Can I get my car inspected in another state?

November 3, 2014 2:52 PM

This question is going to reveal my lack of understanding surrounding car registration, inspection, etc... But here we go. I've moved to a different state. Can I get my car inspected here even though I have yet to register it here?

I've moved from VA to Colorado, and while I have transferred my driver's licence (a part of starting to establish residency for school), I have yet to actually register my car here. Mostly due to procrastination based on having to switch insurance carriers, as well as finding time to return to the DMV.

Anyway, my question right now is thus: I just realized my tags expired at the end of October. Can I go get my car inspected and get my inspection stickers updated while still having VA tags on my car, or do I need to have Colorado plates to get my inspection updated? If I do need to have CO plates, will having expired inspection stickers impact my ability to get my car registered?

Minor additional question: I'm slightly confused about switching my insurance coverage. Should I line up my new coverage prior to registering in CO? Can I register my car based on having VA insurance, and then sign up for CO insurance afterwards? I already confirmed that once I transfer my registration, I cannot keep my State Farm insurance since it's based on a VA provider.

posted by bluloo to Travel & Transportation (13 answers total)

You won't be able to find a mechanic in colorado that is licensed to certify that your car meets Virginia safety or emissions standards. But it doesn't matter, because you need to get CO plates within 90 days of moving.

You'll need insurance before you can do that. You'll probably also need to get a CO emissions inspection.

I have no idea if CO will charge you extra because your VA tags are expired or if that will even matter.
posted by aubilenon at 3:23 PM on November 3, 2014

The Virginia inspection page's wording about the number of inspection locations 'statewide' suggests that there are no such places out of state.
posted by zippy at 3:38 PM on November 3, 2014

Best answer: The State of Virginia also says "Q. If I am attending college, in the military, or visiting relatives out of state when my safety inspection sticker expires, what can I do to get an extension?

A. There are no extensions. Under normal circumstances, all Virginia-registered vehicles are required to bear a current Virginia inspection sticker. If your vehicle’s inspection sticker is not current, and you drive back into Virginia, 46.2-1158.01, of the Code of Virginia, provides that you are not required to have your vehicle(s) reinspected until you return to your residence or place of business in Virginia."

Which I read as "Virginia doesn't care if your inspection has lapsed, as long as you're out of state"
posted by zippy at 3:42 PM on November 3, 2014

Best answer: Depending on where you are in Colorado, you might not even need an inspection... might want to verify requirements before making a decision? Wikipedia - Vehicle inspection in the United States
posted by stormyteal at 3:47 PM on November 3, 2014

Response by poster: Thanks for the answers so far! Looks like I should be okay, since its just my safety inspection that has lapsed, but my emissions should be good. But this has reminded me that I need to get my butt in gear and get my car registered here... ugh, insurance.
posted by bluloo at 3:51 PM on November 3, 2014

You're registering the vehicle in Colorado, so you needn't worry about any Virginia inspection requirements. Does Colorado mandate vehicle inspections? No idea, I've never lived there. But I have moved away from Virginia, and I have a warning for you: make sure you've paid your local Virginia property tax up to the day you left the Dominion. Each county is different; call yours up and get the score now, lest you receive an irate letter with a late billing fee, like I did.
posted by Rash at 4:04 PM on November 3, 2014

Your insurance company cares where the car is physically located, not what state it's registered in. If you're a Colorado resident with a Colorado address, then you will get Colorado car insurance regardless of the plates on the car.
posted by desjardins at 4:26 PM on November 3, 2014

And please do update your insurance ASAP. Having your car insured in a place other than where you live might be all the reason they need to reject a claim.
posted by Pater Aletheias at 5:07 PM on November 3, 2014

You won't hate the process if you just pick someone and do it. I've been with State Farm for decades. Go in, arrange for both car and renter's insurance (you REALLY should have renters.) It'll take less than an hour and it'll be DONE!
posted by Ruthless Bunny at 5:28 PM on November 3, 2014

I used to live in Virginia and I now live in Colorado.
Colorado does not have inspection like Virginia does. Virginia looks for at all kinds of stuff like condition of your brakes and oil leaks.

Colorado only has emissions testing where they connect your car to a analyzer. You won't be able register your car in Colorado without a valid Colorado emissions test.
posted by Confess, Fletch at 7:49 PM on November 3, 2014

Even if you're exempted from changing the registration because you're attending school, if you don't plan to go back to Virginia to deal with inspections and the like, it's almost certainly going to be easier for you to just register the car in Colorado and deal with the DMV there. Be sure to move your insurance too, while you're at it.
posted by Aleyn at 8:37 PM on November 3, 2014

I am originally from California and moved to Louisiana for college, then stayed there a while. I eventually hit that point where my car registration was expired and needed an inspection. Being that I was living in New Orleans, and they're um...lax about those kind of things...I waited quite a long time before I finally registered my car in LA. My insurance was in Louisiana and I eventually had to get a Louisiana DL when I got a job that required it. Then a cop threatened to give me a ticket so I finally switched my registration. YMMV.
posted by radioamy at 9:03 PM on November 3, 2014

Response by poster: Followup: Thank you everyone! You guys helped assuage my momentary panic that I was at risk for a ticket, and also helped push me to finally deal with getting my car registered. My car is officially a Colorado resident! Thanks again!
posted by bluloo at 11:11 AM on November 7, 2014