West Virginia Vehicle Safety Inspections Now Only Required Every Two Years

Starting this year, car owners in West Virginia will only need to have their vehicles inspected every two years rather than annually, WSAZ reports.

As part of a decision made by lawmakers last March, starting Jan. 1, 2024, inspection stickers will be valid for an entire two years, rather than just one. 

According to State Police Sgt. Eric McClung, nothing about the inspection process or how technicians are trained to conduct inspections will change. The only alteration has been the price, which has been slightly raised to $19.78 to make up for the longer intervals between inspections.

Around 2,000 dealerships and auto shops in the state currently offer safety inspections, with only a handful expected to stop offering them following the change. With drivers not needing to have their vehicles examined as often, McClung expects there to be more rejection stickers handed out as well.

“Right now, you can go get your vehicle inspected and your tires may be good this year. Next year, your tires may be good. The year after your tires are not going to be good and it won’t pass inspection,” explained McClung.

Steve Basham, a technician at Steve & Stacy’s Servicenter in Charleston, West Virginia, expressed concern with the change, citing potential safety hazards. The shop he works at offers safety inspections, not associated with the state, for around the same price, and Basham encourages drivers to take the initiative to ensure their vehicles are safe for them and others around them.

“The bottom line is you want to take care of your safety and your family’s safety, regardless of how the inspection program works,” Basham said.