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2020 Code of Virginia
Title 46.2 - Motor Vehicles
Chapter 10 - Motor Vehicle and Equipment Safety
Article 1. Vehicle and Equipment Safety, Generally
- § 46.2-1000. Department to suspend registration of vehicles lacking certain equipment; officer to take possession of registration card, license plates and decals when observing defect in motor vehicle; when to be returned
- § 46.2-1001. Removal of unsafe vehicles; penalty
- § 46.2-1001.1. Special equipment required for converted electric vehicles
- § 46.2-1002. Illegal possession or sale of certain unapproved equipment
- § 46.2-1003. Illegal use of defective and unsafe equipment
- § 46.2-1004. Trademark or name and instructions required
Article 2. Testing, Evaluation, and Approval of Equipment
- § 46.2-1005. Procedure for approval of equipment
- § 46.2-1005.1. Auxiliary lights on motorcycles
- § 46.2-1006. Approval of brake and head light testing methods and equipment
- § 46.2-1007. Retesting of devices and revocation of approval certificates
- § 46.2-1008. Fees for approval certificates
- § 46.2-1009. Exemptions for certain electrically powered vehicles; standards and permits for such vehicles
Article 3. Lights and Turn Signals
- § 46.2-1010. Equipment required
- § 46.2-1011. Headlights on motor vehicles
- § 46.2-1012. Headlights, auxiliary headlights, tail lights, brake lights, auxiliary lights, and illumination of license plates on motorcycles or autocycles
- § 46.2-1013. Tail lights
- § 46.2-1014. Brake lights
- § 46.2-1014.1. Supplemental high mount stop light
- § 46.2-1015. Lights on bicycles, electric personal assistive mobility devices, personal delivery devices, electric power-assisted bicycles, mopeds, and motorized skateboards or scooters
- § 46.2-1016. Lights on other vehicles; reflectors
- § 46.2-1017. Dimension or marker lights and reflectors, generally
- § 46.2-1018. Marker lights on vehicles or loads exceeding thirty-five feet
- § 46.2-1019. Spotlights
- § 46.2-1020. Other permissible lights
- § 46.2-1021. Additional lights permitted on certain commercial vehicles
- § 46.2-1021.1. Additional lights permitted on certain privately owned cars
- § 46.2-1022. Flashing or steady-burning blue or red, flashing red and blue or blue and white, or red, white, and blue warning lights
- § 46.2-1023. Flashing red or red and white warning lights
- § 46.2-1024. Flashing or steady-burning red or red and white warning light units
- § 46.2-1025. Flashing amber, purple, or green warning lights
- § 46.2-1026. Flashing high-intensity amber warning lights
- § 46.2-1027. Warning lights on certain demonstrator vehicles
- § 46.2-1028. Auxiliary lights on firefighting, Virginia Department of Transportation, and other emergency vehicles
- § 46.2-1028.1. Illuminated identification systems on certain emergency vehicles
- § 46.2-1028.2. Auxiliary lights on public utility vehicles
- § 46.2-1029. Auxiliary lights on law-enforcement vehicles
- § 46.2-1029.1. Flashing of headlights on certain vehicles
- § 46.2-1029.2. Certain vehicles may be equipped with secondary warning lights
- § 46.2-1030. When lights to be lighted; number of lights to be lighted at any time; use of warning lights
- § 46.2-1031. Requirements as to single-beam head lights
- § 46.2-1032. Requirements as to multiple-beam headlights
- § 46.2-1033. Indicator light required
- § 46.2-1034. When dimming headlights required
- § 46.2-1035. Dimming headlights on parked vehicles
- § 46.2-1036. Acetylene lights on antique motor vehicles
- § 46.2-1037. Lights on parked vehicles
- § 46.2-1038. When turn signals required; exceptions
- § 46.2-1039. Requirements of turn signals; regulations
- § 46.2-1040. Hazard lights
Article 4. Tires
