{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/46.2-1157.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/46.2-1157.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/46.2-1157.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/46.2-1157.html"}],"law_id":85494,"edition_id":1,"section_id":85494,"structure_id":14139,"section_number":"46.2-1157","catch_line":"Inspection of motor vehicles required","history":"Code 1950, \u00a7 46-317; 1950, p. 691; 1958, c. 541, \u00a7 46.1-315; 1962, c. 246; 1978, cc. 275, 605; 1982, c. 646; 1989, c. 727; 1991, cc. 107, 717; 1993, c. 134; 1995, c. 670; 1997, c. 283; 2004, cc. 267, 796; 2007, cc. 75, 137; 2009, cc. 115, 514, 756; 2011, c. 283; 2014, cc. 53, 256; 2020, Sp. Sess. I, cc. 45, 51.","full_text":"A\n\nThe owner or operator of any motor vehicle, trailer, or semitrailer registered in Virginia and operated or parked on a highway within the Commonwealth shall submit his vehicle to an inspection of its mechanism and equipment by an official inspection station, designated for that purpose, in accordance with § 46.2-1158. No owner or operator shall fail to submit a motor vehicle, trailer, or semitrailer operated or parked on the highways in the Commonwealth to such inspection or fail or refuse to correct or have corrected in accordance with the requirements of this title any mechanical defects found by such inspection to exist.B\n\nThe provisions of this section requiring safety inspections of motor vehicles shall also apply to vehicles used for firefighting; inspections of firefighting vehicles shall be conducted pursuant to regulations promulgated by the Superintendent of State Police, taking into consideration the special purpose of such vehicles and the conditions under which they operate.C\n\nEach day during which such motor vehicle, trailer, or semitrailer is operated or parked on any highway in the Commonwealth after failure to comply with this law shall constitute a separate offense.D\n\nExcept as otherwise provided, autocycles shall be inspected as motorcycles under this article.E\n\nNo law-enforcement officer shall stop a motor vehicle due to an expired vehicle inspection sticker until the first day of the fourth month after the original expiration date. No evidence discovered or obtained as the result of a stop in violation of this subsection, including evidence discovered or obtained with the operator’s consent, shall be admissible in any trial, hearing, or other proceeding.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":306273,"text":"The owner or operator of any motor vehicle, trailer, or semitrailer registered in Virginia and operated or parked on a highway within the Commonwealth shall submit his vehicle to an inspection of its mechanism and equipment by an official inspection station, designated for that purpose, in accordance with § 46.2-1158. No owner or operator shall fail to submit a motor vehicle, trailer, or semitrailer operated or parked on the highways in the Commonwealth to such inspection or fail or refuse to correct or have corrected in accordance with the requirements of this title any mechanical defects found by such inspection to exist.","type":"section","prefixes":["A"],"prefix":"A","entire_prefix":"A","prefix_anchor":"A","level":1,"next_prefix":"B"},"1":{"id":306274,"text":"The provisions of this section requiring safety inspections of motor vehicles shall also apply to vehicles used for firefighting; inspections of firefighting vehicles shall be conducted pursuant to regulations promulgated by the Superintendent of State Police, taking into consideration the special purpose of such vehicles and the conditions under which they operate.","type":"section","prefixes":["B"],"prefix":"B","entire_prefix":"B","prefix_anchor":"B","level":1,"prior_prefix":"A","next_prefix":"C"},"2":{"id":306275,"text":"Each day during which such motor vehicle, trailer, or semitrailer is operated or parked on any highway in the Commonwealth after failure to comply with this law shall constitute a separate offense.","type":"section","prefixes":["C"],"prefix":"C","entire_prefix":"C","prefix_anchor":"C","level":1,"prior_prefix":"B","next_prefix":"D"},"3":{"id":306276,"text":"Except as otherwise provided, autocycles shall