Certified Virginia Vehicle State Inspection Station

American Pride Automotive is a conveniently located authorized Virginia State Inspection Station

servicing residents and businesses of Yorktown, York County, Hampton, Newport News, Poquoson, Gloucester, Toano and Williamsburg.

Great job guys, $2,160 raised for Grove Christian Outreach Center through the State Inspections for Our Community Program!

Great job guys, $2,160 raised for Grove Christian Outreach Center through the State Inspections for Our Community Program! The fire truck is our “mascot” (Visit on Facebook)

As a full-service, AAA-accredited automotive repair shop with qualified ASE-certified technicians, we can repair any inspection violations to get you back on the road again quickly.

State Inspections for our Community
Each month we donate $10 for every Virginia state inspection we conduct to an area charity or non-profit organization.  For January, we donated $2,160 to the Grove Christian Outreach Center. That makes $3,340 in community donations this year. 

In February we’re supporting the Peninsula SPCA.

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Each state inspection will generate $10 for this worthy group, and the money will be split 50/50 between the general operating fund the Peninsula SPCA. Enable us to support those who work tirelessly to help abandoned and neglected animals on the Peninsula find new beginnings. The operating fund helps homeless animals that would otherwise be forgotten.  Let American Pride Automotive provide your VA State Inspection and know you’re helping the Peninsula SPCA!

Questions about the Virginia State Inspection process? See our FAQ below!

Virginia State Inspection LicenseFAQs:

Q. Once I have registered my vehicle in the state of Virginia, how long do I have before my vehicle must be inspected?
A. There is no grace period. Once you have registered a vehicle with the Division of Motor Vehicles in the state of Virginia, it must be inspected immediately.
Q. Does an inspection sticker expire on the first or last day of the month indicated on the sticker?

A. The sticker expires the last day of the month.
Q. Are antique vehicles exempt from inspection? What are the restrictions?

A. Vehicles that are at least 25 years old can be defined as “antique.” If a vehicle is registered as an antique through the Department of Motor Vehicles, it is exempt from state inspection.
Q. Can I operate my vehicle with a rejection sticker on the windshield?

A. The validity period of a rejection sticker is 15 days, in addition to the day of inspection.
Q. What is the cost of a safety inspection?

A. The cost is $16.00 for a motor vehicle, including trailers and semi-trailers, and $12.00 for a motorcycle.
Q. Do new vehicles need to be submitted for the annual safety inspection?

A. New vehicles purchased in Virginia that have been inspected in accordance with the manufacturer or distributor are not required to undergo the initial annual safety inspection. Placement of an inspection sticker on the windshield of a vehicle will be at the automobile dealer’s option.
Q. What are the consequences of driving with an expired sticker?

A. If a police officer sees the expired sticker, or if you are pulled over for another reason you will be issued a ticket for not having a current inspection. As of early 2012 the ticket was $90.
Q. What are the most common reasons for a car or truck failing inspection?
A.  Lights (brake lights, headlights, taillights), windshield wipers, cracked windshields, tires, and brake pads and rotors are the most common parts requiring replacement to pass inspection.
Q. Do all windshield cracks fail for State Inspection?
A. No, it will only fail if there is a pit, chip, or star crack larger than 1½ inches in diameter at any location in the windshield above the 3-inch line at the bottom, or if at any location in the windshield above the 3-inch line at the bottom there is more than one crack from the same point if at least one of the cracks is more than 1½ inches in length. There is any crack that weakens the windshield so that one piece may be moved in relation to the other. (If there is more than one crack running from a star crack that extends above the 3-inch line, the windshield shall be rejected.).
Q. What if I think my vehicle is being failed just so I have to pay for repairs? Where can I just buy a sticker?
A. At American Pride our inspectors take their role seriously. The license to inspect vehicles belongs to the individual and not to the shop. State Inspectors must pass an exam every 4 years and can lose their license at any time if they are convicted of a misdemeanor or even receive a reckless driving ticket. The State Police enforce these rules very firmly, if an inspector is caught passing cars that should not pass, or selling stickers without doing an inspection, they will lose their license (which is part of their livelihood) and potentially face criminal charges. If you’re concerned about the legitimacy of an inspection you may contact the regional State Police office which you can find on their website.
Q. Are neon lights legal in Virginia?
A. No, neon lights are illegal anywhere on or in a vehicle in Virginia unless they are completely covered and unlit when being operated on public roads.

