Every commercial and private vehicle in Reston, VA has to meet and pass the standards of the Virginia Emission Inspection, and the Virginia Safety Inspection. The Emission Inspection is required for all diesel and gasoline-powered passenger and commercial (property hauling) vehicles to control the number of pollutants released into the surrounding environment. The fee, per vehicle, for each emission inspection is $28.00, and each passed inspection is valid for two years.
There are some exemptions granted for the emission inspection, however. An emissions inspection waiver is issued for all 1996 or earlier model, diesel-powered passenger, and property hauling vehicles if they have a manufacturer’s designated gross vehicle weight rating of 8,500 pounds or less. Gasoline-powered property haulers with a manufacturer’s designated gross vehicle weight rating of 10,000 pounds or less receive a waiver from the inspection. All gasoline-powered passenger vehicles 25 years and older than January 1st of the current calendar year are issued a waiver also.
The VA state safety inspection for Reston, VA vehicles is much more than just another licensing requirement on top of the fees for driver licenses and plates. The real purpose is to keep private and commercial drivers, and their passengers, safe. Virginia drivers out for even a day trip can start the day in the mountains, trying to drive in a thunderstorm or heavy snowfall and then a few hours later, driving through a tornado warning near a tidal basin area.
Each safety inspection a Wiygul Automotive Clinic performs includes an extensive checklist: Air pollution control systems (for 1973 and newer model vehicles), airbags, brakes, parking brakes, headlights and taillights, seat belts, steering and suspension, turn signals and warning lights, windshield and other window integrity. We also examine the defroster, exhaust system, floor pan, fuel system, hood, horn, rear license plate, tires, wheels and rims, along with the mirrors, the driver’s seat, and the doors on either side of the driver’s seat. We also remove the old sticker and set the new one in place.
The fee for each safety inspection is $16 per every motor vehicle, trailer, semi-trailer, and RV. For motorcycles, the fee is only $12 each. Every vehicle is required to display the inspection sticker on its windshield. If a motorcycle has no windshield, it must be on the fender.
There are few exceptions, but every vehicle registered as an antique car is waivered from needing the annual safety inspection. Do not forget that the Virginia DMV cannot process any gasoline or diesel-powered vehicle unless it has a valid waiver or passes both inspections.
Wiygul Automotive technicians perform safety and emission inspections on a first-come, first-serve basis. Before you bring in your vehicle in for either inspection, keep in mind the shortest wait times are usually in the middle two weeks of every month. Our clinics in Reston, Herndon, Burke, and Alexandria are open every Monday through Saturday, except for major holidays. If you have a question about either VA state inspection for your Reston, VA vehicle, call us at 1-866-702-8050.
