On this page
- What fails: the actual limits
- Most common defects statewide
- Small items that catch people out
- Lifted trucks, bumper height and tint
- How long it takes here
- If your vehicle fails
- New to Midlothian, at school or deployed
- Expired sticker rules
- Lifetime inspections with the Haley Advantage
- Frequently asked questions
- References
What fails a Virginia inspection: the actual limits
Virginia's safety inspection covers about two dozen items, from brakes and steering to the gas cap and the horn.[2] The rules are specific: inspectors reject a vehicle against measured limits, not opinions. Here are the limits behind the most common rejections, and a way to check each one in your driveway before you come in.
| Item | Rejected if | Check it at home |
|---|---|---|
| Tires | Tread is under 2/32 inch in two side-by-side grooves at several points around the tire, or the tire has a bulge, knot or separating tread[3] | Put a penny head-first into the shallowest groove. If you can see the top of Lincoln's head, you're at or near 2/32 inch. |
| Brake pads | Pads or linings are worn to less than 2/32 inch at any point[4] | Listen for grinding or squealing, and ask for the pad measurement in millimeters at your next oil change. |
| Red brake warning light | The red BRAKE light doesn't come on at start-up, stays on after the parking brake is released, or comes back on when you press the pedal. An amber ABS light by itself doesn't fail on most newer vehicles.[4][10] | Start the vehicle, release the parking brake and make sure the red BRAKE light goes out. |
| Airbag system | The airbag has deployed and wasn't replaced, part of the system has been removed, or a defect is visible. The airbag warning light alone is advisory: the inspector tells you, but it doesn't fail.[11] | If the airbag light stays on, have it diagnosed anyway. It means the airbags may not deploy in a crash. |
| Windshield | A chip or star crack is larger than 1-1/2 inches, or more than one crack runs from the same point with one longer than 1-1/2 inches, anywhere above the bottom 3 inches of the glass[6] | Measure any chip in the driver's view with a tape measure. |
| Lights | A required bulb is out, a lens is the wrong color or cloudy, or headlight aim is off. The rear license plate light counts.[2] | With a helper, check low and high beams, turn signals, brake lights, the third brake light, reverse lights and the plate light. |
| Wipers and defroster | Wipers or the defroster don't work, or the blades are in poor condition[2] | Run the wipers with washer fluid. If they streak or chatter, replace the blades. |
| Window tint | Aftermarket film on the front side windows lets through less than 50% of light, or any film is more than 20% reflective[6] | Your tint receipt lists the film percentage. See the truck and SUV rules below for rear windows. |
| Exhaust | Gas leaks anywhere from the engine to the tailpipe, or emissions parts have been removed or disconnected[2] | Listen for a new rumble, ticking or louder exhaust at start-up. |
Limits from the Virginia State Police inspection procedure and the Virginia Administrative Code (19VAC30-70). The penny test is a rough guide; inspectors measure with a gauge.
The most common defects in Virginia, by State Police data
Virginia State Police data for 2018, the latest year with published category totals, showed 8,209,716 vehicles inspected and 1,634,740 with defects that needed immediate repair or a rejection sticker, roughly one in five. Almost 579,000 left with a rejection sticker.[7] The defects that came up most:
- Steering and suspension, the most common category. Worn ball joints, tie rod ends, bushings and wheel bearings, plus excess play in the steering wheel.[2][7] Clunks over bumps, a wandering feel on the highway or tires wearing on one edge are the signs to watch for.
- Exhaust and emissions systems, second most common. Any leak from the engine to the tailpipe fails, as do emissions parts that have been removed or disconnected.[2][7] A new rumble or ticking at start-up, or an exhaust smell in the cabin, is worth a look before your appointment.
- Brakes. Almost 725,000 vehicles had faulty brakes.[7] Pads under 2/32 inch, leaks, low fluid and scored rotors all fail.[4] Grinding, squealing or a soft pedal are the warning signs.
Steering and suspension wear is hard to see from the driveway, so it's the category most likely to surprise you. Want us to look first? Ask for a multipoint inspection with your next oil change and we'll flag anything that wouldn't pass. Our guide to service recommendations shows how we measure brakes and tires.
Small items that catch people out
These are all on the official checklist, and each one can fail an otherwise healthy vehicle:[2]
- Gas cap. The fuel filler cap has to be there.
- Doors. The driver's door and the door on the other side of the driver's seat must open from both inside and outside, and latch closed.
- Driver's window. The left front window has to operate.
- Horn. It must be audible from at least 200 feet.
- Windshield stickers. Unauthorized stickers are removed, and a windshield sun strip can't drop below the AS-1 line (or 3 inches from the top if there's no line).
- Fluids and the hood. Low brake fluid or power steering fluid fails, and so does a hood latch that won't hold.
