Virginia

GHSA maintains data on state laws surrounding a number of highway safety issues. Below is information regarding laws in the state of Virginia. For more information, consult the State Highway Safety Office.

  • Alcohol Impaired Driving

    Penalties

    Increased Penalty for High BAC Administrative License Suspension on First Offense Limited Driving Privileges During Suspension
    .15 and .20 7 days  

    Ignition Interlocks

    Mandatory for repeat convictions; highly incentivized for first convictions

    Other

    Open Container Laws Repeat Offender Laws
    No Yes
  • Child Passenger Safety

    Child Restraint Required

    Under 2 years old in rear-facing seat (or until minimum weight requirement reached)

    7 yrs or under

    Children in rear-facing devices must be in a rear seat if available - otherwise, in front only if front passenger airbag is deactivated

    Adult Safety Belt Permissible

    8-17 yrs (4-7 yrs with physician's exemption)

  • Distracted Driving

    Hand-Held Ban?

    Yes. Primary law.

    All Cell Phone Ban?

    School Bus Drivers

    Yes. Primary law.

    Novice Drivers

    No

    Text Messaging Ban?

    All drivers. Primary law.

  • Drug Impaired Driving

    DUID Zero Tolerance or Per se Laws for Some Drugs

    • Per se >0 for some drugs

    Marijuana-Specific Laws

    • Possession and Use: Decriminalized and legal for recreational and medical use
    • Impaired Driving: None
  • Mature Drivers

    Length of Regular Renewal Cycle

    8 years

    Provisions for Mature Drivers

    75 and over: renewal every 5 years in person with vision test (in person or physician report)

     

  • Motorcyclists

    Universal helmet law enacted 1970.

  • Seat Belts

    Type of Law

    Secondary; Primary for occupants under 18

    Who Is Covered?

    All drivers; passengers 18 and over

    In What Seat?

    Front

    Under 18: All (primary enforcement)

  • Speed and Red Light Cameras

    Speed Cameras

    State Law

    Permitted by state law

    Where Permitted

    School crossing zones and highway work zones

    Red Light Cameras

    State Law

    Permitted by state law and city ordinance

    Where Permitted

    Statewide; no more than one intersection for every 10,000 residents in each community, except for communities under the Northern Virginia Regional Commission, which are allowed systems at not more than 10 intersections or no more than one intersection for every 10,000 residents, whichever is greater

  • Speeding and Aggressive Driving

    Rural Interstates

    Cars (MPH) Trucks (MPH)
    70 70

    Urban Interstates

    Cars (MPH) Trucks (MPH)
    70 70

    Other Limited Access Roads

    Cars (MPH) Trucks (MPH)
    65 65
  • Teen and Novice Drivers

    Full Privilege Minimum Age

    18 years

    Learner Stage

    Minimum Age (Years/Months)

    Minimum Duration (Months)

    Required Supervised Driving Hours (Night Hours)
    15 / 6 9 45 (15)

    Intermediate Stage

    Minimum Age (Years/Months)

    		 Nighttime Driving Restriction

    Passenger Restriction (except family, unless noted)
    16 / 3 Midnight - 4 a.m. (secondary enforcement)

    First 12 months: no more than 1 under 21 (secondary enforcement)

    Thereafter: no more than 3 under 21 under certain conditions (secondary enforcement)