{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/46.2-1158.01.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/46.2-1158.01.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/46.2-1158.01.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/46.2-1158.01.html"}],"law_id":62299,"edition_id":1,"section_id":62299,"structure_id":14139,"section_number":"46.2-1158.01","catch_line":"Exceptions to motor vehicle inspection requirement","history":"2011, c. 283; 2016, cc. 128, 702; 2018, c. 555; 2019, c. 69; 2023, cc. 394, 395.","full_text":"A\n\nThe following shall be exempt from inspection as required by \u00a7 46.2-1157:1\n\nFour-wheel vehicles weighing less than 500 pounds and having less than 6 horsepower;2\n\nBoat, utility, or travel trailers that are not equipped with brakes;3\n\nAntique motor vehicles or antique trailers as defined in § 46.2-100 and licensed pursuant to § 46.2-730;4\n\nAny motor vehicle, trailer, or semitrailer that is outside the Commonwealth at the time its inspection expires when operated by the most direct route to the owner’s or operator’s place of residence or the owner’s legal place of business in the Commonwealth;5\n\nA truck, tractor truck, trailer, or semitrailer for which the period fixed for inspection has expired while the vehicle was outside the Commonwealth (i) from a point outside the Commonwealth to the place where such vehicle is kept or garaged within the Commonwealth or (ii) to a destination within the Commonwealth where such vehicle will be (a) unloaded within 24 hours of entering the Commonwealth, (b) inspected within such 24-hour period, and (c) operated, after being unloaded, only to an inspection station or to the place where it is kept or garaged within the Commonwealth;6\n\nNew motor vehicles, new trailers, or new semitrailers operated upon the highways of the Commonwealth for the purpose of delivery from the place of manufacture to the dealer’s or distributor’s designated place of business or between places of business if such manufacturer, dealer, or distributor has more than one place of business; dealers or distributors may take delivery and operate upon the highways of the Commonwealth new motor vehicles, new trailers, or new semitrailers from another dealer or distributor provided a motor vehicle, trailer, or semitrailer shall not be considered new if driven upon the highways for any purpose other than the delivery of the vehicle;7\n\nNew motor vehicles, new trailers, or new semitrailers bearing a manufacturer’s license operated for test purposes by the manufacturer;8\n\nMotor vehicles, trailers, or semitrailers operated for test purposes by a certified inspector during the performance of an official inspection;9\n\nNew motor vehicles, new trailers, or new semitrailers operated upon the highways of the Commonwealth over the most direct route to a location for installation of a permanent body;10\n\nMotor vehicles, trailers, or semitrailers purchased outside the Commonwealth driven to the purchaser’s place of residence or the dealer’s or distributor’s designated place of business;11\n\nPrior to purchase from auto auctions, motor vehicles, trailers, or semitrailers operated upon the highways not to exceed a 10-mile radius of such auction by prospective purchasers only for the purpose of road testing and motor vehicles, trailers, or semitrailers purchased from auto auctions operated upon the highways from such auction to (i) an official safety inspection station provided that (a) the inspection station is located between the auto auction and the purchaser’s residence or place of business or within a 10-mile radius of such residence or business and (b) the vehicle is taken to the inspection station on the same day the purchaser removes the vehicle from the auto auction or (ii) the purchaser’s place of residence or business;12\n\nMotor vehicles, trailers, or semitrailers, after the expiration of a period fixed for the inspection thereof, (i) operated over the most direct route between the place where such vehicle is kept or garaged and an official inspection station or (ii) parked on a highway and that have been submitted for a motor vehicle safety inspection to an official inspection station, for the purpose of having the same inspected pursuant to a prior appointment with such station;13\n\nAny vehicle for transporting