98 Chapter 7 — How DMV Serves You Window Tinting The law exempts emission testing for vehicles that are registered in or sold in  North Carolina if they are within the three most recent model years and have  less than 70,000 miles on the odometer. The law only exempts the emission portion of the annual inspection for vehicles in the counties where emissions inspections are required on 1996 and newer vehicles. Vehicles with after-factory window tinting will be charged an additional fee  of $10 as part of the vehicle inspection. The allowable light transmittance for  tinted windows is no less than 35%. If you have any questions about window  tinting, please contact your local law enforcement agency .