Virginia Vehicle Tax & Inspections by Locality (2026)
Virginia's 4.15% vehicle sales tax is flat statewide and a safety inspection is required everywhere. What actually varies by locality is the annual personal-property "car tax" rate and whether Northern Virginia emissions testing applies. Find yours below.
Car-tax rates (per $100 of assessed value) verified July 2026 from each locality; emissions and inspection rules from Virginia DMV and DEQ.
| Locality | Car tax / $100 | Emissions? |
|---|---|---|
| Fairfax | $4.57 | Yes (NoVA) |
| Prince William | $3.50 | Yes (NoVA) |
| Loudoun | $3.09 | Yes (NoVA) |
| Arlington | $5.00 | Yes (NoVA) |
| Stafford | $5.72 | Yes (NoVA) |
| Alexandria (city) | $5.33 | Yes (NoVA) |
| Chesterfield | $3.25 | No |
| Henrico | $3.35 | No |
| Virginia Beach (city) | $4.00 | No |
| Norfolk (city) | $4.33 | No |
| Chesapeake (city) | $4.08 | No |
| Richmond (city) | $3.70 | No |
| Newport News (city) | $4.50 | No |
| Hampton (city) | $4.50 | No |
| Spotsylvania | $5.37 | No |
Frequently asked questions
Does Virginia car sales tax vary by locality?
No — Virginia charges a flat 4.15% Motor Vehicle Sales and Use Tax (minimum $75) on a purchase, the same everywhere. What varies locally is the annual personal-property 'car tax' rate each county or city sets, and whether an emissions test is required.
What is the personal property (car) tax in Virginia?
Every Virginia county and city levies an annual personal-property tax on vehicles, charged per $100 of assessed value. Rates in our table range from about $3.09 (Loudoun) to $5.72 (Stafford). The state PPTRA program subsidizes part of the tax on the first $20,000 of value.
Which Virginia localities require emissions testing?
Only Northern Virginia: Arlington, Fairfax, Loudoun, Prince William and Stafford counties, plus the cities of Alexandria, Fairfax, Falls Church, Manassas and Manassas Park. The rest of Virginia has no emissions test.
Does Virginia require a safety inspection?
Yes — statewide. Historically annual; as of July 1, 2026, brand-new vehicles get a 24-month sticker while used vehicles remain on the annual schedule.