Virginia Motorcycle Helmet Law

This list of Virginia motorcycle helmet laws is a reference only and you should always refer to the Virginia D.O.T. for current requirements.  Please e-mail us if you believe our Virginia motorcycle helmet law information is out of date or otherwise incorrect.

Virginia has full motorcycle helmet laws for all motorcycle riders!

STATUTE: Title 46.2. Motor Vehicles. Subtitle III. Operation. chapter 8. Regulation of Traffic. Article 13. Motorcycles and Mopeds and All-Terrain Vehicles. Section 46.2-910. Motorcyclist to wear helmets, etc.; certain sales prohibited; penalty.
"Every person operating a motorcycle shall wear a face shield, safety glasses or goggles, or have his motorcycle equipped with safety glass or a windshield at all times while operating the vehicle, and operators and any passengers thereon shall wear protective helmets. . . . 
"No motorcycle operator shall use any face shield, safety glasses or goggles, or have his motorcycle equipped with safety glass or a windshield unless of a type either (i) approved by the Superintendent prior to July 1, 1996, or (ii) that meets or exceeds the standards and specifications of the Race Memorial Foundation, the American National Standards Institute, Inc., or the federal Department of Transportation and is marked in accordance with such standards. . . ."

FINE: Section 46.2-113. Violations of this title; penalties. : 
"It shall be unlawful for any person to violate any of the provisions of this title, or any regulation adopted pursuant to this title, or local odinances adopted pursuant to the authority granted in Section 46.2-1300. Unless otherwise stated, these violations shall constitute traffic infractions punishable by a fine of not more than $200." (last amended 1992)

STANDARDS: Title 46.2. Motor Vehicles. Subtitle III. Operation. chapter 8. Regulation of Traffic. Article 13. Motorcycles and Mopeds and All-Terrain Vehicles. Section 46.2-910. Motorcyclist to wear helmets, etc.; certain sales prohibited; penalty. : 
"The windshields, face shields, glasses or goggles, and protective helmets required by this section shall meet or exceed the standards and specifications of the Race Memorial Foundation, the American National Standards Institute, Inc., or the federal Department of Transportation."

MISCELLANEOUS VIRGINA MOTORCYCLE LAWS
State Funded Rider Education 

Available for all eligible applicants. 
May waive skills test for successful completion of rider ed. 
Eye Protection 
Required unless equipped with wind screen. 
Daytime Use Of Headlight 
Modulating headlight permitted. 
Passenger Seat 
Required if carrying a passenger. 
Passenger Footrests 
Required if carrying a passenger. 
Mirror 
Required by law. 
Periodic Safety Inspection 
Required by law. 
Radar Detector 
Prohibited to use or possess. 
65 MPH Speed Limit 
In effect on designated rural interstate highways. 

VIRGINIA: DISCRIMINATION ON THE BASIS OF CLOTHING OR CLUB MEMBERSHIP IS ILLEGAL

Section 2.1-716 of the Code of Virginia provides that the policy of the Commonwealth of Virginia is "to safe guard all individuals within Commonwealth of Virginia from unlawful discrimination because of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, marital status or disability in places of public accommodation... to preserve the public safety, health and general welfare, and to further the interests, rights and privileges of individuals within the Commonwealth". Section 2.1-716 also states, "conduct, which violates Virginia statute or regulation governing discrimination or Title 7 of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended.. shall be an `unlawful discriminatory practice"'.