In Virginia, every car needs to pass a state inspection once a year to ensure its safety. Let’s walk through the inspection process so you know what to expect.

First, you need to take your car to a certified inspection station. These can be found at many auto repair shops, service stations, and car dealerships. When you bring your vehicle in, a mechanic will check several important parts of your car. Brakes, parking brakes, tires, steering and suspension, airbags and more. Almost all items related to safety in your vehicle get a thorough look over to ensure they’re in a solid working condition. There is a fee for the inspection. As of now, it’s $20 for most vehicles and $12 for motorcycles. Always check for the latest fees, as they can change. If your car passes the inspection, the mechanic will put a new sticker on your windshield. This sticker shows the month and year when your next inspection is due.

In a situation where your car doesn’t pass, the mechanic will give you a list of what needs to be fixed. Once you fix these problems, you can bring your vehicle back for a re-inspection. If you return within 15 days, the re-inspection might be free or cost less. In some parts of Virginia, like Northern Virginia, you must also pass an emissions inspection. This test makes sure your car isn’t polluting too much.

Annual inspections are important to keep your car safe and legal. Make sure you know when your inspection is due, and take your car to a certified station to get it checked. For a Virginia State Inspection you can trust, call Ferber’s Tire and Auto, where we have several state inspectors who can take care of you.