Virginia driving law, answered
Every answer here comes from Virginia Driver's Manual and, where the manual is silent, the Code of Virginia: Title 46.2, Chapter 1: General Provisions, Title 46.2, Chapter 3: Licensure of Drivers, Title 46.2, Chapter 6: Titling and Registration of Motor Vehicles, Title 46.2, Chapter 7: Highway Use Fee and Mileage-Based User Fee Program, Title 46.2, Chapter 8: Regulation of Traffic, Title 46.2, Chapter 10: Motor Vehicle and Equipment Safety, Title 46.2, Chapter 12: Abandoned, Immobilized, Unattended and Trespassing Vehicles; Parking, Title 46.2, Chapter 12.1: Parking for Persons with Disabilities, Title 18.2, Chapter 7, Article 2 and § 18.2-323.1: Driving While Intoxicated; Open Container, Title 4.1, Chapter 3, § 4.1-305: Underage Purchase or Possession of Alcohol, with the page or the section it is in.
Statutes fetched on 8 October 2026; manuals fetched on 6 September 2026. How the answers are made
How far from a fire hydrant must you park?
You may not park within 15 feet of a fire hydrant. A crew that has to run hose around your car loses the minutes that matter most.
within 15 feet of a fire hydrant
As of 6 Sep 2026
May you park in or near an intersection?
You may not park within 20 feet of an intersection. A car parked at the corner hides the traffic that a turning driver needs to see.
within 20 feet of an intersection
As of 6 Sep 2026
How far from a railroad crossing must you park?
You may not park within 50 feet of a railroad crossing. A driver at the crossing needs a clear view down the track before rolling onto it.
within 50 feet of a railroad crossing
As of 6 Sep 2026
How far from a fire station driveway must you park?
You may not park within 15 feet of the entrance to a fire, ambulance or rescue squad station. The vehicles inside have to get out fast and turn as they go.
within 15 feet of the entrance to a fire, ambulance or rescue squad station
As of 6 Sep 2026
How close to the curb must you park?
When you park next to a curb, you may not park more than one foot from it. A car sticking out into the lane is the one the passing driver clips.
You may not park more than one foot from the curb.
As of 6 Sep 2026
When must you stop for a school bus with flashing red lights?
You must stop for a stopped school bus with flashing signals and an extended stop arm when you approach from any direction on a highway, private road or school driveway, and stay stopped until everyone is clear and the bus moves again. Children walk around the front of the bus where the driver behind cannot see them at all.
Stop and remain stopped until all persons are clear and the bus moves again.
As of 6 Sep 2026
What must you do when passing a stopped emergency vehicle with flashing lights?
When you approach a stopped emergency vehicle or tow truck with its lights flashing, change to a lane away from it if you reasonably can; if you cannot, slow down and pass with care. People are working in the lane beside it, a step away from traffic at full speed.
change to a lane not next to the vehicle. If you are unable to safely change lanes, reduce your speed and proceed with caution.
As of 6 Sep 2026
How far behind a fire truck answering an alarm may you follow?
You may never follow an emergency vehicle closer than 500 feet while its lights are flashing. It can stop dead at a scene, and following close leaves you nowhere to go.
Never follow an emergency vehicle closer than 500 feet when its lights are flashing.
As of 6 Sep 2026
When must you turn on your headlights?
You must use headlights from sunset to sunrise. Dusk is when the light fades but your eyes have not caught up yet.
You must use headlights from sunset to sunrise.
As of 6 Sep 2026
How far from an oncoming vehicle must you dim your high beams?
Use high beams on highways unless a vehicle is within 500 feet coming toward you. A driver blinded by your lights cannot see the edge of the road either.
Use high-beam headlights on highways, unless another vehicle is within 500 feet coming toward you.
As of 6 Sep 2026
Who must wear a seat belt?
Under Virginia law the driver and all passengers, front and rear, must wear safety belts. An unbelted passenger in the back becomes a moving weight that hits the person in front.