- § 46.2-1041. Restrictions as to solid rubber tires
- § 46.2-1042. Standard for vehicle tire; sale of certain tires prohibited; penalty
- § 46.2-1043. Tire tread depth
- § 46.2-1043.1. Tire loading
- § 46.2-1044. Cleats, etc., on tires; chains; tires with studs
- § 46.2-1045. Sale of tires having cleats, etc., prohibited; studded tires excepted
- § 46.2-1046. Traction engines and tractors
Article 5. Exhaust System
- § 46.2-1047. Muffler cutout, etc., illegal
- § 46.2-1048. Pollution control systems or devices
- § 46.2-1049. Exhaust system in good working order
- § 46.2-1050. Mufflers on motorcycles
- § 46.2-1051. Certain local governments may impose restrictions on operations of certain vehicles
Article 6. Windshields and Windows
- § 46.2-1052. Tinting films, signs, decals, and stickers on windshields, etc.; penalties
- § 46.2-1053. Equipping certain motor vehicles with sun-shading or tinting films or applications
- § 46.2-1054. Suspension of objects or alteration of vehicle so as to obstruct driver's view
- § 46.2-1055. Windshield wipers
- § 46.2-1055.1. Windshield defroster or defogger
- § 46.2-1056. When safety glass required
- § 46.2-1057. Windshields
- § 46.2-1058. Replacement of glass in vehicle
Article 7. Horns, Sirens, and Whistles
- § 46.2-1059. Horns
- § 46.2-1060. Illegal sirens, whistles, etc.; unlawful use of warning devices; exceptions
- § 46.2-1061. Sirens or exhaust whistles on emergency vehicles
- § 46.2-1062. Approval of warning devices
Article 8. Steering and Suspension Systems
- § 46.2-1063. Alteration of suspension system; bumper height limits; raising body above frame rail
- § 46.2-1064. Modification of front-end suspension by use of lift blocks
- § 46.2-1065. Steering gear; installation, sale, etc., of repair kit or preventive maintenance kit for use on part of steering gear prohibited
Article 9. Brakes
- § 46.2-1066. Brakes
- § 46.2-1067. Within what distances brakes should stop vehicle
- § 46.2-1068. Emergency or parking brakes
- § 46.2-1069. Brakes on motorcycles
- § 46.2-1070. Brakes on trailers
- § 46.2-1071. Requirements for parking
Article 10. Miscellaneous Equipment
- § 46.2-1072. Operation of vehicle without serial or identification number; requirements for stamping, cutting, or embossing numbers; regulations
- § 46.2-1072.1. Fees
- § 46.2-1073. Engine or serial number illegible, removed, or obliterated
- § 46.2-1074. Removing or altering serial or identification numbers, decals and devices without consent of Department
- § 46.2-1075. Possession of vehicles with serial numbers removed or altered
- § 46.2-1075.1. Tampering with gross vehicle weight ratings; penalty
- § 46.2-1076. Lettering on certain vehicles
- § 46.2-1077. Motor vehicles not to be equipped with television within view of driver; viewing motion pictures or similar displays while driving
- § 46.2-1077.01. Display of certain visual material in motor vehicles prohibited; penalty
- § 46.2-1077.1. Mobile infrared transmitters; demerit points not to be awarded
- § 46.2-1078. Unlawful to operate motor vehicle, bicycle, electric personal assistive mobility device, electric power-assisted bicycle, or moped while using earphones
- § 46.2-1078.1. Repealed
- § 46.2-1079. Radar detectors; demerit points not to be awarded
- § 46.2-1080. Speedometer in good working order
- § 46.2-1081. Slow-moving vehicle emblems
- § 46.2-1082. Mirrors
- § 46.2-1083. Rear fenders, flaps, or guards required for certain motor vehicles
- § 46.2-1084. Vehicle to have securely affixed seat for driver; location of such seat
- § 46.2-1085. Repealed
- § 46.2-1086. Devices for emission of smoke screens, gas projectors or flame throwers; prohibited
- § 46.2-1087. Forfeiture of vehicles equipped with smoke projectors, etc.
