Virginia finally becomes inspection-sticker Prius-friendly

The cost of batteries here aren't down to reasonable yet. Plus - in a city area, it's not generally possible.

But - come the revolution. We'll all have SOLAR roofs, EVs, large batteries - all working together. Maybe.

 

I wouldn't want to admit that I lived in DC if I did. I would just reply, "Georgetown," if asked.

 

You need to live in UK to understand proper tax robbery. Here, you pay a Government tax on a new car then they apply another Value Added Tax on the total purchase including the tax already paid!

 

I'm glad TX simplified things a little and did away with the inspection sticker. We only have the registration sticker that goes in the bottom left of the windshield.

 

In Georgia the registration sticker goes on the license plate which is much better. Although it was a bit bizarre when I first moved here from California, we have annual smog checks here which you have to complete prior to renewing your registration each year, otherwise you can't renew and thus can't get a registration sticker for the current year. That part I can understand however I was surprised when I got my first license plates (they call them tags here for some reason) and the lady at the counter handed me my plates, the registration sticker, but also a big ol' smog sticker that I was supposed to put in the lower left corner of the windshield. I asked why do I need a smog sticker, I wouldn't be able to get the licence plate sticker if I didn't pass the smog check. I'll never forget her reply, she simply said, "Welcome to Georgia". Fortunately I only had to do that for a couple of years then they eliminated the separate smog check sticker, so it's nice no more window stickers.

So for you it sounds like one down one to go, if you are lucky they will eventually eliminate the registration window sticker and move it to the license plate.

 

I'm from Washington State, where they still do license plate tags and I can tell you most states are moving away from the tags to the window sticker not going back to tags. Sorry to be the bearer of bad news.

 

Do you have some data for that? Actually I think a more likely trend will be the elimination of stickers entirely which can save states millions of dollars annually. It's basically the next logical step after states stopped issuing new license plates every year and moved to stickers. Connecticut, New Jersey and recently Pennsylvania no longer issue any stickers. They are considering it in Georgia as well. The argument is that police now have access to databases which have all of the registration information. However police still prefer stickers because they can visually spot vehicles that have expired registration and they can then legally pull them over, oftentimes catching bigger fish that way like stolen cars, warrants, etc.

However I will make a prediction that in an increasing number of states the police preference won't be enough to counter the huge potential budget savings.

 

Huh? EXEMPT from emissions?? I’m puzzled here in Northern Virginia as our 2012 HAS had to have emission inspections since we bought it new in 2013. We did recently go through an “on-the-road “ emission inspection station, and when we renewed our license on line , the web site said that we were now good for a 3-year period. But if there is a way to be permanently exempt from the emissions testing in Northern Virginia with a Prius, could you advise us on how to do that?

 

I agree. Here in Central Virginia we need to get inspections every year. My Prius is due next month.

 

Well, I don't know about other Model years.
2006 has always been exempt from emissions due to the original 60 MPG EPA city rating.
For 2007+, Toyota revised the MPG ratings downwards, and emission inspection was required for 2007+, but I recall they fixed that law to exempt all Gen2 Prius LiftBacks. So I don't know current status.

Of course I still have to do mechanical inspections.

 

My son's 2005 always needed the inspections. Strange.

 

Well I still need inspection, just not the emissions part.

 

This web page indicates qualified Hybrids over 50 MPG EPA City are exempt from emissions. I will call DMV to try to clarify, I recall there was a proposed legislation to reduce (from 50 EPA City?), but I do not know if that law passed or what. Also this sems to be a NoVA thing

• Counties of Arlington, Fairfax, Loudoun, Prince William, and Stafford.
• Cities of Alexandria, Fairfax, Falls Church, Manassas, and Manassas Park.

Virginia DEQ - Vehicle Emissions Inspection FAQ

(see below post)

 

Here is apparently the Law as it currently stands in Virginia (re: qualifed hybrids). This does not yet explain why my 2006 Prius is exempt, except to say it was originally rated 60 MPG EPA City. You can see for Gen2 (2008/2009) they reduced to 48 MPG (which is apparently the law change I can remember). I must presume the Va. regulations are based off the original EPA sticker so we'd need to know that, and I have no idea what Central Virginia is up to. I wonder if used hybrids are different?

§ 46.2-1178. Administration and scope of emissions inspection program. B1. The emissions inspection program provided for in this article shall not apply to any qualified hybrid motor vehicle if such vehicle obtains a rating from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency of at least (i) 50 miles per gallon during city fuel economy tests or (ii) 48 miles per gallon during city fuel economy tests for hybrid vehicles with a model year of 2008 or 2009, unless remote sensing devices indicate the hybrid vehicle may not meet current emissions standards. The Board shall adopt such regulations as may be required to implement this exemption.

 

He & I both bought new. He currently has a 2015 Prius v that he got when he traded in the 2005. We bought in Manassas, so our Gen 1 Prius owner salesman would have mentioned any exemption.

 

Well Prius v wagon would be under 50 MPG City.
Gen1 Prius would not probably not qualify either, also under 50 MPG.
I do not think it matters where you purchase, just where you live, what the rules are.
I don't think the salesmen are particularly educated on the emissions inspection exemption.
That question I'd ask my favorite inspection guy, but he is no longer working at my place for some reason.

By the way, apparently if your vehicle flunks the on-road test, I suppose your vehicle could be targeted for emission tests. I thought maybe at 10-yrs I'd have to get emissions inspections, but so far no. Maybe we drove through on on-road test and passed? If so I am unaware.