Virginia State Inspection Checklist (2026)

Ready to go? Find a certified Virginia inspection station in Richmond, Virginia Beach, Norfolk, Arlington, or Fairfax.

Every passenger vehicle registered in Virginia must pass an annual state safety inspection. The fee is capped at $20 for cars and light trucks, and the sticker is good for one year. This checklist walks through exactly what a Virginia State Police (VSP) certified inspector looks at, in roughly the order they check it, so you can fix obvious issues at home and walk in confident.

Lights and signals: low and high beam headlights, parking lights, tail lights, brake lights, turn signals (front and rear), hazard flashers, license plate light, and back-up lights. Burnt-out bulbs are the single most common reason cars fail — swap any dim or out bulb the night before.

Brakes: pad and shoe thickness, rotor and drum condition, brake lines and hoses for leaks or rust, parking brake holding power, and brake pedal travel. Pads under 2/32" or any visible fluid leak is an automatic rejection.

Steering and suspension: tie rod ends, ball joints, control arm bushings, shocks and struts, wheel bearings, and steering play. Excessive looseness or a torn boot fails.

Tires and wheels: tread depth (must be more than 2/32" across the tire), sidewall condition, matching size on each axle, lug nut presence, and no exposed cords or bulges. Spare-tire kits are not checked.

Glass and mirrors: windshield free of cracks in the driver's wiper sweep, working windshield wipers and washer fluid, and required mirrors (interior plus at least one outside on the driver's side).

Horn, seat belts, and interior safety: working horn, all factory seat belts present and latching, working defroster, and an unobstructed view through the windshield (no large stickers, hanging air fresheners in the wiper sweep, or window tint darker than Virginia limits).

Fuel, exhaust, and undercarriage: no fuel leaks, exhaust system intact from manifold to tailpipe with no leaks ahead of the catalytic converter, and no dragging components.

Body, frame, and bumpers: no sharp protrusions, bumpers within legal height, hood latch operating, and doors that open and close from the inside and out.

How to pass on the first try: replace any burnt-out bulb, top off washer fluid, swap wiper blades if they streak, check tire pressure, and clear the dashboard of warning lights you can address (ABS, airbag, and brake-system lights cause failures; the check engine light only matters for emissions testing in Northern Virginia). Bring your registration and driver's license, plan for about 30–45 minutes, and budget the flat $20 fee.

If your car fails, you get a rejection sticker valid for 15 days. Fix the listed issues and return to the same station — many shops re-inspect for free inside that window.