well-drilling machinery and mobile equipment as defined in § 46.2-700;14\n\nMotor vehicles being towed in a legal manner as exempted under § 46.2-1150;15\n\nLogtrailers as exempted under § 46.2-1159;16\n\nMotor vehicles designed or altered and used exclusively for racing or other exhibition purposes as exempted under § 46.2-1160;17\n\nAny tow dolly or converter gear as defined in § 46.2-1119;18\n\nA new motor vehicle, as defined in § 46.2-1500, that has been inspected in accordance with an inspection requirement of the manufacturer or distributor of the new motor vehicle by an employee who customarily performs such inspection on behalf of a motor vehicle dealer licensed pursuant to § 46.2-1508. Such inspection shall be deemed to be the first inspection for the purpose of § 46.2-1158, and an inspection approval sticker furnished by the Department of State Police at the uniform price paid by all official inspection stations to the Department of State Police for an inspection approval sticker may be affixed to the vehicle as required by § 46.2-1163;19\n\nMopeds;20\n\nLow-speed vehicles;21\n\nVehicles exempt from registration pursuant to Article 6 (§ 46.2-662 et seq.) of Chapter 6; and22\n\nMilitary surplus motor vehicles as defined in § 46.2-100 and licensed pursuant to § 46.2-730.1.B\n\nThe following shall be exempt from inspection as required by \u00a7 46.2-1157, provided that (i) the commercial motor vehicle operates in interstate commerce; (ii) the commercial motor vehicle has been inspected in accordance with the federal requirements for annual inspection by complying with the periodic inspection requirements in 49 C.F.R. \u00a7 396.17; (iii) the inspection has been determined by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration to be comparable to or as effective as the requirements of 49 C.F.R. \u00a7 396.3(a); and (iv) documentation of such determination as provided for in 49 C.F.R. \u00a7 396.3(b) is available for review by law-enforcement officials to verify that the inspection is current:1\n\nAny commercial motor vehicle operating in interstate commerce that is subject to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations;2\n\nAny trailer or semitrailer being operated in interstate commerce that is subject to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":227203,"text":"The following shall be exempt from inspection as required by \u00a7 46.2-1157:","type":"section","prefixes":["A"],"prefix":"A","entire_prefix":"A","prefix_anchor":"A","level":1,"next_prefix":"A1"},"1":{"id":227204,"text":"Four-wheel vehicles weighing less than 500 pounds and having less than 6 horsepower;","type":"section","prefixes":["A","1"],"prefix":"1","entire_prefix":"A1","prefix_anchor":"A1","level":2,"prior_prefix":"A","next_prefix":"A2"},"2":{"id":227205,"text":"Boat, utility, or travel trailers that are not equipped with brakes;","type":"section","prefixes":["A","2"],"prefix":"2","entire_prefix":"A2","prefix_anchor":"A2","level":2,"prior_prefix":"A1","next_prefix":"A3"},"3":{"id":227206,"text":"Antique motor vehicles or antique trailers as defined in § 46.2-100 and licensed pursuant to § 46.2-730;","type":"section","prefixes":["A","3"],"prefix":"3","entire_prefix":"A3","prefix_anchor":"A3","level":2,"prior_prefix":"A2","next_prefix":"A4"},"4":{"id":227207,"text":"Any motor vehicle, trailer, or semitrailer that is outside the Commonwealth at the time its inspection expires when operated by the most direct route to the owner’s or operator’s place of residence or the owner’s legal place of business in the Commonwealth;","type":"section","prefixes":["A","4"],"prefix":"4","entire_prefix":"A4","prefix_anchor":"A4","level":2,"prior_prefix":"A3","next_prefix":"A5"},"5":{"id":227208,"text":"A truck, tractor truck, trailer, or semitrailer for which the period fixed for inspection has expired while the vehicle was outside the Commonwealth (i) from a point outside the Commonwealth to the place where such vehicle is kept or garaged within the Commonwealth or (ii) to a destination within the Commonwealth where such vehicle will be (a) unloaded within 24 hours of entering the Commonwealth, (b) inspected within such 24-hour period, and (c) operated, after being unloaded, only to an inspection station or to the place where it is kept or garaged within the