dcrodriguez/Code-of-Virginia huggingface dataset:
Code of Virginia — Title 46.2 (Motor Vehicles), Chapter 10 (Motor Vehicle and Equipment Safety)
§ 46.2-1151.1. Weight limit exception for covered heavy duty tow and recovery vehicles.
The provisions of §§ 46.2-1126 and 46.2-1127 shall not apply to a covered heavy duty tow and recovery vehicle when operating on an interstate highway.

This section shall not permit the violation of any lawfully established load limit on any bridge. Covered heavy duty tow and recovery vehicles shall have reasonable access to terminals and facilities for food, fuel, repairs, and rest as designated by the Commissioner of Highways.

For purposes of this section, "covered heavy duty tow and recovery vehicle" means a vehicle that is transporting a disabled vehicle from the place where the vehicle became disabled to the nearest appropriate repair facility and has a gross vehicle weight that is equal to or exceeds the gross vehicle weight of the disabled vehicle being transported.

2017, c. 554.

Code of Virginia — Title 46.2 (Motor Vehicles), Chapter 10 (Motor Vehicle and Equipment Safety)
§ 46.2-1152. Certain tow trucks need not be weighed.
Notwithstanding any other provision of law, no truck designed and equipped for the towing of inoperative or disabled motor vehicles shall be required to be weighed at state-operated permanent weighing stations when not actually engaged in towing another vehicle.

1984, c. 98, § 46.1-339.2; 1989, c. 727.

Code of Virginia — Title 46.2 (Motor Vehicles), Chapter 10 (Motor Vehicle and Equipment Safety)
§ 46.2-1153. Permissible lengths of combination vehicles being towed in emergencies.
In an emergency as provided in § 46.2-1149, the towing of disabled vehicles which cannot be separated for safety, physical, or mechanical reasons and which exceed length limits established in Article 16 (§ 46.2-1112 et seq.) of this chapter, shall be permissible for the purpose of towing any such vehicle to the nearest facility which can make the necessary repairs but not more than fifty miles from the point such vehicle was disabled.

Code 1950, §§ 46-328, 46-331; 1950, p. 665; 1952, c. 342; 1956, cc. 476, 483; 1958, c. 541, §§ 46.1-330, 46.1-335; 1962, cc. 113, 575; 1964, c. 286; 1966, cc. 59, 373; 1972, c. 446; 1974, cc. 580, 664; 1975, c. 104; 1978, c. 254; 1983, c. 515; 1985, c. 426; 1986, cc. 72, 417; 1989, c. 727.

Code of Virginia — Title 46.2 (Motor Vehicles), Chapter 10 (Motor Vehicle and Equipment Safety)
§ 46.2-1154. Length of vehicles; exceptions in case of breakdown.
The provisions of § 46.2-1118 shall not apply to vehicles which, because of a mechanical breakdown or an accident, are towed to the nearest repair facility which can furnish the required service. In any such case such connection may consist solely of a chain, rope, or cable of no more than fifteen feet long. A licensed driver shall be at the controls of the towed vehicle to brake, steer and control its lights.

Code 1950, § 46-333; 1958, c. 541, § 46.1-337; 1989, c. 727.
Code of Virginia — Title 46.2 (Motor Vehicles), Chapter 10 (Motor Vehicle and Equipment Safety)
§ 46.2-1155. Fastening load of logs, barrels, etc.
No vehicle which is designed or used for the purpose of hauling logs, poles, lumber, barrels, hogsheads, or other materials or containers which by their nature may shift or roll, shall be operated or moved on any highway unless its load is securely fastened by adequate log chains, metal cables, nylon webbing, steel straps or other restraining devices so as to prevent the load from shifting or falling from the vehicle. Tobacco hogsheads may, however, be secured by manila or hemp rope, at least five-eighths inch in diameter, of sufficient strength securely to fasten the hogshead against shifting, falling, or rolling.

Nothing in this section shall release the owner or operator from liability for failure to use reasonable care to prevent the load from shifting or falling.

Code 1950, § 46-308; 1954, c. 34; 1958, c. 541, § 46.1-304; 1972, c. 64; 1989, c. 727.

Code of Virginia — Title 46.2 (Motor Vehicles), Chapter 10 (Motor Vehicle and Equipment Safety)
§ 46.2-1156. Construction, maintenance and loading must prevent escape of contents; load covers; exemptions.
A. No vehicle shall be operated or moved on any highway unless it is so constructed, maintained, and loaded as to prevent its contents from dropping, sifting, leaking, or otherwise escaping. No provision of this section, however, shall apply to any (i) motor vehicle that is used exclusively for agricultural purposes as provided in § 46.2-698 and is not licensed in any other state; (ii) agricultural vehicle, tractor, or other vehicle exempted from registration and licensing requirements pursuant to Article 6 (§ 46.2-662 et seq.) of Chapter 6 of this title; or (iii) motor vehicle transporting forest products, poultry, or livestock.