- § 46.2-1088. Air conditioning units
- § 46.2-1088.1. Hood scoops
- § 46.2-1088.2. Warning devices required on certain vehicles
- § 46.2-1088.3. Air bags; installation of other object in lieu of air bag prohibited; manufacture, sale, etc., of counterfeit or nonfunctional air bag prohibited; notice of installation of previously installed airbag required; penalties
- § 46.2-1088.4. Devices used to supply nitrous oxide to the engines of motor vehicles
- § 46.2-1088.5. Reflectors or reflectorized material required on rear end of certain trailers
- § 46.2-1088.6. Motor vehicle recording devices
Article 11. Paint, Lettering, and Special Equipment for School Buses
- § 46.2-1089. Paint and lettering on school bus
- § 46.2-1089.1. Signs and markings on school buses using alternative fuels
- § 46.2-1090. Warning devices on school buses; other buses; use thereof; penalties
- § 46.2-1090.1. Warning lights on school buses
Article 12. Safety Belts
- § 46.2-1091. Safety belts to be worn by certain bus drivers
- § 46.2-1092. Safety lap belts or a combination of lap belts and shoulder harnesses to be installed in certain motor vehicles
- § 46.2-1093. Requirements for safety lap belts, shoulder harnesses and combinations thereof
- § 46.2-1094. Occupants of front seats of motor vehicles required to use safety lap belts and shoulder harnesses; penalty
Article 13. Child Restraints
- § 46.2-1095. Child restraint devices required when transporting certain children; safety belts for passengers less than 18 years old required
- § 46.2-1096. Exceptions for certain children
- § 46.2-1097. Child restraint devices; special fund created
- § 46.2-1098. Penalties; violations not negligence per se
- § 46.2-1099. Further exemptions
- § 46.2-1100. Use of standard seat belts permitted for certain children
Article 14. Maximum Vehicle Size, Generally
- § 46.2-1101. Limitations applicable throughout Commonwealth; alteration by local authorities
- § 46.2-1102. Size and weight limitations inapplicable to farm machinery, agricultural multipurpose drying units, and firefighting equipment; amber warning lights
- § 46.2-1103. Greater size, weight, and load limits permitted by interstate commerce regulations
- § 46.2-1104. Reduction of limits by Commissioner of Highways and local authorities; penalties
Article 15. Maximum Vehicle Widths and Heights
- § 46.2-1105. Width of vehicles generally; exceptions
- § 46.2-1106. Repealed
- § 46.2-1108. Bus widths to comply with federal law
- § 46.2-1109. Widths of commercial vehicles
- § 46.2-1110. Height of vehicles; damage to overhead obstruction; penalty
- § 46.2-1111. Extension of loads beyond line of fender or body
Article 16. Maximum Vehicle Lengths
- § 46.2-1112. Length of vehicles, generally; special permits; vehicle combinations, etc., operating on certain highways; penalty
- § 46.2-1113. Length exceptions for certain passenger buses and motor homes
- § 46.2-1114. Length of watercraft transporters; operation on certain highways
- § 46.2-1114.1. Length of automobile transporters; operation on certain highways
- § 46.2-1115. Lengths of manufactured homes or house trailers
- § 46.2-1116. Vehicles having more than one trailer, etc., attached thereto; exceptions
- § 46.2-1117. Tractor truck semitrailer combinations operating on certain highways; access to certain facilities
- § 46.2-1117.1. Commercial delivery of towaway trailers
- § 46.2-1118. Connection between vehicles; tow trucks towing vehicles by means of a wheel lift apparatus
- § 46.2-1119. Tow dolly and converter gear
- § 46.2-1120. Extension of loads beyond front of vehicles
- § 46.2-1121. Flag or light at end of load
Article 17. Maximum Vehicle Weights
- § 46.2-1122. Definitions
- § 46.2-1123. Weight of vehicles and loads
- § 46.2-1124. Maximum single axle weight, generally; maximum weight per inch of tire width
- § 46.2-1125. Maximum tandem axle weight, generally
- § 46.2-1126. Maximum gross weight, generally
- § 46.2-1127. Weight limits for vehicles using interstate highways
- § 46.2-1127.1. Weight limit exception for certain emergency vehicles using the interstate highways
- § 46.2-1128. Extensions of weight limits; fees
