Investigative Services Unit

​​​​​​​The NC State Highway Patrol's Investigative Services Unit enforces North Carolina's vehicle safety and emissions inspection laws to keep the roadways free of unsafe vehicles and limit the negative impacts on air quality.

Inspection fraud generally occurs when individuals attempt to evade North Carolina safety and emissions requirements.

How to Report Vehicle Inspection Fraud

Individuals with information about vehicle inspection fraud can report through the Investigative Services Unit Portal.​

Odometer fraud occurs when a motor vehicle's odometer is disconnected, reset or altered with the intent to change the number of clocked miles. ​According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, more than 450,000 vehicles are sold each year with ​false odometer readings​.

Many vehicles with tampered odometers are products of curbstoning – the sale of vehicles for profit without being licensed as a dealership. The NC State Highway Patrol's Investigative Services Unit estimates there are more than 5,400 curbstoners in North Carolina.

Signs of a possible curbstoner:

• The seller has multiple vehicles for sale.
• The seller's name is not on the vehicle title.
• The seller does not want to notarize the bill of sale. (The Investigative Services Unit recommends notarizing bills of sale and related documents.)

How to Report Odometer Fraud

Individuals who suspect they are a victim of curbstoning and/or odometer fraud should visit a NC State Highway Patrol Office, contact their local law enforcement agency, or submit a complaint through the NC State Highway Patrol's Investigative Services Unit Portal.

One of the core missions of the NC State Highway Patrol's Investigative Services Unit is to recover stolen vehicles, expose chop shops, and investigate and assist other agencies in vehicle identification.

Preventing Vehicle Theft

A vehicle is stolen every 33 seconds in the United States. The National Insurance Crime Bureau​ recommends owners use a "layered approach" to help protect their vehicles from getting stolen.

Reporting Vehicle Theft

Report information regarding crimes of vehicle fraud or theft to local law enforcement agencies. You can also submit information about a stolen vehicle via the NC State Highway Patrol's Investigative Services Unit Portal​.

North Carolina driver licenses and vehicle registrations contain private information that is susceptible to identity theft and identity fraud.

Using the latest technology, the NC State Highway Patrol's Investigative Services Unit investigates crimes of wrongfully obtaining a state-issued credential or vehicle title by submitting or using fraudulent information.

Anyone who believes their information has been used to fraudulently obtain a driver license or ID card should contact the Investigative Services Unit by visiting a district office​, or submitting a complaint through the NC State Highway Patrol's Investigative Services Unit Portal.​

Identity theft should also be reported online to the Federal Trade Commission or by calling (877) 438-4338.​

Related Information

• N.C. Department of Justice: Identity Theft Resources
• Troop Offices

The Investigative Services Unit conducts examinations on various vehicles for numerous reasons but with the primary goal of preventing theft and fraud.  

Below are examples of vehicles that might require examination by the Investigative Services Unit:

• Specially constructed vehicles such as a replicas, custom vehicles and street rods
• Antique vehicles (1980 and older) from out of state that are being titled in North Carolina
• Salvage vehicles that were branded from another state and are attempting to be titled in North Carolina
• Six model years and newer salvage vehicles that are required to obtain a preliminary and final inspection per North Carolina General Statute § 20-71.3
• Vehicles considered to be gra​​y-market that are imported from outside the United States and titled in North Carolina
• Homemade trailers
• Vehicles that may require an indemnity bond
• Additional examples not listed above might may also require examinations

If a vehicle requires an examination the owner should bring it with all original ownership documents to a local Investigative Services Unit office during normal business hours or request a vehicle examination by visiting the NC State Highway Patrol's Investigative Services Unit​ Portal.

Related

• Find an Investigative Unit Office 

Inspection resources can be found on Connect NCDOT, the N.C. Department of Transportation's resource site for business, professional and working partners. The listed items can be found on the Connect NCDOT website.

Forms required for the listed services can be submitted through the NC State Highway Patrol's Investigative Services Unit​ Portal.

• Purchase of E-Stickers
• Safety and Emissions Regulations Manual
• Web safety equipment requirements
• Approved headlight aimers and window tint meters
• Inspection station application
• Technician application
• Inspection station home screen login

Update Technician/Inspector Status

Forms for updates to a technician or an inspector status can be found on Connect NCDOT​ and submitted to the NC State Highway Patrol’s Investigative Services Unit​ Portal. Make sure to complete the following steps:

• Find the Investigative Services Unit office you would you like to submit this request.
• Download and fill out the appropriate LT-310 form to notify the appropriate district office of a new certification, certification renewal, changing of employer or adding an employer. If requesting to remove a technician or inspector, please indicate appropriate information in the comments section
• Upload the completed and signed LT-310 forms to the NC State Highway Patrol's Investigative Services Unit​ Portal.

Out-of-State Inspection Exemption

To receive an out-of-state inspection exemption, you will need to submit a vehicle maintenance receipt such as an oil change, tire rotation or other maintenance performed on the vehicle at an out-of-state business.

The service invoice must include the name, address, and phone number of the out-of-state business who performed the service. The service invoice must also include vehicle information year, make, license plate number and/or complete VIN number. The invoice should be dated within the past four months.

