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VA State Safety & Emissions Inspections

Inspection hours may differ from store open hours, so call ahead for availability and wait times. We do not schedule visits for inspections. Inspections are always first-come, first-serve.

Virginia State Safety Inspection

A Virginia State Safety Inspection includes checking the safety equipment of your vehicle, such as brakes, wiper blades, headlights and tires, to ensure that all equipment is functioning properly.

A safety inspection is required annually by the Commonwealth of Virginia.

You can reduce wait times by pre-approving up to $30 of minor repairs that we can perform while the vehicle is in the inspection bay, should they be needed.

If your car does not pass: 

  • You will be issued a rejection sticker. A Virginia Tire & Auto service advisor will review the reasons with you.
  • You will have 15 calendar days to make repairs and have your car re-inspected for $1 at the same inspection station. The item(s) that did not pass the original state inspection will be re-inspected.
  • If a new issue is visible (a mirror now hanging or a cracked windshield) or the original issues have not been fixed, the car could fail the re-inspection. If the car fails re-inspection, you will not be issued a new rejection sticker; the original 15-day deadline remains.
  • If you take your car somewhere else for re-inspection, you will have to pay the full amount and your car will be subject to a complete safety inspection again.

VA State Safety Inspection

$20.00

We do not schedule visits for inspections. Inspections are always first-come, first-serve.

Virginia Emissions Inspection

A Virginia Emissions Inspection checks your vehicle’s carbon emission levels to make sure they are meeting Virginia’s requirements.

An emissions inspection is required every two years by the Commonwealth of Virginia for qualifying vehicles garaged in the counties of Arlington, Fairfax, Loudoun, Prince William or Stafford or the cities of Alexandria, Fairfax, Falls Church, Manassas or Manassas Park.

If your car does not pass: 

  • We cannot do any repairs on the spot. Emissions repairs take time to diagnose and perform.
  • You will have 14 calendar days to make repairs and have your car re-tested.
  • There is no charge for your first re-test at the same inspection station. If you go somewhere else for re-inspection, you will have to pay the full Virginia emissions inspection fee again.

Emissions inspections are not available at our Chesterfield location. 

VA Emissions Inspection

$28.00

We do not schedule visits for inspections. Inspections are always first-come, first-serve.

Virginia Motorcycle Safety Inspection

A Virginia State Motorcycle Safety Inspection includes checking the safety equipment of your motorcycle, such as brakes, headlights and tires, to ensure that all equipment is functioning properly.

A motorcycle safety inspection is required annually.

VA State Motorcycle Safety Inspection

$12.00

We do not schedule visits for inspections. Inspections are always first-come, first-serve.

How long does a car inspection take?

Once the vehicle is in the bay, a state safety inspection takes about 25 minutes. Unexpected issues or authorized minor repairs can add time. An emissions inspection usually takes about 15 minutes.

For the shortest lines, we recommend getting your inspection in the middle of the day, in the middle of the week, in the middle of the month.

What will cause my vehicle to fail a safety inspection?

Our inspectors follow Virginia’s 24-step inspection checklist set out in the official inspection manual to make sure your vehicle meets the safety requirements set by the Commonwealth of Virginia.

Common issues that cause safety inspection failure include worn-out tires, damaged or worn brakes, a cracked windshield, or a burned-out lightbulb. An illuminated check engine light won’t cause you to fail inspection, but it is often a signal of issues going on under the hood that could result in a failed inspection. It’s a good idea to get any dashboard lights diagnosed before your inspection so you know what’s going on.

Can I schedule an visit for my inspection?

We do not schedule visits for safety and emissions inspections. However, if you drop your vehicle off before noon, we’ll work your vehicle into that day’s inspection schedule. That means you should be able to pick up your inspected vehicle by close of business on that same day. In the unlikely event of any exceptions, a store associate will notify you.

Can you complete my inspection while I’m in line?

Virginia law prohibits any state inspections while your car is in line. Even if the reason it will not pass the inspection is plainly visible, your car still has to be pulled into a certified inspection bay—the only place official Virginia safety inspections can take place.

Why Choose Virginia Tire & Auto?

We’re 100% committed to making sure you’re 100% satisfied.

We’ve spent more than 45 years doing things the right way, and that’s why part of our culture is to make sure you’re in the most friendly, comfortable and honest environment possible. It’s also why our warranty not only covers all our services but will also be honored at all our locations, too.

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