Virginia law requires that vehicles undergo annual inspections.
In order to operate a motor vehicle in Virginia, it must pass an annual safety inspection and display a valid safety inspection sticker. The inspection must be conducted at one of roughly 4,000 state licensed garages. The price of your vehicle's inspection depends on the vehicle. A typical passenger vehicle costs $16, a motorcycle costs $12, and tractor-trailers cost $51.
Purpose
State supervision of the inspection program began in the late 1920s in response to the growing number of vehicles on the road, and the frequency at which these vehicles were being operated with defects. It grew from there, and according to code, the Virginia Annual Motor Vehicle Inspection Program was developed and adopted to promote highway safety. Its aim is to assure that all Virginia registered vehicles are mechanically safe to operate over the roads of the commonwealth.
Inspection
Each inspection includes a checking over of a number of areas for vehicle defects that could cause unsafe conditions. Your vehicle's brakes will be checked, as will the steering, suspension, tires, fuel system, exhaust system, and air pollution control system. The mechanic must also check the airbag(s), doors, floorboard, lights and signals. The inspection procedure, including the items to be inspected and the order, is dictated by the Virginia Motor Vehicle Inspection Program.
Inspection Results
Upon completion of the inspection your vehicle will either pass or fail. If no defects are detected it will pass. A sticker will be placed on your windshield displaying the month and year (the current month, next year) through which your inspection is valid. Alternately, if there are defects detected, your vehicle will fail. A rejection sticker will be placed on your windshield, and you have 15 days to fix the defect(s). If the repairs are completed in that time frame, you're vehicle will pass and the state inspection sticker will be placed on your windshield.
Violation
If you are driving a vehicle with Virginia license plates that is not displaying an inspection sticker, or is displaying an expired inspection sticker, you can be ticketed. If you are issued a ticket, and you are found guilty, you could be fined (plus have to pay court costs). The offense could also appear on your driving record, but will not affect your driver's license.
Considerations
If your inspection is expired, or has failed because of a particular defect, keep in mind that not only can you be ticketed for the inspection violation, but also for the associated defect. Also, a police officer can pull you over for the sole fact that your vehicle is not bearing a valid inspection sticker.
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