Starting January 1, Virginia state inspection stickers will no longer be placed on the bottom center of a Virginia vehicle’s windshield.
Virginia state inspection stickers will now be placed in the bottom left corner of the windshield, when viewed from inside the vehicle, and will also apply to the placement of any other authorized stickers.
What is the purpose of changing the location of the Virginia vehicle inspection sticker?
The relocation of Virginia’s vehicle inspection sticker is consistent with other states across the nation. The Virginia State Police explained that this change is due to “new innovations in the automobile industry.” Those changes include crash avoidance technology that utilizes the center of the windshield. Crash avoidance technology refers to any cameras, lasers and/or radar that monitors what is occurring around your vehicle. These systems are usually installed in the center of the vehicle on the dash. Stickers placed in that area could prevent those systems from operating properly.
In the past, crash avoidance technology was usually only associated with luxury vehicles, however, this type of safety system is now an optional add-on feature in most standard vehicles. We also recently learned that GM, Ford, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles, Tesla, Toyota, BMW, Daimler, Mazda, Subaru, Maserati, Porsche, Volvo, Volkswagen Group, Hyundai-Kia, Mitsubishi and Jaguar Land Rover all agreed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety to make collision avoidance systems with automatic emergency braking standard on almost all new cars by September 2022.
Should you move my current Virginia vehicle inspection sticker?
No. Existing Virginia vehicle inspection stickers are to remain in their current position – in the bottom center of the windshield. Once a vehicle is inspected and issued a 2019 sticker, the new inspection sticker will be placed in the lower left corner.
Want a reminder on how to prepare your vehicle for a Virginia state inspection?
We’ve created this helpful article on How To Prepare Your Vehicle For A State Inspection.
As a friendly reminder, all five of our Northern Virginia based Wiygul Automotive Clinic locations are official state inspection stations!
Helpful hint: The wait time for a Virginia state inspection is generally lowest during the middle two weeks of any given month.
