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.

Virginia
Motorcycle Helmet Required?

Universal helmet law enacted 1970.

Virginia
Length of Regular Renewal Cycle

8 years

Virginia
Provisions for Mature Drivers

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

Virginia
Rural Interstates: Cars (MPH)

70

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Rural Interstates: Trucks (MPH)

70

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Urban Interstates: Cars (MPH)

70

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Urban Interstates: Trucks (MPH)

70

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Other Limited Access Roads: Cars (MPH)

65

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Other Limited Access Roads: Trucks (MPH)

65

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Increased penalty for high BAC

.15 and .20

Virginia
Administrative license suspension on first offense

7 days

Virginia
Limited driving privileges during suspension

None

Virginia
Ignition Interlocks

Mandatory for repeat convictions; highly incentivized for first convictions

Virginia
Open container laws

No

Virginia
Repeat Offender Laws

yes

Virginia
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

Virginia
Adult Safety Belt Permissible

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

Virginia
Intermediate Stage: Nighttime Driving Restriction

Midnight - 4 a.m. (secondary enforcement)

Virginia
Intermediate Stage: Passenger Restrictions (Except Family, Unless Noted)

First 12 months: no more than 1 under 21 (secondary enforcement) Thereafter: no more than 3 under 21 under certain conditions (secondary enforcement)

Virginia
Full Privilege Minimum Age

18 years

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Learner Stage: Minimum Age (Years/Months)

15 / 6

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Learner Stage: Minimum Duration (Months)

9

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Learner Stage: Supervised Driving Hours (Night Hours in Parenthesis)

45 (15)

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Intermediate Stage: Minimum Age (Years/Months)

16 / 3

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Type of Law

Secondary; Primary for occupants under 18

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Who is Covered?

All drivers; passengers 18 and over

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In What Seat?

Front Under 18: All (primary enforcement)

Virginia
Hand-Held Ban?

Yes. Primary law.

Virginia
All Cell Phone Ban? School Bus Drivers

Yes. Primary law.

Virginia
All Cell Phone Ban? Novice Drivers

No

Virginia
Text Messaging Ban?

All drivers. Primary law.

Virginia
Speed Cameras: State Law

Permitted by state law

Virginia
Speed Cameras: Where Permitted

School crossing zones and highway work zones

Virginia
Red Light Cameras: State Law

Permitted by state law and city ordinance

Virginia
Red Light Cameras: 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

Virginia
DUID Zero Tolerance or Per se Laws for Some Drugs

Per se >0 for some drugs

Virginia
Marijuana Possession and Use

Decriminalized and legal for recreational and medical use

Virginia
Marijuana Impaired Driving

None

Director of Highway Safety Strategy

Summary

Do you have experience with Highway Safety initiatives? Are you interested in driving DMV’s safety efforts to align and achieve the Commonwealth’s vision of “Towards Zero Deaths and Serious Injuries from motor vehicle crashes so that all road users arrive safely at their destination”? If so, the Department of Motor Vehicles is seeking someone like you to champion the Department of Motor Vehicle’s Highway Safety Strategy.

Why We Can’t Fall for Arguments Against Speed Cameras

Speed kills. The likelihood of death grows rapidly with vehicle speed. A vehicle going 42 mph has a nearly fivefold higher probability of killing a pedestrian it hits than if it were going 25 mph. It’s quite common for vehicles to be traveling 42 mph in 25 mph urban/residential areas. Speed cameras can address these issues and more. They allow police forces to spend more time on other issues and they reduce risk associated with traffic stops for all. They are race/gender/wealth agnostic.

Seeing a Safer City

The United States has become a dangerous place to be a pedestrian. In 2022, more than 20 pedestrians were killed each day, the highest number in 40 years, according to the Governors Highway Safety Association. Between 2010 and 2021, pedestrian deaths increased 77%. In Richmond, there have been 88 pedestrian-involved traffic crashes since the beginning of the year, resulting in 86 pedestrian injuries and four deaths.

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