I'm not sure, but I think the stickers on the plates in Virginia are for inspections. I don't think I replace those for the yearly registration change, so they must change the stickers at the gas station I get my inspection at.

I have a registration sticker and an inspection sticker in my front window, though. That I'm sure of. The registration one I get in the mail and put in myself. Unfortunately, the lazy inspection people don't feel like reaching down the dash far enough on my minivan, and I consequently have a sticker that's practically half the way up my windshield.

I did get a ticket once for an expired inspection sticker. That was about as expensive as you're talking about. Around $70 I think.