Virginia state safety inspection - what do they look for?

[MarcusOReallyus]

Got stopped at a roadside check for registration etc. Found out the hard way that my 101A2 needs a state safety inspection. $91 dollars later, now I know. Thanks, DMV, for not posting that on your website, or mentioning it when I registered the trailer. I guess I should have just "known" somehow that I needed to go search the state police website for that info.


So, anybody had this done lately for Virginia? Can you tell me what they are looking for? Lights, obviously, but anything else?

I've got a worn spot on my electrical cable from where one of my boys didn't loop it over the frame properly. Down the road I went. I've ordered a replacement from Northern Tool, but want to get inspected tomorrow, if I can.

Do they pull the wheels and check the brakes? Do they check the surge brakes? I think I'm fine (was last time I looked), but if they are going to check, I want to double-check first.

 

[swbradley1]

The basics, brakes, lights and tires. There isn't anything else.

Maybe they will want to verify brake operation. Looks like another way for them to make more money off of you.

 

[olbucksnort]

thanks for the heads up. I plan on buying a m105 w/o any extra expenses along the way.

 

[steelandcanvas]

Don't know for sure, but I'd be willing to bet they will want you to pump the brakes until the low air warning buzzer comes on. They will want to see at what PSI it comes on, and then turns off. Lights, wipers, and horn will be most likely the other equipment they'll want to poke their nose into. Good luck!

 

[kjo43]

I think you'll also need amber clearance lights on the trailer in front of the axle somewhere to be fully legal. Every commercially produced trailer I've owned had these....but my m101a2 does not.

Liscence plate illumination might be another one they could get you on...

They may not even notice either during the inspection though. If its anything like NY it's just a money making opportunity for the state more than anything else.

 

[MarcusOReallyus]

Don't know for sure, but I'd be willing to bet they will want you to pump the brakes until the low air warning buzzer comes on. They will want to see at what PSI it comes on, and then turns off. Lights, wipers, and horn will be most likely the other equipment they'll want to poke their nose into. Good luck!

Hmmm. No air brakes on the 101, none on the tow vehicle. That might be a problem.

 

[steelandcanvas]

Oooops, blew right over that M number. They'll still want to look at the wipers though. Note to self: See Optometrist.

 

[porkysplace]

Oooops, blew right over that M number. They'll still want to look at the wipers though. Note to self: See Optometrist.

olbucksnort mentioned the M105 in post #3 so he's got the heads-up for that now .

 

[MarcusOReallyus]