be inspected as motorcycles under this article.","type":"section","prefixes":["D"],"prefix":"D","entire_prefix":"D","prefix_anchor":"D","level":1,"prior_prefix":"C","next_prefix":"E"},"4":{"id":306277,"text":"No law-enforcement officer shall stop a motor vehicle due to an expired vehicle inspection sticker until the first day of the fourth month after the original expiration date. No evidence discovered or obtained as the result of a stop in violation of this subsection, including evidence discovered or obtained with the operator’s consent, shall be admissible in any trial, hearing, or other proceeding.","type":"section","prefixes":["E"],"prefix":"E","entire_prefix":"E","prefix_anchor":"E","level":1,"prior_prefix":"D"}},"ancestry":[{"id":14139,"edition_id":1,"name":"Safety Inspections","identifier":"21","label":"article","depth":4,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12828,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:47:00","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:47:00","permalink":{"id":229167,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":14139,"identifier":"21","token":"46.2\/III\/10\/21","url":"\/46.2\/III\/10\/21\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12828,"edition_id":1,"name":"Motor Vehicle and Equipment Safety","identifier":"10","label":"chapter","depth":3,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12827,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:43:55","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:43:55","permalink":{"id":228599,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12828,"identifier":"10","token":"46.2\/III\/10","url":"\/46.2\/III\/10\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12827,"edition_id":1,"name":"Operation","identifier":"III","label":"subtitle","depth":2,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12770,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:43:55","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:43:55","permalink":{"id":228597,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12827,"identifier":"III","token":"46.2\/III","url":"\/46.2\/III\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12770,"edition_id":1,"name":"Motor Vehicles","identifier":"46.2","label":"title","depth":1,"order_by":1,"parent_id":null,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:43:52","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:43:52","permalink":{"id":225289,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12770,"identifier":"46.2","token":"46.2","url":"\/46.2\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}}],"structure_contents":[{"id":85494,"structure_id":14139,"section_number":"46.2-1157","catch_line":"Inspection of motor vehicles required","url":"\/46.2-1157\/","token":"46.2\/III\/10\/21\/46.2-1157","metadata":false},{"id":85142,"structure_id":14139,"section_number":"46.2-1158","catch_line":"Frequency of inspection; scope of inspection","url":"\/46.2-1158\/","token":"46.2\/III\/10\/21\/46.2-1158","metadata":false},{"id":62299,"structure_id":14139,"section_number":"46.2-1158.01","catch_line":"Exceptions to motor vehicle inspection requirement","url":"\/46.2-1158.01\/","token":"46.2\/III\/10\/21\/46.2-1158.01","metadata":false},{"id":84620,"structure_id":14139,"section_number":"46.2-1158.02","catch_line":"Penalty for failure to have motor vehicle inspection","url":"\/46.2-1158.02\/","token":"46.2\/III\/10\/21\/46.2-1158.02","metadata":false},{"id":66173,"structure_id":14139,"section_number":"46.2-1158.1","catch_line":"Extension of validity of vehicle safety inspection approval stickers issued for vehicles whose registered owners are persons in the armed services of the United States","url":"\/46.2-1158.1\/","token":"46.2\/III\/10\/21\/46.2-1158.1","metadata":false},{"id":80262,"structure_id":14139,"section_number":"46.2-1159","catch_line":"Logtrailers defined; exempt from inspection under certain conditions","url":"\/46.2-1159\/","token":"46.2\/III\/10\/21\/46.2-1159","metadata":false},{"id":74045,"structure_id":14139,"section_number":"46.2-1160","catch_line":"Towed vehicle defined; exempt from inspection