Under Virginia law, the driver and all passengers, both front and rear, must wear safety belts.
As of 6 Sep 2026
When must a child ride in a car seat?
All children under age 8 must be properly secured in a child safety seat or booster seat in vehicles made after January 1, 1968. An adult belt crosses a small child at the neck and the stomach, which is where it does harm.
All children under age 8 must be properly secured in a child safety seat or booster seat when riding in vehicles manufactured after January 1, 1968.
As of 6 Sep 2026
What is the legal blood alcohol limit for adult drivers?
A driver aged 21 or older is driving under the influence if their blood alcohol content is .08 percent or higher. It is the line the law draws, and being under it is not the same as being safe.
drivers age 21 or older are considered to be driving under the influence (DUI) if your blood alcohol content (BAC) is .08 percent or higher
As of 6 Sep 2026
What is the blood alcohol limit for drivers under 21?
A driver under 21 can be convicted of illegal consumption of alcohol at a blood alcohol content of at least .02 percent and less than .08 percent. The line for a young driver is set far lower, which is what zero tolerance means in practice.
If under age 21, you can be convicted of illegal consumption of alcohol if your BAC is at least .02 but less than .08.
As of 6 Sep 2026
What happens if you refuse a breath or blood alcohol test?
Refusing a breath test, or testing at .08 percent or higher, brings an automatic suspension of seven days for a first offense. The suspension starts at once, before any court has heard the case.
your driving privilege will be automatically suspended: for seven days, for a first offense
As of 6 Sep 2026
May you use a handheld phone while driving?
Virginia law bans holding a cell phone or any other wireless device while driving, except in an emergency or when the vehicle is lawfully parked or stopped. A phone in your hand takes your eyes, your hand and your attention all at once.
Virginia law prohibits drivers from holding cell phones or any other wireless communication devices while driving except in a driver emergency or the vehicle is lawfully parked or stopped.
As of 6 Sep 2026
May you text while driving?
Virginia law bans holding a cell phone or any other wireless device while driving, except in an emergency or when the vehicle is lawfully parked or stopped. A phone in your hand takes your eyes, your hand and your attention all at once.
Virginia law prohibits drivers from holding cell phones or any other wireless communication devices while driving except in a driver emergency or the vehicle is lawfully parked or stopped.
As of 6 Sep 2026
How far before a turn must you signal?
You should signal at least three or four seconds, or 100 feet, before your turn. The signal is only useful if it comes early enough for others to act on it.
You should signal at least three or four seconds, 100 feet, ahead of the turn.
As of 6 Sep 2026
May you turn right on a red light?
You may turn right on a stop signal after coming to a complete stop, looking both ways and yielding to people crossing and to other traffic, unless a sign or an arrow forbids it. The stop is what buys you the look, and a cyclist coming up on your right is easy to miss without it.
Before turning, you must come to a complete stop. Look both ways and yield the right-of-way to pedestrians and other traffic.
As of 6 Sep 2026
May you turn left on a red light onto a one-way street?
You may turn left on a stop signal only when you are on a one-way street turning onto another one-way street, and only after a complete stop. Both streets running one way is what keeps the turn out of the path of oncoming traffic.
You may turn left at a red light if you are on a one-way street and turning left onto another one-way street while the traffic signal displays a red light.
As of 6 Sep 2026
Where are U-turns not allowed?
In business districts, cities and towns, a U-turn is allowed only at an intersection, and you may never make one on a highway. A U-turn stops you dead across every lane, and on a highway nobody is expecting that.
In business districts, cities and towns, U-turns are allowed only at intersections. Never make a U-turn on a highway.
As of 6 Sep 2026
What is the speed limit on a residential street when no sign is posted?
Unless a sign says otherwise, the speed limit for cars and motorcycles is 25 miles an hour in school, business and residential areas. These are the streets where people step out between parked cars, and slower speeds leave room to stop.
the maximum speed limit for passenger vehicles and motorcycles is 25 MPH for school, business and residential areas
As of 6 Sep 2026
What is the speed limit on a highway outside town when no sign is posted?