Commonwealth;","type":"section","prefixes":["A","5"],"prefix":"5","entire_prefix":"A5","prefix_anchor":"A5","level":2,"prior_prefix":"A4","next_prefix":"A6"},"6":{"id":227209,"text":"New motor vehicles, new trailers, or new semitrailers operated upon the highways of the Commonwealth for the purpose of delivery from the place of manufacture to the dealer’s or distributor’s designated place of business or between places of business if such manufacturer, dealer, or distributor has more than one place of business; dealers or distributors may take delivery and operate upon the highways of the Commonwealth new motor vehicles, new trailers, or new semitrailers from another dealer or distributor provided a motor vehicle, trailer, or semitrailer shall not be considered new if driven upon the highways for any purpose other than the delivery of the vehicle;","type":"section","prefixes":["A","6"],"prefix":"6","entire_prefix":"A6","prefix_anchor":"A6","level":2,"prior_prefix":"A5","next_prefix":"A7"},"7":{"id":227210,"text":"New motor vehicles, new trailers, or new semitrailers bearing a manufacturer’s license operated for test purposes by the manufacturer;","type":"section","prefixes":["A","7"],"prefix":"7","entire_prefix":"A7","prefix_anchor":"A7","level":2,"prior_prefix":"A6","next_prefix":"A8"},"8":{"id":227211,"text":"Motor vehicles, trailers, or semitrailers operated for test purposes by a certified inspector during the performance of an official inspection;","type":"section","prefixes":["A","8"],"prefix":"8","entire_prefix":"A8","prefix_anchor":"A8","level":2,"prior_prefix":"A7","next_prefix":"A9"},"9":{"id":227212,"text":"New motor vehicles, new trailers, or new semitrailers operated upon the highways of the Commonwealth over the most direct route to a location for installation of a permanent body;","type":"section","prefixes":["A","9"],"prefix":"9","entire_prefix":"A9","prefix_anchor":"A9","level":2,"prior_prefix":"A8","next_prefix":"A10"},"10":{"id":227213,"text":"Motor vehicles, trailers, or semitrailers purchased outside the Commonwealth driven to the purchaser’s place of residence or the dealer’s or distributor’s designated place of business;","type":"section","prefixes":["A","10"],"prefix":"10","entire_prefix":"A10","prefix_anchor":"A10","level":2,"prior_prefix":"A9","next_prefix":"A11"},"11":{"id":227214,"text":"Prior to purchase from auto auctions, motor vehicles, trailers, or semitrailers operated upon the highways not to exceed a 10-mile radius of such auction by prospective purchasers only for the purpose of road testing and motor vehicles, trailers, or semitrailers purchased from auto auctions operated upon the highways from such auction to (i) an official safety inspection station provided that (a) the inspection station is located between the auto auction and the purchaser’s residence or place of business or within a 10-mile radius of such residence or business and (b) the vehicle is taken to the inspection station on the same day the purchaser removes the vehicle from the auto auction or (ii) the purchaser’s place of residence or business;","type":"section","prefixes":["A","11"],"prefix":"11","entire_prefix":"A11","prefix_anchor":"A11","level":2,"prior_prefix":"A10","next_prefix":"A12"},"12":{"id":227215,"text":"Motor vehicles, trailers, or semitrailers, after the expiration of a period fixed for the inspection thereof, (i) operated over the most direct route between the place where such vehicle is kept or garaged and an official inspection station or (ii) parked on a highway and that have been submitted for a motor vehicle safety inspection to an official inspection station, for the purpose of having the same inspected pursuant to a prior appointment with such station;","type":"section","prefixes":["A","12"],"prefix":"12","entire_prefix":"A12","prefix_anchor":"A12","level":2,"prior_prefix":"A11","next_prefix":"A13"},"13":{"id":227216,"text":"Any vehicle for transporting well-drilling machinery and mobile equipment as defined in § 46.2-700;","type":"section","prefixes":["A","13"],"prefix":"13","entire_prefix":"A13","prefix_anchor":"A13","level":2,"prior_prefix":"A12","next_prefix":"A14"},"14":{"id":227217,"text":"Motor vehicles being towed in a legal manner as exempted under § 46.2-1150;","type":"section","prefixes":["A","14"],"prefix":"14","entire_prefix":"A14","prefix_anchor":"A14","level":2,"prior_prefix":"A13","next_prefix":"A15"},"15":{"id":227218,"text":"Logtrailers