Esoteric chicken or egg question regarding inspections and vehicle registration

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I’ve made an offer, yet to be accepted or rejected, on a vehicle in NC whose registration sticker on the license plate hasn’t been renewed in 15 years. Meaning it hasn’t been inspected in 15 years. Owner holds a clear title.

If we strike a deal and he signs that title over to me, will I be able to register it and get a tag, or as I suspect, will need to get it inspected first, which how can I do that if the vehicle isn’t yet registered to me?

chicken
or egg

Discuss.
 
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"I purchased a used vehicle from an individual, not a dealer. How do I get my license plate?"

"A used vehicle acquired from a private sale in this state must be inspected before it is registered unless it h as received a passing inspection within the previous 12 months."


EDIT:

"If the registration cannot be issued until it is inspected – and I can’t drive it to the inspection station – how do I legally get the car in compliance?"

"The N.C. Division of Motor Vehicles may issue a 10-day temporary license plate that authorizes an individual to drive their vehicle for inspection and registration. You should contact an NCDMV license plate agency for the plate."


Source:

Official NCDMV: Emissions and Safety Inspections FAQs

www.ncdot.gov www.ncdot.gov
 
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Needs an inspection before, dependent on the year and your county, it may or may not get a safety only or the full blown screw you inspection
 
He’s paid the taxes every year, but didn‘t get the inspection? If he hasn’t paid then I don’t think he holds clear title. No idea if you’d be responsible for old property taxes.

I guess if the car was parked he can turn in his plates with an affidavit saying that it was never on the road, they have a form for this. He may still owe something, and they may not transfer title until its been paid, I don’t know.
 
JimB said:
He’s paid the taxes every year, but didn‘t get the inspection? If he hasn’t paid then I don’t think he holds clear title. No idea if you’d be responsible for old property taxes.

I guess if the car was parked he can turn in his plates with an affidavit saying that it was never on the road, they have a form for this. He may still owe something, and they may not transfer title until its been paid, I don’t know.
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Fair points
 
I have got the 10 day tag before. You have to pay extra for that. I can't remember but it was less than a regular tag. The age of the vehicle will determine which inspection you get. Put it on insurance soon as you get the title filled out before going to DMV.

Sent from my SM-N970U using Tapatalk
 
fieldgrade said:
I’ve made an offer, yet to be accepted or rejected, on a vehicle in NC whose registration sticker on the license plate hasn’t been renewed in 15 years. Meaning it hasn’t been inspected in 15 years. Owner holds a clear title.

If we strike a deal and he signs that title over to me, will I be able to register it and get a tag, or as I suspect, will need to get it inspected first, which how can I do that if the vehicle isn’t yet registered to me?

chicken
or egg

Discuss.
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Let’s see what @Gray has to say. I think he got one registered like that last year?


JimB said:
He’s paid the taxes every year, but didn‘t get the inspection? If he hasn’t paid then I don’t think he holds clear title. No idea if you’d be responsible for old property taxes.

I guess if the car was parked he can turn in his plates with an affidavit saying that it was never on the road, they have a form for this. He may still owe something, and they may not transfer title until its been paid, I don’t know.
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I had a Jeep that I turned the plates in when it became a trailer queen. Canceled the insurance. Never went out on the road. Didn’t pay taxes on it for the next 15 years or so. Had the title in my hand. Never really thought about whether I was supposed to be doing anything different. Didn’t get a tax/renewal bill, so didn’t do anything to ask about it.

Sold it and signed the title over, with next door neighbor notarizing it. Not sure what happened after that.
 
So here’s a question brought up by @JimB .

If the seller parked the vehicle, hadn’t renewed the tag annually, including no inspection and no payment of the associated property taxes for 15 years, would the seller owe back property taxes on a parked unregistered vehicle, or can he just transfer the title to me, I get a ten day tag, get it inspected, then go back and register and get a new plate?.
 
BigWaylon said:
Let’s see what @Gray has to say. I think he got one registered like that last year?



I had a Jeep that I turned the plates in when it became a trailer queen. Canceled the insurance. Never went out on the road. Didn’t pay taxes on it for the next 15 years or so. Had the title in my hand. Never really thought about whether I was supposed to be doing anything different. Didn’t get a tax/renewal bill, so didn’t do anything to ask about it.