requirement","url":"\/46.2-1160\/","token":"46.2\/III\/10\/21\/46.2-1160","metadata":false},{"id":84658,"structure_id":14139,"section_number":"46.2-1161","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/46.2-1161\/","token":"46.2\/III\/10\/21\/46.2-1161","metadata":false},{"id":55290,"structure_id":14139,"section_number":"46.2-1161.1","catch_line":"Inspections of trailers and semitrailers equipped with heating or cooking appliances","url":"\/46.2-1161.1\/","token":"46.2\/III\/10\/21\/46.2-1161.1","metadata":false},{"id":87007,"structure_id":14139,"section_number":"46.2-1162","catch_line":"Inspection of certain trailers","url":"\/46.2-1162\/","token":"46.2\/III\/10\/21\/46.2-1162","metadata":false},{"id":57969,"structure_id":14139,"section_number":"46.2-1163","catch_line":"Official inspection stations; safety inspection approval stickers; actions of Superintendent subject to the Administrative Process Act","url":"\/46.2-1163\/","token":"46.2\/III\/10\/21\/46.2-1163","metadata":false},{"id":55462,"structure_id":14139,"section_number":"46.2-1164","catch_line":"Reinspection not required when windshield replaced; transfer of inspection sticker to new windshield; replacement of lost or damaged stickers","url":"\/46.2-1164\/","token":"46.2\/III\/10\/21\/46.2-1164","metadata":false},{"id":74512,"structure_id":14139,"section_number":"46.2-1165","catch_line":"Regulations for inspection of vehicles; posting","url":"\/46.2-1165\/","token":"46.2\/III\/10\/21\/46.2-1165","metadata":false},{"id":68176,"structure_id":14139,"section_number":"46.2-1166","catch_line":"Minimum standards required for inspection stations; appointments","url":"\/46.2-1166\/","token":"46.2\/III\/10\/21\/46.2-1166","metadata":false},{"id":70594,"structure_id":14139,"section_number":"46.2-1167","catch_line":"Charges for inspection and reinspection; exemption","url":"\/46.2-1167\/","token":"46.2\/III\/10\/21\/46.2-1167","metadata":false},{"id":73699,"structure_id":14139,"section_number":"46.2-1167.1","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/46.2-1167.1\/","token":"46.2\/III\/10\/21\/46.2-1167.1","metadata":false},{"id":85865,"structure_id":14139,"section_number":"46.2-1168","catch_line":"Additional registration fee","url":"\/46.2-1168\/","token":"46.2\/III\/10\/21\/46.2-1168","metadata":false},{"id":72249,"structure_id":14139,"section_number":"46.2-1169","catch_line":"Inspection defined; making of repairs or adjustments","url":"\/46.2-1169\/","token":"46.2\/III\/10\/21\/46.2-1169","metadata":false},{"id":86270,"structure_id":14139,"section_number":"46.2-1170","catch_line":"Advertising, etc., of official inspection station when not authorized","url":"\/46.2-1170\/","token":"46.2\/III\/10\/21\/46.2-1170","metadata":false},{"id":80363,"structure_id":14139,"section_number":"46.2-1171","catch_line":"Penalties for violation of article","url":"\/46.2-1171\/","token":"46.2\/III\/10\/21\/46.2-1171","metadata":false},{"id":83889,"structure_id":14139,"section_number":"46.2-1172","catch_line":"Unauthorized taking, possession, or use of inspection stickers, etc.; penalty","url":"\/46.2-1172\/","token":"46.2\/III\/10\/21\/46.2-1172","metadata":false},{"id":73234,"structure_id":14139,"section_number":"46.2-1173","catch_line":"Imitation or counterfeit inspection stickers","url":"\/46.2-1173\/","token":"46.2\/III\/10\/21\/46.2-1173","metadata":false},{"id":83875,"structure_id":14139,"section_number":"46.2-1174","catch_line":"Superintendent authorized to enter into Uniform Vehicle Inspection Reciprocity Agreement","url":"\/46.2-1174\/","token":"46.2\/III\/10\/21\/46.2-1174","metadata":false},{"id":69579,"structure_id":14139,"section_number":"46.2-1175","catch_line":"Operators of certain commuter buses to maintain certain records; inspection of records and buses by employees of Department of State Police; penalty","url":"\/46.2-1175\/","token":"46.2\/III\/10\/21\/46.2-1175","metadata":false},{"id":85908,"structure_id":14139,"section_number":"46.2-1175.1","catch_line":"Inspection of certain refuse collection and highway maintenance vehicles","url":"\/46.2-1175.1\/","token":"46.2\/III\/10\/21\/46.2-1175.1","metadata":false}],"next_section":{"id":85142,"structure_id":14139,"section_number":"46.2-1158","catch_line":"Frequency of inspection; scope of inspection","url":"\/46.2-1158\/","token":"46.2\/III\/10\/21\/46.2-1158","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/46.2-1157\/","history_text":"

