Every private and commercial Herndon, VA vehicle must pass two VA State Inspections to operate on area roads and highways. Each has to meet and pass the standards of the Virginia Emission Inspection, and the Virginia Safety Inspection.
The VA Emission Inspection is required for all diesel and gasoline-powered passenger and commercial (property hauling) vehicles to control the amount of pollutants released into the local environment. Each emission inspection is $28.00 per vehicle, and every passed inspection is good for two years.
There are exemptions for the emission inspection, however. 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 waivered from one as well. An emissions inspection waiver can also be issued for diesel-powered passenger and property hauling vehicles that are the 1996 model year or earlier if they have a manufacturer’s designated gross vehicle weight rating of 8,500 pounds or less.
The VA state safety inspection is more than just another licensing requirement to charge Herndon, VA drivers a fee in addition to their permits and plates. Virginia has a variety of climates and geography, so drivers can find themselves going through a tornado warning in farm country and then a few hours later, find themselves in the mountains, trying to drive in a thunderstorm or heavy snowfall. The inspection helps keep commercial and private drivers, and their passengers, safe.
Each inspection our Wiygul Automotive Clinics perform cover an extensive checklist: Air pollution control systems (for 1973 and newer model vehicles), brakes, parking brakes, airbags, seat belts, rear license plate, hood, turn signals and warning lights, headlights and taillights, horn, steering and suspension, windshield and other window integrity, exhaust system, defrost system, floor pan, tires, wheels and rims, fuel system, 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 safety inspection fee is $16 for each motor vehicle, RV, trailer, and semi-trailer. The fee is only $12 for each motorcycle. Each vehicle is required to display the inspection sticker on its windshield, and for motorcycles with no windshield, it has to be on the fender.
Every vehicle registered as an antique car is waivered from needing the annual safety inspection. Keep in mind that the Virginia DMV does not process any diesel or gasoline-powered vehicle unless it passes both inspections or receives a waiver for one or both of them.
Wiygul Automotive Clinics perform safety and emission inspections on a first-come, first-serve basis. The line, especially for emission inspections, is shortest during the middle two weeks of each month. Remember that when you prepare to bring your vehicle in for either inspection. Our clinics in Herndon, Alexandria, Burke, and Reston are open every Monday through Saturday to perform both state inspections, except for major holidays. If you have a question about either inspection or other needs for your Herndon, VA vehicle, call us at 1-866-702-8050.