B. The loads of all trucks, trailers and semitrailers carrying gravel, sand, coal or other nonagricultural and nonforestry products on interstate, primary, or secondary highways or roads maintained by cities, counties or incorporated towns shall be either (i) secured to the vehicle in which they are being transported or (ii) covered. Covers used to prevent the escape of material from commercial vehicles used to transport solid waste shall be of such design, installation, and construction as to contain the vehicle's cargo within the vehicle, regardless of the vehicle's speed or weather conditions. Public service company vehicles, pickup trucks, and emergency snow removal equipment while engaged in snow removal operations shall be excluded from the provisions of this subsection.

Code 1950, § 46-307; 1958, c. 541, §§ 46.1-303, 46.1-401; 1975, c. 553; 1979, c. 213; 1980, c. 21; 1986, c. 639; 1988, cc. 662, 897; 1989, cc. 526, 727; 1992, c. 149; 1997, c. 283; 2001, c. 180.
Code of Virginia — Title 46.2 (Motor Vehicles), Chapter 10 (Motor Vehicle and Equipment Safety)
§ 46.2-1156.1. Transportation of persons less than sixteen years old in pickup truck beds prohibited; exception.
No person under sixteen years of age shall be transported in the rear cargo area of any pickup truck on the highways of Virginia. The provisions of this section shall not apply to transportation of persons in the bed of any pickup truck being operated (i) as part of an organized parade authorized by the Department of Transportation or the locality in which the parade is being conducted or (ii) on or across a highway from one field or parcel of land to another field or parcel of land in connection with farming operations.

2000, c. 736.

Code of Virginia — Title 46.2 (Motor Vehicles), Chapter 10 (Motor Vehicle and Equipment Safety)
§ 46.2-1157. Inspection of motor vehicles required.
A. The owner or operator of any motor vehicle, trailer, or semitrailer registered in Virginia and operated or parked on a highway within the Commonwealth shall submit his vehicle to an inspection of its mechanism and equipment by an official inspection station, designated for that purpose, in accordance with § 46.2-1158. No owner or operator shall fail to submit a motor vehicle, trailer, or semitrailer operated or parked on the highways in the Commonwealth to such inspection or fail or refuse to correct or have corrected in accordance with the requirements of this title any mechanical defects found by such inspection to exist.

B. The provisions of this section requiring safety inspections of motor vehicles shall also apply to vehicles used for firefighting; inspections of firefighting vehicles shall be conducted pursuant to regulations promulgated by the Superintendent of State Police, taking into consideration the special purpose of such vehicles and the conditions under which they operate.

C. Each day during which such motor vehicle, trailer, or semitrailer is operated or parked on any highway in the Commonwealth after failure to comply with this law shall constitute a separate offense.

D. Except as otherwise provided, autocycles shall be inspected as motorcycles under this article.

E. No law-enforcement officer shall stop a motor vehicle due to an expired vehicle inspection sticker until the first day of the fourth month after the original expiration date. No evidence discovered or obtained as the result of a stop in violation of this subsection, including evidence discovered or obtained with the operator's consent, shall be admissible in any trial, hearing, or other proceeding.

Code 1950, § 46-317; 1950, p. 691; 1958, c. 541, § 46.1-315; 1962, c. 246; 1978, cc. 275, 605; 1982, c. 646; 1989, c. 727; 1991, cc. 107, 717; 1993, c. 134; 1995, c. 670; 1997, c. 283; 2004, cc. 267, 796; 2007, cc. 75, 137; 2009, cc. 115, 514, 756; 2011, c. 283; 2014, cc. 53, 256; 2020, Sp. Sess. I, cc. 45, 51.
Code of Virginia — Title 46.2 (Motor Vehicles), Chapter 10 (Motor Vehicle and Equipment Safety)
§ 46.2-1158. Frequency of inspection; scope of inspection.
Motor vehicles, trailers, and semitrailers required to be inspected pursuant to the provisions of § 46.2-1157 shall be reinspected within 12 months of the month of the first inspection and at least once every 12 months thereafter.

Each inspection shall be a complete inspection. A reinspection of a rejected vehicle by the same station during the period of validity of the rejection sticker on such vehicle, however, need only include an inspection of the item or items previously found defective unless there is found an obvious defect that would warrant further rejection of the vehicle.

A rejection sticker shall be valid for 15 calendar days beyond the day of issuance, during which time the operator of the vehicle shall not be charged for a violation of vehicle equipment requirements set forth in Article 3 (§ 46.2-1010 et seq.) through Article 9 (§ 46.2-1066 et seq.) for such vehicle. A complete inspection shall be performed on any vehicle bearing an expired rejection sticker.

The completion of the conversion process for a converted electric vehicle shall invalidate any inspection of such vehicle conducted in accordance with this section prior to the conversion. Following the initial inspection of a converted electric vehicle, as required under § 46.2-602.3 and the provisions of this chapter, such vehicle shall be reinspected in accordance with this section.

1977, c. 655, § 46.1-315.2; 1978, cc. 302, 748; 1982, c. 646; 1989, c. 727; 2012, c. 177; 2020, cc. 1230, 1275.
Code of Virginia — Title 46.2 (Motor Vehicles), Chapter 10 (Motor Vehicle and Equipment Safety)
§ 46.2-1158.02. Penalty for failure to have motor vehicle inspection.
A. Notwithstanding the penalty provisions of § 46.2-1171, a violation of § 46.2-1158 constitutes a traffic infraction. The court may, in its discretion, dismiss a summons issued under § 46.2-1158 where correction of vehicle or safety equipment defects or proof of compliance with § 46.2-1158 is provided to the court subsequent to the issuance of the summons.