GMC trucks and SUVs: lift kits, bumper height and tint
Some Sierra and Canyon owners in Chesterfield and Powhatan add a lift, bigger tires or darker windows. Virginia allows all three, within limits that are checked at inspection. Inspectors look at the suspension, including lift blocks,[2] and Virginia law sets bumper heights for trucks by gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR). You'll find your GVWR on the label in the driver's door jamb.[6]
| GVWR | Front bumper height | Rear bumper height |
|---|---|---|
| 4,500 lbs or less | 14 to 28 inches | 14 to 28 inches |
| 4,501 to 7,500 lbs | 14 to 29 inches | 14 to 30 inches |
| 7,501 to 15,000 lbs | 14 to 30 inches | 14 to 31 inches |
Measured from the ground to the bottom of the main horizontal bumper bar. Passenger vehicles must stay between 14 and 22 inches. Source: Va. Code § 46.2-1063, via the Virginia State Police.
- Body lifts can't raise the body more than 3 inches above the frame rail, beyond the manufacturer's own spacers and bushings.[6]
- Tires marked for off-highway or farm use only are rejected, even with plenty of tread.[3]
- Rear window tint can be darker than 35% on pickups and multipurpose passenger vehicles. The front side windows still need to let through at least 50% of light, and the 20% reflectance limit applies to every window.[6] Your vehicle type is printed on the certification label in the driver's door jamb.
Planning a lift? Have us measure your current bumper height before you buy parts, so the finished truck passes its next sticker. Our GMC truck and SUV guide compares trims and off-road packages like AT4 if you'd rather start with one built for it.
How long a Virginia inspection takes at Haley Buick GMC Midlothian
State inspections here are walk-in, first come, first served, and usually take 45 to 90 minutes depending on how many vehicles are ahead of you. Here's how a visit goes:
- Walk in. No appointment needed for the inspection itself. Come during service hours, Monday through Friday 8am-6pm or Saturday 8am-2pm, and vehicles are taken in the order they arrive.
- Check in. Your advisor confirms the vehicle and anything else you'd like done. If you bought it from us, mention the Haley Advantage.
- The inspection. A licensed inspector removes the old sticker, drives the vehicle into the inspection lane and works through the state checklist, from brakes to the floor pan.[2]
- The result. Pass, and you get a new sticker and a receipt. Fail, and you get a rejection sticker, a written list of what failed and a quote for the repair. Nothing is fixed without your OK.
Two more ways to save time. Come early in the month: every sticker expires on the last day of the month shown, and Virginia doesn't mail reminders.[6] And do the two-minute driveway check above, since a burned-out bulb or a worn wiper blade is an easy fail to prevent.
If your vehicle fails inspection
A rejection sticker is good for 15 days in addition to the day of the inspection.[2] Here's what that means in practice:
- Come back to the same station within that window and the recheck of the failed items costs $1.[1]
- Miss the window, and the vehicle needs a complete inspection again.[8]
- The sticker isn't a permit. You can drive with a rejection sticker, but you can still be ticketed for the defect itself, such as a leaking exhaust.[6]
- You choose who repairs it. We'll quote the repair with genuine GM parts for Buick and GMC vehicles, and you're free to have the work done elsewhere and bring it back for the recheck.
New to Midlothian, away at school or deployed
Moving here from another state? There's no grace period. Once your vehicle is registered in Virginia, it has to be inspected right away, and Virginia State Police recommend getting it inspected before you register. Any Virginia station can inspect a vehicle with out-of-state plates.[6] For car tax, registration and other local costs, see our Midlothian and Chesterfield guide.
No emissions test here. Only vehicles garaged in certain Northern Virginia localities, including Arlington, Fairfax, Loudoun, Prince William and Stafford counties, need a Virginia emissions inspection. Chesterfield County, Powhatan and Richmond aren't on the list, so the annual safety inspection is all you need.[9]
Away when the sticker runs out? Virginia doesn't grant extensions, but if your sticker expires while you're out of state at college, on military duty or visiting family, you don't need a new inspection until you get back to your home or business in Virginia. Active-duty Virginia residents stationed elsewhere can drive here on leave with a valid inspection sticker from another state.[6]
Expired sticker? The short rules
- Your sticker expires on the last day of the month printed on it, even if that's a weekend.[6]
- Police can't pull you over just for an expired inspection sticker until the first day of the fourth month after it expired,[5] but it's still a violation, and you can be cited for it if you're stopped for something else.
- There's no late fee at the station: the $20 maximum still applies.[1] Book it as soon as you notice.
