VA Inspections
Inspections roll around every year. When it’s time to get yours, roll on over to Virginia Tire & Auto, Main Street Shell or James Madison Shell. We offer the most convenience of any competitor in the area. Many of our locations feature two dedicated inspection bays and most are staffed with multiple certified inspectors, which means you won’t have to wait behind customers needing oil changes and repairs. Plus we are often the only shop open for inspections on Sundays which gives you seven days a week to beat the inspection deadline.
To really speed up your inspection, consider coming in during nonpeak times like mid-week and mid-month. We will get your vehicle inspected and back on the road in no time.
For up to the minute information on wait times, please call the Virginia Tire & Auto location nearest you:
Ashburn – 703-724-9000
Ashburn/Dulles – 703-858-5100
Cascades – 703-433-5062
Centreville – 703-818-0106
Chantilly – 703-263-2222
Falls Church – 703-560-0071
Gainesville – 703-753-4848
South Riding – 703-327-1766
Springfield – 703-569-6047
James Madison Shell (Vienna) – 703-255-3495
Main Street Shell (Fairfax City) – 703-591-6470
The Virginia Safety Inspection Program
The Required Official Inspection Procedure, as approved by the Virginia State Police Superintendent, is as follows:
REQUIRED OFFICIAL INSPECTION PROCEDURE
Each inspection consists of the following items – for further details consult the “Official Inspection Manual”:
1. – REMOVE OLD INSPECTION STICKER.
2. – DRIVE VEHICLE INTO INSPECTION LANE.
3. – INSPECT BRAKES FOR:
- Worn, damaged or missing parts.
- Worn, contaminated or defective linings or drums.
- Leaks in system, proper fluid level.
- Worn, contaminated or defective disc pads or discs.
(NOTE: A minimum of two wheels and drums must be removed from each vehicle at the time of inspection. Consult the official inspection manual for exceptions.)
4. – INSPECT PARKING BRAKE FOR:
- Broken or missing parts.
- Proper adjustment.
- Standard factory equipment or equivalent.
5. – INSPECT HEADLIGHTS FOR:
- Approved type, aim, and output.
- Condition of lamp, wiring and switch.
- Beam indicator.
6. – INSPECT OTHER LIGHTS FOR:
- Approved type, proper bulbs, condition of lenses, wiring and switch.
- Aim of fog and driving lamps.
- Illumination of all lamps, lens color, and condition of lens.
(NOTE: Every vehicle must have a rear lamp showing a red light to the rear, a white light illuminating the rear license plate; vehicles over 7 feet wide or extending 4 inches or more beyond the front fender extremes must be equipped with approved clearance lamps and reflex reflectors. Count load in measuring.)
7. – INSPECT SIGNAL DEVICE FOR:
- Approved type, proper bulbs, condition of lenses, wiring and switch.
- Correct indications and tell-tale (visual or audible).
- Illumination of all lamps, lens color, and condition of lens.
8. – INSPECT STEERING & SUSPENSION FOR: (Jack up front end as shown in Manual)
- Wear in bushings, kingpins, ball joints, wheel bearings, tie rod ends.
- Looseness of gear box on frame, condition of drag link and steering arm.
- Play in steering wheel.
- Wheel alignment and axle alignment.
- Broken spring leaves, and worn shackles.
- Shock absorbers.
- Broken frame.
- Broken or missing engine mounts.
- Lift blocks.
9. – INSPECT TIRES, WHEELS & RIMS FOR:
- Condition of tires including tread depth.
- Mixing radials and bias ply tires.
- Wheels that are cracked or damaged so as to affect safe operation.
10. – INSPECT MIRROR FOR:
- Rigidity of mounting.
- Condition of reflecting surface.
- View of road to rear (Truck mirrors must extend at least halfway beyond edge of body) – (Visibility 200 feet to rear).
11. – INSPECT HORN FOR:
- Electrical connections, mounting and horn button.
- Emits sound audible for a minimum of 200 feet.
12. – INSPECT WINDSHIELD AND OTHER GLASS FOR:
- Approved type safety glass.
- Cloudiness, distortion or other obstruction to vision.
- Cracked, scratched or broken glass.
