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VIRGINIA STATE INSPECTOR EXAM 2026 | 140 QUESTIONS WITH
CORRECT ANSWERS & RATIONALES, ALREADY GRADED A+
1. During a Virginia safety inspection, what is the correct minimum tread depth
required for passenger vehicle tires?
A) 1/16 inch
B) 2/32 inch
C) 3/32 inch
D) 4/32 inch
Answer: B – 2/32 inch
Rationale: Virginia adopts the federal standard that passenger vehicles must have
at least 2/32 inch tread depth on major grooves to ensure traction and safe braking.
2. When inspecting a vehicle’s windshield, which of the following conditions
would cause rejection?
A) A small chip less than ½ inch outside the driver’s line of sight
B) A 1-inch crack at the passenger-side lower corner
C) Any crack that extends into the driver’s line of vision
D) Minor pitting outside the sweep of the wipers
Answer: C – Any crack in the driver’s line of vision
Rationale: Visibility is critical for safety. Cracks or damage impairing the driver’s
view must result in rejection under Virginia safety standards.
3. Which of the following is an acceptable condition for a vehicle’s brake pads
during inspection?
A) Pads worn down to less than 2/32 inch
B) Pads with cracks that reach the backing plate
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C) Pads worn evenly with more than 3/32 inch remaining
D) Pads missing anti-squeal shims
Answer: C – Pads worn evenly with more than 3/32 inch remaining
Rationale: Brake pads must not be worn beyond manufacturer limits. If 3/32 inch
or more remains and wear is even, they pass.
4. When testing vehicle lighting, which of the following conditions is acceptable?
A) A headlamp with a cracked lens allowing white light leakage
B) A brake light that illuminates in red when applied
C) A turn signal flashing faster than normal due to a bulb out
D) A reverse light that emits a blue tint
Answer: B – A brake light that illuminates in red when applied
Rationale: All stop lamps must emit red light. Cracked lenses, malfunctioning
signals, or incorrect colors are cause for rejection.
5. Which of the following is required for the parking brake to pass inspection?
A) It must hold the vehicle on a grade but not necessarily release fully
B) It must hold the vehicle on any grade and release fully
C) It only needs to function when the vehicle is loaded
D) It may be inoperative if the service brakes work
Answer: B – It must hold the vehicle on any grade and release fully
Rationale: Parking brakes must secure a stationary vehicle and release properly to
pass inspection.
6. A vehicle’s horn must be able to:
A) Produce a musical tone
B) Be heard from at least 200 feet away under normal conditions
C) Operate without the ignition on
D) Be audible only inside the cabin
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Answer: B – Be heard from at least 200 feet away
Rationale: Virginia requires that horns emit a sound audible at a minimum of 200
feet to warn other drivers effectively.
7. Which of the following windshield wiper conditions would require rejection?
A) Blades streak slightly but still clear most of the glass
B) One wiper arm is missing its spring tension, causing poor contact
C) Blades have minor wear but still maintain visibility
D) Wiper fluid reservoir is low but sprays adequately
Answer: B – One wiper arm is missing its spring tension
Rationale: Wipers must maintain consistent contact across the windshield. Weak
or missing tension causes rejection.
8. Which condition is acceptable for vehicle mirrors during inspection?
A) The left-side mirror is missing entirely
B) The right-side mirror is cracked but still provides a clear view
C) The inside rearview mirror is loose and cannot hold position
D) The driver’s outside mirror is present, intact, and adjustable
Answer: D – The driver’s outside mirror is present, intact, and adjustable
Rationale: At minimum, the driver’s side outside mirror must be functional to
ensure rear visibility.
9. What is the maximum acceptable play in a steering wheel before rejection?
A) 1 inch on a 16-inch steering wheel
B) 2 inches on a 14-inch steering wheel
C) 4 inches on any size steering wheel
D) No measurable play is acceptable
Answer: A – 1 inch on a 16-inch steering wheel
Rationale: Excessive free play indicates worn steering components. Virginia limits
play based on wheel size.
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10. Which of the following tire conditions would result in rejection?
A) Tires with mismatched brands but identical sizes and ratings
B) Tires with exposed cord or fabric
C) Tires with normal wear evenly across tread
D) Tires with less than 40 psi inflation
Answer: B – Tires with exposed cord or fabric
Rationale: Exposed cords or ply material pose a major safety hazard and fail
inspection.
11. When inspecting exhaust systems, which condition is acceptable?
A) Exhaust leak audible at the muffler
B) Muffler firmly attached with no leaks
C) Tailpipe missing beyond the muffler
D) Exhaust routed through the passenger compartment
Answer: B – Muffler firmly attached with no leaks
Rationale: The exhaust must be secure, leak-free, and properly routed to prevent
dangerous fumes.
12. Which brake light condition causes rejection?
A) Both brake lights illuminate when the pedal is pressed
B) Only the center high-mounted stop lamp is functional
C) All brake lamps emit red light
D) All brake lamps are equally bright
Answer: B – Only the center high-mounted stop lamp is functional
Rationale: All required stop lamps must work. A single lamp is insufficient for
safety.