Still have Questions?  Email Us and we’ll add them to the FAQ.

Here’s the official Inspection procedure from the State Police:

REQUIRED OFFICIAL INSPECTION PROCEDURES

  1. REMOVE OLD INSPECTION STICKER.
  2. DRIVE VEHICLE INTO INSPECTION LANE.
  3. INSPECT BRAKES FOR: Worn, damaged or missing parts, leaks in system, proper fluid level.
  4. INSPECT PARKING BRAKE FOR: Broken or missing parts, proper adjustment, standard factory equipment or equivalent.
  5. INSPECT HEADLIGHTS FOR: Approved type, aim, and output. Condition of lamp, wiring and switch. Beam indicator.
  6. INSPECT OTHER LIGHTS FOR: Approved type, proper bulbs, condition of lenses, wiring and switch. Aim of fog and driving lamps. Illumination of all lamps, lens color and condition of lens.
  7. INSPECT SIGNAL DEVICE FOR: Approved type, proper bulbs, condition of lenses, wiring and switch; illumination of all lamps, lens color and condition of lens.
  8. INSPECT STEERING AND SUSPENSION FOR: Wear in bushings, kingpins, ball joints, wheel bearings, tie rod ends. Looseness of gear box on frame, condition of drag link and steering arm. Play in steering wheel. Wheel alignment and axle alignment. Broken spring leaves and worn shackles. Shock absorbers. Broken frame. Broken or missing engine mounts.
  9. INSPECT TIRES, WHEELS AND RIMS FOR: Condition of tires, including tread depth; condition of wheels.
  10. INSPECT MIRROR FOR: Rigidity of mounting. Condition of reflecting surface. View of road to rear.
  11. INSPECT HORN FOR: Electrical connections, mounting and horn button; emits sound audible for a minimum of 200 feet.
  12. INSPECT WINDSHIELD AND OTHER GLASS FOR: Approved type safety glass. Cloudiness, distortion or other obstruction to vision. Cracked, scratched or broken glass. Stickers. ALL UNAUTHORIZED STICKERS MUST BE REMOVED. Operation of left front door glass.
  13. INSPECT WINDSHIELD WIPER/DEFROSTER FOR: Operating condition; condition of blade.
  14. INSPECT EXHAUST SYSTEM FOR: Condition and leakage of gasses from motor to point discharged from system.
  15. INSPECT LICENSE TAGS FOR: Illumination of rear plate.
  16. INSPECT HOOD AND AREA UNDER THE HOOD FOR: Operating condition of hood latch; presence of emissions system; evidence that any essential parts have been removed, rendered inoperative or disconnected. Proper levels of brake fluid, power steering fluid. Power steering belt — proper tension, wear or absence.
  17. INSPECT AIR POLLUTION CONTROL SYSTEM (1973 and Subsequent Models) FOR: Installation and operation. Includes the catalytic converter and the fuel tank filler pipe.
  18. INSPECT DRIVER’S SEAT FOR: Anchorage, location, condition.
  19. INSPECT SEAT BELTS FOR: Approved type, installation.
  20. INSPECT DOORS AT THE RIGHT and LEFT SIDE OF THE DRIVER’S SEAT FOR: Handle or opening device, which will permit the opening of the door from the outside and inside.
  21. INSPECT VEHICLE LATCHING SYSTEM FOR: Holding door in its proper closed position.
  22. INSPECT FUEL SYSTEM FOR: Any part that is not securely fastened. Liquid fuel leakage; fuel tank filler cap for presence.
  23. INSPECT FLOOR PAN FOR: (a) Holes which allow exhaust gasses to enter occupant compartment, (b) Conditions which create a hazard to the occupants.
  24. ISSUE STICKER: (a) If approved, place approval sticker on the vehicle, and give pink copy of certificate to operator, or (b) ALL DEFECTS MUST BE CORRECTED AND THE VEHICLE RE-INSPECTED WITHIN 15 DAYS. THE DRIVER MAY BE IN JEOPARDY OF RECEIVING A SUMMONS FOR ANY DEFECT STILL PRESENT ANY TIME THE VEHICLE IS OPERATED ON THE HIGHWAY.