- Stickers. ALL UNAUTHORIZED STICKERS MUST BE REMOVED.
- Sunshading material attached to the windshield to ensure it does not extend more than 3 inches downward from the top of windshield, unless authorized by Medical Waiver Certificate.
- Operation of left front door glass.
13. – INSPECT WINDSHIELD WIPER/DEFROSTER FOR:
- Operating condition.
- Condition of blade.
14. – INSPECT EXHAUST SYSTEM FOR:
- Exhaust line-manifold, gaskets, pipes, mufflers, connections, etc.
- Leakage of gases at any point from motor to point discharged from system.
15. – INSPECT LICENSE TAGS FOR:
- Illumination of rear plate.
16. – INSPECT HOOD AND AREA UNDER THE HOOD FOR:
- Operating condition of hood latch.
- Presence of emissions system -Evidence that any essential parts have been removed, rendered inoperative or disconnected.
- Fluid levels that are below the proper level
1. Brake fluid.
2. Power steering fluid. - Power steering belt – proper tension, wear, or absence.
17. – INSPECT AIR POLLUTION CONTROL SYSTEM (1973 and Subsequent Models) FOR:
- Installation.
- Operation.
(NOTE: This includes the catalytic converter and the fuel tank filler pipe.)
18. – INSPECT DRIVER’S SEAT FOR:
- Anchorage.
- Location.
- Condition.
19. – INSPECT SEAT BELTS FOR:
- Approved type.
- Installation.
20. – INSPECT AIR BAG AND AIRBAG READINESS LIGHT FOR:
- Any defects in the air bag system noted by the air bag readiness light, or otherwise indicated; or
- The air bag has been deployed and has not been replaced (and is not deactivated because of a medical or other exemption and a notice is posted to indicate that it has been deactivated); or
- Any part of the air bag system has been removed from the vehicle; or
- If the air bag indicator fails to light, or stays on continuously.
21. – INSPECT DOORS AT THE RIGHT & LEFT SIDE OF THE DRIVER’S SEAT FOR:
- Handle or opening device which will permit the opening of the door from the outside and inside of the vehicle.
- Latching system which will hold door in its proper closed position.
22. – INSPECT FUEL SYSTEM FOR:
- Any part that is not securely fastened.
- Liquid fuel leakage.
- Fuel tank filler cap for presence.
23. – INSPECT FLOOR PAN FOR:
(a) Holes which allow exhaust gases to enter occupant compartment.
(b) Conditions which create a hazard to the occupants.
24. – ISSUE STICKER:
(a) If approved, place approval sticker on the vehicle, and give pink copy of certificate to operator.
(b) ALL DEFECTS MUST BE CORRECTED AND THE VEHICLE REINSPECTED WITHIN 15 DAYS.
THE DRIVER MAY BE IN JEOPARDY OF RECEIVING A SUMMONS FOR ANY DEFECT STILL
PRESENT ANY TIME THE VEHICLE IS OPERATED ON THE HIGHWAY.
(NOTE: The validity period of the rejection sticker shall include fifteen (15) days in addition to the day of the inspection.)
NOTE: If you have a specific question with regard to Motor Vehicle Safety Inspection or Inspection Requirements, you can review the safety inspection manual, in part, at MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY INSPECTION RULES AND REGULATIONS (http://leg1.state.va.us/).
Frequently Asked Questions
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.
What is the cost of a safety inspection?
The cost is $16.00 for a motor vehicle. This also applies to all trailers (including semi-trailers). The cost is $12.00 for a motorcycle. The cost is $51.00 for a tractor-trailer.
I have a crack in my windshield and would like to know if it will still pass inspection.
In the Virginia Official Safety Inspection Manual, Section 19 VAC 30-70-210, page 210-2, paragraphs 7 and 8, states:
Inspect for and reject if:
7. There is a pit, chip, or star crack larger than 1½ inches in diameter at any location in the windshield above the 3-inch line at the bottom.
8. At any location in the windshield above the 3-inch line at the bottom there is more than one crack from the same point if at least one of the cracks is more than 1½ inches in length. There is any crack that weakens the windshield so that one piece may be moved in relation to the other. (If there is more than one crack running from a star crack that extends above the 3-inch line, the windshield shall be rejected.)
