The Commonwealth of Virginia requires that vehicles registered in the state be subject to an annual safety inspection. In order to ensure your safety and that of other motorists, you need to submit your car, truck, or SUV every year at one of the official inspection stations set up across the state.
But what vehicles need to be inspected? How much does it cost? What happens during an inspection? How long does it take? And what happens if your vehicle does not pass?
What vehicles are required to pass the annual Virginia State Vehicle Inspection?
For the most part, all motor vehicles registered in Virginia are required to undergo the annual safety inspection. There are only a few exceptions.
One of those exceptions is for vehicles that are considered antiques. In order for your vehicle to qualify for this exception, it must be at least twenty five years old and be registered as an antique through the Department of Motor Vehicles. You cannot use it for routine travel, such as driving to and from work, and you cannot travel more than 250 miles from home. You can drive it during antique car club activities, parades, and so forth, and you can take it in for repairs. Antique trailers also fall into this category.
Other exceptions include four-wheel vehicles that weigh less than 500 pounds (and having less than six horsepower), trailers that are not equipped with brakes, and vehicles taken on a test drive. Otherwise, everything else – cars, trucks, tractor trailers, trailers with brakes, motorcycles, and more – all need to be inspected every year.
What if you are out of state when your current inspection expires? Well, you are permitted to drive straight home once you return to the state. You can also drive to an inspection center. Same goes for vehicles purchased outside the Commonwealth. And if you buy a new vehicle that has already been inspected by the manufacturer, you do not need to get another inspection. But once you drive off the dealership lot, it is no longer considered a new vehicle, so make sure it has been inspected.
How much does the safety inspection cost?
The price of your inspection depends on the type of vehicle you are submitting for inspection. The cost is $51 for a commercial vehicle, $12 for a motorcycle (or autocycle), and $20 for any other vehicles, including motorhomes and trailers.
How long does an inspection take?
The length of time for an inspection can vary too. The type of vehicle being inspected makes a difference, as does the experience level of the inspector and the workload at the inspection station. The paperwork should take about ten minutes or so. Allow at least a half hour for the inspection. But if several customers are already in line, you might have a longer wait. The process is first-come, first-served and inspection stations are not required to forgo other vehicles that have been dropped off in order to attend to a drive-in request.
What happens during a safety inspection?
First of all, you need to locate an approved inspection station. There are more than four thousand official inspection station locations in Virginia. A search of the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles website can help to locate a facility near you.
When you arrive, the first order of business is to remove your old inspection sticker so a new one can be installed (and to minimize confusion and reduce fraud).
Next, your vehicle is driven into the inspection lane to begin the process of examining many vehicle systems and components:
Your brakes are checked for worn, missing, or damaged components – brake pads, rotors, drums, and the like. The parking brake is evaluated for accurate adjustment and alignment.
The lights – headlights, tail lights, and more – are checked for proper output and alignment, as are the wiring and switches.
After raising your vehicle off the ground for access to the underside, the inspector will check suspension and steering components.
The condition of your tires will be evaluated and the depth of the tread measured. Your wheels will also be checked.
All mirrors and other safety devices (i.e. horn) will be inspected for proper function.
Your windshield and other glass will be checked for cracks or chips, as well as the operation of the drivers door window. Your wipers, blades, and defrosters will also be inspected.
Exhaust and emission system components are also on the list for inspection.
The hood will be opened and the latch checked for proper operation. Underneath the hood, the belts, fluids and filters, and other components will be evaluated.
Even your driver’s seat will be checked to make sure it is anchored safely in the vehicle, along with the seatbelts and airbags (Supplemental Restraint System).
All door handles and latches will be inspected to make sure the doors, deck lid, and hood are able to stay closed.
The inspector will look for fuel leaks and a working fuel cap.
The floorboards are checked for holes that might allow hazardous fumes or exhaust to enter the passenger compartment.
Once all of the components have been evaluated, the inspector will either approve or reject the vehicle. If approved, an official completed approval sticker will be placed on the vehicle and a receipt of certification will be issued.
What happens if my vehicle does not pass the inspection?
If, for some reason, your vehicle does not pass the safety inspection, you will need to have any problems corrected. Instead of an approval sticker, you will receive a rejection sticker. With the rejection sticker, you can drive anywhere – there are no travel restrictions on the vehicle – but the sticker is only good for 15 days. Of course, you are not exempt from statutes governing equipment defects (like a faulty exhaust or burned out light), but otherwise you can drive in order to get your vehicle repaired.
You may be able to choose to have auto repairs made at the same location where the inspection takes place or you can take it somewhere else – but we recommend taking your car to your nearest Hogan and Sons for all your auto repair needs!
In any case, you must have your vehicle repaired and reinspected within the fifteen day window.
What exactly do the Inspectors inspect on your vehicle?
