Virginia Inspection Laws for Antique Vehicles

Not all antique cars must be inspected in Virginia

Virgina law has specific provisions in place for antique vehicles, those that are more than 25 years old. Not all antique vehicles in the state must pass inspection and those that do are exempt from certain inspection requirements.

Types

Antique vehicles in Virginia that are used just for showing and collection purposes are not required to take part in state inspections. These vehicles may not be used for daily transportation and should not be driven more than 250 miles from your residence, except when entered in a car show or similar event. All antique vehicles that are used for general driving purposes must undergo state inspection.

Considerations

Antique vehicles that are used for general driving purposes must meet Virginia's inspection standards and display a valid annual safety inspection sticker. Some antique vehicles are exempt from certain inspection standards, for example vehicles build before January 1, 1943 are not required to have turn signals. Drivers should review the Virgina State Code to ensure that their antique vehicle meets state requirements. An overview of applicable code sections is provided on the Virgina State Police website.

Warning

Though antique vehicles used for showing are not required to take part in state inspections, vehicle owners must certify that each vehicle is safe to be driven on public roads in Virginia before an antique license plate is issued.

References

• Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles: Antique Motor Vehicles and Trailers
• Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles: Frequently Asked Questions for Antique License Plate Applicant Certification

Resources

• Virginia State Police: Antique Vehicle Safety References