{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/46.2-1166.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/46.2-1166.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/46.2-1166.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/46.2-1166.html"}],"law_id":68176,"edition_id":1,"section_id":68176,"structure_id":14139,"section_number":"46.2-1166","catch_line":"Minimum standards required for inspection stations; appointments","history":"Code 1950, \u00a7 46-319; 1958, c. 541, \u00a7 46.1-320; 1962, c. 246; 1980, cc. 31, 168; 1989, c. 727; 2004, c. 383; 2005, c. 179; 2017, c. 525; 2018, c. 400.","full_text":"A\n\nThe Superintendent shall not designate any person, firm, or corporation as an official inspection station unless and until such person, firm or corporation satisfies the Superintendent, under such regulations as the Superintendent shall prescribe, that such person, firm, or corporation has met and will continue to meet the following standards:1\n\nThe station has sufficient mechanical equipment and skilled and competent mechanics to make a complete inspection in accordance with the provisions of this article;2\n\nAdequate means are provided by the station to test the brakes, headlights, and steering mechanism of motor vehicles and to ascertain that motor vehicles inspected by the station meet the safety standards prescribed by the Superintendent under the terms of this title;3\n\nThe person making the actual inspection or under whose immediate supervision such inspection is made shall have at least one year’s practical experience as an automotive mechanic, or has satisfactorily completed a training program in automotive mechanics approved by the Superintendent of State Police;4\n\nNo person shall be designated by such station to make such inspections unless the person has been approved for that purpose by the Department of State Police;5\n\nThe Superintendent of State Police may, at his discretion, waive the experience and training requirements of this section for inspections of motorcycles and trailers when, in the Superintendent’s opinion, the person performing such inspections is otherwise qualified to perform such inspections; and6\n\nThe station has garage liability insurance in the amount of at least $500,000 with an approved surplus lines carrier or insurance company licensed to write such insurance in this Commonwealth, provided this requirement shall not apply to inspection stations that inspect only their company-owned or leased or government-owned or leased vehicles.B\n\nAny official inspection station may, at the discretion of the inspection station, accept vehicles on a first-come, first-served basis or by prescheduled appointments for the safety inspection of a motor vehicle pursuant to § 46.2-1157.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":246764,"text":"The Superintendent shall not designate any person, firm, or corporation as an official inspection station unless and until such person, firm or corporation satisfies the Superintendent, under such regulations as the Superintendent shall prescribe, that such person, firm, or corporation has met and will continue to meet the following standards:","type":"section","prefixes":["A"],"prefix":"A","entire_prefix":"A","prefix_anchor":"A","level":1,"next_prefix":"A1"},"1":{"id":246765,"text":"The station has sufficient mechanical equipment and skilled and competent mechanics to make a complete inspection in accordance with the provisions of this article;","type":"section","prefixes":["A","1"],"prefix":"1","entire_prefix":"A1","prefix_anchor":"A1","level":2,"prior_prefix":"A","next_prefix":"A2"},"2":{"id":246766,"text":"Adequate means are provided by the station to test the brakes, headlights, and steering mechanism of motor vehicles and to ascertain that motor vehicles inspected by the station meet the safety standards prescribed by the Superintendent under the terms of this title;","type":"section","prefixes":["A","2"],"prefix":"2","entire_prefix":"A2","prefix_anchor":"A2","level":2,"prior_prefix":"A1","next_prefix":"A3"},"3":{"id":246767,"text":"The person making the actual inspection or under whose immediate supervision such inspection is made shall have at least one year’s practical experience as an automotive mechanic, or has satisfactorily completed a training program in automotive mechanics approved by the Superintendent of State Police;","type":"section","prefixes":["A","3"],"prefix":"3","entire_prefix":"A3","prefix_anchor":"A3","level":2,"prior_prefix":"A2","next_prefix":"A4"},"4":{"id":246768,"text":"No person shall be designated by such station to make such inspections unless the person has been approved for that purpose by the Department of State Police;","type":"section","prefixes":["A","4"],"prefix":"4","entire_prefix":"A4","prefix_anchor":"A4","level":2,"prior_prefix":"A3","next_prefix":"A5"},"5":{"id":246769,"text":"The Superintendent of State Police may, at his discretion, waive the experience and training requirements of this section for inspections of motorcycles and trailers when, in the Superintendent’s opinion, the person performing such inspections is otherwise qualified to perform such inspections; and","type":"section","prefixes":["A","5"],"prefix":"5","entire_prefix":"A5","prefix_anchor":"A5","level":2,"prior_prefix":"A4","next_prefix":"A6"},"6":{"id":246770,"text":"The station has garage liability insurance in the amount of at least $500,000 with an approved surplus lines carrier or insurance company licensed to write such insurance in this Commonwealth, provided this requirement shall not apply to inspection stations that inspect only their company-owned or leased or government-owned or leased vehicles.","type":"section","prefixes":["A","6"],"prefix":"6","entire_prefix":"A6","prefix_anchor":"A6","level":2,"prior_prefix":"A5","next_prefix":"B"},"7":{"id":246771,"text":"Any official inspection station may, at the discretion of the inspection station, accept vehicles on a first-come, first-served basis or by prescheduled appointments for the safety inspection of a motor vehicle pursuant to § 46.2-1157.","type":"section","prefixes":["B"],"prefix":"B","entire_prefix":"B","prefix_anchor":"B","level":1,"prior_prefix":"A6"}},"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":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},"next_section":{"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},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/46.2-1166\/","history_text":"