B. The operator of a motor vehicle who is cited for a violation of § 46.2-1158 shall not be cited during the same occurrence for a violation of vehicle equipment requirements set forth in Article 3 (§ 46.2-1010 et seq.) through Article 9 (§ 46.2-1066 et seq.) for such vehicle, nor shall the operator of the motor vehicle that is subject to the citation be cited for a violation of such vehicle equipment requirements for such vehicle for a period of 15 calendar days.

2011, c. 283; 2020, cc. 1230, 1275.
Code of Virginia — Title 46.2 (Motor Vehicles), Chapter 10 (Motor Vehicle and Equipment Safety)
§ 46.2-1158.1. 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.
Notwithstanding any contrary provision of law, any vehicle safety inspection approval sticker issued for any vehicle that is principally garaged outside the Commonwealth while its registered owner is a person in the armed services of the United States shall be held not to have expired during the period of the owner's official absence from the Commonwealth in the armed services of the United States, regardless of whether such vehicle is operated in or through the Commonwealth during the owner's official absence from the Commonwealth in the armed services of the United States. Should the armed services member be domiciled in another state of the United States, nothing in this section shall be construed to absolve such person from obtaining a current inspection sticker from his state of domicile, if required by such state. In cases where a vehicle's owner has been officially absent from the Commonwealth because of service in the armed services of the United States but returns to Virginia following such official absence and the vehicle becomes operational in the Commonwealth, the vehicle's owner will have 14 calendar days following such return, Sundays and holidays excepted, to have the vehicle inspected. Furthermore, no penalty shall be imposed on any such owner or operator for operation of a motor vehicle, trailer, or semitrailer after the expiration of a period fixed for the inspection thereof, over the most direct route between the place where such vehicle is kept or garaged and an official inspection station for the purpose of having it inspected pursuant to an appointment with such station.

Motor vehicles owned and operated by persons on active duty with the United States armed forces who are Virginia residents stationed outside the Commonwealth at the time the inspection expires may be operated on the highways of the Commonwealth while persons on active duty are on leave, provided such vehicle displays a valid inspection sticker issued by another state.

For the purposes of this section, "service in the armed services of the United States" includes active duty service with the regular armed forces of the United States or the National Guard or other reserve component.

2005, c. 582; 2008, c. 722; 2009, c. 523; 2011, c. 283; 2014, cc. 67, 250.
Code of Virginia — Title 46.2 (Motor Vehicles), Chapter 10 (Motor Vehicle and Equipment Safety)
§ 46.2-1159. Logtrailers defined; exempt from inspection under certain conditions.
For the purpose of this section, a "logtrailer" shall be any vehicle designed and used solely as an implement for hauling logs, lumber, or other forest products from the forest to the mill or loading platform. Log trailers shall be exempt from the requirements of § 46.2-1157 if operation on the highways in the Commonwealth does not exceed two miles and is made during daylight hours.

Code 1950, § 46-317.1; 1954, c. 436; 1958, c. 541, § 46.1-316; 1989, c. 727.

Code of Virginia — Title 46.2 (Motor Vehicles), Chapter 10 (Motor Vehicle and Equipment Safety)
§ 46.2-1160. Towed vehicle defined; exempt from inspection requirement.
For the purpose of this section a towed vehicle shall be any motor vehicle designed or altered and used exclusively for racing or other exhibition purposes at places other than the highways in the Commonwealth where such vehicle does not operate under its own power on the highways in the Commonwealth in going to or from such places. A towed vehicle as defined in this section shall be exempt from the requirements of § 46.2-1157.

Code 1950, § 46-317.2; 1956, c. 128; 1958, c. 541, § 46.1-317; 1989, c. 727.

Code of Virginia — Title 46.2 (Motor Vehicles), Chapter 10 (Motor Vehicle and Equipment Safety)
§ 46.2-1161. Repealed.
Repealed by Acts 2011, c. 283, cl. 2.

Code of Virginia — Title 46.2 (Motor Vehicles), Chapter 10 (Motor Vehicle and Equipment Safety)
§ 46.2-1161.1. Inspections of trailers and semitrailers equipped with heating or cooking appliances.
If any trailer or semitrailer subject to the periodic safety inspections required by this article is equipped with a heating or cooking appliance, the safety inspection of such trailer or semitrailer shall include a visual inspection of the venting of such cooking or heating appliance to the outside of the trailer or semitrailer. No safety inspection approval sticker shall be issued to any such trailer or semitrailer unless any such heating or cooking appliance is adequately vented to prevent the asphyxiation of occupants of any such trailer or semitrailer by the operation of the heating or cooking appliance.

1991, c. 169.

