II Diagnostics Check Engine Light Diagnosis
AI

Auto Inspector

4.5 · 295 reviews
Car inspection station · 2826 Central Ave, Charlotte, NC 28205

Auto Inspector offers emissions testing and vehicle inspection in Charlotte, North Carolina. View hours and details.

emissions testing Vehicle Inspection OBD-II Diagnostics Check Engine Light Diagnosis
VI

Valvoline Instant Oil Change

4.4 · 354 reviews
Oil change service · 10200 Rozzelles Ferry Rd, Charlotte, NC 28214

Valvoline Instant Oil Change offers emissions testing and vehicle inspection in Charlotte, North Carolina. View hours an...

emissions testing Vehicle Inspection OBD-II Diagnostics Check Engine Light Diagnosis

City Guide

Emissions Testing in Charlotte, North Carolina

Finding a reliable place for emissions testing or a smog check in Charlotte is easier than ever. Our directory lists 17 licensed and verified emissions testing stations in the city, including STAR-certified and test-only centers where required. Whether you're renewing your registration or completing an out-of-state transfer, this page helps you quickly locate nearby inspection facilities and understand what applies in North Carolina.

Do Vehicles in Charlotte Need an Emissions Test?

Most drivers in Charlotte follow the same rules set by North Carolina. Requirements vary based on vehicle age, fuel type, and county. If you're unsure whether your ZIP code or vehicle model year requires a test, use this directory to browse local stations or review our state-specific testing requirements.

Types of Smog Check Services Available

  • Standard emissions tests for gasoline vehicles
  • OBD-II inspections for 1996+ model years
  • Tailpipe testing for older vehicles where required
  • Diesel emissions testing
  • Hybrid and electric vehicle smog checks
  • Registration renewal support
  • Test-only or STAR-certified inspections (state dependent)

Each listing includes the station's address, contact information, operating hours, and service notes to help you choose the right location.

Smog Check Tips for Charlotte Drivers

Before heading to a testing center in Charlotte, make sure:

  • Your check engine light is off
  • Your vehicle has completed recent drive cycles
  • The gas cap is properly sealed
  • The engine is fully warmed up
  • You have your registration and ID

Following these steps greatly increases the chance of passing on the first attempt.

Why Use This Directory?

Drivers in Charlotte rely on this directory because it provides a complete list of verified emissions testing stations, map-based navigation for quick lookup, accurate state-updated requirements, support for gasoline, diesel, hybrid, and electric vehicles, and clear explanations of exemptions and frequency rules.

View North Carolina Requirements

Frequently Asked Questions About Emissions Testing in Charlotte, North Carolina

Get answers to common questions about smog checks, testing requirements, and finding the right station in Charlotte.

You can use this directory to find licensed emissions testing and smog check stations in Charlotte. Browse the listings above to see addresses, contact details, and services offered, then choose the station that's most convenient for your part of the city.
It depends on North Carolina's emissions testing program, your registration ZIP code, and your vehicle's model year and fuel type. Some areas of North Carolina require testing, while others do not. Check your North Carolina state page in this directory or your DMV's website to see if your address in Charlotte is in a testing area.
Most emissions programs require testing every one or two years, usually tied to registration renewal. Some vehicles are tested more frequently, and others are exempt for the first few model years. Use the North Carolina state page to see the current 2025 schedule for your vehicle type and registration area.
Prices vary by station and vehicle, but most emissions tests in Charlotte fall within the typical range for North Carolina. Many stations list pricing by phone or on their website, and some offer coupons or discounts. Use the listings above to contact a station directly for current pricing.
Requirements depend on vehicle type (gasoline, diesel, hybrid, electric), model year, and weight, as well as where your vehicle is registered in North Carolina. In many states, fully electric vehicles are exempt, newer vehicles are temporarily exempt, and certain older or specialty vehicles may have different rules. Check the North Carolina state page for the latest 2025 requirements.
Most stations in Charlotte ask you to bring your current registration or renewal notice, a valid photo ID, and proof of insurance if required by North Carolina. Make sure your vehicle is warmed up and the check engine light is off before you arrive.
If your vehicle fails, the station will provide a report showing the reason for failure (such as stored OBD-II codes or high tailpipe readings). In most programs, you must complete repairs and pass a retest before renewing your registration. Some states offer repair assistance, cost caps, or waivers. Details are listed on the North Carolina page in this directory.
In some states, certain vehicles are directed to specific station types (such as STAR or test-only centers). Unless your renewal notice or DMV instructions say otherwise, you can usually choose any licensed station in Charlotte. If you're unsure, ask the station when you call or check the instructions on your renewal notice.

Can't find what you're looking for? Contact our customer support team