13. Which of the following is NOT grounds for rejection regarding license plates?
A) Plate is bent but still legible
B) Plate light is inoperative
VIRGINIA STATE INSPECTOR EXAM 2026 | 140 QUESTIONS WITH
CORRECT ANSWERS & RATIONALES, ALREADY GRADED A+
1. During a Virginia safety inspection, what is the correct minimum tread depth
required for passenger vehicle tires?
A) 1/16 inch
B) 2/32 inch
C) 3/32 inch
D) 4/32 inch
Answer: B – 2/32 inch
Rationale: Virginia adopts the federal standard that passenger vehicles must have
at least 2/32 inch tread depth on major grooves to ensure traction and safe braking.
2. When inspecting a vehicle’s windshield, which of the following conditions
would cause rejection?
A) A small chip less than ½ inch outside the driver’s line of sight
B) A 1-inch crack at the passenger-side lower corner
C) Any crack that extends into the driver’s line of vision
D) Minor pitting outside the sweep of the wipers
Answer: C – Any crack in the driver’s line of vision
Rationale: Visibility is critical for safety. Cracks or damage impairing the driver’s
view must result in rejection under Virginia safety standards.
3. Which of the following is an acceptable condition for a vehicle’s brake pads
during inspection?
A) Pads worn down to less than 2/32 inch
B) Pads with cracks that reach the backing plate
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C) Pads worn evenly with more than 3/32 inch remaining
D) Pads missing anti-squeal shims
Answer: C – Pads worn evenly with more than 3/32 inch remaining
Rationale: Brake pads must not be worn beyond manufacturer limits. If 3/32 inch
or more remains and wear is even, they pass.
4. When testing vehicle lighting, which of the following conditions is acceptable?
A) A headlamp with a cracked lens allowing white light leakage
B) A brake light that illuminates in red when applied
C) A turn signal flashing faster than normal due to a bulb out
D) A reverse light that emits a blue tint
Answer: B – A brake light that illuminates in red when applied
Rationale: All stop lamps must emit red light. Cracked lenses, malfunctioning
signals, or incorrect colors are cause for rejection.
5. Which of the following is required for the parking brake to pass inspection?
A) It must hold the vehicle on a grade but not necessarily release fully
B) It must hold the vehicle on any grade and release fully
C) It only needs to function when the vehicle is loaded
D) It may be inoperative if the service brakes work
Answer: B – It must hold the vehicle on any grade and release fully
Rationale: Parking brakes must secure a stationary vehicle and release properly to
pass inspection.
6. A vehicle’s horn must be able to:
A) Produce a musical tone
B) Be heard from at least 200 feet away under normal conditions
C) Operate without the ignition on
D) Be audible only inside the cabin
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Answer: B – Be heard from at least 200 feet away
Rationale: Virginia requires that horns emit a sound audible at a minimum of 200
feet to warn other drivers effectively.
7. Which of the following windshield wiper conditions would require rejection?
A) Blades streak slightly but still clear most of the glass
B) One wiper arm is missing its spring tension, causing poor contact
C) Blades have minor wear but still maintain visibility
D) Wiper fluid reservoir is low but sprays adequately
Answer: B – One wiper arm is missing its spring tension
Rationale: Wipers must maintain consistent contact across the windshield. Weak
or missing tension causes rejection.
8. Which condition is acceptable for vehicle mirrors during inspection?
A) The left-side mirror is missing entirely
B) The right-side mirror is cracked but still provides a clear view
C) The inside rearview mirror is loose and cannot hold position
D) The driver’s outside mirror is present, intact, and adjustable
Answer: D – The driver’s outside mirror is present, intact, and adjustable
Rationale: At minimum, the driver’s side outside mirror must be functional to
ensure rear visibility.
9. What is the maximum acceptable play in a steering wheel before rejection?
A) 1 inch on a 16-inch steering wheel
B) 2 inches on a 14-inch steering wheel
C) 4 inches on any size steering wheel
D) No measurable play is acceptable
Answer: A – 1 inch on a 16-inch steering wheel
Rationale: Excessive free play indicates worn steering components. Virginia limits
play based on wheel size.
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10. Which of the following tire conditions would result in rejection?
A) Tires with mismatched brands but identical sizes and ratings
B) Tires with exposed cord or fabric
C) Tires with normal wear evenly across tread
D) Tires with less than 40 psi inflation
Answer: B – Tires with exposed cord or fabric
Rationale: Exposed cords or ply material pose a major safety hazard and fail
inspection.
11. When inspecting exhaust systems, which condition is acceptable?
A) Exhaust leak audible at the muffler
B) Muffler firmly attached with no leaks
C) Tailpipe missing beyond the muffler
D) Exhaust routed through the passenger compartment
Answer: B – Muffler firmly attached with no leaks
Rationale: The exhaust must be secure, leak-free, and properly routed to prevent
dangerous fumes.
12. Which brake light condition causes rejection?
A) Both brake lights illuminate when the pedal is pressed
B) Only the center high-mounted stop lamp is functional
C) All brake lamps emit red light
D) All brake lamps are equally bright
Answer: B – Only the center high-mounted stop lamp is functional
Rationale: All required stop lamps must work. A single lamp is insufficient for
safety.
13. Which of the following is NOT grounds for rejection regarding license plates?
A) Plate is bent but still legible
B) Plate light is inoperative