Code of Virginia — Title 46.2 (Motor Vehicles), Chapter 10 (Motor Vehicle and Equipment Safety)
§ 46.2-1162. Inspection of certain trailers.
Any trailer required to be inspected under the provisions of this article may, only if the size or configuration of the trailer and the size and configuration of the facilities of the inspection station prevent the trailer from being inspected inside the inspection station, be inspected outside the inspection station. The provisions of this section shall apply only to trailers as defined in § 46.2-100 and shall not apply to recreational vehicles commonly known as "motor homes" or to any vehicle required to be equipped with head lights.

1982, c. 159, § 46.1-317.2; 1989, c. 727.
Code of Virginia — Title 46.2 (Motor Vehicles), Chapter 10 (Motor Vehicle and Equipment Safety)
§ 46.2-1164. Reinspection not required when windshield replaced; transfer of inspection sticker to new windshield; replacement of lost or damaged stickers.
When any vehicle requires the replacement of a windshield pursuant to § 46.2-1058, it shall not be necessary to inspect such vehicle at the time of replacement if a valid state inspection sticker is displayed on the windshield being replaced.

The sticker found on the broken windshield may be removed and placed on the new windshield.

The Superintendent may designate certain State Police officers to issue safety inspection approval stickers to vehicles from which the original valid safety inspection approval sticker has been lost, stolen or damaged without causing the vehicle to be reinspected, provided the vehicle owner or operator produces the original safety inspection approval sticker receipt issued to the vehicle within the past eleven months. Such replacement safety inspection approval stickers shall be issued in accordance with regulations promulgated by the Superintendent.

1978, c. 266, § 46.1-294.1; 1989, c. 727; 1993, c. 94; 1994, c. 396.

Code of Virginia — Title 46.2 (Motor Vehicles), Chapter 10 (Motor Vehicle and Equipment Safety)
§ 46.2-1165. Regulations for inspection of vehicles; posting.
The Superintendent shall promulgate regulations for the inspection of motor vehicles under this title and shall furnish each official inspection station with a printed set of such regulations suitable for posting. Such station shall post the regulations in a conspicuous place in the portion of its premises where inspections are made and shall cause its employees making official inspections to be conversant with such regulations.

Code 1950, § 46-323; 1958, c. 541, § 46.1-319; 1960, c. 391; 1970, c. 21; 1989, c. 727.
Code of Virginia — Title 46.2 (Motor Vehicles), Chapter 10 (Motor Vehicle and Equipment Safety)
§ 46.2-1166. Minimum standards required for inspection stations; appointments.
A. 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:

1. The station has sufficient mechanical equipment and skilled and competent mechanics to make a complete inspection in accordance with the provisions of this article;

2. 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;

3. 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;

4. 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;

5. 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

6. 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.

B. 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.

Code 1950, § 46-319; 1958, c. 541, § 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.
Code of Virginia — Title 46.2 (Motor Vehicles), Chapter 10 (Motor Vehicle and Equipment Safety)
§ 46.2-1167. Charges for inspection and reinspection; exemption.
A. Each official safety inspection station may charge no more than:

1. Fifty-one dollars for each inspection of any (i) tractor truck, (ii) truck that has a gross vehicle weight rating of 26,000 pounds or more, or (iii) motor vehicle that is used to transport passengers and has a seating capacity of more than 15 passengers, including the driver, $0.50 of which shall be transmitted to the Department of State Police to support the Department's costs in administering the motor vehicle safety inspection program;

2. Twelve dollars for each inspection of any motorcycle, $10 of which shall be retained by the inspection station and $2 of which shall be transmitted to the Department of State Police who shall retain $0.50 to support the Department's costs in administering the motor vehicle safety inspection program and deposit the remaining $1.50 into the Motorcycle Rider Safety Training Program Fund created pursuant to § 46.2-1191;

3. Twelve dollars for each inspection of any autocycle, $10 of which shall be retained by the inspection station and $2 of which shall be transmitted to the Department of State Police to be used to support the Department's costs in administering the motor vehicle safety inspection program; and

4. Twenty dollars for each inspection of any other vehicle, $0.70 of which shall be transmitted to the Department of State Police to support the Department's costs in administering the motor vehicle safety inspection program.

No such charge shall be mandatory, however, and no such charge shall be made unless the station has previously contracted therefor.

B. Each official safety inspection station may charge $1 for each reinspection of a vehicle rejected by the station, as provided in § 46.2-1158, if the vehicle is submitted for reinspection within the validity period of the rejection sticker. If a rejected vehicle is not submitted to the same station within the validity period of the rejection sticker or is submitted to another official safety inspection station, an amount no greater than that permitted under subsection A may be charged for the inspection.

Code 1950, § 46-320; 1958, c. 541, § 46.1-321; 1968, c. 163; 1973, c. 386; 1976, c. 501; 1982, c. 646; 1985, c. 450; 1989, c. 727; 1990, c. 39; 2001, c. 791; 2002, cc. 322, 337; 2005, c. 628; 2006, c. 620; 2014, cc. 53, 256; 2019, c. 307.

