Virginia State Police releases new inspection stickers for 2026

RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) — New laws aren't the only changes coming to Virginia in the New Year.

Virginia State Police (VSP) announced Tuesday, Dec. 30, several updates to its inspection stickers for drivers in the Commonwealth starting next year.

Safety inspection stickers

Beginning in 2026, vehicles in Virginia that have passed safety inspections will receive a new sticker with the color blue.

Earlier this year, the safety inspection sticker underwent several changes, including the use of the color green for the first time to prevent counterfeiting efforts.

(Photo: Virginia State Police)

The new sticker still has an image of a dogwood tree flower from the previous sticker, which VSP said is difficult for counterfeiters to effectively copy.

Stickers expiring in 2027 will be blue. They will have the colors red for 2028 and yellow for 2029.

A new rejection sticker will also be in use for vehicles that don't pass safety inspections.

Starting next year, the rejection stickers will be white instead of the current pink color. They will also adhere to the vehicle windshield much more securely and will be harder to remove.

(Photo: Virginia State Police)

VSP said the upgrade means the sticker will have to be scraped off once a rejected vehicle passes inspection.

"Older versions did not adhere as well and usually fell off after the rejection grace period had passed," officials said in the release.

Motorcycles and trailers stickers

Motorcycles and trailers in the new year will receive one sticker instead of two. The sticker will also include the year of expiration, per VSP.

The new sticker will be orange.

(Photo: Virginia State Police)