State Inspection (Tysons Corner: lawyer, cost, law)

[hondaburner95]

does anyone know the law about having airbags in virginia, I failed state inspection because I have a aftermarket steerting wheel , not an airbag there so mechanics telling me I need to pay him 1500 and some change to solve this problem , I said yeah ok whatever !!!!!!!! I cant find any law about having airbags or anything in the inspection rules stating that you need to check the airbags. look at this am i missing something


Virginia Motor Vehicle Safety Inspection Program

The Required Official Inspection Procedure, as approved by the Virginia State Police Superintendent, is as follows:

REQUIRED OFFICIAL INSPECTION PROCEDURE

Each inspection consists of the following items – for further details consult the "Official Inspection Manual":

1. - REMOVE OLD INSPECTION STICKER.

2. - DRIVE VEHICLE INTO INSPECTION LANE.

3. - INSPECT BRAKES FOR:

Worn, damaged or missing parts.
Worn, contaminated or defective linings or drums.
Leaks in system, proper fluid level.
Worn, contaminated or defective disc pads or discs.
(NOTE: A minimum of two wheels and drums must be removed from each vehicle at the time of inspection. Consult the official inspection manual for exceptions.)
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.
(NOTE: Every vehicle must have a rear lamp showing a red light to the rear, a white light illuminating the rear license plate; vehicles over 7 feet wide or extending 4 inches or more beyond the front fender extremes must be equipped with approved clearance lamps and reflex reflectors. Count load in measuring.)
7. – INSPECT SIGNAL DEVICE FOR:

Approved type, proper bulbs, condition of lenses, wiring and switch.
Correct indications and tell-tale (visual or audible).
Illumination of all lamps, lens color, and condition of lens.
8. – INSPECT STEERING & SUSPENSION FOR: (Jack up front end as shown in Manual)

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.
Lift blocks.
9. – INSPECT TIRES, WHEELS & RIMS FOR:

Condition of tires including tread depth.
Mixing radials and bias ply tires.
Wheels that are cracked or damaged so as to affect safe operation.
10. – INSPECT MIRROR FOR:

Rigidity of mounting.
Condition of reflecting surface.
View of road to rear (Truck mirrors must extend at least halfway beyond edge of body) – (Visibility 200 feet 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.
Sunshading material attached to the windshield to ensure it does not extend more than 3 inches downward from the top of windshield, unless authorized by Medical Waiver Certificate.
Operation of left front door glass.
13. – INSPECT WINDSHIELD WIPER/DEFROSTER FOR:

Operating condition.
Condition of blade.
14. – INSPECT EXHAUST SYSTEM FOR:

Exhaust line-manifold, gaskets, pipes, mufflers, connections, etc.
Leakage of gases at any point 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.
Fluid levels that are below the proper level
1. Brake fluid.
2. Power steering fluid.
Power steering belt - proper tension, wear, or absence.
17. – INSPECT AIR POLLUTION CONTROL SYSTEM (1973 and Subsequent Models) FOR:

Installation.
Operation.
(NOTE: This 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 & 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 of the vehicle.
Latching system which will hold door in its proper closed position.
21. – INSPECT FUEL SYSTEM FOR:

Any part that is not securely fastened.
Liquid fuel leakage.
Fuel tank filler cap for presence.
22. – INSPECT FLOOR PAN FOR:

(a) Holes which allow exhaust gases to enter occupant compartment.
(b) Conditions which create a hazard to the occupants.

23. – ISSUE STICKER:

(a) If approved, place approval sticker on the vehicle, and give pink copy of certificate to operator.
(b) ALL DEFECTS MUST BE CORRECTED AND THE VEHICLE REINSPECTED 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.

(NOTE: The validity period of the rejection sticker shall include fifteen (15) days in addition to the day of the inspection.)

NOTE: If you have a specific question with regard to Motor Vehicle Safety Inspection or Inspection Requirements, you can review the safety inspection manual, in part, at MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY INSPECTION RULES AND REGULATIONS (http://leg1.state.va.us/).

Virginia State Police employees cannot give legal advice, nor interpret the law for members of the public. Information within this Web site is provided for general guidance purposes only and may not apply to all factual situations. Persons needing legal advice may contact Virginia Lawyer Referral Service at 1-800-552-7977 to be referred to a private attorney for a 30-minute consultation for a fee of $35.00.

[mcmartian]

have you had the vehicle inspected before without aproblem? If so, I'd go to another garage and get it inspected and see if it passes.

[dullnboring]

I can see nothing there in what you posted, and have heard nothing myself about any sort of airbag inspection as being part of the state safety inspection, although it wouldn't surprise me if it were. As mcmartian said, have you had it inspected in the past in Virginia and had it passed inspection? And you should DEFINITELY go to another service station to have it inspected again. Personally, I suspect these guys were trying to pull one over on you, and if that's the case, report them to the Better Business Bureau.

[mdcrim]

I concur-go to another place. My friend got an inspection done at a place in Tysons Corner (don't know the name). She walked by her car, saw the new inspection sticker on her windshield, went in to pay and was told she would need like $800 in repairs to bring her car into compliance. She told the guy that she already saw the sticker on her car and he backpedaled, saying that there was $800 worth of repairs they were "recommending"...

Anyway, I'm sure there are still some old cars out there that weren't even made with airbags, which still pass VA inspection.

If it turns out these guys are trying to fleece you, please report them.

[hondaburner95]

well after researching a vehicle from the year 92+ . If it came with an airbag , you have to have it to pass inspection.

[Yankeesfan]

Yes, I've heard that too, that it is illegal to remove or de-activate an airbag.

[MRK MUSTANG]

I found a report that states that airbags are not required until 1998 for passenger cars and 1999 for light trucks.

[Electron]

Effective 1 July, 2006,
19VAC 30-70-290, paragraph 12 has been revised.

Inspect for and Reject if:
1 Any defects in air bag system noted by the airbag readiness light,

2 Air bag has been deployed and not replaced,

3 Any part of the airbag has been removed from the vehicle,

4 Air bag readiness light fails to light for 6-8 secondss, then goes off.

5 Reject if air bag light fails to come on, or stays on continuously.

Inquiries may be directed to 804-674-6774 or safety@vsp.virginia.gov




***SYNOPSIS: You failed. It will cost about 1500 and change for a sixteen dollar sticker. Sorry dude.