Sold it and signed the title over, with next door neighbor notarizing it. Not sure what happened after that.
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Plate is still on this vehicle with 06 sticker
 
fieldgrade said:
Plate is still on this vehicle with 06 sticker
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I still have plates from previous vehicles. Just reported them as lost. Wouldn’t be much different than having one that didn’t go on the road.

ETA: was he still paying insurance?
 
Do you feel lucky? I‘ve been waiting six weeks - so far - for the title to come back after turning in all the paperwork for a formerly inoperable vehicle :mad:
 
I had a vehicle that sit for three years with no tag, registration or insurance. Turned the tag in before canceling insurance. When I tagged it later, I did not have to pay back taxes. I can't explain it. Maybe paying taxes is tied to the registration for checking on payment of taxes. Since I didn't have to pay the taxes, I sure didn't ask any questions.

Sent from my SM-N970U using Tapatalk
 
BigWaylon said:
Let’s see what @Gray has to say. I think he got one registered like that last year?



I had a Jeep that I turned the plates in when it became a trailer queen. Canceled the insurance. Never went out on the road. Didn’t pay taxes on it for the next 15 years or so. Had the title in my hand. Never really thought about whether I was supposed to be doing anything different. Didn’t get a tax/renewal bill, so didn’t do anything to ask about it.

Sold it and signed the title over, with next door neighbor notarizing it. Not sure what happened after that.
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I paid for the title plus taxes and got the 10 day tag. After the third attempt to pass emissions, and just before the 10 day tag expired, I passed for the final time that vehicle will ever need to. Somewhat of a miracle since I’d tried every way to trick the computer while repairing anything I thought might help. You can fail two aspects of inspection but not a third. There is 5 for emissions. Safety is rather simple and more of a lights and mirror thing. If it’s over 20 years a simple safety inspection is all you need. Inside of 20 and it’s emissions too.
 
I usually slap a tag from my other vehicle on it to take it to the inspection station(after I put insurance on it). Tell them I need one for registration. They don't care what the plate says. It's all about the VIN.

Take the inspection and insurance declaration to plate office and get a new tag.

Taxes are due only on registration. No back taxes for unregistered vehicles. No matter how long they've been off the road.
 
Chriselalto said:
I usually slap a tag from my other vehicle on it to take it to the inspection station(after I put insurance on it). Tell them I need one for registration. They don't care what the plate says. It's all about the VIN.

Take the inspection and insurance declaration to plate office and get a new tag.

Taxes are due only on registration. No back taxes for unregistered vehicles. No matter how long they've been off the road.
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Incorrect. Taxes are due as personal property.

Gf had a vehicle that's not been tagged since 2013. Still gets a tax bill every year
 
Unless taxes haven’t been paid, which is unknown, sounds like this is pretty straight forward. Thanks to all who answered.

Vehicle is 26 years old and everything works, lights and what all, so aside from taking the current owner to the tag office to transfer the title (so they can tell him if he owes any back taxes), I just need to wait to see if the deal even closes.

It’s a bike so I believe emissions are moot anyway.
 
tag and registration seems to be the only way that wake county North Carolina taxes you on vehicles.

i’ve owned and sold several vehicles that were not tagged and never had to pay any back taxes on them.

even though it’s under property tax it seems more like it’s applied as a highway use tax
 
LeeMajors said:
Incorrect. Taxes are due as personal property.

Gf had a vehicle that's not been tagged since 2013. Still gets a tax bill every year
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As I said, taxes are due when you register a vehicle. Just as they are due when you renew registration. Not registering a vehicle for several years does not accrue back taxes.

When you register a vehicle that's been unregistered for several years or 2, you have to pay as if it's a new vehicle being registered. But no back taxes.
 
RR said:
Take title to DMV. Get temp 10 day tag. Take it to get inspected. Go back to get real tag. BTDT
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Get title in hand. Call insurance company to get coverage started. Then drive said vehicle to inspection if it is with in the required years. Take inspection receipt and title with a copy of insurance to DMV. Pay property taxes and tag plus highway use fees. Get tag in hand.
 
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Chriselalto said:
As I said, taxes are due when you register a vehicle. Just as they are due when you renew registration. Not registering a vehicle for several years does not accrue back taxes.