Unless a sign says otherwise, the speed limit on all other roads is 55 miles an hour. It is the default the law falls back on when no sign has told you anything else.
and 55 MPH for all other roads
As of 6 Sep 2026
What is the speed limit in a school zone?
Unless a sign says otherwise, the speed limit for cars and motorcycles is 25 miles an hour in school, business and residential areas. These are the streets where people step out between parked cars, and slower speeds leave room to stop.
the maximum speed limit for passenger vehicles and motorcycles is 25 MPH for school, business and residential areas
As of 6 Sep 2026
When may you pass another vehicle on the right?
You may pass on the right when the vehicle ahead has signaled and is making a left turn, but not if you would have to leave the pavement to get around it. The turning car may be hiding somebody crossing that neither of you can see.
you may pass on the right if the vehicle you are passing has signaled and is making a left turn
As of 6 Sep 2026
May you have an open container of alcohol in the car?
You may be charged with drinking while driving if you are stopped with an open container of alcohol in the passenger area, some of it gone, and you show signs of drinking. Drawing the line at arm's reach stops a bottle being moved out of sight the moment the lights come on.
The passenger area means the area that seats the driver and passengers and any area within the driver's reach, including an unlocked glove compartment.
As of 6 Sep 2026
How old must you be to get a learner's permit?
A. The Department, on receiving from any Virginia resident over the age of 15 years and six months an application for a learner's permit or motorcycle learner's permit, may, subject to the applicant's satisfactory documentation of meeting the requirements of this chapter and successful completion of the written or automated knowledge and vision examinations and, in the case of a motorcycle learner's permit applicant, the automated motorcycle test, issue a permit entitling the applicant, while having the permit in his immediate possession, to drive a motor vehicle or, if the application is made for a motorcycle learner's permit, a motorcycle, on the highways, when accompanied by any licensed driver 21 years of age or older or by his parent or legal guardian, or by a brother, sister, half-brother, half-sister, step-brother, or step-sister 18 years of age or older. The accompanying person shall be (i) alert, able to assist the driver, and actually occupying a seat beside the driver or, for motorcycle instruction, providing immediate supervision from a separate accompanying motor vehicle and (ii) lawfully permitted to operate the motor vehicle or accompanying motorcycle at that time.
Virginia law, Va. Code Ann. § 46.2-335(A)
As of 8 Oct 2026
How long must you hold a learner's permit before a license?
B. Any person under the age of 18 years issued a learner's permit pursuant to § 46.2-335 shall hold such permit for a minimum period of nine months or until he reaches the age of 18 years, whichever occurs first.
Virginia law, Va. Code Ann. § 46.2-335.2(B)
As of 8 Oct 2026
Who must ride with you when you drive on a learner's permit?
A learner's permit lets you drive when a licensed driver at least 21 years old is in the front passenger seat, alert and able to help you. The supervising driver is there to catch what a beginner misses, which only works from the next seat.
A learner's permit allows you to operate a motor vehicle when a licensed driver at least 21 years of age is seated in the front passenger seat.
As of 6 Sep 2026
What hours may a provisional driver not drive?
C. The holder of a provisional driver's license shall not operate a motor vehicle on the highways of the Commonwealth between the hours of midnight and 4:00 a.m. except when driving (i) to or from a place of business where he is employed; (ii) to or from an activity that is supervised by an adult and is sponsored by a school or by a civic, religious, or public organization; (iii) accompanied by a parent, a person acting in loco parentis, or by a spouse who is 18 years old or older, provided that such person accompanying the driver is actually occupying a seat beside the driver and is lawfully permitted to operate a motor vehicle at the time; or (iv) in cases of emergency, including response by volunteer firefighters and volunteer emergency medical services personnel to emergency calls.