Code of Virginia — Title 46.2 (Motor Vehicles), Chapter 10 (Motor Vehicle and Equipment Safety)
§ 46.2-1167.1. Repealed.
Repealed by Acts 2009, cc. 864 and 871, cl. 5.
Code of Virginia — Title 46.2 (Motor Vehicles), Chapter 10 (Motor Vehicle and Equipment Safety)
§ 46.2-1168. Additional registration fee.
In addition to any other fees imposed, at the time of registration the owner of every motor vehicle, trailer, or semitrailer required to be registered in this Commonwealth shall pay to the Department of Motor Vehicles one dollar and fifty cents per year of registration or, in the case of trailers and semitrailers, such other fee as is provided in § 46.2-694.1, to be paid into the state treasury and set aside for the payment of the administrative costs of the official motor vehicle safety inspection program as appropriated by the General Assembly.

1985, c. 450, § 46.1-321.2; 1988, c. 704; 1989, c. 727; 1990, cc. 418, 496; 1992, c. 597; 1997, c. 283.

Code of Virginia — Title 46.2 (Motor Vehicles), Chapter 10 (Motor Vehicle and Equipment Safety)
§ 46.2-1169. Inspection defined; making of repairs or adjustments.
The term "inspection" as herein used shall not include repairs or adjustments. Repairs or adjustments necessary to bring the vehicle into conformity with this title may be made by agreement between the owner and such station or whatever repair station the owner may select. If such adjustments or repairs are made by anyone other than an official inspection station, such vehicle shall again be inspected by an official inspection station.

Code 1950, § 46-321; 1958, c. 541, § 46.1-322; 1989, c. 727.

Code of Virginia — Title 46.2 (Motor Vehicles), Chapter 10 (Motor Vehicle and Equipment Safety)
§ 46.2-1170. Advertising, etc., of official inspection station when not authorized.
No person, firm, or corporation, unless designated as such in accordance with the provisions of this article, shall, either directly or indirectly, display, advertise, or represent that such person, firm or corporation is an official inspection station.

Code 1950, § 46-321; 1958, c. 541, § 46.1-323; 1989, c. 727.

Code of Virginia — Title 46.2 (Motor Vehicles), Chapter 10 (Motor Vehicle and Equipment Safety)
§ 46.2-1171. Penalties for violation of article.
Any person violating this article shall be guilty of a Class 3 misdemeanor for the first offense and guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor for each subsequent offense except as otherwise provided in this article. If the violation of this article or regulations of the Superintendent made pursuant thereto is by an official inspection station in addition to or in lieu of such fine imposed by a court the Superintendent may, whether or not the violation is a first offense against this article or regulation of the Superintendent, suspend the appointment of the inspection station or, if in his opinion after a hearing, the facts warrant such action, the Superintendent may revoke the designation of such inspection station.

Code 1950, § 46-322; 1958, c. 541, § 46.1-324; 1989, c. 727.
Code of Virginia — Title 46.2 (Motor Vehicles), Chapter 10 (Motor Vehicle and Equipment Safety)
§ 46.2-1172. Unauthorized taking, possession, or use of inspection stickers, etc.; penalty.
No person shall remove any inspection sticker or any paper issued by the Superintendent in connection with vehicle safety inspections from the custody of any person to whom the same has been issued by or under the authority of the Superintendent of State Police. Nor shall any person have any such sticker or paper in his possession or use otherwise than as authorized by the Superintendent. In any case where the Superintendent has suspended or revoked the designation of any official inspection station designated by him, such station shall surrender possession to the Superintendent or his duly authorized representative all inspection stickers and other forms and papers used in connection with safety inspection of vehicles on or before the effective date of such suspension or revocation. Any person violating the provisions of this section shall be guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor.

Code 1950, § 46-322.1; 1956, c. 35; 1958, c. 541, § 46.1-325; 1989, c. 727; 1998, c. 299.

Code of Virginia — Title 46.2 (Motor Vehicles), Chapter 10 (Motor Vehicle and Equipment Safety)
§ 46.2-1173. Imitation or counterfeit inspection stickers.
No person shall make, issue, or knowingly use any imitation or counterfeit of an official safety inspection sticker.

No person shall display or cause or permit to be displayed upon any vehicle any safety inspection sticker knowing it to be fictitious or issued for another vehicle.

Code 1950, § 46-322.2; 1952, c. 466; 1958, c. 541, § 46.1-326; 1989, c. 727.

Code of Virginia — Title 46.2 (Motor Vehicles), Chapter 10 (Motor Vehicle and Equipment Safety)
§ 46.2-1174. Superintendent authorized to enter into Uniform Vehicle Inspection Reciprocity Agreement.
The Superintendent is authorized to enter into the Uniform Vehicle Inspection Reciprocity Agreement, adopted by the American Association of Motor Vehicles Administrators on January 1, 1967.

