State Inspection FAQ
Does an inspection sticker expire on the first or last day of the month indicated on the sticker?
The sticker expires the last day of the month, regardless of whether it is a weekday (Monday-Friday) or weekend (Saturday-Sunday).
Do new vehicles need to be submitted for the annual safety inspection?
New vehicles purchased in Virginia that have been inspected in accordance with an inspection requirement of the manufacturer or distributor are not required to undergo the initial annual safety inspection. Placement of an inspection sticker on the windshield of a vehicle will be at the automobile dealer’s option. Such inspection by the automobile dealer shall be deemed to be the first inspection for meeting the purpose of § Code of Virginia. However, these vehicles must be reinspected within twelve months of the month of the first inspection or purchase and at least once every twelve months thereafter and display a valid inspection decal. If an inspection sticker is not placed on the windshield by the manufacturer or distributor, the owner should maintain documentation within the vehicle to show when the vehicle was purchased and to serve as a reference for future requirements for inspection.
In the absence of a sticker, there will be no visual reminder to the driver when the vehicle needs to be re-inspected. If the vehicle is not re-inspected as required by Section 46.2-1158 of the Code of Virginia, the operator would be subject to a traffic summons.
Once I have registered my vehicle in the state of Virginia, how long do I have before my vehicle must be inspected?
Once you have registered a vehicle with the Division of Motor Vehicles in the state of Virginia, it must be inspected immediately; there is no grace period.
Are neon lights legal for use on vehicles in Virginia?Neon lights are illegal anywhere on or in a motor vehicle in Virginia, unless they are covered and unlit while the vehicle is being operated on a public highway.
NOTE: If the neon lights are mounted under the vehicle, the vehicle is not considered a proper cover. A cover would have to be made specifically for the purpose of covering these lights.
If I am attending college, in the military, or visiting relatives out of state when my safety inspection sticker expires, what can I do to get an extension?There are no extensions. Under normal circumstances, all Virginia-registered vehicles are required to bear a current Virginia inspection sticker. If your vehicle’s inspection sticker is not current, and you drive back into Virginia, the Governor’s Proclamation within the Virginia Inspection Manual, provides that you are not required to have your vehicle(s) reinspected until you return to your residence or place of business in Virginia.
Furthermore, motor vehicles owned and operated by persons on active duty with the United States Armed Forces, who are Virginia residents stationed outside of Virginia at the time the inspection expires, may operate such vehicle(s) on the highway of the Commonwealth while on leave, provided such vehicle(s) display a valid inspection sticker issued by another state.
Any documentation as to your current residency would be helpful should you get stopped by a law enforcement officer.
Are antique vehicles exempt from inspection and what are the restrictions?
For a vehicle to be defined as "antique," it must be 25 years old or older. If the vehicle is registered as an antique through the Department of Motor Vehicles, it is exempt from state inspection.
Restrictions: Antique motor vehicles shall not be used for general transportation purposes, including, but not limited to, daily travel to and from the owner’s place of employment. Such vehicle may be operated on the highway for participation in club activities, exhibits, tours, parades, and similar events or for the purpose of testing their operation, obtaining repairs or maintenance, transportation to and from the events earlier described, and for occasional pleasure drives, not to exceed 250 miles from the residence of the owner.
Can I operate my vehicle with a rejection sticker on the windshield?
The validity period of a rejection sticker shall be 15 days, in addition to the day of inspection.
The purpose of a rejection sticker is to replace the approval sticker that was originally on your vehicle’s windshield. It, in itself, places no travel restrictions on the vehicle; however, it does not provide any exception to any statute governing equipment defects.
As an example, if your vehicle was rejected due to a defective exhaust, with a rejection sticker or with an approval sticker, you would be in jeopardy of receiving a summons for operating the vehicle on the highway with defective exhaust.
More information available online:
www.vsp.state.va.us/Safety.shtm
Virginia Motor Vehicle Safety Inspection Program
The sticker expires the last day of the month, regardless of whether it is a weekday (Monday-Friday) or weekend (Saturday-Sunday).
Do new vehicles need to be submitted for the annual safety inspection?
New vehicles purchased in Virginia that have been inspected in accordance with an inspection requirement of the manufacturer or distributor are not required to undergo the initial annual safety inspection. Placement of an inspection sticker on the windshield of a vehicle will be at the automobile dealer’s option. Such inspection by the automobile dealer shall be deemed to be the first inspection for meeting the purpose of § Code of Virginia. However, these vehicles must be reinspected within twelve months of the month of the first inspection or purchase and at least once every twelve months thereafter and display a valid inspection decal. If an inspection sticker is not placed on the windshield by the manufacturer or distributor, the owner should maintain documentation within the vehicle to show when the vehicle was purchased and to serve as a reference for future requirements for inspection.
In the absence of a sticker, there will be no visual reminder to the driver when the vehicle needs to be re-inspected. If the vehicle is not re-inspected as required by Section 46.2-1158 of the Code of Virginia, the operator would be subject to a traffic summons.
Once I have registered my vehicle in the state of Virginia, how long do I have before my vehicle must be inspected?
Once you have registered a vehicle with the Division of Motor Vehicles in the state of Virginia, it must be inspected immediately; there is no grace period.
Are neon lights legal for use on vehicles in Virginia?Neon lights are illegal anywhere on or in a motor vehicle in Virginia, unless they are covered and unlit while the vehicle is being operated on a public highway.
NOTE: If the neon lights are mounted under the vehicle, the vehicle is not considered a proper cover. A cover would have to be made specifically for the purpose of covering these lights.
If I am attending college, in the military, or visiting relatives out of state when my safety inspection sticker expires, what can I do to get an extension?There are no extensions. Under normal circumstances, all Virginia-registered vehicles are required to bear a current Virginia inspection sticker. If your vehicle’s inspection sticker is not current, and you drive back into Virginia, the Governor’s Proclamation within the Virginia Inspection Manual, provides that you are not required to have your vehicle(s) reinspected until you return to your residence or place of business in Virginia.
Furthermore, motor vehicles owned and operated by persons on active duty with the United States Armed Forces, who are Virginia residents stationed outside of Virginia at the time the inspection expires, may operate such vehicle(s) on the highway of the Commonwealth while on leave, provided such vehicle(s) display a valid inspection sticker issued by another state.
Any documentation as to your current residency would be helpful should you get stopped by a law enforcement officer.
Are antique vehicles exempt from inspection and what are the restrictions?
For a vehicle to be defined as "antique," it must be 25 years old or older. If the vehicle is registered as an antique through the Department of Motor Vehicles, it is exempt from state inspection.
Restrictions: Antique motor vehicles shall not be used for general transportation purposes, including, but not limited to, daily travel to and from the owner’s place of employment. Such vehicle may be operated on the highway for participation in club activities, exhibits, tours, parades, and similar events or for the purpose of testing their operation, obtaining repairs or maintenance, transportation to and from the events earlier described, and for occasional pleasure drives, not to exceed 250 miles from the residence of the owner.
Can I operate my vehicle with a rejection sticker on the windshield?
The validity period of a rejection sticker shall be 15 days, in addition to the day of inspection.
The purpose of a rejection sticker is to replace the approval sticker that was originally on your vehicle’s windshield. It, in itself, places no travel restrictions on the vehicle; however, it does not provide any exception to any statute governing equipment defects.
As an example, if your vehicle was rejected due to a defective exhaust, with a rejection sticker or with an approval sticker, you would be in jeopardy of receiving a summons for operating the vehicle on the highway with defective exhaust.
More information available online:
www.vsp.state.va.us/Safety.shtm
Virginia Motor Vehicle Safety Inspection Program