Virginia law, Va. Code Ann. § 46.2-334.01(C)
As of 8 Oct 2026
How many passengers may a new provisional driver carry?
B. The initial license issued to any person younger than 18 years of age shall be deemed a provisional driver's license. Until the holder is 18 years old, a provisional driver's license shall not authorize its holder to operate a motor vehicle with more than one passenger who is less than 21 years old. After the first year the provisional license is issued, the holder may operate a motor vehicle with up to three passengers who are less than 21 years old (i) when the holder is driving to or from a school-sponsored activity, (ii) when a licensed driver who is at least 21 years old is occupying the seat beside the driver, or (iii) in cases of emergency. These passenger limitations, however, shall not apply to members of the driver's family or household. For the purposes of this subsection, "a member of the driver's family or household" means any of the following: (a) the driver's spouse, children, stepchildren, brothers, sisters, half-brothers, half-sisters, first cousins, and any individual who has a child in common with the driver, whether or not they reside in the same home with the driver; (b) the driver's brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law who reside in the same home with the driver; and (c) any individual who cohabits with the driver, and any children of such individual residing in the same home with the driver.
Virginia law, Va. Code Ann. § 46.2-334.01(B)
As of 8 Oct 2026
How long is your license suspended for a first drunk-driving conviction?
A. Except as provided in § 18.2-271.1, the judgment of conviction if for a first offense under § 18.2-266 or for a similar offense under any local ordinance, or for a first offense under subsection A of § 46.2-341.24, shall of itself operate to deprive the person so convicted of the privilege to drive or operate any motor vehicle, engine, or train in the Commonwealth for a period of one year from the date of such judgment. This suspension period shall be in addition to the suspension period provided under § 46.2-391.2.
Virginia law, Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-271(A)
As of 8 Oct 2026
When must you install an ignition interlock after a drunk-driving conviction?
F. The offender shall be ordered to provide the appropriate ASAP program, within 30 days of the effective date of the order of court, proof of the installation of the ignition interlock system, and, if applicable, proof that the offender is using a remote alcohol monitoring device. The Program shall require the offender to have the system and device monitored and calibrated for proper operation at least every 30 days by an entity approved by the Commission under the provisions of § 18.2-273.9 and to demonstrate proof thereof. The offender shall pay the cost of leasing or buying and monitoring and maintaining the ignition interlock system and the remote alcohol monitoring device. Absent good cause shown, the court may revoke the offender's driving privilege for failing to (i) timely install such system or use such device or (ii) have the system or device properly monitored and calibrated.
Virginia law, Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-270.1(F)
As of 8 Oct 2026
At what blood alcohol level do drunk-driving penalties increase?
A. Except as otherwise provided herein, any person violating any provision of § 18.2-266 shall be guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor with a mandatory minimum fine of $250. If the person's blood alcohol level as indicated by the chemical test administered as provided in this article or by any other scientifically reliable chemical test performed on whole blood under circumstances reliably establishing the identity of the person who is the source of the blood and the accuracy of the results (i) was at least 0.15, but not more than 0.20, he shall be confined in jail for an additional mandatory minimum period of five days or, (ii) if the level was more than 0.20, for an additional mandatory minimum period of 10 days.
Virginia law, Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-270(A)
As of 8 Oct 2026
For how many years does a prior drunk-driving conviction count against you?
