The DMV registration renewal card has a bar code on the back side of the form that can be scanned by the inspector. This is to decrease the inspection time and to increase data entry accuracy. There are more than 370 permitted emissions inspection stations available to the public in the Northern Virginia area. The inspection is performed at various local facilities including service stations, repair shops, and motor vehicle dealerships. Inspection stations are required to be open for inspections for an eight hour period Monday through Friday, excluding holidays.
Many stations also have weekend and evening hours.
This indicates that DMV was not updated at the end of the inspection with the results of the inspection for that vehicle. Upon the next successful communication by the station's emissions analyzer, the results will be downloaded and DMV updated. As an added measure, all Pass and Waiver results for each day are downloaded to DMV a second time during each evening. Occasionally, communications between the emissions analyzer and DMV may be interrupted for a short period of time. In this event, you may need to present a copy of the VIR to DMV to complete the registration process.