VIRGINIA STATE INSPECTION TEST
2026/2027 Practice Exam with 200
Questions, Answers, and Detailed
Rationales
This practice exam is based on the official Virginia State Police Motor
Vehicle Safety Inspection Manual for 2026, as well as the
administrative regulations governing inspector certification. The
Virginia State Inspection Program aims to ensure all vehicles on
Virginia roads are mechanically safe to operate.
SECTION 1: INSPECTOR CERTIFICATION &
ADMINISTRATION (Questions 1-25)
Question 1
What are the three classes of safety inspector certification in Virginia?
A. Class A (Motor Vehicles & Trailers), Class B (Trailers Only), Class C
(Motorcycles Only)
B. Class A (All Vehicles), Class B (Light Vehicles), Class C (Heavy
Vehicles)
C. Class A (Passenger Vehicles), Class B (Commercial Vehicles),
Class C (Motorcycles)
,D. Class A (Motorcycles Only), Class B (Trailers Only), Class C (Motor
Vehicles)
Correct Answer: A. Class A (Motor Vehicles & Trailers), Class B
(Trailers Only), Class C (Motorcycles Only)
Rationale: Applicants may be certified in specific classes: Class A
inspectors may inspect any motor vehicle, motorcycle, or trailer; Class
B inspectors may inspect trailers only; and Class C inspectors may
inspect motorcycles only. Class A is the most comprehensive
certification.
Question 2
How many sections are on the Class A inspector written examination,
and how many questions are in each section?
A. 3 sections with 25 questions each
B. 4 sections with 15 questions each
C. 5 sections with 20 questions each
D. 2 sections with 50 questions each
Correct Answer: C. 5 sections with 20 questions each
Rationale: The Class A inspector examination consists of five
sections, each containing 20 questions. A minimum score of 75%
must be attained for each section to pass. This structure ensures
inspectors demonstrate competency across all inspection areas.
Question 3
What is the minimum passing score for each section of the Class A
inspector examination?
,A. 70%
B. 74%
C. 75%
D. 80%
Correct Answer: C. 75%
Rationale: Class A inspectors must achieve a minimum score of 75%
on each of the five sections of the examination. The Class B and C
examinations require a minimum score of 74%. This is a stricter
standard for the most comprehensive certification.
Question 4
What is the minimum age requirement to become a certified safety
inspector in Virginia?
A. 16 years old
B. 17 years old
C. 18 years old
D. 21 years old
Correct Answer: C. 18 years old
Rationale: A background investigation is conducted for all applicants,
which includes verification that the applicant is at least 18 years of
age. This is a baseline requirement for certification eligibility.
Question 5
What practical experience requirement must an applicant meet to
become a certified safety inspector?
, A. No experience required if you pass the written test
B. Two years of experience as a mechanic
C. One year's practical experience as an automotive technician
repairing vehicles for the public
D. Six months of experience as a mechanic
Correct Answer: C. One year's practical experience as an automotive
technician repairing vehicles for the public
Rationale: Applicants must have not less than one year's practical
experience employed as an automotive technician repairing vehicles
for the public. An alternative is six months of practical experience
combined with six months of mirroring a certified state inspector.
Certain training programs can substitute for this requirement.
Question 6
If an applicant fails the inspector examination, how long must they
wait before retesting?
A. 7 days
B. 15 days
C. 30 days for the first failure, 6 months for subsequent failures
D. 60 days for all failures
Correct Answer: C. 30 days for the first failure, 6 months for
subsequent failures
Rationale: Applicants who fail to attain the minimum score are not
allowed to test again for 30 days. Applicants failing a second or
subsequent examination are not allowed to test again for six months.
This ensures candidates are adequately prepared before retesting.
2026/2027 Practice Exam with 200
Questions, Answers, and Detailed
Rationales
This practice exam is based on the official Virginia State Police Motor
Vehicle Safety Inspection Manual for 2026, as well as the
administrative regulations governing inspector certification. The
Virginia State Inspection Program aims to ensure all vehicles on
Virginia roads are mechanically safe to operate.
SECTION 1: INSPECTOR CERTIFICATION &
ADMINISTRATION (Questions 1-25)
Question 1
What are the three classes of safety inspector certification in Virginia?
A. Class A (Motor Vehicles & Trailers), Class B (Trailers Only), Class C
(Motorcycles Only)
B. Class A (All Vehicles), Class B (Light Vehicles), Class C (Heavy
Vehicles)
C. Class A (Passenger Vehicles), Class B (Commercial Vehicles),
Class C (Motorcycles)
,D. Class A (Motorcycles Only), Class B (Trailers Only), Class C (Motor
Vehicles)
Correct Answer: A. Class A (Motor Vehicles & Trailers), Class B
(Trailers Only), Class C (Motorcycles Only)
Rationale: Applicants may be certified in specific classes: Class A
inspectors may inspect any motor vehicle, motorcycle, or trailer; Class
B inspectors may inspect trailers only; and Class C inspectors may
inspect motorcycles only. Class A is the most comprehensive
certification.
Question 2
How many sections are on the Class A inspector written examination,
and how many questions are in each section?
A. 3 sections with 25 questions each
B. 4 sections with 15 questions each
C. 5 sections with 20 questions each
D. 2 sections with 50 questions each
Correct Answer: C. 5 sections with 20 questions each
Rationale: The Class A inspector examination consists of five
sections, each containing 20 questions. A minimum score of 75%
must be attained for each section to pass. This structure ensures
inspectors demonstrate competency across all inspection areas.
Question 3
What is the minimum passing score for each section of the Class A
inspector examination?
,A. 70%
B. 74%
C. 75%
D. 80%
Correct Answer: C. 75%
Rationale: Class A inspectors must achieve a minimum score of 75%
on each of the five sections of the examination. The Class B and C
examinations require a minimum score of 74%. This is a stricter
standard for the most comprehensive certification.
Question 4
What is the minimum age requirement to become a certified safety
inspector in Virginia?
A. 16 years old
B. 17 years old
C. 18 years old
D. 21 years old
Correct Answer: C. 18 years old
Rationale: A background investigation is conducted for all applicants,
which includes verification that the applicant is at least 18 years of
age. This is a baseline requirement for certification eligibility.
Question 5
What practical experience requirement must an applicant meet to
become a certified safety inspector?
, A. No experience required if you pass the written test
B. Two years of experience as a mechanic
C. One year's practical experience as an automotive technician
repairing vehicles for the public
D. Six months of experience as a mechanic
Correct Answer: C. One year's practical experience as an automotive
technician repairing vehicles for the public
Rationale: Applicants must have not less than one year's practical
experience employed as an automotive technician repairing vehicles
for the public. An alternative is six months of practical experience
combined with six months of mirroring a certified state inspector.
Certain training programs can substitute for this requirement.
Question 6
If an applicant fails the inspector examination, how long must they
wait before retesting?
A. 7 days
B. 15 days
C. 30 days for the first failure, 6 months for subsequent failures
D. 60 days for all failures
Correct Answer: C. 30 days for the first failure, 6 months for
subsequent failures
Rationale: Applicants who fail to attain the minimum score are not
allowed to test again for 30 days. Applicants failing a second or
subsequent examination are not allowed to test again for six months.
This ensures candidates are adequately prepared before retesting.