A. The Commissioner shall forthwith revoke and not thereafter reissue for three years the driver's license of any person on receiving a record of the conviction of any person who (i) is adjudged to be a second offender in violation of the provisions of subsection A of § 46.2-341.24 (driving a commercial motor vehicle under the influence of drugs or intoxicants), or § 18.2-266 (driving under the influence of drugs or intoxicants), if the subsequent violation occurred within 10 years of the prior violation, or (ii) is convicted of any two or more offenses of § 18.2-272 (driving while the driver's license has been forfeited for a conviction under § 18.2-266) if the second or subsequent violation occurred within 10 years of the prior offense. However, if the Commissioner has received a copy of a court order authorizing issuance of a restricted license as provided in subsection E of § 18.2-271.1, he shall proceed as provided in the order of the court. For the purposes of this subsection, an offense in violation of a valid local ordinance, or law of any other jurisdiction, which ordinance or law is substantially similar to any provision of Virginia law herein shall be considered an offense in violation of such provision of Virginia law. Additionally, in no event shall the Commissioner reinstate the driver's license of any person convicted of a violation of § 18.2-266, or of a substantially similar valid local ordinance or law of another jurisdiction, until receipt of notification that such person has successfully completed an alcohol safety action program if such person was required by court order to do so unless the requirement for completion of the program has been waived by the court for good cause shown. A conviction includes a finding of not innocent in the case of a juvenile.
Virginia law, Va. Code Ann. § 46.2-391(A)
As of 8 Oct 2026
How many points on your license lead to a suspension?
A driver aged 18 or older who reaches 18 demerit points within 12 months, or 24 points within 24 months, is suspended for 90 days and must complete a driver improvement clinic. It is the total over time, so small offenses add up to the same result.
If you receive 18 demerit points within 12 months or 24 points within 24 months, DMV will suspend your driving privilege for 90 days and require that you complete a driver improvement clinic.
As of 6 Sep 2026
Who must wear a protective helmet while operating or riding a motorcycle?
A. Every person operating a motorcycle or autocycle shall wear a face shield, safety glasses or goggles, or have his motorcycle or autocycle equipped with safety glass or a windshield at all times while operating the vehicle, and operators and any passengers thereon shall wear protective helmets. Operators and passengers riding on motorcycles with wheels of eight inches or less in diameter or in three-wheeled motorcycles or autocycles that have nonremovable roofs, windshields, and enclosed bodies shall not be required to wear protective helmets. The windshields, face shields, glasses or goggles, and protective helmets required by this section shall meet or exceed the standards and specifications of the Snell Memorial Foundation, the American National Standards Institute, Inc., or the federal Department of Transportation. Failure to wear a face shield, safety glasses or goggles, or protective helmets shall not constitute negligence per se in any civil proceeding. The provisions of this section requiring the wearing of protective helmets shall not apply to operators of or passengers on motorcycles or autocycles being operated (i) as part of an organized parade authorized by the Department of Transportation or the locality in which the parade is being conducted and escorted, accompanied, or participated in by law-enforcement officers of the jurisdiction wherein the parade is held and (ii) at speeds of no more than 15 miles per hour.
Virginia law, Va. Code Ann. § 46.2-910(A)
As of 8 Oct 2026
How much light must a tinted side or rear window let through?
1. No sun-shading or tinting films may be applied or affixed to the rear side windows or rear window or windows of any motor vehicle operated on the highways of the Commonwealth that reduce the total light transmittance of such window to less than 35 percent;
Virginia law, Va. Code Ann. § 46.2-1052(D)(1)
As of 8 Oct 2026
How much distance must you leave when passing a bicycle?
When passing someone riding a bicycle, moped or similar device, slow down and pass at least three feet to their left. A rider needs room to swerve around a pothole you will never notice.
when approaching or passing a person riding a bicycle, moped, or power-assisted bicycle or other device, reduce speed and pass at least three feet to the left
As of 6 Sep 2026
Must a vehicle driving slower than other traffic keep to the right lane?
On a multi-lane highway, stay in the right lane if you are driving slower than the traffic around you, because the left lane is for passing. A slow car in the passing lane makes everybody else change lanes around it.
When driving on a multi-lane highway, stay in the right lane if you are driving slower than the traffic around you. The left lane is for passing only.
As of 6 Sep 2026
What is the minimum liability insurance coverage for bodily injury or death of one person and property damage?
For policies effective on or after January 1, 2022, the least liability coverage is $30,000 for injury or death of one person. The floor exists so somebody you injure is not left with nothing.
Policies effective on or after Jan. 1, 2022 $30,000
As of 6 Sep 2026
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