as exempted under § 46.2-1159;","type":"section","prefixes":["A","15"],"prefix":"15","entire_prefix":"A15","prefix_anchor":"A15","level":2,"prior_prefix":"A14","next_prefix":"A16"},"16":{"id":227219,"text":"Motor vehicles designed or altered and used exclusively for racing or other exhibition purposes as exempted under § 46.2-1160;","type":"section","prefixes":["A","16"],"prefix":"16","entire_prefix":"A16","prefix_anchor":"A16","level":2,"prior_prefix":"A15","next_prefix":"A17"},"17":{"id":227220,"text":"Any tow dolly or converter gear as defined in § 46.2-1119;","type":"section","prefixes":["A","17"],"prefix":"17","entire_prefix":"A17","prefix_anchor":"A17","level":2,"prior_prefix":"A16","next_prefix":"A18"},"18":{"id":227221,"text":"A new motor vehicle, as defined in § 46.2-1500, that has been inspected in accordance with an inspection requirement of the manufacturer or distributor of the new motor vehicle by an employee who customarily performs such inspection on behalf of a motor vehicle dealer licensed pursuant to § 46.2-1508. Such inspection shall be deemed to be the first inspection for the purpose of § 46.2-1158, and an inspection approval sticker furnished by the Department of State Police at the uniform price paid by all official inspection stations to the Department of State Police for an inspection approval sticker may be affixed to the vehicle as required by § 46.2-1163;","type":"section","prefixes":["A","18"],"prefix":"18","entire_prefix":"A18","prefix_anchor":"A18","level":2,"prior_prefix":"A17","next_prefix":"A19"},"19":{"id":227222,"text":"Mopeds;","type":"section","prefixes":["A","19"],"prefix":"19","entire_prefix":"A19","prefix_anchor":"A19","level":2,"prior_prefix":"A18","next_prefix":"A20"},"20":{"id":227223,"text":"Low-speed vehicles;","type":"section","prefixes":["A","20"],"prefix":"20","entire_prefix":"A20","prefix_anchor":"A20","level":2,"prior_prefix":"A19","next_prefix":"A21"},"21":{"id":227224,"text":"Vehicles exempt from registration pursuant to Article 6 (§ 46.2-662 et seq.) of Chapter 6; and","type":"section","prefixes":["A","21"],"prefix":"21","entire_prefix":"A21","prefix_anchor":"A21","level":2,"prior_prefix":"A20","next_prefix":"A22"},"22":{"id":227225,"text":"Military surplus motor vehicles as defined in § 46.2-100 and licensed pursuant to § 46.2-730.1.","type":"section","prefixes":["A","22"],"prefix":"22","entire_prefix":"A22","prefix_anchor":"A22","level":2,"prior_prefix":"A21","next_prefix":"B"},"23":{"id":227226,"text":"The following shall be exempt from inspection as required by \u00a7 46.2-1157, provided that (i) the commercial motor vehicle operates in interstate commerce; (ii) the commercial motor vehicle has been inspected in accordance with the federal requirements for annual inspection by complying with the periodic inspection requirements in 49 C.F.R. \u00a7 396.17; (iii) the inspection has been determined by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration to be comparable to or as effective as the requirements of 49 C.F.R. \u00a7 396.3(a); and (iv) documentation of such determination as provided for in 49 C.F.R. \u00a7 396.3(b) is available for review by law-enforcement officials to verify that the inspection is current:","type":"section","prefixes":["B"],"prefix":"B","entire_prefix":"B","prefix_anchor":"B","level":1,"prior_prefix":"A22","next_prefix":"B1"},"24":{"id":227227,"text":"Any commercial motor vehicle operating in interstate commerce that is subject to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations;","type":"section","prefixes":["B","1"],"prefix":"1","entire_prefix":"B1","prefix_anchor":"B1","level":2,"prior_prefix":"B","next_prefix":"B2"},"25":{"id":227228,"text":"Any trailer or semitrailer being operated in interstate commerce that is subject to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations.","type":"section","prefixes":["B","2"],"prefix":"2","entire_prefix":"B2","prefix_anchor":"B2","level":2,"prior_prefix":"B1"}},"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}],"previous_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},"next_section":{"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},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/46.2-1158.01\/","history_text":"

