Privately owned/not-for-hire vehicles must be inspected every two years. All inspection fees, including the late and reinspection fees, are collected at the time of the registration. Commercial vehicles are inspected every year, and vehicles-for-hire, such as limousines and taxicabs, are inspected every six months.

For your convenience, you may also renew your vehicle's registration at the inspection station.

All vehicles registered in DC must have a valid inspection. Therefore, if you fail to have your vehicle inspected prior to the inspection expiration date, you will be assessed late fees which are $20 for every 1 to 30-day period. If your vehicle is still registered, but you cannot have it inspected prior to the inspection expiration date, you should cancel your registration by surrendering your tags at a DMV service center in order to avoid inspection late fees.