Virginia law requires that vehicles sold at retail by licensed dealers must undergo safety inspections before sale or have a written disclosure of inspection deficiencies. The law also applies to watercraft trailers and trailers requiring periodic safety inspections, with penalties for violations. Dealers must ensure compliance or disclose non-compliance to buyers to avoid misdemeanors.
Licensed vehicle dealers must have vehicles inspected by an official safety inspection station before selling them for use on public highways.
The dealer must either bring the vehicle into compliance or provide the buyer with a written disclosure of the safety inspection deficiencies before sale.
Yes, watercraft trailers and watercraft trailer dealers are also required to comply with safety inspection provisions.
Violators are guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor, which can result in fines and other legal penalties.