This law was first created in 2011. The record of its establishment is cataloged in chapter 283<\/a> of that year\u2019s edition of \u201cActs of Assembly,\u201d the annual state publication listing all changes made to the Code of Virginia in that year. It has been modified 4 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 2016, chapters 128<\/a> and 702<\/a>; in 2018, chapter 555<\/a>; in 2019, chapter 69<\/a>; in 2023, chapters 394<\/a> and 395<\/a>.<\/p>","references":[{"id":82211,"section_number":"46.2-730.1","catch_line":"License plates for military surplus motor vehicles; fee; penalty","order_by":null,"url":"\/46.2-730.1\/"}],"refers_to":[{"id":82691,"section_number":"46.2-100","catch_line":"Definitions","order_by":null,"url":"\/46.2-100\/"},{"id":63056,"section_number":"46.2-1119","catch_line":"Tow dolly and converter gear","order_by":null,"url":"\/46.2-1119\/"},{"id":63042,"section_number":"46.2-1150","catch_line":"Towing certain unlicensed or uninspected vehicles","order_by":null,"url":"\/46.2-1150\/"},{"id":85494,"section_number":"46.2-1157","catch_line":"Inspection of motor vehicles required","order_by":null,"url":"\/46.2-1157\/"},{"id":85142,"section_number":"46.2-1158","catch_line":"Frequency of inspection; scope of inspection","order_by":null,"url":"\/46.2-1158\/"},{"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":57969,"section_number":"46.2-1163","catch_line":"Official inspection stations; safety inspection approval stickers; actions of Superintendent subject to the Administrative Process Act","order_by":null,"url":"\/46.2-1163\/"},{"id":84929,"section_number":"46.2-1500","catch_line":"Definitions","order_by":null,"url":"\/46.2-1500\/"},{"id":76803,"section_number":"46.2-1508","catch_line":"Licenses required; penalty","order_by":null,"url":"\/46.2-1508\/"},{"id":77821,"section_number":"46.2-662","catch_line":"Temporary exemption for new resident operating vehicle registered in another state or country","order_by":null,"url":"\/46.2-662\/"},{"id":84799,"section_number":"46.2-700","catch_line":"Fees for vehicles for transporting well-drilling machinery and specialized mobile equipment","order_by":null,"url":"\/46.2-700\/"},{"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\/"}],"permalink":{"id":229177,"object_type":"law","relational_id":62299,"identifier":"46.2-1158.01","token":"46.2\/III\/10\/21\/46.2-1158.01","url":"\/46.2-1158.01\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/46.2-1158.01\/","token":"46.2\/III\/10\/21\/46.2-1158.01","dublin_core":{"Title":"Exceptions to motor vehicle inspection requirement","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 46.2-1158.01","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