1968, c. 148, § 46.1-326.1; 1989, c. 727.
Code of Virginia — Title 46.2 (Motor Vehicles), Chapter 10 (Motor Vehicle and Equipment Safety)
§ 46.2-1175. Operators of certain commuter buses to maintain certain records; inspection of records and buses by employees of Department of State Police; penalty.
Persons, firms, corporations, and other business entities operating commuter buses for compensation in intrastate commerce shall maintain records of all maintenance performed on such buses. Such records shall include the dates of service, the odometer reading of the bus on that date, the maintenance performed, and the name of the person or persons performing the maintenance. Such records shall be open to inspection during the operator's normal business hours by employees of the Department of State Police specifically designated by the Superintendent. Employees of the Department of State Police designated for that purpose by the Superintendent shall also be authorized with the consent of the owner, operator, or agent in charge or with an appropriate warrant obtained under the procedure prescribed in Chapter 24 (§ 19.2-393 et seq.) of Title 19.2 to go onto the property of business entities operating commuter buses for compensation in intrastate commerce to inspect buses directly on such property or on the property where such buses are principally garaged at any time during normal business hours. Such inspections may be either for the purpose of determining the safe condition of the buses or to verify the accuracy of the maintenance logs or for both purposes.

A violation of any provision of this section shall constitute a Class 3 misdemeanor.

The provisions of this section shall not apply to local or regional governments, to authorities created to provide local or regional mass transit service, or to buses which those governments or authorities own or operate.

For the purpose of this section, "commuter bus" means a motor vehicle which has a seating capacity of more than seventeen passengers, is used primarily to transport workers directly to and from factories, plants, offices, or other places where they work, and is registered with the Department for such operation.

1983, c. 203, § 46.1-326.1:1; 1989, c. 727; 1997, c. 283.

Code of Virginia — Title 46.2 (Motor Vehicles), Chapter 10 (Motor Vehicle and Equipment Safety)
§ 46.2-1175.1. Inspection of certain refuse collection and highway maintenance vehicles.
No safety inspection approval sticker shall be issued under this article to any publicly or privately owned vehicle (i) used for garbage and refuse collection and disposal or (ii) having a manufacturer's gross vehicle weight rating of 10,001 pounds or more and used primarily for highway repair or maintenance unless any such vehicle is equipped with a device, in good working order, which automatically emits an audible alarm signal when the vehicle is operated in reverse gear. Any such device shall be of a type approved by the Superintendent of State Police.

1989, cc. 297, 317, § 46.1-326.1:2.
Code of Virginia — Title 46.2 (Motor Vehicles), Chapter 10 (Motor Vehicle and Equipment Safety)
§ 46.2-1177. Emissions inspection program.
The Director shall administer an emissions inspection program. Such program shall require biennial inspections of motor vehicles at official emissions inspection stations in accordance with this article and may require additional inspections of motor vehicles that have been shown by on-road testing to exceed emissions standards established by the Board.

The emissions inspections required in § 46.2-1178 shall not apply to any:

1. Vehicle powered by a clean special fuel as defined in § 46.2-749.3, provided provisions of the federal Clean Air Act permit such exemption for vehicles powered by a clean special fuel;

2. Motorcycle or autocycle, unless such autocycle has been emissions certified with an on-board diagnostic system by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency;

3. Vehicle which, at the time of its manufacture was not designed to meet emissions standards set or approved by the federal government;

4. Antique motor vehicle as defined in § 46.2-100 and licensed pursuant to § 46.2-730;

5. Vehicle for which no testing standards have been adopted by the Board; or

6. Vehicle manufactured for the current model year or any of the three immediately preceding model years unless identified by the remote sensing program as violating the emissions standards established for that program.

1980, c. 469, § 46.1-326.3; 1981, c. 624; 1988, c. 806; 1989, c. 727; 1993, cc. 995, 998; 1993, Sp. Sess., c. 2; 1995, cc. 836, 851; 2006, c. 729; 2015, cc. 95, 161.

Code of Virginia — Title 46.2 (Motor Vehicles), Chapter 10 (Motor Vehicle and Equipment Safety)
§ 46.2-1177.1. Inspection program coordinator; agreement for services.
The Director may enter into an agreement to designate a program coordinator for all inspection programs pursuant to this article, except that no on-road clean screen program or any program or inspection process that utilizes remote sensing shall be included in the agreement. The Director shall determine the services to be provided by the program coordinator and the amount to be paid to the program coordinator for such services by the Department. Such agreement shall include a provision that the program coordinator shall provide and maintain inspection stations as defined in § 46.2-1176 with equipment, as set forth in this article, as required for a station to provide inspections. In addition to the amount the Director agrees for the Department to pay the program coordinator, the agreement shall permit the program coordinator to be paid up to $5,000 per year from each inspection station for each set of required equipment for the provision and maintenance of such equipment by the program coordinator.

2012, cc. 216, 824; 2024, cc. 634, 676.
Code of Virginia — Title 46.2 (Motor Vehicles), Chapter 10 (Motor Vehicle and Equipment Safety)
§ 46.2-1178.1. On-road testing of motor vehicle emissions; authority to adopt regulations; civil charges.
A. The emissions inspection program authorized by § 46.2-1177 and provided for in § 46.2-1178 shall include on-road testing of motor vehicle emissions and an on-road clean screen program. The Board shall promulgate regulations establishing on-road testing and on-road clean screen program requirements including, but not limited to, collecting data and information necessary to comply with or determine compliance with applicable laws and regulations, random testing of motor vehicle emissions, procedures to notify owners of test results, assessment of civil charges for noncompliance with emissions standards adopted by the Board, and standards for operating the on-road clean screen program, including provisions for the suspension or revocation of any on-road emissions inspection program for failure to act in accordance with the provisions of this article and regulations adopted by the Board.

