2006 Code of Virginia § 46.2-328 - Department to issue licenses; endorsements, classifications, and restrictions authorizing operatio...

46.2-328. Department to issue licenses; endorsements, classifications, andrestrictions authorizing operation of certain vehicles.

A. The Department shall issue to every person licensed as a driver, adriver's license. Every driver's license shall contain all appropriateendorsements, classifications, and restrictions, where applicable, if thelicensee has been licensed:

1. To operate a motorcycle as defined in 46.2-100, or

2. To operate a school bus as defined in 46.2-100, or

3. To operate a commercial motor vehicle pursuant to the provisions of theVirginia Commercial Driver's License Act ( 46.2-341.1 et seq.).

B. Every applicant intending to operate one or more of the motor vehiclesdescribed in subsection A of this section, when applying for a driver'slicense, shall state in his application the classification of the vehicle orvehicles that he intends to operate and for which he seeks to be licensed andsubmit to and pass the examination provided for in 46.2-325 and, ifapplicable, 46.2-337 and 46.2-341.14, using the type of vehicle orvehicles for which he seeks to be licensed.

C. Every applicant intending to drive a motorcycle, when applying for alicense endorsed to authorize the driving of a motorcycle, shall submit toand pass the examination provided for in 46.2-337. A classification on anylicense to drive a motorcycle shall indicate that the license is classifiedfor the purpose of authorizing the licensee to drive only motorcycles.However, if the applicant has a valid license at the time of application fora classification to drive a motorcycle, or if the applicant, at the time ofsuch application, applies for a regular driver's license and submits to andpasses the examination provided for in 46.2-325, he shall be granted aclassification on his license to drive motorcycles in addition to any othervehicles his driver's license or commercial driver's license may authorizehim to operate.

D. The Department may make any changes in the classifications andendorsements during the validity of the license as may be appropriate.

E. The provisions of this section shall be applicable to persons applying forlearner's permits as otherwise provided for in this title.

F. Every person issued a driver's license or commercial driver's license whodrives any motor vehicle of the classifications in this section, and whosedriver's license does not carry an endorsement or indication that thelicensee is licensed as provided in this section shall be guilty of a Class 1misdemeanor.

(Code 1950, 46-368; 1958, c. 541, 46.1-373; 1964, c. 239; 1968, c. 642;1970, c. 696; 1984, cc. 73, 476, 780; 1989, cc. 705, 727; 2000, c. 269.)