Should I prepay my inspection ticket when I have a reckless driving charge as well?

No.

I see it all the time. People get stopped for reckless driving by speed, and they also get a ticket for expired inspection. You’re allowed to prepay the inspection ticket, but you must appear in court for reckless driving or at least hire an attorney to appear for you.

But should you just prepay the inspection ticket and be done with it?

In my opinion, that’s a mistake. If you get the car inspected soon after the stop and provide proof to the judge, that ticket might be dismissed completely.

Being convicted of an expired inspection isn’t a huge deal, since it’s not a moving violation. But why not try to avoid a conviction and save a few dollars if possible?

Andrew Flusche

My name is Andrew Flusche. I am a traffic and misdemeanor defense lawyer in Virginia. I limit my practice to traffic tickets and misdemeanor defense, so I know the ins and outs of these offenses. I literally wrote the book on reckless driving in Virginia which you can get on Amazon here or download for free here. I opened my practice in 2008 after earning my Juris Doctor degree from the University of Virginia School of Law. Since then, I have earned over 600 5-star reviews from happy clients on Google, Yelp, and Facebook. If you’ve been charged with a misdemeanor offense in Virginia, please don’t hesitate to contact me. Your initial consultation is always free, and you'll talk directly with me about the details of your case.