Virginia Laws

Motorists, Bicycles, and Pedestrian Codes

Title 46.2 Chapter 8 of the Code of Virginia contains laws covering
motorists, bicycles, and pedestrians in Virginia. All road users should
read the Virginia Driver’s Manual (http://www.dmv.virginia.gov/drivers/#manual.asp).

Rights and Duties Riding bicycles, electric personal assistive mobility devices, electric power-assisted bicycles, or mopeds; Use of roller skates and skateboards on sidewalks and shared-use paths, sidewalks and crosswalks; Drivers to stop for pedestrians; installation of certain signs; penalty	§46.2-800, 904, 924
Definitions Definitions	§46.2-100
Traffic Controls Uniform traffic control devices on highways; drivers to obey traffic control devices; enforcement of section Loitering on bridges or highway rights-of-way Traffic lights; penalty.	§46.2-830, 833, 882
Where to Walk How and where pedestrians to cross highways Drivers to stop for pedestrians; installation of certain signs; penalty Pedestrians not to use roadway except when necessary; keeping to left	§46.2-923. 924, 928
Where to Ride Drive on right side of highways Commonwealth Transportation Board may prohibit certain uses of controlled access highways Stop before entering public highway or sidewalk from private road, etc.; yielding right-of-way Riding or driving vehicles other than bicycles, electric power-assisted bicycles, or electric personal assistive mobility devices on sidewalks Use of roller skates and skateboards on sidewalks and shared-use paths; operation of bicycles, motorized skateboards or foot-scooters, motor-driven cycles Riding bicycles, electric personal assistive mobility devices, electric power-assisted bicycles, and mopeds on roadways and bicycle paths Overtaking and passing vehicles	§46.2-802, 808, 826, 903, 904, 905, 907
Intersections Uniform traffic control devices on highways; drivers to obey traffic control devices; enforcement of section Traffic lights; penalty	§46.2-830, 833
Turning and Changing Directions Required position and method of turning at intersections; local regulations Left turns by bicycles, electric personal assistive mobility devices, electric power-assisted bicycles, and mopeds Signals required on backing, stopping, or turning How signals given	§46.2-846, 847, 848, 849
Passing a bicyclist and passing on a bicycle Passing bicycle, electric personal assistive mobility device, electric power-assisted bicycle, moped, animal, or animal-drawn vehicle	§46.2-839, 907
Shared Use Paths Riding bicycles, electric personal assistive mobility devices, electric power-assisted bicycles, or mopeds; riding or driving animals Use of roller skates and skateboards on sidewalks and shared-use paths, sidewalks and crosswalks Drivers to stop for pedestrians; installation of certain signs; penalty	§46.2-800, 904, 924
Bicycle Safety and Helmets Carrying articles or passengers on bicycles, electric personal assistive mobility devices, electric power-assisted bicycles, and mopeds Local ordinances may require riders of bicycles, electric personal assistive mobility devices, and electric power-assisted bicycles to wear helmets Playing on highways; use of toy vehicle on highways, persons riding bicycles, electric personal assistive mobility devices, electric power-assisted bicycles, mopeds, etc., not to attach to vehicles; exception Unlawful to operate motor vehicle, bicycle, electric personal assistive mobility device, electric power-assisted bicycle, or moped while using earphones	§46.2-906, 906.1, 932, 1078
Bicycle Lights and Equipment Lights on bicycles, electric personal assistive mobility devices, electric power-assisted bicycles, and mopeds Brakes	§46.2-1015, 1066
Bicycle Registration Registration of bicycle, electric personal assistive mobility device, and electric power-assisted bicycle serial numbers Localities authorized to license bicycles, electric power-assisted bicycles, mopeds, and electric personal assistive mobility devices	§46.2-908, 15.2-1720
Crashes Duty of driver to stop, etc., in event of accident involving injury or death or damage to attended property; penalty Duty of certain persons accompanying driver to report accidents involving injury, death, or damage to attended property Duties of driver in event of accident involving damage only to unattended property	§46.2-894, 816, 895, 896
Mopeds, Electric bicycles Definitions Riding or driving vehicles other than bicycles, electric power-assisted bicycles, or electric personal assistive mobility devices on sidewalks Electric personal assistive mobility devices, electrically powered toy vehicles, and electric power-assisted bicycles Limitations on operation of mopeds Safety equipment for mopeds; effect of violation; penalty Certain local governments may impose restrictions on operations of certain vehicles	§46.2-100, 903, 908.1, 914, 915.2, 1051

“Every person riding a bicycle on a highway shall be subject to the provisions of the Code of Virginia section on motor vehicles and shall have the rights and duties applicable to the driver of a vehicle unless a provision clearly indicates otherwise.”

Code of Virginia §46.2-800

“The drivers of vehicles entering, crossing, or turning at intersections shall change their course, slow down, or stop if necessary to permit pedestrians to cross such intersections safely and expeditiously. Pedestrians crossing highways at intersections shall at all times have the right-of-way over vehicles making turns into the highways being crossed by the pedestrians.”

Code of Virginia §46.2-924

“Virginia bans hand held communication devices while driving: it is illegal to hold a handheld personal communications device (e.g., a smart phone) while driving a moving motor vehicle on the highways in Virginia $125 fine for the first offense, $250 fine for subsequent offenses of using a device while driving.”

Code of Virginia §46.2-1078.1