requires annual safety inspections for all cars and biennial (every two years) emissions testing for cars in Arlington, Fairfax, Loudoun, Prince William, and Stafford counties, as well as certain individual cities.

Emissions testing allows state governments to monitor and improve the air quality of a region. Safety and air quality are priorities for most states, but not every state requires vehicle inspections, and the rules differ from state to state.

Here to answer all your questions about Virginia’s car inspection laws is

Jerry

. What inspections do you need, when do you need them, and where can you get them? Let’s break it down.

What are the car inspection requirements in Virginia?

Virginia requires an annual safety inspection for all vehicles. The fee for passenger cars and light trucks is $20.

New residents must get a safety inspection as soon as possible since failure to display a valid inspection sticker could earn you a ticket.

For certain gas-powered vehicles less than 25 years old and under 10,000 pounds, Virginia requires emissions inspections before registration and every two years thereafter.

The same requirements apply to diesel vehicles from 1997 and newer and under 8,500 pounds.

Virginia’s emissions inspection requirements only apply to cars in the following counties and cities:

Arlington County

Fairfax County

Loudoun County

Prince William County

Stafford County

Alexandria

Fairfax

Falls Church

Manassas

Manassas Park

If you just moved to Virginia, you do not need to get an emissions inspection if you have a valid inspection certificate issued by a qualifying state in the last 12 months.

RECOMMENDED

Compare auto insurance policies

No spam or unwanted phone calls · No long forms

ZIP Code

Find insurance savings

Exceptions to the state requirements

The only vehicles exempt from Virginia’s safety inspection requirements are:

Any car at least 25 years old that is registered with the Virginia DMV as an antique

Any trailer without brakes with an actual gross weight (i.e. trailer and cargo combined) less than 3,000 pounds

The following vehicles are exempt from Virginia’s emissions inspection requirements:

Motorcycles and autocycles

Gas-powered vehicles with a model year over 25 years old

Gas-powered vehicles with a manufacturer’s gross vehicle weight rating over 10,000 pounds

Diesel vehicles of model year 1996 or older and a gross vehicle weight over 8,500 pounds

Any vehicle exclusively powered by clean fuel (e.g. electricity, natural gas, or solar power)

New or demo cars being titled for the first time (exempt for only 4 years)

Used vehicles of the current and three previous model years (exempt for up to 4 years)

Qualifying hybrid vehicles (subject to $2 emissions fee)

Where to get a car inspection in Virginia

You can get a safety inspection at any qualified inspection station in the state of Virginia.

The state does not keep a list online and cannot recommend a station, so look in your area for a car dealership, garage, or other business that displays a sign indicating they perform safety inspections.

To obtain an emissions inspection, use the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality’s

online locator

to find a station near you.

Virginia’s cleanest vehicles may qualify for the RAPIDPASS roadside remote sensing program, which allows you to get your emissions test by driving past sensors at certain points on public highways.

You can find more information about the remote emissions testing program, including how to qualify, on the

RAPIDPASS Virginia website

How often do you need a car inspection?

Virginia requires a safety inspection every year and does not grant extensions or grace periods.

If you live in one of the qualifying counties or cities, you’ll need an emissions inspection once every two years.

MORE: How to register a car in Virginia

“I wanted to stick with only the insurance my state requires for now.
Jerry
helped me save $75 a month on my premium!” —Nora H.

RECOMMENDED

Haven’t shopped for insurance in the last six months? There might be hundreds $$$ in savings waiting for you.

Judith switched to Progressive

Saved $725 annually

Alexander switched to Travelers

Saved $834 annually

Annie switched to Nationwide

Saved $668 annually

FAQs

Do I have to get an inspection before I sell my car?

It’s always a good idea to get a safety inspection before selling your car.

Depending on the timing, you may not need an emissions inspection, but especially if your certificate is about to expire, it’s best to have one done just in case.

How much does an emissions inspection cost?

An emissions inspection in Virginia costs $28.

Are you overpaying for car insurance?

Compare quotes and find out in 45 seconds.

Try Jerry