Lifetime Virginia state inspections with the Haley Advantage
Buy a qualified new or pre-owned vehicle from Haley Buick GMC Midlothian and your annual Virginia state inspection is included for life through the Haley Advantage, at no charge. At up to $20 a year, that's up to $200 in inspection fees over ten years of ownership, before you count the other Advantage benefits: your first oil change, multipoint inspections and loaners during major service. See everything the Haley Advantage includes.
How to use it. Walk in, or add it to a scheduled service visit, and tell your advisor you have the Haley Advantage. The benefit covers the inspection itself; if something needs repair to pass, we'll quote it and wait for your approval. The Haley Advantage is offered at every Haley Automotive Group store.
Shopping used? Every used vehicle on our lot goes through our inspection process and is checked against recall lists before it's sold. Browse used inventory.
Didn't buy from us? We still inspect all makes and models, at no more than the $20 state maximum.
Frequently asked questions
How long does a Virginia state inspection take at Haley Buick GMC Midlothian?
Usually 45 to 90 minutes. Inspections are walk-in, first come, first served, Monday through Friday 8am-6pm and Saturday 8am-2pm. To skip the line, add the inspection to a scheduled service like an oil change or tire rotation; we can often pull your vehicle straight in, and both services together usually take about 1.5 to 2 hours.
What fails a Virginia state inspection most often?
Virginia State Police data shows steering and suspension problems are the most common defect, followed by exhaust and emissions systems, and almost 725,000 vehicles in 2018 had faulty brakes. Virginia also rejects tires and brake pads worn below 2/32 inch, and windshield chips larger than 1-1/2 inches above the bottom 3 inches of the glass.
Does Chesterfield County require an emissions test?
No. Virginia emissions inspections apply only to vehicles garaged in certain Northern Virginia localities, such as Arlington, Fairfax, Loudoun, Prince William and Stafford counties. Chesterfield, Powhatan and Richmond drivers need only the annual safety inspection.
Will a warning light on my dash fail Virginia inspection?
Usually not by itself. The airbag warning light is advisory only, a brake pad wear light fails only if the pads measure below the limit, and an amber ABS light alone doesn't fail on most newer vehicles. A red brake warning light that stays on does fail, and burned-out exterior bulbs such as headlights, brake lights and turn signals fail.
Is the window tint on my GMC Yukon or Sierra legal in Virginia?
Front side windows must let through at least 50% of light. Rear side and rear windows on pickups and multipurpose passenger vehicles can be darker than the 35% limit for cars, and no film can be more than 20% reflective.
Do you inspect vehicles you didn't sell?
Yes. Haley Buick GMC Midlothian inspects all makes and models, and the fee is capped at $20 by state law.
Do I need an appointment for a Virginia state inspection?
No. State inspections at Haley Buick GMC Midlothian are walk-in, first come, first served. If you'd rather not wait, schedule an oil change or tire rotation and add the inspection to that appointment.
I bought my vehicle from Haley Buick GMC Midlothian. Is my inspection free?
Yes, on qualified vehicles. Lifetime Virginia state inspections are part of the Haley Advantage. Walk in or add it to a scheduled service and mention the Haley Advantage; repairs needed to pass are quoted separately.
Due for a sticker? Book it on Midlothian Turnpike
9831 Midlothian Turnpike, Richmond, VA 23235. Walk-in inspections, first come, first served: Mon-Fri 8am-6pm, Sat 8am-2pm. All makes and models.
References
Checked November 2, 2026. We recheck this page after each General Assembly session.
- Code of Virginia § 46.2-1167: charges for inspection and reinspection. Virginia General Assembly.
- Vehicle Safety Inspection: required official inspection procedure and fees. Virginia State Police.
- 19VAC30-70-130: tires, wheels, rims. Virginia Administrative Code.
- 19VAC30-70-80: service brakes. Virginia Administrative Code.
- Code of Virginia § 46.2-1157: inspection of motor vehicles required. Virginia General Assembly.
- Vehicle Inspection FAQs: stickers, windshields, tint, bumper height and new residents. Virginia State Police.
- Va. vehicle inspections reveal defects (2018 Virginia State Police data). Ratchet+Wrench, December 2019.
- Code of Virginia, Title 46.2, Chapter 10, Article 21: safety inspections (§ 46.2-1158). Virginia General Assembly.
- Emissions inspections: localities that require one. Virginia DMV.
- 19VAC30-70-90: brakes: emergency, parking or holding. Virginia Administrative Code.
- 19VAC30-70-290: seat belts and air bags (airbag readiness light advisory only, amended February 2024). Virginia Administrative Code, via Cornell LII.
Inspection requirements are set by the Code of Virginia and the Virginia State Police and can change; this page is general information, not legal advice. Virginia inspection fees are set by state law. Lifetime state inspections are part of the Haley Advantage on qualified vehicles only; see dealer for details. Information current as of November 2026.