B. If an emissions test performed pursuant to this section indicates that a motor vehicle does not meet emissions standards established by the Board, the Board may collect from the owner of the vehicle a civil charge based on actual emissions. The Board shall establish a schedule of civil charges to be collected pursuant to this section. Such civil penalties shall not exceed $450 using 1990 as the base year and adjusted annually by the Consumer Price Index. The schedule of charges and their assessment shall be established by regulations promulgated to be in accordance with the provisions of the Administrative Process Act (§ 2.2-4000 et seq.).

C. Civil charges assessed pursuant to this section shall be waived by the Board if, within 30 calendar days of notice of the violation, the vehicle's owner provides proof that the vehicle (i) since the date of the violation, has passed a vehicle emissions test as provided in § 46.2-1178, (ii) qualifies for an emissions inspection waiver as provided in § 46.2-1181, or (iii) has qualified for an emissions inspection waiver as provided in § 46.2-1181 within the 12 months prior to the violation.

D. Civil charges collected pursuant to this section shall be paid into the state treasury and deposited by the State Treasurer into the Vehicle Emissions Inspection Program Fund pursuant to § 46.2-1182.2.

E. If the on-road clean screen program indicates that a motor vehicle does not exceed emissions standards adopted by the Board for on-road testing pursuant to § 46.2-1179, then such testing may be considered proof of compliance for the purposes of § 46.2-1183 and may be considered to satisfy the requirements of § 46.2-1177 for a biennial inspection. The Board shall establish criteria under which such testing shall satisfy the requirements of § 46.2-1183.

1995, cc. 836, 851; 1996, cc. 35, 100; 2002, c. 710; 2012, cc. 216, 824.
Code of Virginia — Title 46.2 (Motor Vehicles), Chapter 10 (Motor Vehicle and Equipment Safety)
§ 46.2-1178.2. Repair of certain vehicles not in compliance with standards established by the Board; payment of repairs from Vehicle Emissions Inspection Program Fund.
The Department of Environmental Quality shall operate a program to subsidize repairs of vehicles identified by on-road testing pursuant to § 46.2-1178.1 that fail to meet emissions standards established by the Board when the owner of the vehicle is financially unable to have the vehicle repaired. The costs of implementing and operating such program shall be borne by the Vehicle Emissions Inspection Program Fund. The Board shall, in connection with such program, establish by regulation such standards, criteria, and procedures as the Board shall deem necessary or convenient.

2002, c. 710.

Code of Virginia — Title 46.2 (Motor Vehicles), Chapter 10 (Motor Vehicle and Equipment Safety)
§ 46.2-1179. Board to adopt emissions standards.
A. The Board shall adopt emissions standards necessary to implement the emissions inspection program provided for in this article. Such standards shall include specifications and criteria that will enable the identification of vehicles whose emissions so far exceed those permissible under this article as to qualify them as "gross violators," and enable the expedited identification of such vehicles through on-road testing pursuant to § 46.2-1178.1.

B. The Board shall establish separate and distinct emissions standards applicable to on-road testing of motor vehicles pursuant to § 46.2-1178.1. Notwithstanding any contrary provision of this article, except for any motor vehicle registered as an antique motor vehicle or a military surplus motor vehicle, such criteria shall be applicable to all motor vehicles manufactured for the 1968 model year or any more recent model year, with criteria for each model year being appropriate to that model year.

1980, c. 469, § 46.1-326.5; 1989, c. 727; 1993, cc. 995, 998; 1993, Sp. Sess., c. 2; 1995, cc. 836, 851; 2002, c. 710; 2018, c. 555.
Code of Virginia — Title 46.2 (Motor Vehicles), Chapter 10 (Motor Vehicle and Equipment Safety)
§ 46.2-1181. Emissions inspection; cost of repairs; waivers.
A. A motor vehicle shall qualify for an emissions inspection waiver in the event that such vehicle has failed an initial inspection and subsequently failed a reinspection if the owner provides written proof that (i) at least the amount specified in this section has been spent by the owner on the maintenance and repair of the vehicle's engine and emission control system and related equipment and (ii) any emission control system or part thereof which has been removed, damaged, or rendered inoperable by any act enumerated in § 46.2-1048 has been replaced and restored to operating condition.

B. The Director shall establish and revise, as necessary, specifications and procedures for motor vehicle maintenance and repair of pollution control devices and systems.

C. For the purposes of subsection A:

For motor vehicles subject to basic emissions inspections under subsection A of § 46.2-1178, cost limitations on repairs under the emissions inspection program, including parts and labor, but excluding costs of repairs covered by warranties, shall be $175 for pre-1980 model vehicles and $200 for 1980 and newer vehicles, using 2012, or a later date if allowed by federal regulations and approved by the Board, as the base year and annually adjusted by the Consumer Price Index. The Board may phase in waiver amounts.

For motor vehicles subject to emissions inspections under subsection C of § 46.2-1178, the cost limitations on repairs shall be a base amount of $450 per vehicle using 1990, or a later date if allowed by federal regulations and approved by the Board, as the base year and annually adjusted by the Consumer Price Index. The Board may phase in waiver amounts.