Below are some of the main points Required by the Official Inspection Procedure:
So, let’s begin…
The old inspection sticker will be removed.
The vehicle is pulled into the inspection lane and prepped for inspection.
The brakes are inspected for the following:
- Damaged, worn or missing parts. Defective, worn or contaminated brake linings or drums. Any potential leakage within the system, as well as proper brake fluid levels.
- Damaged, defective, worn, or contaminated brake disc rotors or disc pads. Each inspection requires a minimum of two wheels and drums to be removed at the time of the inspection, for the sake of thoroughness.
The parking brake is inspected for the following:
- Missing or broken parts or components.
- Suitable adjustment.
- Ensuring the brake is standard factory equipment, or at least an equivalent.
The headlights are inspected for the following:
- Appropriate aim, type and output.
- The physical condition of the lamps, wiring, lenses, and switch.
- The presence of the high beam indicator.
- Other lights are inspected for the following:
- The appropriate type of bulbs, as well as the condition of the wiring, lenses and switch.
The aim of the driving and fog lamps. Proper illumination and color of all lamps and lenses.
Note: Keep in mind that every vehicle is required to have a rear lamp that shows red light to the rear, as well as license plate lamps that illuminate the rear license plate with white lights.
Signal devices are inspected for the following:
- The approved type of bulbs, as well as the condition of the wiring, lenses and switch.
- The proper operation of the device.
- Proper color and illumination of all lamps and lenses
Steering and suspension are inspected for the following:
- Wear and tear in kingpins, bushings, ball joints, tie rod ends, and wheel bearings.
- Any looseness of the gear box on the frame, as well as the condition of the steering arm and drag link.
- Any play in the steering wheel, or leakage of fluid in the power steering system.
- Axle and wheel alignment.
- Any broken spring leaves, coil springs or worn-out shackles.
- The roadworthiness of shock absorbers.
- Signs of a weakened or broken frame.
- Missing or broken engine mounts* The condition of the lift blocks.
The wheels, tires and rims are inspected for the following:
- Tread depth and overall condition of the tires.
- Tires that have mixed radials or bias plies.
- Cracked, damaged or otherwise defective wheels that may pose as a safety hazard.
Mirrors are inspected for the following:
- Cracked, damaged or otherwise defective wheels that may pose as a safety hazard.
- How tightly or rigid they have been mounted.
- The condition of the reflecting surface (e.g., cracks, excessive scratching, etc.).
- Road visibility for at least 200 feet behind the vehicle.
The horn is inspected for the following:
- Proper electrical connections, working horn button and proper mounting.
- The sound of the horn must be audible at a minimum of 200 feet away.
The windshield and other windows are inspected for the following:·
- Proper type of safety glass being utilized.
- Distortion, cloudiness, or other hindrances or obstructions to proper vision
- Scratched, cracked, or broken glass.
Note: If there is any sun shading material on the windshield that displays any kind of letters, numbers, words, or pictures, it cannot extend below the appropriate AS-1 line, or if there is no AS-1 line present, no more than 3 inches below the top edge of the windshield.
The windshield wipers and defroster are checked for the following:
- Proper working order and operating condition.
- The condition of the wiper blades (e.g., no dry-rot or looseness).
The exhaust system is inspected for the following:
- Proper operation of the exhaust line (e.g., gaskets, manifold, pipes, connections, mufflers, etc.)* Gas leaks from any point at which the gases are generated to the point where they are discharged from the exhaust system.
- The rear license plate is inspected for proper illumination.
The hood as well as the area under the hood are both inspected for:
- Proper operation and working condition of the hood latch. The presence of a properly functioning emissions system; there should be no evidence of any essential parts or components being disconnected, removed, or rendered inoperative.
- Proper fluid levels for power steering fluid and brake fluid.
- Proper tension of the power steering belt, as well as any wear or other operational problems regarding the belt.
The air pollution control system (1973 and newer models only) are inspected for:
- All parts being operable (e.g., no parts removed or disconnected)
- Note: The fuel tank filler pipe and catalytic converter are included in this element of the inspection.
The driver’s seat is inspected for:
- Proper anchorage.
- Correct location
- Proper condition
The seat belts are inspected for:
Proper installation* Wear and tear (e.g., general condition)
Airbags are inspected for:
- Illumination of the readiness light.
- Any potential defects in the system as evidenced by the absence of the readiness light.
- Any situation where the airbags have been deployed but not subsequently replaced.
- Any component of the airbag system that has been removed from the vehicle.
- The air bag indicator staying illuminated continuously, or not coming on at all.
The doors to the left and right of the driver’s seat are inspected for:
- The handles being able to open the door from both the outside and inside of the vehicle.
- A proper latching system that will keep the doors closed
The fuel system is inspected for:
Any component that has not been properly secured or fastened. Any leakage of liquid fuel.