When you register a vehicle that's been unregistered for several years or 2, you have to pay as if it's a new vehicle being registered. But no back taxes.
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Please tell Lincoln county your version. That's not what they nor Surry county do
 
Mike Overlay said:
Get title in hand. Call insurance company to get coverage started. Then drive said vehicle to inspection if it is with in the required years. Take inspection receipt and title with a copy of insurance to DMV. Pay property taxes and tag plus highway use fees. Get tag in hand.
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Last tag sticker is ‘06
 
I got my grandfathers car when he passed away several years ago and it had been parked since 1975, with no taxes paid on it. Never paid any back taxes. Just the taxes when I got the title changed and now it is listed on my personal property taxes so I pay about $6/year.

There are tons of vehicles that are parked that no one pays any taxes on if they are not tagged and you do not list them on your property taxes.
 
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Mike Overlay said:
It doesn't/shouldnt matter to you. You are buying the vehicle, not the previous owners tag nor tax liability.
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I only stated that since you said “within two years” or required years, so I assumed within two years of the last inspection, which probably hasn’t been done in fifteen.
 
fieldgrade said:
I only stated that since you said “within two years” or required years, so I assumed within two years of the last inspection, which probably hasn’t been done in fifteen.
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Sorry bout the confusion. Required years meaning what ever year models are required now to have inspections. I believe 19 years old and newer, emissions (if your county has that). 20-30 yrs old safety only. Beyound 30, no inspection required
 
LeeMajors said:
Gf had a vehicle that's not been tagged since 2013. Still gets a tax bill every year
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Mine sat in the backyard for ~15 years without ever getting a tax bill…after it being licensed and paying taxes for the first couple years.
 
BigWaylon said:
Mine sat in the backyard for ~15 years without ever getting a tax bill…after it being licensed and paying taxes for the first couple years.
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But did you list it on your personal property taxes. I think the difference is she transferred the tags
 
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LeeMajors said:
But did you list it on your personal property taxes. I think the difference is she transferred the tags
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No, that’s what I said before. Since I wasn’t getting a bill, it never crossed my mind to do anything with it. I always thought of it as a highway use tax or whatever you want to call it, instead of a property tax. (Definitely not saying that’s the legally correct way, just what I started thinking years ago and never changed my mind…especially since it didn’t move for the last 12-13 of those years).

I paid nothing but fuel costs and upgrades/repairs once I ditched the tags. No taxes, no insurance.

I don’t remember if I turned the tags in, or just called them to say they were lost/stolen and I didn’t need a replacement. I’ve done both, but don’t remember which one for the Jeep.
 
NC DMV property Tax

It does state unregistered vehicles need to be reported to the county of residence. Because a normally registered vehicle cycle, the DMV collects the property tax on behalf of the county.

But, I have never heard of anyone being dinged on their vehicle for back taxes or lack of reporting. I don't think the DMV really cares either.

You bring an older vehicle to inspection pass status, apply for new plates and title(if bought) and pay the highway use tax, and all associated fees. Even if it was your vehicle to begin with.


Let's face it, does everybody on here report every single improvement they made to their homes every year in order for your county to charge you more in property taxes? Has everyone reported their new sheds built in the last year?
 
Chriselalto said:
NC DMV property Tax

It does state unregistered vehicles need to be reported to the county of residence. Because a normally registered vehicle cycle, the DMV collects the property tax on behalf of the county.

But, I have never heard of anyone being dinged on their vehicle for back taxes or lack of reporting. I don't think the DMV really cares either.

You bring an older vehicle to inspection pass status, apply for new plates and title(if bought) and pay the highway use tax, and all associated fees. Even if it was your vehicle to begin with.


Let's face it, does everybody on here report every single improvement they made to their homes every year in order for your county to charge you more in property taxes? Has everyone reported their new sheds built in the last year?
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Careful...they might already be doing that themselves by utilizing satellite/aerial imagery.

This happened with my brother in law, who found out about it when he had to go take care of some tax issue because he and my sister were building on/remodeling their home. He found out they were charging him taxes for a garage/storage building he didn't have and when he protested, they pulled out an aerial picture of his property and showed him. "That's my camper! You'd better NOT have been charging me property taxes on a garage/storage shed for my camper, which I already pay taxes on!"

He had a very intense conversation with some supervisors and got his taxes adjusted for several years of this.
 
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