The record of this law\u2019s original creation isn\u2019t available online. It has been modified 14 times. Those modifications are cataloged by \u201cThe Acts of Assembly,\u201d a state publication, by year and chapter. Those modifications that can be read on the General Assembly\u2019s website will be linked accordingly. Those modifications are as follows: in 1958, chapter 541; in 1962, chapter 246; in 1978, chapters 275 and 605; in 1982, chapter 646; in 1989, chapter 727; in 1991, chapters 107 and 717; in 1993, chapter 134; in 1995, chapter 670<\/a>; in 1997, chapter 283<\/a>; in 2004, chapters 267<\/a> and 796<\/a>; in 2007, chapters 75<\/a> and 137<\/a>; in 2009, chapters 115<\/a>, 514<\/a>, and 756<\/a>; in 2011, chapter 283<\/a>; in 2014, chapters 53<\/a> and 256<\/a>.<\/p>","references":[{"id":77926,"section_number":"22.1-289.031","catch_line":"Child day center operated by religious institution exempt from licensure; annual statement and documentary evidence required; enforcement; injunctive relief","order_by":null,"url":"\/22.1-289.031\/"},{"id":63042,"section_number":"46.2-1150","catch_line":"Towing certain unlicensed or uninspected vehicles","order_by":null,"url":"\/46.2-1150\/"},{"id":85142,"section_number":"46.2-1158","catch_line":"Frequency of inspection; scope of inspection","order_by":null,"url":"\/46.2-1158\/"},{"id":62299,"section_number":"46.2-1158.01","catch_line":"Exceptions to motor vehicle inspection requirement","order_by":null,"url":"\/46.2-1158.01\/"},{"id":80262,"section_number":"46.2-1159","catch_line":"Logtrailers defined; exempt from inspection under certain conditions","order_by":null,"url":"\/46.2-1159\/"},{"id":74045,"section_number":"46.2-1160","catch_line":"Towed vehicle defined; exempt from inspection requirement","order_by":null,"url":"\/46.2-1160\/"},{"id":68176,"section_number":"46.2-1166","catch_line":"Minimum standards required for inspection stations; appointments","order_by":null,"url":"\/46.2-1166\/"},{"id":70843,"section_number":"46.2-1539","catch_line":"Inspection of vehicles required; penalty","order_by":null,"url":"\/46.2-1539\/"},{"id":56078,"section_number":"46.2-1605","catch_line":"Vehicles rebuilt for highway use; examinations; branding of titles","order_by":null,"url":"\/46.2-1605\/"},{"id":66333,"section_number":"46.2-325","catch_line":"Examination of applicants; waiver of Department's examination under certain circumstances; behind-the-wheel and knowledge examinations","order_by":null,"url":"\/46.2-325\/"},{"id":64808,"section_number":"46.2-602.1","catch_line":"Titling and registration of replica vehicles","order_by":null,"url":"\/46.2-602.1\/"},{"id":66957,"section_number":"46.2-602.3","catch_line":"Titling and registration of converted electric vehicles","order_by":null,"url":"\/46.2-602.3\/"},{"id":64342,"section_number":"46.2-694.1","catch_line":"(Contingent effective date -- see note*) Fees for trailers and semitrailers not designed and used for transportation of passengers","order_by":null,"url":"\/46.2-694.1\/"},{"id":74958,"section_number":"46.2-730","catch_line":"License plates for antique motor vehicles and antique trailers; fee","order_by":null,"url":"\/46.2-730\/"}],"refers_to":[{"id":85142,"section_number":"46.2-1158","catch_line":"Frequency of inspection; scope of inspection","order_by":null,"url":"\/46.2-1158\/"}],"permalink":{"id":229169,"object_type":"law","relational_id":85494,"identifier":"46.2-1157","token":"46.2\/III\/10\/21\/46.2-1157","url":"\/46.2-1157\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/46.2-1157\/","token":"46.2\/III\/10\/21\/46.2-1157","dublin_core":{"Title":"Inspection of motor vehicles required","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 46.2-1157","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

