Virginia Inspection Decals to move to the left lower corner, effective 1/1/18

I'm curious if the State of Virginia's annual inspection actually has an impact on anything. States like NJ don't have annual inspections and seem to get along fine without them.

 

No impact, just an opportunity for the services facility to sell you ****. Between the inspection, speeding laws, property tax and sales tax for autos VA is not the place to be anymore if you are a car person. I cant wait to leave.

 

I just think every year is a bit overkill. I used to do Virginia State inspections when I was in High School. I appreciate that we found things like burned out bulbs and brakes down to metal but that was before all the tech that we have in cars today. My BMW tells me about lights, brakes, fluids, service and tires. You would think they could draw a line for newer vehicles and eliminate the requirement. For older vehicles....changing it to every two years probably wouldn't have much of an impact on what they do find.

 

thats true but years ago it was every six months in cars what a PIA that was .In the age of 50,000 tires etc every two years would be much better and not have any effect on safety but don't hold your breath,.. I suspect they changed the location so the police could see it easier to ticket you

 

It's the same for a brand new car or one 15 years old. It doesn't make sense like many of the current laws.

 

With modern license plate reading technology, they should have eliminated the window stickers entirely instead.

Also, with their DMV database, it would be easy to send people a late fee if they are more than 60 days late getting their car re-inspected.
They could automate sending the reminder and late notices using email, SMS text messages, and paper letters.
They could give a financial incentive to go paperless which would eliminate most of their admin costs.

This is the approach the Counties are taking on eliminating their window tax stickers.

 

Exactly! I remember a few years ago on one of my cars that had never been driven in the rain getting flagged for needing new windshield wiper blades. The blade was not dry rotted, but it did smear the water more than a picky inspector liked. Cost me $30 for new blades.

Antique plates seem to be the way to go for old cars- no state inspection required.

 

Going to a two year cycle for state safety inspections would work a lot better, IMO.

They could even double the fee from $16 to $32 and the people doing the inspections could make better money.

 

Yes. That would be smarter to line up the emissions(already every 2 years) and the safety inspection. Just make it an even $60. Would be better for the repair shop techs and consumers.

 

Probably a hijack, so sorry (not sorry ).

I’m about to take delivery of a 1970 MY car.
I plan to fully register so no restrictions (like antique plates).

As I understand, I don’t need an emissions test due to age. I also can use period plates provided I affix the modern mon/yr stickers. I would need a safety inspection though vs the self affirmation of antique plates.

 

I believe that is true. I have a 75' Bronco and the same applies.

 

In Virginia it's just a way to vacuum your wallet. This state used to be not so bad tax-wise. No longer. F-ing politicians are constantly sucking on us. Solution is to drive or at least have a car older than 25 years. No yearly inspection of any kind and almost no car tax! The trick is when you buy your car, take it to one of the DMVs in the Northern Virginia area. Behind the counter will usually be a foreign woman who won't bat an eye at the purchase price you have written down on your old car. Totally clueless. They don't know a Maserati from a Mitsubishi.