Motor Vehicle Inspection Stickers Explained

The Virginia State Police Motor Vehicle Inspection Program has experienced a recent increase in requests for replacement state inspection stickers and is reminding the public of the proper procedures surrounding inspection sticker removal and replacement during windshield service.

Virginia Code § 46.2‑1164 allows a valid state inspection sticker to be removed solely for the purpose of transferring it to a newly installed windshield.
Inspection stickers are issued to the vehicle, not to the individual or business performing repairs. Possessing an inspection sticker that does not belong to a vehicle you own or operate may lead to criminal prosecution. The current anti‑counterfeiting stickers are designed to be removed and reapplied; minor cosmetic changes that occur during transfer do not affect their validity until the next annual inspection.

Sticker replacements should only be necessary when a sticker is completely destroyed or damaged. Businesses performing windshield replacements are required to make a good‑faith effort to transfer the existing Virginia State Inspection sticker from the old windshield to the new one. If the sticker is damaged in the process, the business must provide the customer with the destroyed sticker. The customer may then contact the nearest State Police Motor Vehicle Inspection Program Office to receive a replacement. With a valid inspection receipt, replacement stickers issued through this process are provided at no charge. In cases of lost or stolen inspection stickers, a police report is required before a replacement can be issued.

Vehicle owners should keep the original Motor Vehicle Inspection receipt inside the vehicle, as required by law. If a transferred sticker leads to a traffic stop, presenting the inspection receipt and documentation of the windshield replacement should resolve any concerns.