Virginia Annual Inspection - Underglow Question

Alright guys.
So I am from Maryland where you only ever get your car inspected once - when you buy it. After that, nobody is stopping you from making some little tweaks.
Having recently graduated from college in Harrisonburg Virginia, I've decided to move to the Shenandoah Valley. As I get my vehicle registrations moved over to VA, this will be my first time dealing with an annual inspection.
Now, as eluded to before, I have done a couple of little tweaks.
First of all, I added a light bar to the lower grill. I don't really expect this to be an issue.
Second, I installed these blue underglow LEDs. They are wired to the dome light circuit, so they
come on when the doors are opened. I have a switch installed that disables them. I do not drive with them on.
Am I going to have issues passing Virginia inspection?

 

Nope you'll never pass inspection. Best to just move back to Maryland or just sell it. Those lights will get you flagged every time

 

Depending on the shop they may ask you to cover the light bar. I have had rock lights on my truck for the past few inspections and no one has ever said anything. Actually I think if the light bar is on the same level as the fogs you should be fine but some shops may get you for not being DOT approved. My truck passes every year I just have to get creative sometimes

You should be fine.

 

Just disable them. I've never had anyone say anything about my rock lights. The light bar "might" be more of an issue....I literally just rotate mine 90 degrees straight up so that it's not a "forward facing" light.

 

I was under the impression if the light bar is below the headlights then it doesn’t need to be covered.

 

It's still not DOT approved.

 

Right, but I thought that if it was under the headlights and on it’s own circuit then it didn’t need a cover. Dammit, now I’m about to pull up the law.

 

It has to be functional and for inspection it has to be covered.

 

I guess I wonder if they consider it an aux lamp or a spot lamp. I would assume aux because that's what mentions covers.

https://law.lis.virginia.gov/admincode/title19/agency30/chapter70/section160/

 

EXCEPTIONS: An auxiliary lighting device that is both covered and unlit shall not be considered for inspection. An auxiliary lighting device that has a clear lens, has clear reflectors, and is unlit shall not be considered for inspection. Fog and driving lamps mounted below the level of the regular headlamps must be checked for aim as outlined in subdivisions I 12 h and 13 f of this section if not covered.


h. Driving lamps are not aimed so that the center of the hot spot drops three inches in 25 feet so that the hot spot is directly ahead of the lamp

f. Lamps are not wired and aimed according to the following instructions:

(1) Fog lamps are general illumination lamps as covered in subsection A of this section. They must burn through the tail light circuit even if on a separate switch. If installed on a vehicle with a four-headlamp system, or a vehicle equipped with driving lamps, they must be wired into the low beam circuit.

(2) Fog lamps must be aimed so that the top edge of the high intensity zone is set at the horizontal centerline and the left edge of the high intensity zone is set at the vertical centerline. (Same as low beam headlights.)

 

Your post proved nothing though.

 

I think your 3 day old son is more mature than you Dave.

 

I wonder if it'd be considered an ornament if you just unplugged them and didn't leave the two halves of the harness right next to each other.

6. Vehicle is equipped with an auxiliary lamp that does not function properly. (If an auxiliary lamp has been modified by removing the wiring, bulb and socket, the unit will be considered an ornament and not a lamp and will not be considered in inspection.)

 

Why don’t you call a state inspection site and ask and then call the Virginia State police . Either one should be able to clarify the law.

 

Shit you know we can't even have LED replacement bulbs for things like tag lights or backup lights either. Interior they don't say anything but exterior has to remain OEM specs. I just throw black duc tape over my pods and they pass

 

My plan is to just not get a state inspection. Don’t need it for registration and if you get a ticket it’s just an $80 slap on the wrist ticket that means nothing. We’ll see how long I can pull that off since the truck isn’t my daily.

 

I get mine done at the dealership so they're pretty strict but as long as I cover the lights with something they pass it and don't give me any grief. Speaking of which I need to get that done this coming week.