A.<\/span> The following shall be exempt from inspection as required by \u00a7 46.2-1157<\/a>: <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

1.<\/span> Four-wheel vehicles<\/span> weighing less than 500 pounds and having less than 6 horsepower; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

2.<\/span> Boat, utility, or travel trailers<\/span> that are not equipped with brakes; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

3.<\/span> Antique motor vehicles<\/span> or antique trailers<\/span> as defined in § 46.2-100<\/a> and licensed pursuant to § 46.2-730<\/a>; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

4.<\/span> Any motor vehicle<\/span>, trailer<\/span>, or semitrailer<\/span> that is outside the Commonwealth at the time its inspection expires when operated by the most direct route to the owner<\/span>’s or operator<\/span>’s place of residence or the owner<\/span>’s legal place of business in the Commonwealth; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

5.<\/span> A truck, tractor truck<\/span>, trailer<\/span>, or semitrailer<\/span> for which the period fixed for inspection has expired while the vehicle was outside the Commonwealth (i) from a point outside the Commonwealth to the place where such vehicle is kept or garaged within the Commonwealth or (ii) to a destination within the Commonwealth where such vehicle will be (a) unloaded within 24 hours of entering the Commonwealth, (b) inspected within such 24-hour period, and (c) operated, after being unloaded, only to an inspection station or to the place where it is kept or garaged within the Commonwealth; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

6.<\/span> New motor vehicles, new trailers, or new semitrailers<\/span> operated upon the highways<\/span><\/span> of the Commonwealth for the purpose of delivery from the place of manufacture to the dealer’s or distributor’s designated place of business or between places of business if such manufacturer, dealer, or distributor has more than one place of business; dealers or distributors may take delivery and operate upon the highways<\/span><\/span> of the Commonwealth new motor vehicles, new trailers, or new semitrailers<\/span> from another dealer or distributor provided a motor vehicle<\/span>, trailer<\/span>, or semitrailer<\/span> shall not be considered new if driven upon the highways<\/span><\/span> for any purpose other than the delivery of the vehicle; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

7.<\/span> New motor vehicles, new trailers, or new semitrailers<\/span> bearing a manufacturer’s license operated for test purposes by the manufacturer; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

8.<\/span> Motor vehicles, trailers, or semitrailers<\/span> operated for test purposes by a certified inspector during the performance of an official inspection; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

9.<\/span> New motor vehicles, new trailers, or new semitrailers<\/span> operated upon the highways<\/span><\/span> of the Commonwealth over the most direct route to a location for installation of a permanent body; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

10.<\/span> Motor vehicles, trailers, or semitrailers<\/span> purchased outside the Commonwealth driven to the purchaser’s place of residence or the dealer’s or distributor’s designated place of business; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

11.<\/span> Prior to purchase from auto auctions, motor vehicles, trailers, or semitrailers<\/span> operated upon the highways<\/span><\/span> not to exceed a 10-mile radius of such auction by prospective purchasers only for the purpose of road testing and motor vehicles, trailers, or semitrailers<\/span> purchased from auto auctions operated upon the highways<\/span><\/span> from such auction to (i) an official safety inspection station provided that (a) the inspection station is located between the auto auction and the purchaser’s residence or place of business or within a 10-mile radius of such residence or business and (b) the vehicle is taken to the inspection station on the same day the purchaser removes the vehicle from the auto auction or (ii) the purchaser’s place of residence or business; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

12.<\/span> Motor vehicles, trailers, or semitrailers<\/span>, after the expiration of a period fixed for the inspection thereof, (i) operated over the most direct route between the place where such vehicle is kept or garaged and an official inspection station or (ii) parked on a highway<\/span> and that have been submitted for a motor vehicle<\/span> safety inspection to an official inspection station, for the purpose of having the same inspected pursuant to a prior appointment with such station; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

13.<\/span> Any vehicle for transporting well-drilling machinery and mobile equipment as defined in § 46.2-700<\/a>; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

14.<\/span> Motor vehicles being towed in a legal manner as exempted under § 46.2-1150<\/a>; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

15.<\/span> Logtrailers as exempted under § 46.2-1159<\/a>; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

16.<\/span> Motor vehicles designed or altered and used exclusively for racing or other exhibition purposes as exempted under § 46.2-1160<\/a>; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

17.<\/span> Any tow dolly or converter gear as defined in § 46.2-1119<\/a>; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

