Virginia at a glance Emissions test in some counties
| Safety inspection | Annual safety inspection statewide; up to $20 for most cars ($12 motorcycles). |
|---|---|
| Emissions test | Emissions inspection every two years for vehicles garaged in Northern Virginia: Arlington, Fairfax, Loudoun, Prince William and Stafford counties and the cities of Alexandria, Fairfax, Falls Church, Manassas and Manassas Park. |
| Safety inspection (max) | $20 Most passenger vehicles Source: Virginia State Police: Vehicle safety inspection |
| Emissions inspection | Not published — Not verified |
| Find a station / office | Virginia DMV: Emissions inspections |
Official sources: Virginia DEQ: Vehicle Emissions (Air Check) · Virginia State Police: Vehicle safety inspection. Checked 2026-10-04.
Counties with an emissions test (10)
- Arlington CountyRules, fee and stations
- Fairfax CountyRules, fee and stations
- Loudoun CountyRules, fee and stations
- Prince William CountyRules, fee and stations
- Stafford CountyRules, fee and stations
- Alexandria cityRules, fee and stations
- Fairfax cityRules, fee and stations
- Falls Church cityRules, fee and stations
- Manassas cityRules, fee and stations
- Manassas Park cityRules, fee and stations
Everywhere else in Virginia: no emissions test for personal vehicles.
About the missing details
Why it's missing: We only list inspection fees published by an official source. Stations or the local program set the price for Virginia, and we couldn't find an official published price, so check the station's posted price or call the program below.
General information
Not specific to Virginia
Where states publish an inspection price, it ranges from free (Illinois, Delaware DMV lanes, Ohio's first passing E-Check) to $55 every two years (Rhode Island). Many states let each station set its own price and only require it to be posted. Texas caps emissions tests at $11.50–$18.50.
Closest place with verified data
District of Columbia (about 5 miles away): Inspection fee (privately owned, per two years): $35
Call or visit the official office
Virginia DMV: Emissions inspections · Official website
Know the current fee? Tell us. We check every tip against an official source before publishing it.
Frequently asked
Does Virginia require a vehicle safety inspection?
Annual safety inspection statewide; up to $20 for most cars ($12 motorcycles).
Does Virginia require an emissions test?
Emissions inspection every two years for vehicles garaged in Northern Virginia: Arlington, Fairfax, Loudoun, Prince William and Stafford counties and the cities of Alexandria, Fairfax, Falls Church, Manassas and Manassas Park.
Which counties are covered?
Arlington County, Fairfax County, Loudoun County, Prince William County, Stafford County, Alexandria city, Fairfax city, Falls Church city, Manassas city, Manassas Park city.