To request an exemption, go to the NC State Highway Patrol's Investigative Services Unit​ Portal, select request a service and then select request an inspection exemption. Incorrect selection of service, to include a missing service invoice, will delay processing of the out-of-state inspection exemption request. 

Please allow up to five (5) business days for a response before submitting follow-up requests.

For additional Inspection Services please call (919) 757-0752 or (877) 421-0020​​.

​​​​​The NC State Highway Patrol's Investigative Services Unit strives to build relationships with federal, state and local law enforcement agencies by assisting in various capacities.

The Unit can provide assistance in the following areas:

• Certified image request
• Document verification
• Vehicle identification
• Facial recognition
• Driver and vehicle history
• Temporary tag information
• Drivers license validation
• Stolen vehicle assistance

For all Law Enforcement Assistance Requests, submit a Law Enforcement Use Only request through the Investigative Services Unit Portal.

To speak with a member of the NC State Highway Patrol Investigative Services Unit call (919) 757-0751.

​Types of Complaints

The NC State Highway Patrol's Investigative Services Unit accepts complaints against businesses including auto dealerships, inspection stations, repair shops/garages, metal recyclers (scrap yards), wrecker/towing facilities, and any other company that may be involved in fraudulent or questionable activities.

The unit also accepts complaints against individuals who might be involved in wrongdoings such as title fraud, curbstoning (sale of vehicles for profit without being licensed as a dealership), odometer fraud, identity theft related to driver licenses, and various other misdeeds.

Complaints against an Investigative Services Unit employee can be filed for suspected unprofessional conduct or improper behavior.

Anonymous Complaints

Although complaints can be filed anonymously, they are not recommended as they are often difficult to investigate. Individuals filing anonymous complaints should provide sufficient information and explicit details to permit a thorough investigation.

Filing a Complaint

To submit a complaint, please visit the NC State Highway Patrol's Investigative Services Unit Portal​.​​

Investigation Process

The Investigative Services Unit will review any complaint against a business or individual and determine the most appropriate action. If the complaint is forwarded for investigation, an Investigative Services Unit Inspector will contact the complainant within 30 days.

Complaint Against an Employee

The NC State Highway Patrol's Internal Affairs unit evaluates any complaint against an employee and determines how the complaint should be handled. Complainants are notified in writing upon receipt of the complaint and when the investigation is complete​. Neither the Investigative Services Unit nor any of its offices may release the findings or any resulting disciplinary action, in accordance with State of North Carolina personnel laws.

Dealer resources can be found on  Connect NCDOT, the N.C. Department of Transportation's resource site for business, professional and working partners.

Information and resources include the following topics as well as additional dealer-related requirements:​​

• Dealer education courses
• Dealer license requirements
• North Carolina Title Manual

Go to Connect 

​Dealership Inspections

For site inspection of a dealership go to the NC State Highway Patrol’s Investigative Services Unit Portal-Request A Service (insert hyperlink) and select "Dealer", then select one of the following: ‘Start a New Dealer’, ‘Modify an Existing Dealer’ or ‘Add Dealership Salesman’. For a service request of “Start a New Dealer”, you can upload your zoning verification letter with the request and then fill out the required fields, which are marked with a red asterisk (*). Once the request is submitted, an officer will be in contact with the dealer.​

In-Person Services

Customers may use the Raleigh Central Service Office located in Wilders Grove Shopping Center, 4121 New Bern Ave., Suite 150, Raleigh, or the Huntersville Dealer Section office located at the DMV Building, 12101 Mt. Holly-Huntersville Rd, Huntersville​. The offices are open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. 

For additional Dealer Services information please go to the NC State Highway Patrol’s Investigative Services Portal- Ask A Question – Dealer Related Activities.

Mail-In Services

Customers may send correspondence to:

NC State Highway Patrol
Investigative Services Unit – Dealer Section
3129 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, NC 27697-3129

For additional Dealer Services please call (919) 757-0756​​.

• NC Scrap Vehicle Reporting System
• The North Carolina Scrap Vehicle Reporting System was established to reduce vehicle theft and ensure that vehicles being scrapped are not stolen, pursuant to North Carolina General Statute § 20-62.1. The Scrap Vehicle Reporting System requires auto recyclers and scrap metal companies to verify vehicle information before scrapping vehicles or selling used auto parts. 

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Filing an Abandoned Vehicle Lien 

• For vehicles that have been unclaimed on a landowner’s property for 30 days, an unclaimed notice (LT-260 form) must be filed with the NC State Highway Patrol​. Once the unclaimed notice has been processed, typically 30 days, an LT-262 form can be filed to declare intent to sell the vehicle.
• LT-260 and LT-262 forms can be electronically filed on the Notice & Storage portal.

Filing a Mechanic’s Lien

• In accordance with North Carolina General Statute § 20-77, a mechanic’s lien should be filed with NC State Highway Patrol on a vehicle that has been left unclaimed for 10 days at businesses used for garaging, repairing or storing vehicles.
• To file a mechanic’s lien, please visit the Notice & Storage portal.

The Administrative Hearings Section conducts quasi-judicial hearings to review violations involving motor vehicle dealers, salespersons, vehicle safety or emissions inspection stations and technicians. The Section applies applicable statutes and regulations to adjudicate disputed cases and ensures a formal, impartial process for resolving administrative matters.

To request a hearing or pay fines or civil penalties, visit Administrative Hearings Section portal.