The record of this law\u2019s original creation isn\u2019t available online. It has been modified 8 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 1980, chapters 31 and 168; in 1989, chapter 727; in 2004, chapter 383<\/a>; in 2005, chapter 179<\/a>; in 2017, chapter 525<\/a>; in 2018, chapter 400<\/a>.<\/p>","references":[{"id":80818,"section_number":"46.2-1176","catch_line":"Definitions","order_by":null,"url":"\/46.2-1176\/"}],"refers_to":[{"id":85494,"section_number":"46.2-1157","catch_line":"Inspection of motor vehicles required","order_by":null,"url":"\/46.2-1157\/"}],"permalink":{"id":229221,"object_type":"law","relational_id":68176,"identifier":"46.2-1166","token":"46.2\/III\/10\/21\/46.2-1166","url":"\/46.2-1166\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/46.2-1166\/","token":"46.2\/III\/10\/21\/46.2-1166","dublin_core":{"Title":"Minimum standards required for inspection stations; appointments","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 46.2-1166","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

A.<\/span> The Superintendent<\/span> shall not designate any person, firm, or corporation as an official inspection station unless and until such person, firm or corporation satisfies the Superintendent<\/span>, under such regulations as the Superintendent<\/span> shall prescribe, that such person, firm, or corporation has met and will continue to meet the following standards: <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

1.<\/span> The station has sufficient mechanical equipment and skilled and competent mechanics to make a complete inspection in accordance with the provisions of this article; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

2.<\/span> Adequate means are provided by the station to test the brakes, headlights, and steering mechanism of motor vehicles<\/span> and to ascertain that motor vehicles<\/span> inspected by the station meet the safety standards prescribed by the Superintendent<\/span> under the terms of this title; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

3.<\/span> The person making the actual inspection or under whose immediate supervision such inspection is made shall have at least one year’s practical experience as an automotive mechanic, or has satisfactorily completed a training program in automotive mechanics approved by the Superintendent<\/span> of State Police; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

4.<\/span> No person shall be designated by such station to make such inspections unless the person has been approved for that purpose by the Department<\/span> of State Police; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

5.<\/span> The Superintendent<\/span> of State Police may, at his discretion, waive<\/span> the experience and training requirements of this section for inspections of motorcycles<\/span> and trailers<\/span> when, in the Superintendent<\/span>’s opinion<\/span>, the person performing such inspections is otherwise qualified to perform such inspections; and <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

6.<\/span> The station has garage liability insurance in the amount of at least $500,000 with an approved surplus lines carrier or insurance company licensed to write such insurance in this Commonwealth, provided this requirement shall not apply to inspection stations that inspect only their company-owned or leased or government-owned or leased vehicles. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

B.<\/span> Any official inspection station may, at the discretion of the inspection station, accept vehicles on a first-come, first-served basis or by prescheduled appointments for the safety inspection of a motor vehicle<\/span> pursuant to § 46.2-1157<\/a>. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>","plain_text":" CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nMINIMUM STANDARDS REQUIRED FOR INSPECTION STATIONS; APPOINTMENTS (\u00a7 46.2-1166)\n\nA. The Superintendent shall not designate any person, firm, or corporation as an\nofficial inspection station unless and until such person, firm or corporation\nsatisfies the Superintendent, under such regulations as the Superintendent shall\nprescribe, that such person, firm, or corporation has met and will continue to\nmeet the following standards:\n\n 1. The station has sufficient mechanical equipment and skilled and competent\n mechanics to make a complete inspection in accordance with the provisions of\n this article;\n\n 2. Adequate means are provided by the station to test the brakes, headlights,\n and steering mechanism of motor vehicles and to ascertain that motor vehicles\n inspected by the station meet the safety standards prescribed by the\n Superintendent under the terms of this title;\n\n 3. The person making the actual inspection or under whose immediate\n supervision such inspection is made shall have at least one year’s\n practical experience as an automotive mechanic, or has satisfactorily\n completed a training program in automotive mechanics approved by the\n Superintendent of State Police;\n\n 4. No person shall be designated by such station to make such inspections\n unless the person has been approved for that purpose by the Department of\n State Police;\n\n 5. The Superintendent of State Police may, at his discretion, waive the\n experience and training requirements of this section for inspections of\n motorcycles and trailers when, in the Superintendent’s opinion, the\n person performing such inspections is otherwise qualified to perform such\n inspections; and\n\n 6. The station has garage liability insurance in the amount of at least\n $500,000 with an approved surplus lines carrier or insurance company licensed\n to write such insurance in this Commonwealth, provided this requirement shall\n not apply to inspection stations that inspect only their company-owned or\n leased or government-owned or leased vehicles.\n\nB. Any official inspection station may, at the discretion of the inspection\nstation, accept vehicles on a first-come, first-served basis or by prescheduled\nappointments for the safety inspection of a motor vehicle pursuant to §\n46.2-1157.\n\nHISTORY: Code 1950, \u00a7 46-319; 1958, c. 541, \u00a7 46.1-320; 1962, c. 246; 1980,\ncc. 31, 168; 1989, c. 727; 2004, c. 383; 2005, c. 179; 2017, c. 525; 2018, c.\n400.","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}}