VA Inspection is very minimal, indeed. Usually 5 to 10 min of check that lights work, look at brakes, check tire tread, sometimes that the seatbelt works, listen for exhaust leak, honk the horn, a quick glance for anything abnormal that sticks out, and that is it. If they really cared about safety, they would at least check suspension and AIM THE DAMN HEADLIGHTS so other drivers aren't BLINDED TO DEATH constantly. My best friend was an inspector. If they tried to check everything that the regulations require, it would take two people well over an hour. The manual is 200+ pages.
https://vsp.virginia.gov/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Motor-Vehicle-Safety-Inspection-Manual-2021.pdfAnyway, there is NO WAY that anyone cares if a tiny body panel is DOT approved. I am not even sure how that could reasonably be a real safety issue. No inspection in any State is going to look for that- checking every part. Probably 80+% of motorcycles have illegally modified exhaust systems and apparently all of them pass.
I have never even bothered having my motorcycles inspected. Ever. That is, what, 25 years? The sticker is rarely visible. Yeah, I might get caught one day and have to pay a fine.... and it won't come close to the money and inconvenience saved. *I* check for safety on it all the time. I hear that the military bases do check such things for some reason, but that doesn't concern me. Yes, I do have my cars inspected, however.