- § 46.2-1129. Further extensions of weight limits for certain vehicles hauling Virginia-grown farm or forest products
- § 46.2-1129.1. Further extension of weight limits for certain vehicles utilizing an auxiliary power unit or other idle reduction technology
- § 46.2-1129.2. Further extension of weight limits for vehicles fueled by natural gas or powered by means of electric battery power
- § 46.2-1130. Crossing bridge or culvert by vehicle heavier than allowed; where weight signs to be erected
- § 46.2-1130.1. Overweight permits granted to cross bridges and culverts by certain emergency response vehicles responding to an emergency call
- § 46.2-1131. Penalty for violation of weight limits
- § 46.2-1132. Service of process in weight violation cases
- § 46.2-1133. Special processing provisions for overweight violations
- § 46.2-1134. Special overweight seizure provisions; penalty
- § 46.2-1135. (Contingent expiration date -- see note*) Liquidated damages for violation of weight limits
- § 46.2-1135. (Contingent effective date -- see note*) Liquidated damages for violation of weight limits
- § 46.2-1136. Procedures for issuing and serving process in overweight vehicle cases
- § 46.2-1137. Weighing vehicles; procedure; shifting loads; unloading excess load; weighing fee; certificate as to accuracy of scales admissible in evidence; penalties
- § 46.2-1138. County ordinances fixing weight limits on roads that have been withdrawn from secondary system
- § 46.2-1138.1. City ordinances fixing weight limits on certain roads
- § 46.2-1138.2. Town ordinances concerning weight limits on certain roads
Article 18. Permits for Excessive Size and Weight
- § 46.2-1139. Permits for excessive size and weight generally; penalty
- § 46.2-1139.1. Delegation of permitting authority
- § 46.2-1140. Authority to use certain streets and highways in cities and towns
- § 46.2-1140.1. Annual overweight permits; fees
- § 46.2-1141. Overweight permits for containerized freight and fluid milk
- § 46.2-1142. Overweight permits for concrete haulers
- § 46.2-1142.1. Extensions of overweight limits authorized under ยง 46.2-1142 for vehicles used to haul concrete; fees
- § 46.2-1143. Overweight permits for coal haulers; trucks hauling gravel, sand, asphalt, crushed stone, or liquids produced from gas or oil wells in certain counties; penalties
- § 46.2-1143.1. Overweight permits for haulers of excavated material
- § 46.2-1144. Overweight permits for solid waste haulers
- § 46.2-1144.1. Overweight permits for tank wagons
- § 46.2-1144.2. Overweight permits for haulers of farm animal feed
- § 46.2-1145. Overweight permits for certain trucks operated by Arlington County
- § 46.2-1146. Excess height and length permits for haulers of certain imported goods
- § 46.2-1147. Permits for excessive size and weight for articulated buses
- § 46.2-1148. Overweight permit for hauling Virginia-grown farm produce
- § 46.2-1148.1. Overweight permit for hauling forest products
- § 46.2-1149. Unladen, oversize and overweight, rubber-tired, self-propelled haulers and loaders; permits; engineering analysis; costs
- § 46.2-1149.1. Excess tandem axle weight permits for cotton module haulers
- § 46.2-1149.2. Permit authorizing transportation of tree-length logs
- § 46.2-1149.3. Payment of fees into special fund
- § 46.2-1149.4. Overweight permits for specialized mobile equipment
- § 46.2-1149.5. Overweight permits for underground pipe cleaning, hydroexcavating, and water blasting equipment
- § 46.2-1149.6. Permits for truck cranes
- § 46.2-1149.7. Specialized construction equipment; permits; engineering analysis; costs
- § 46.2-1149.8. Excess width permits for vehicles transporting watercraft
Article 19. Towing and Towed Vehicles
- § 46.2-1150. Towing certain unlicensed or uninspected vehicles
- § 46.2-1151. Weight limit exception as to vehicles designed for towing disabled vehicles
- § 46.2-1151.1. Weight limit exception for covered heavy duty tow and recovery vehicles
- § 46.2-1152. Certain tow trucks need not be weighed
- § 46.2-1153. Permissible lengths of combination vehicles being towed in emergencies
- § 46.2-1154. Length of vehicles; exceptions in case of breakdown
Article 20. Loads and Cargoes
- § 46.2-1155. Fastening load of logs, barrels, etc.