18.<\/span> A new motor vehicle<\/span>, as defined in § 46.2-1500<\/a>, that has been inspected in accordance with an inspection requirement of the manufacturer or distributor of the new motor vehicle<\/span> by an employee who customarily performs such inspection on behalf of a motor vehicle<\/span> dealer licensed pursuant to § 46.2-1508<\/a>. Such inspection shall be deemed to be the first inspection for the purpose of § 46.2-1158<\/a>, and an inspection approval sticker furnished by the Department<\/span> of State Police at the uniform price paid by all official inspection stations to the Department<\/span> of State Police for an inspection approval sticker may be affixed to the vehicle as required by § 46.2-1163<\/a>; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

19.<\/span> Mopeds<\/span>; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

20.<\/span> Low-speed vehicles<\/span>; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

21.<\/span> Vehicles exempt from registration pursuant to Article 6 (§ 46.2-662<\/a> et seq.) of Chapter 6; and <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

22.<\/span> Military surplus motor vehicles<\/span> as defined in § 46.2-100<\/a> and licensed pursuant to § 46.2-730.1<\/a>. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

B.<\/span> The following shall be exempt from inspection as required by \u00a7 46.2-1157<\/a>, provided that (i) the commercial motor vehicle<\/span> operates in interstate commerce; (ii) the commercial motor vehicle<\/span> has been inspected in accordance with the federal requirements for annual inspection by complying with the periodic inspection requirements in 49 C.F.R. \u00a7 396.17; (iii) the inspection has been determined by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration to be comparable to or as effective as the requirements of 49 C.F.R. \u00a7 396.3(a); and (iv) documentation of such determination as provided for in 49 C.F.R. \u00a7 396.3(b) is available for review by law<\/span>-enforcement officials to verify that the inspection is current: <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

1.<\/span> Any commercial motor vehicle<\/span> operating in interstate commerce that is subject to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

