All vehicles must pass Virginia’s emissions inspection in Springfield, VA before they can be registered in the Commonwealth.
However, if you are new to the area, or your vehicle is being registered for the first time in Virginia and has a current valid emissions certificate from an inspection performed in the last 12 months from one of the following states, your car can be titled and registered without a Virginia emissions inspection. Those states are: Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, the District of Columbia, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Missouri, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Washington, or Wisconsin.
Emissions inspections performed by an inspector authorized by Virginia are valid for two years following your successful vehicle inspection. When your vehicle is inspected the emissions station automatically updates your DMV vehicle record. If there are any unforeseen circumstances a one-month registration extension may be requested in person at a Virginia DMV Customer Service Centeror DMV Select location.
Motor vehicles exempt from emissions inspections include motorcycles, vehicles more than 25 years old before January 1 of the current calendar year, diesel-powered vehicles, vehicles exclusively powered by clean fuel, vehicles being titled for the first time in Virginia with a Manufacturer’s Certification of Origin (MCO), and qualified hybrid motor vehicles.
If your vehicle fails an emissions test, you must take it to a garage for emissions-related repairs. Wiygul Automotive Clinic is an approved VA State Auto Inspections and Emissions Testing Center. We have the tools, equipment, and people to administer your test and correct any related problems so you can get back on the road and safely on your way.