- § 46.2-1156. Construction, maintenance and loading must prevent escape of contents; load covers; exemptions
- § 46.2-1156.1. Transportation of persons less than sixteen years old in pickup truck beds prohibited; exception
Article 21. Safety Inspections
- § 46.2-1157. Inspection of motor vehicles required
- § 46.2-1158. Frequency of inspection; scope of inspection
- § 46.2-1158.01. Exceptions to motor vehicle inspection requirement
- § 46.2-1158.02. Penalty for failure to have motor vehicle inspection
- § 46.2-1158.1. Extension of validity of vehicle safety inspection approval stickers issued for vehicles whose registered owners are persons in the armed services of the United States
- § 46.2-1159. Logtrailers defined; exempt from inspection under certain conditions
- § 46.2-1160. Towed vehicle defined; exempt from inspection requirement
- § 46.2-1161. Repealed
- § 46.2-1161.1. Inspections of trailers and semitrailers equipped with heating or cooking appliances
- § 46.2-1162. Inspection of certain trailers
- § 46.2-1163. Official inspection stations; safety inspection approval stickers; actions of Superintendent subject to the Administrative Process Act
- § 46.2-1164. Reinspection not required when windshield replaced; transfer of inspection sticker to new windshield; replacement of lost or damaged stickers
- § 46.2-1165. Regulations for inspection of vehicles; posting
- § 46.2-1166. Minimum standards required for inspection stations; appointments
- § 46.2-1167. Charges for inspection and reinspection; exemption
- § 46.2-1167.1. Repealed
- § 46.2-1168. Additional registration fee
- § 46.2-1169. Inspection defined; making of repairs or adjustments
- § 46.2-1170. Advertising, etc., of official inspection station when not authorized
- § 46.2-1171. Penalties for violation of article
- § 46.2-1172. Unauthorized taking, possession, or use of inspection stickers, etc.; penalty
- § 46.2-1173. Imitation or counterfeit inspection stickers
- § 46.2-1174. Superintendent authorized to enter into Uniform Vehicle Inspection Reciprocity Agreement
- § 46.2-1175. Operators of certain commuter buses to maintain certain records; inspection of records and buses by employees of Department of State Police; penalty
- § 46.2-1175.1. Inspection of certain refuse collection and highway maintenance vehicles
Article 22. Emissions Inspections
- § 46.2-1176. Definitions
- § 46.2-1177. Emissions inspection program
- § 46.2-1177.1. Inspection program coordinator; agreement for services
- § 46.2-1178. Administration and scope of emissions inspection program
- § 46.2-1178.1. On-road testing of motor vehicle emissions; authority to adopt regulations; civil charges
- § 46.2-1178.2. Repair of certain vehicles not in compliance with standards established by the Board; payment of repairs from Vehicle Emissions Inspection Program Fund
- § 46.2-1179. Board to adopt emissions standards
- § 46.2-1179.1. Board to adopt clean alternative fuel fleet standards for motor vehicles; penalty
- § 46.2-1180. Board to adopt regulations; exemption of certain motor vehicles
- § 46.2-1181. Emissions inspection; cost of repairs; waivers
- § 46.2-1182. Emissions inspection fees; exemption
- § 46.2-1182.1. Additional registration fee; exemption
- § 46.2-1182.2. Vehicle Emissions Inspection Program Fund established; use of moneys
- § 46.2-1183. Emissions inspection required prior to registration of certain vehicles; records
- § 46.2-1183.1. Repealed
- § 46.2-1184. Fleet emissions inspection stations
- § 46.2-1185. Investigation of inspection stations; revocation or suspension of permits for emissions inspection stations
- § 46.2-1186. False certificate
- § 46.2-1187. Penalties
- § 46.2-1187.1. Right of entry
- § 46.2-1187.2. Compelling compliance with regulations and order of Board; penalty
- § 46.2-1187.3. Vehicles used for investigations
Article 23. Motorcycle Rider Safety
- § 46.2-1188. Motorcycle rider safety training courses
- § 46.2-1189. Authority of the Department of Motor Vehicles
- § 46.2-1190. Regional motorcycle rider safety training centers; requirements
- § 46.2-1190.1. Curricula requirements
- § 46.2-1190.2. Facilities and equipment; requirements and approval
- § 46.2-1190.3. Instructor qualifications
- § 46.2-1190.4. Administrative and reporting requirements
- § 46.2-1190.5. Penalties and remedies for violations of article
- § 46.2-1190.6. Other grounds for denying, suspending, or revoking licenses
- § 46.2-1190.7. Civil penalties
- § 46.2-1191. Motorcycle Rider Safety Training Program Fund
- § 46.2-1192. Issuance and renewal of licenses by Department; payments to regional training centers
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