A.<\/span> The owner<\/span> or operator<\/span> of any motor vehicle<\/span>, trailer<\/span>, or semitrailer<\/span> registered in Virginia and operated or parked on a highway<\/span> within the Commonwealth shall submit his vehicle to an inspection of its mechanism and equipment by an official inspection station, designated for that purpose, in accordance with § 46.2-1158<\/a>. No owner<\/span> or operator<\/span> shall fail to submit a motor vehicle<\/span>, trailer<\/span>, or semitrailer<\/span> operated or parked on the highways<\/span><\/span> in the Commonwealth to such inspection or fail or refuse to correct or have corrected in accordance with the requirements of this title any mechanical defects found by such inspection to exist. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

B.<\/span> The provisions of this section requiring safety inspections of motor vehicles<\/span> shall also apply to vehicles used for firefighting; inspections of firefighting vehicles shall be conducted pursuant to regulations promulgated by the Superintendent<\/span> of State Police, taking into consideration the special purpose of such vehicles and the conditions under which they operate. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

C.<\/span> Each day during which such motor vehicle<\/span>, trailer<\/span>, or semitrailer<\/span> is operated or parked on any highway<\/span> in the Commonwealth after failure to comply with this law<\/span> shall constitute a separate offense<\/span>. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

D.<\/span> Except as otherwise provided, autocycles<\/span> shall be inspected as motorcycles<\/span> under this article. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

E.<\/span> No law<\/span>-enforcement officer<\/span> shall stop a motor vehicle<\/span> due to an expired vehicle inspection sticker until the first day of the fourth month after the original expiration date. No evidence<\/span> discovered or obtained as the result of a stop in violation of this subsection, including evidence<\/span> discovered or obtained with the operator<\/span>’s consent, shall be admissible<\/span> in any trial<\/span>, hearing<\/span>, or other proceeding. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>","plain_text":" CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nINSPECTION OF MOTOR VEHICLES REQUIRED (\u00a7 46.2-1157)\n\nA. The owner or operator of any motor vehicle, trailer, or semitrailer\nregistered in Virginia and operated or parked on a highway within the\nCommonwealth shall submit his vehicle to an inspection of its mechanism and\nequipment by an official inspection station, designated for that purpose, in\naccordance with § 46.2-1158. No owner or operator shall fail to submit a\nmotor vehicle, trailer, or semitrailer operated or parked on the highways in the\nCommonwealth to such inspection or fail or refuse to correct or have corrected\nin accordance with the requirements of this title any mechanical defects found\nby such inspection to exist.\n\nB. The provisions of this section requiring safety inspections of motor vehicles\nshall also apply to vehicles used for firefighting; inspections of firefighting\nvehicles shall be conducted pursuant to regulations promulgated by the\nSuperintendent of State Police, taking into consideration the special purpose of\nsuch vehicles and the conditions under which they operate.\n\nC. Each day during which such motor vehicle, trailer, or semitrailer is operated\nor parked on any highway in the Commonwealth after failure to comply with this\nlaw shall constitute a separate offense.\n\nD. Except as otherwise provided, autocycles shall be inspected as motorcycles\nunder this article.\n\nE. No law-enforcement officer shall stop a motor vehicle due to an expired\nvehicle inspection sticker until the first day of the fourth month after the\noriginal expiration date. No evidence discovered or obtained as the result of a\nstop in violation of this subsection, including evidence discovered or obtained\nwith the operator’s consent, shall be admissible in any trial, hearing, or\nother proceeding.\n\nHISTORY: Code 1950, \u00a7 46-317; 1950, p. 691; 1958, c. 541, \u00a7 46.1-315; 1962, c.\n246; 1978, cc. 275, 605; 1982, c. 646; 1989, c. 727; 1991, cc. 107, 717; 1993,\nc. 134; 1995, c. 670; 1997, c. 283; 2004, cc. 267, 796; 2007, cc. 75, 137; 2009,\ncc. 115, 514, 756; 2011, c. 283; 2014, cc. 53, 256; 2020, Sp. Sess. I, cc. 45,\n51.","edition":{"id":1,"name":"2025","slug":"2025","date_created":"2026-06-21 22:39:22","date_modified":"2026-06-21 22:39:22","current":1,"order_by":1,"last_import":null}}