Repairs credited toward this waiver must be done by a repair technician certified in accordance with § 46.2-1180. Repairs shall include parts and labor.

D. For the purposes of subsection A of this section, for motor vehicles subject to emissions inspections under subsection B of § 46.2-1178, the cost limitations on repairs under the emissions inspection program, including parts and labor but excluding costs of repairs covered by warranties, shall be:

1. $75 for pre-1981 vehicles; and

2. $200 for 1981 and newer vehicles.

1980, c. 469, § 46.1-326.7; 1988, c. 806; 1989, cc. 722, 727; 1993, cc. 995, 998; 1993, Sp. Sess., c. 2; 1995, cc. 836, 851; 2012, cc. 216, 824.
Code of Virginia — Title 46.2 (Motor Vehicles), Chapter 10 (Motor Vehicle and Equipment Safety)
§ 46.2-1182. Emissions inspection fees; exemption.
Emissions inspection stations performing emissions inspections under subsection A of § 46.2-1178 may charge $11.40 for each emissions inspection, but such charge shall not be mandatory. Any such fee shall be paid to the emissions inspection station.

Each emissions inspection station performing emissions inspections under subsection B of § 46.2-1178 may charge for each emissions inspection an amount not to exceed $17. Any such fee shall be paid to and retained by the emissions inspection station.

Beginning at such date upon which the program becomes an enhanced emissions program, each emissions inspection station performing emissions inspections under subsection C of § 46.2-1178 may charge an amount not to exceed $30 for each emissions inspection. Any such fee shall be paid to and retained by the emissions inspection station.

Within 14 days of an initial failure of an emissions inspection performed at an emissions inspection station, the vehicle's owner shall be entitled to one free reinspection at the station or facility that conducted the original inspection.

The on-road emissions inspector performing emissions inspections under subsection C of § 46.2-1178 may charge each motor vehicle owner who elects to participate in the on-road clean screen program an amount not to exceed $30 for each emissions inspection. Any such fee shall be paid to the on-road emissions inspector. From each emissions inspection fee received by the on-road emissions inspector, a minimum of $4.50 shall be appropriated to the Highway Maintenance and Operating Fund established pursuant to § 33.2-1530.

1980, c. 469, § 46.1-326.8; 1982, c. 646; 1983, c. 85; 1984, c. 263; 1988, c. 806; 1989, c. 727; 1990, c. 522; 1993, cc. 995, 998; 1993, Sp. Sess., c. 2; 1995, cc. 836, 851; 2002, c. 322; 2012, cc. 216, 824; 2024, cc. 634, 676.

Code of Virginia — Title 46.2 (Motor Vehicles), Chapter 10 (Motor Vehicle and Equipment Safety)
§ 46.2-1182.1. Additional registration fee; exemption.
Beginning July 1, 1994, in addition to any other fees imposed, at the time of registration by the Department of Motor Vehicles, the owner of any motor vehicle subject to registration in Virginia and subject to the program provided for in this article by virtue of the locality in which it is registered shall pay two dollars per year.

Beginning July 1, 1995, or later if required by regulation of the Board, owners of motor vehicles which are subject to the program by virtue of the location of their base of operation or the location where they are primarily operated shall remit a fee of two dollars per vehicle per year to the Department of Environmental Quality. Payment shall be made according to procedures and on a schedule prescribed by the Department of Environmental Quality. State and local governmental units and agencies shall be exempt from the payment of fees under this subsection.

1993, cc. 995, 998; 1993, Sp. Sess., c. 2; 1995, cc. 836, 851.
Code of Virginia — Title 46.2 (Motor Vehicles), Chapter 10 (Motor Vehicle and Equipment Safety)
§ 46.2-1182.2. Vehicle Emissions Inspection Program Fund established; use of moneys.
A special nonreverting fund known as the Vehicle Emissions Inspection Program Fund is hereby established in the state treasury.

Notwithstanding the provisions of § 2.2-1802, all moneys collected pursuant to § 46.2-1182.1 shall be paid into the treasury and credited to the Vehicle Emissions Inspection Program Fund.

No moneys remaining in the Fund at the end of each fiscal year shall revert to the general fund, but shall remain in the Fund. Interest earned on such moneys shall remain in the Fund and be credited to it.

The Department of Environmental Quality may release moneys from the Fund, on warrants issued by the State Comptroller, for covering the costs of the emissions inspection program, including payment to the program coordinator for contracted services. The moneys in this Fund may also be released for the purpose of long-term maintenance of air quality and the correction and prevention of nonattainment status for National Ambient Air Quality Standards through air quality programs under the direction of the Director. Any remaining funds shall be remitted for use in transportation maintenance projects so that such funds generated from localities required to have emissions inspections pursuant to subsection B of § 46.2-1178 shall have such remaining funds generated pursuant to § 46.2-1182.1 transferred on an annual basis to the Northern Virginia Transportation District. Such funds shall be used for transportation maintenance in the respective locality.

1993, cc. 995, 998; 1993, Sp. Sess., c. 2; 2012, cc. 216, 824.