2.<\/span> Any trailer<\/span> or semitrailer<\/span> being operated in interstate commerce that is subject to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>","plain_text":" CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nEXCEPTIONS TO MOTOR VEHICLE INSPECTION REQUIREMENT (\u00a7 46.2-1158.01)\n\nA. The following shall be exempt from inspection as required by \u00a7 46.2-1157:\n\n 1. Four-wheel vehicles weighing less than 500 pounds and having less than 6\n horsepower;\n\n 2. Boat, utility, or travel trailers that are not equipped with brakes;\n\n 3. Antique motor vehicles or antique trailers as defined in § 46.2-100\n and licensed pursuant to § 46.2-730;\n\n 4. Any motor vehicle, trailer, or semitrailer that is outside the Commonwealth\n at the time its inspection expires when operated by the most direct route to\n the owner’s or operator’s place of residence or the owner’s\n legal place of business in the Commonwealth;\n\n 5. A truck, tractor truck, trailer, or semitrailer for which the period fixed\n for inspection has expired while the vehicle was outside the Commonwealth (i)\n from a point outside the Commonwealth to the place where such vehicle is kept\n or garaged within the Commonwealth or (ii) to a destination within the\n Commonwealth where such vehicle will be (a) unloaded within 24 hours of\n entering the Commonwealth, (b) inspected within such 24-hour period, and (c)\n operated, after being unloaded, only to an inspection station or to the place\n where it is kept or garaged within the Commonwealth;\n\n 6. New motor vehicles, new trailers, or new semitrailers operated upon the\n highways of the Commonwealth for the purpose of delivery from the place of\n manufacture to the dealer’s or distributor’s designated place of\n business or between places of business if such manufacturer, dealer, or\n distributor has more than one place of business; dealers or distributors may\n take delivery and operate upon the highways of the Commonwealth new motor\n vehicles, new trailers, or new semitrailers from another dealer or distributor\n provided a motor vehicle, trailer, or semitrailer shall not be considered new\n if driven upon the highways for any purpose other than the delivery of the\n vehicle;\n\n 7. New motor vehicles, new trailers, or new semitrailers bearing a\n manufacturer’s license operated for test purposes by the manufacturer;\n\n 8. Motor vehicles, trailers, or semitrailers operated for test purposes by a\n certified inspector during the performance of an official inspection;\n\n 9. New motor vehicles, new trailers, or new semitrailers operated upon the\n highways of the Commonwealth over the most direct route to a location for\n installation of a permanent body;\n\n 10. Motor vehicles, trailers, or semitrailers purchased outside the\n Commonwealth driven to the purchaser’s place of residence or the\n dealer’s or distributor’s designated place of business;\n\n 11. Prior to purchase from auto auctions, motor vehicles, trailers, or\n semitrailers operated upon the highways not to exceed a 10-mile radius of such\n auction by prospective purchasers only for the purpose of road testing and\n motor vehicles, trailers, or semitrailers purchased from auto auctions\n operated upon the highways from such auction to (i) an official safety\n inspection station provided that (a) the inspection station is located between\n the auto auction and the purchaser’s residence or place of business or\n within a 10-mile radius of such residence or business and (b) the vehicle is\n taken to the inspection station on the same day the purchaser removes the\n vehicle from the auto auction or (ii) the purchaser’s place of residence\n or business;\n\n 12. Motor vehicles, trailers, or semitrailers, after the expiration of a\n period fixed for the inspection thereof, (i) operated over the most direct\n route between the place where such vehicle is kept or garaged and an official\n inspection station or (ii) parked on a highway and that have been submitted\n for a motor vehicle safety inspection to an official inspection station, for\n the purpose of having the same inspected pursuant to a prior appointment with\n such station;\n\n 13. Any vehicle for transporting well-drilling machinery and mobile equipment\n as defined in § 46.2-700;\n\n 14. Motor vehicles being towed in a legal manner as exempted under §\n 46.2-1150;\n\n 15. Logtrailers as exempted under § 46.2-1159;\n\n 16. Motor vehicles designed or altered and used exclusively for racing or\n other exhibition purposes as exempted under § 46.2-1160;\n\n 17. Any tow dolly or converter gear as defined in § 46.2-1119;\n\n 18. A new motor vehicle, as defined in § 46.2-1500, that has been\n inspected in accordance with an inspection requirement of the manufacturer or\n distributor of the new motor vehicle by an employee who customarily performs\n such inspection on behalf of a motor vehicle dealer licensed pursuant to\n § 46.2-1508. Such inspection shall be deemed to be the first inspection\n for the purpose of § 46.2-1158, and an inspection approval sticker\n furnished by the Department of State Police at the uniform price paid by all\n official inspection stations to the Department of State Police for an\n inspection approval sticker may be affixed to the vehicle as required by\n § 46.2-1163;\n\n 19. Mopeds;\n\n 20. Low-speed vehicles;\n\n 21. Vehicles exempt from registration pursuant to Article 6 (§ 46.2-662\n et seq.) of Chapter 6; and\n\n 22. Military surplus motor vehicles as defined in § 46.2-100 and licensed\n pursuant to § 46.2-730.1.\n\nB. The following shall be exempt from inspection as required by \u00a7 46.2-1157,\nprovided that (i) the commercial motor vehicle operates in interstate commerce;\n(ii) the commercial motor vehicle has been inspected in accordance with the\nfederal requirements for annual inspection by complying with the periodic\ninspection requirements in 49 C.F.R. \u00a7 396.17; (iii) the inspection has been\ndetermined by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration to be comparable\nto or as effective as the requirements of 49 C.F.R. \u00a7 396.3(a); and (iv)\ndocumentation of such determination as provided for in 49 C.F.R. \u00a7 396.3(b) is\navailable for review by law-enforcement officials to verify that the inspection\nis current:\n\n 1. Any commercial motor vehicle operating in interstate commerce that is\n subject to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations;\n\n 2. Any trailer or semitrailer being operated in interstate commerce that is\n subject to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations.\n\nHISTORY: 2011, c. 283; 2016, cc. 128, 702; 2018, c. 555; 2019, c. 69; 2023, cc.\n394, 395.","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}}