VA emissions testing for out-of-state vehicle (student) (car registration, home)

[mecola]

I've seen other threads on the world of VA car registration, so I'm hoping someone can help me with my specific question. I have scoured the DMV website and can't find anything that addresses it.

We are new to NoVA, having relocated from Georgia. We brought 2 of our cars with us, but a 3rd car is out west with our daughter in college. Any thoughts about how I should get the car registered in VA without it physically being in VA? The state she is in allows non-resident students to maintain their registration in their home state. And GA provides for this by allowing a student out-of-state exemption for the emissions testing. Does anyone know whether VA has a similar provision? I can't find it anywhere.

Here's a couple other alternatives I'm wondering if I can use:
- since the car is not garaged in the counties mentioned, do we even need emissions? How do we show that it is 'garaged' somewhere other than the address it is to be registered to?

- or maybe she get the testing done in that state and provide that certificate since we are first registering the car in VA?


Safety inspection is a whole different issue - I assume that's it's a non-issue since the car is not physically in VA, though, and as soon as it arrives in VA we'll need to get it done.

thanks!

[bornindc]

It appears that you will not need to get the Virginia emissions test if it has a current Georgia emissions test (last 12 months) at time of registration in Virginia:

http://www.dmv.state.va.us/webdoc/pdf/dmv140.pdf

However I suspect that you will need to handle the emissions prior to tag renewal. My guess is that technically since the car is "garaged" out of state and not in a required county you won't need it done. But if the vehicle is registered at your address it is probably "garaged" there as far as DMV is concerned unless you document that it is kept elsewhere. I recommend contacting DMV by phone or email for a clarification, I'm sure you aren't the first person to have this issue.

[ChristineVA]

I never pursued this but my DD is attending college out of state with the car being registered in VA. Her emissions was due in March and she had no plans to come back into VA. I could not get the tags renewed without the emissions being done. I ended up having her come home (4 hour drive) and we took care of it. I couldn't find any information on DMV's website or through VDOT. It seemed that it was telling me that I basically had to get it done. I could have/should have phoned DMV and asked but I just decided that I'd make her drive home on a weekend to get it done.

[CK JAGUAR]

I had to move from Virginia to North Carolina for 6 months, with tags expiring and emissions inspection due in two weeks. After attempting MANY calls to the VA DMV (they don't or can't keep up with the volume so 90% of the calls just drop). I tried 8 times over two days before finally getting someone to answer, and that time waited on hold for 20 minutes. Resolution: they changed the "garaged" address of the vehicle to NC, waived the emissions test and renewed the tags. Very helpful. No problem to resolve, but a serious challenge to make any contact at all.

[car54]

Originally Posted by CK JAGUAR

I had to move from Virginia to North Carolina for 6 months, with tags expiring and emissions inspection due in two weeks. After attempting MANY calls to the VA DMV (they don't or can't keep up with the volume so 90% of the calls just drop). I tried 8 times over two days before finally getting someone to answer, and that time waited on hold for 20 minutes. Resolution: they changed the "garaged" address of the vehicle to NC, waived the emissions test and renewed the tags. Very helpful. No problem to resolve, but a serious challenge to make any contact at all.

This is it. Only in a few VA Counties and Cities is the emissions required. If the car is not "garaged" in a non-emissions jurisdiction in VA or is garaged in another state...it does NOT need the emissions. Of course, DMV does not know this unless you tell them.

PS: If a car is kept out of state, say with a student...once the car returns to VA it needs the safety (not emissions) inspection immediately, if it has expired while the car was out-of-state. There is no "grace period" on the safety inspection once the car has crossed the state line into VA.

[Brandonryche]

Hi

Is there anything you need to prove that the car is garaged out of state? Thank you in advance for the answer.

[johnsonkk]

Originally Posted by Brandonryche

Hi

Is there anything you need to prove that the car is garaged out of state? Thank you in advance for the answer.

So... you have a Virginia plated car and you garage it out of state?

[Brandonryche]

Originally Posted by johnsonkk

So... you have a Virginia plated car and you garage it out of state?

I have a relative who has her car at school in SC and the VA emissions is up. Thanks for the response.

[MedvedActual]

Just thinking out loud here, what is the point of "proving" the car is garaged out of state, other than possibly avoiding paying personal property tax on it? Although, unless the car is reregistered out of state, I do not think that is possible.

[johnsonkk]

Originally Posted by Brandonryche

I have a relative who has her car at school in SC and the VA emissions is up. Thanks for the response.

This link probably has the answer and maybe a south Carolina emissions test will work.

If this link doesn't have it, then suggest you call.

http://www.deq.virginia.gov/Programs...ectionFAQ.aspx