Selected Traffic and Motor Vehicle Laws of Virginia
The information in this section is not intended to be all inclusive of the traffic and motor vehicle laws in effect in Virginia. The intent is to provide an overview of some of the laws. Those interested in a more complete list of the laws may look in the Virginia Driver's Manual, 2001-2002, the VDOT site included on the home page of VADETS or consult the Code of Virginia.
On the inside front cover of the Virginia Driver's Manual, 2001-2002, the following Virginia Traffic Laws are sited
Virginia license plates must be displayed on the vehicle so that all the wording, numbers and decals are completely visible and readable.
You must use your headlights during inclement weather, or whenever you use your windshield wipers.
You must signal before you change lanes, make a turn or pull in front of another vehicle.
Radar detectors and radar jamming devices are illegal in Virginia.
It is unlawful to operate a motor vehicle, moped, or bicycle on Virginia roadways while using earphones or headphones in both ears.
Bicycles are considered vehicles and have the same rights-of-way as motor vehicles: bicycles must also yield the same rights-of-way as motor vehicles.
If you change your address, you must notify DMV of your new address within 30 days.
All children under four-years of age must ride in an approved child safety seat or infant carrier.
All passengers age 4 through 15 must be secured by a safety belt or an approved safety seat when riding in a vehicle. It is unlawful for persons under age 16 to travel in the bed of a pick-up truck.
The driver and front-seat passenger must wear safety belts.
Do not cut through, join, or interfere with a funeral procession. You must yield right-of-way to the procession.
Pull to the curb and yield right-of-way to all emergency vehicles.
Never drink or use drugs and drive.
Failure to pay any motor vehicle-related court fine can result in suspension of your driver's license.
What should you do if you are involved in a crash?
Stop
Give help within your ability
Report the crash
Exchange information with other people involved in the crash
Notify your insurance company
Attempt to find owner if vehicle is unattended
Responsibilities regarding child restraints
Install seat properly
Secure children age four through 15 in a child safety seat or safety belt
Laws relating to drinking and driving
Legally, you are considered driving under the influence if your blood alcohol content (BAC) is 0.08 or higher.
You can be found guilty of driving under the influence even if your BAC is under 0.08.
Your license may be administratively suspended if you register a 0.08 BAC or refuse to take a breath test.
If you are caught driving after your license has been suspended for an alcohol-related offense, your vehicle may be impounded for 30 days; if convicted, your vehicle may be impounded for an additional 90 days.
Virginia has what is called a "Zero Tolerance" for alcohol use for those under 21 years of age. If you are under 21 and are caught with a BAC of at least 0.02 but under 0.08 and drive you can be fined up to $500 and your license to drive will be suspended for six months. Jail is also a possibility.
If you allow another person to drive your vehicle and you know that person has a revoked or suspended driver's license for an alcohol offense, you can be charged with a Class 1 misdemeanor.
The police have the right to ask you to take a breath or blood test to determine your BAC. If you refuse, your license will be suspended for 7 days and may be suspended for one year.
Laws related to your Driver's License
You must carry your driver's license with you at all times when you operate a motor vehicle
Never allow an unlicensed driver to operate your vehicle
Do not lend your driver's license to another person
Never use another person's driver's license
Do not use a false/fraudulent driver's license
Never use a suspended or revoked driver's license
License Suspension and Revocation
Your license will be suspended or revoked if you:
Make a false statement to the DMV
Fail to stop and identify yourself at the scene of an crash if someone has been injured or killed
Operate a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or drugs
Are convicted of voluntary or involuntary manslaughter
Commit a drug offense whether or not a motor vehicle is involved
Commit a felony while using a motor vehicle
Take a driver's license test for another person
Elude the police
Become delinquent in child support payments by 90 days or $5,000
Fail to pay court fines and costs of traffic and criminal convictions within the time allowed
Fail to complete a required driver improvement clinic
Are convicted of making a bomb threat
Are convicted of failing to pay for a gasoline purchase
Become physically or mentally unable to drive safely
Give false information on a driver's license application
Receive 18 or more demerit points in a 12 month period or 24 demerits in a 24 month period
Register an uninsured motor vehicle without paying the fee
Operate or permit the operation of your uninsured vehicle
If you are under 18 years of age
If you are 18 or 19 years of age
If you are 18 years of age or over
Speed limits (unless posted otherwise)
| Interstate highways in designated rural areas | 65MPH |
| Interstate highways in areas not designated as rural | 55MPH |
| Limited access and non-limited access highways | 55MPH |
| Secondary routes including all public roads and streets not part of interstate or primary system | 55MPH |
| School, business and residential zones | 25MPH |
The above traffic laws are just part of the overall traffic laws in Virginia. Each licensed driver must become familiar with all the traffic laws in the state to avoid violating the laws. Each of the above traffic laws are explained in more detail in the Virginia Driver's Manual, 2001-2002 in Section 2; or, if you would rather read the actual law as written in the Code of Virginia you may click on the following: Motor Vehicle Laws