Virginia Car Rules

osdad

5-Year Member
Joined
Feb 10, 2010
Messages
740
My DS is a newly minted MA and is stationed in the Norfolk area. He needs to buy a car and is wondering if he should register it in VA or in CT (his HoR). In CT we have to have emissions testing done ($20) but no mechanical inspection. I keep seeing in For Sale ads that this car "has current VA inspection".

Any of you "experienced" folks have a recommendation?
 
VA state inspection cost $16 and covers the mechanical basics, e.g. tires, brakes lights, etc. Annual vehicle registration is about $50. Each jurisdiction assesses personal property tax on the vehicles titled in VA but active duty military are exempt from paying that.
 
VA Inspection consists of two parts. The yearly safety / mechanical inspection (which costs $16, as 1996 mentioned) and the once every 2 year emmisions inspection (costs $24). If the car is registered in VA, the inspection results are forwarded automatically by the inpsector to the VA DMV. You can then go on-line to VADMV.gov and re-new the registration for around $46 bucks for one year, or around $84 bucks for two years (numbers are there-abouts). If you go to the DMV to register in person, they add a $5 processing fee.
 
My DS is a newly minted MA and is stationed in the Norfolk area. He needs to buy a car and is wondering if he should register it in VA or in CT (his HoR). In CT we have to have emissions testing done ($20) but no mechanical inspection. I keep seeing in For Sale ads that this car "has current VA inspection".

Any of you "experienced" folks have a recommendation?

If the emission tests works like it does in our state, WA, they waive the test for those that are Active Duty and stationed out of state. My son has his car registered in WA, his HoR, but currently is in Alabama.
 
I would not register it in VA. The state has a personal property tax every year:eek: based on the value of the car. You must also have an annual vehicle inspection and a bi-annual emissions inspection. There's a reason that VA cars rarely break down.:smile:

Seriously, if he's on AD, register it in some state other than VA where he can legitimately claim residence. He's ok as along as he remains AD. Note that a spouse who is not AD must register the car in the state in which he/she resides IF the car is in his/her name.
 
Thanks...

He'll probably reg is VA as even as costly as it is it seems to be less than CT. at least initially. CT assesses a 6.35% sales tax but do waive registration fee about $50.

Then there's the issue of out-of-state insurance...etc.
 
Regarding the personal tax, I maybe incorrect, but I believe if you prove you are on orders, and not a resident of VA while AD that fee is waived. At least it was back in 02-05 when Bullet was AD here, but our legal residence for the AF was AK.

I know with our DS that is now in TX, but his car is registered in VA, they waived that fee for him also since he was on military orders.

I do agree if the spouse is on the title, than they typically will not waive.any fees, this is why Bullet and I never had my name put on any loans, including mtgs.

If he uses USAA don't worry about OOS insurance.
 
Emissions inspection only applies to vehicles registered in NOVA cities & counties. We do not have an emissions inspection in the Hampton Roads area or any other parts of the state that I am aware of.
 
To clarify the personal property tax issue, if the vehicle is registered solely in the active duty members name, there is no personal property tax assessed. If the non-active duty member's spouse is also listed on the VA title, then the city/county where the vehicle is registered in will assess personal property tax.
 
Thanks all.

That's good to know about the emissions testing as that pretty much seals the deal: CT requires one, they would accept one from VA but what a PITA to comply w/o a local testing site.

Anyone know of an honest used car dealer in the Hampton Roads area? Or is that too much of a oxymoron??? :rolleyes:
 
Thanks all.

Anyone know of an honest used car dealer in the Hampton Roads area? Or is that too much of a oxymoron??? :rolleyes:

Try Craigslist. I bought my kids first cars through Craigslist and had a local garage do a pre-purchase inspection on them so I knew what I was getting into.
 
For at least AF bases, there is a used car lot for vehicles that are privately owned...cars, boats, rvs.

I would think that Norfolk has something like that.

They are owned by military members.
 
For at least AF bases, there is a used car lot for vehicles that are privately owned...cars, boats, rvs.

I would think that Norfolk has something like that.

They are owned by military members.
Its been a few years since I was there last but I know that on Little Creek there used to be an unofficial car lot on 3rd St across from the Exchange and Commissary.
 
I know that Langley AFB and Ft. Eustis have "Lemon Lots" but I'm not sure about the Southside bases. There are some good buys there and some junk. As with any used car purchase, I would still recommend a pre-purchase inspection.
 
Better yet, I feel the need to make sure others get good info. What out of state insurance issue have you heard about?
 
Went through this last year.

For active duty stationed out of state, Connecticut waives the emission test, registration fee, drivers license fee and personal property tax. You just have to submit some forms for each. There is also something about sales tax for active duty but she bought the car before commissioning so we didn't go that route. You can check the ct gov site.
 
If your car is registered in VA, it will need the inspections. If that doesn't happen, prepare, like I have, for a ticket. Thank you State Police.... $30 ticket, plus... $40 processing (you would assume you wouldn't have to pay for something they elected to do), and a $10 local fee.

"No honey, it's only a $30 ticket."


Oops! :wink:
 
Back
Top