The most likely reason why Walmart does not offer vehicle inspections is because inspections are not required in most states. Because Walmart is such a large company, it benefits them to offer the same services at all of their US locations.
In most states, mechanics must be certified to conduct vehicle safety inspections. Because Walmart trains its own mechanics, these mechanics are not recognized by most state governments and cannot be certified to conduct inspections.
It’s worth noting that according to several sources online, a small percentage of Walmart locations in the US actually do offer vehicle inspections. However, this is only possible in states that recognize Walmart-trained auto technicians as qualified vehicle inspectors. Unfortunately, we were not able to confirm which states recognize Walmart auto techs in this way. To find out if your local Walmart Auto Care Center offers vehicle inspection, reach out to them directly.
Generally speaking, you only need to have your vehicle inspected if you live in a state that requires vehicle inspections for registration and/or registration renewal.
Most states in the US do not require vehicle inspections. However, about 30% of states do. This number has gone down over the past 50 years. For example, well over half of all states required vehicle inspections in 1975.
According to the Connecticut General Assembly, states that require vehicle inspection are…
- Delaware
- Hawaii
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Massachusetts
- Missouri
- New Hampshire
- New York
- North Carolina
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- West Virginia
If you live in one of these states, you will need to check with your state’s regulations regarding vehicle inspection. Most inspection states require annual inspection that corresponds with the renewal of your vehicle registration. However, these protocols may vary from state to state. For example, some inspection states only require vehicle inspection every two years.
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Do Car Registrations Require Inspection?
In most states, you do not need to have your vehicle inspected to register it or to renew your registration.
However, if you live in one of the 16 states that require vehicle inspections, you will most likely need to have your vehicle inspected annually when you renew your registration.
Most states offer modest grace periods for vehicle inspections, although this will vary regionally as well. In Vermont, for example, drivers are afforded a 15-day grace period after they renew their registration to receive an up-to-date inspection sticker.
Walmart Auto Care Services
While you most likely won’t be able to get a vehicle inspection at Walmart, you can still avail quite a few different auto care services at the Walmart Auto Care Center near you.
Walmart Auto Care Center services include…
- Oil change
- Tire mounting
- Tire balance and rotation
- Valve stem installation
- Flat tire repair
- Lug nut replacement
- Fuel system maintenance
- Wiper blade installation
- Air filter installation
- Headlight installation and restoration
- Battery installation
To shop for vehicle supplies such as car batteries, tires, and more, visit Walmart’s website here. You can also check out one of our articles about the Walmart Auto Care Center here.
Where To Get Your Car Inspected Instead
Some of the most common places that offer vehicle inspections include…
- Jiffy Lube
- Les Schwab
- Pep Boys
- Firestone
- Goodyear
- Tires Plus
- Valvoline
Another great option for having your vehicle inspected is to reach out to your local mechanic or auto care center. If you live in a state that requires vehicle inspections, it’s very likely that your local mechanic has been certified to offer this service. If not, they should be able to recommend you to a place nearby.
Keep in mind that some auto care and tire centers may advertise that they offer certain types of vehicle inspections, but this does not always mean that state safety inspections are offered. For example, Midas offers complimentary visual inspections of your vehicle to locate potential problem areas. However, they do not offer actual hands-on safety inspections. To make sure that you are getting the right kind of inspection, check with your technician to ensure that they are conducting a state safety inspection.
What Happens If you Pass / Fail The Inspection?
If your vehicle passes the inspection, you will receive a verification of your vehicle’s inspection status, often in the form of an inspection sticker which you will place on your windshield.
If your vehicle does not pass the safety inspection, you will need to have the problem areas addressed and repaired before your vehicle can be approved as road safe. If your vehicle does not pass the inspection and you cannot have the repairs done for whatever reason, you will not legally be able to drive your vehicle on public roadways.
How Much Do Car Inspections Cost?
According to ProtectMyCar.com, the average cost of a vehicle safety inspection lands between $150 and $250. However, the cost of your inspection will vary depending on where you live and where you take your vehicle for the inspection.
It’s worth noting that other sources offer much lower estimates, stating that inspections can cost as little as $50 depending on where you go. In some places, including Texas, safety inspections are much more affordable, costing as little as $7 per year.
FAQs
Can you get an inspection sticker on Sunday?
This depends on where you live. If you can get an appointment for a vehicle inspection on a Sunday, there is no reason why you should not be able to acquire your inspection sticker on this day. However, some mechanics or auto care centers might not be open on Sundays.
Does Walmart have inspection stickers?
No. Unfortunately, Walmart does not offer vehicle safety inspections at the majority of their locations. However, there are allegedly a small number of Walmart retail locations across the US that do offer vehicle safety inspections. To find out if you can acquire an inspection sticker at your local Walmart Auto Care Center, you will need to contact them directly.
How long can you drive with an expired inspection sticker?
This depends on the vehicle inspection laws in your state. In most cases, you will be allowed a temporary grace period, but this period typically does not last longer than a couple of weeks.
Is Missouri getting rid of car inspections?
Potentially. A bill was proposed in 2022 which would phase out auto inspections for certain vehicles produced prior to 2012. However, this bill has not been signed into law, so all vehicles are still required to receive safety inspections every two years. The only exception to this rule is if your vehicle is less than 10 years old or has acquired fewer than 150,000 miles.
