From Virginia Administrative Code:
19 VAC 30-70-190. Signal device (intention to stop or turn), hazard lights, stop lamp.
A. Any motor vehicle may be equipped with a switch that will permit all turn signal lamps to
flash simultaneously.
B. Supplemental turn signals, properly wired into the turn signal circuit, may be installed. These
may be either approved type turn signals or clearance lamps.
C. Single face lamps are permissible on the front, except tractor units shall be equipped with
two-faced lamps mounted on the front fenders or on or near the front of the vehicle.
D. Inspect for and reject if:
1. Motor vehicle, or trailer, except an antique vehicle not originally equipped with a stop lamp,
is not equipped with at least one stop lamp of an approved type (DOT or SAE-S) that
automatically exhibits a red or amber light to the rear when the brake pedal is actuated.
2. Every passenger car manufactured for the 1986 or subsequent model year and
multipurpose passenger vehicle, truck, or bus whose overall width is less than 80 inches,
manufactured September 1, 1993, and subsequent model year is not equipped with a
supplemental center high mount stop lamp of an approved type (DOT or SAE-U, U1 or U2)
mounted at the vertical centerline of the vehicle which functions only in cooperation with the
vehicle's stop lamps, brake lights and hazard lights. Any other vehicle on which a supplemental
center high mount stop lamp is mounted shall have the lamp mounted at the vertical center
line of the vehicle. The lamps shall be of an approved type and shall function only in
conjunction with the stop lamps. The high mount stop lamp must be steady burning and not
wired to flash with turn signals or other wig-wag device.
“Multipurpose passenger vehicle” means any motor vehicle that is (i) designed to carry no more
than 10 persons and (ii) constructed either on a truck chassis or with special features for
occasional off-road use.
NOTE: Camper shells or rear spoilers that obscure the original manufacturer's high mount stop
lamp must be equipped with a center high mount stop lamp in good working order.
NOTE: The original manufacturer's center high mount stop lamp will not be considered for
inspection if it is obscured by a camper shell or rear spoiler that is equipped with a center high
mount stop lamp of an approved type.
NOTE: Multipurpose passenger vehicles with an overall width of 80 or more inches or GVWR of
10,000 pounds or more are not required to be equipped with a center high mount stop light.
NOTE: No sticker or other foreign material shall be affixed to the vehicle in such a manner so as
to obscure the center high mount stop lamp.
3. Proper signals do not go on with each throw of the switch or if stop signals do not go on with
slightest pressure on the brake pedal. Turn signals may flash, however stop signals may not
flash except when the vehicle is equipped with a brake warning system or device which will
cause the brake lights to flash when the vehicle is in motion but committed to an emergency or
panic stop.
4. Motor vehicle was manufactured after January 1, 1955, and is not equipped with approved
signaling devices (SAE-I).
5. Vehicle is not equipped with a turn signal if such signal is not working properly or does not
continue to function in the same manner as when it was originally manufactured. (The turn
signal switch shall lock in place when positioned for a left turn or a right turn, and the turn
signal indicators must function. Do not reject a vehicle if the self-canceling mechanism in the
switch does not function when the steering wheel is rotated.).
6. Switch is not convenient to the driver and not of an approved type.
7. Any vehicle so constructed so as to prevent the operator from making a hand and arm signal,
if such vehicle is not equipped with an approved type signaling device.
8. Turn signal lens is not clear or amber to the front, or red or amber to the rear. Lens or bulb
color has been altered or modified. If the turn signal lens is clear, then the bulb shall be amber.
NOTE: The pink color lens found on 1998 and 1999 Honda Accords emit the proper color light
(amber) when the lamp is activated. There may be other manufacturers using the same
configuration and are not in violation of the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards.
9. Wiring or electrical connections are defective or filaments do not burn.
NOTE: LED (light-emitting diode) lights with a clear lens are acceptable if of an approved type.
For those vehicles that are equipped with a multiple LED light (not filament-burning bulbs), they
will pass inspection if more than 50% of the diode lights are burning.
10. Lens has a piece broken from it. The lens may have one or more cracks provided an off-color
light does not project through the cracks. Taping or gluing cracks or pieces is not permitted.
11. The hazard warning signal operating unit does not operate independently of the ignition or
equivalent switch and when activated cause all turn signals to flash simultaneously.
NOTE: They are deemed not to be installed if none of the lights burn or flash when the switch is
activated and the hazard warning signal flasher unit has been removed.
12. Device is not mounted near the rear for rear signals or near the front for front signals
(except supplemental turn signals) or if the signal is hidden by a bolster or other part of body
chassis.
13. All “Class A” signals are not mounted at least three feet apart. (This does not apply to the
combination rear signal device.) However, signal lamps that are mounted as far apart as
practical inside and at the rear of the frame so as to be properly visible will meet inspection
requirements.
14. Any vehicle has wire, unapproved lens or plastic covers, any other materials that are not
original equipment or any colored material placed on or in front of the signal device (intention
to stop or turn), hazard lights or stop lamp.
From Code of Virginia:
VA Code Ann. § 46.2-1014. Brake lights
Every motor vehicle, trailer, or semitrailer, except an antique vehicle not originally equipped
with a brake light, registered in the Commonwealth and operated on the highways in the
Commonwealth shall be equipped with at least two brake lights of a type approved by the
Superintendent. Such brake lights shall automatically exhibit a red or amber light plainly visible
in clear weather from a distance of 500 feet to the rear of such vehicle when the brake is
applied.
The provisions of this section shall not apply to motorcycles or autocycles equipped with brake
lights as required by § 46.2-1012.
VA Code Ann. § 46.2-1014.1. Supplemental high mount stop light
Whenever operated on the highways, every Virginia-registered passenger car manufactured
for the 1986 or subsequent model year shall be equipped with a supplemental center high
mount stop light of a type approved by the Superintendent or which meets the standards
adopted by the United States Department of Transportation. The light shall be mounted as near
the vertical center line of the vehicle as possible. The light shall be actuated only in conjunction
with the vehicle's brake lights and hazard lights. Any supplemental high mount stop light
installed on any other vehicle shall comply with those requirements.
VA Code Ann. § 46.2-1036. Acetylene lights on antique motor vehicles
Antique motor vehicles as defined in § 46.2-100 may be equipped with acetylene headlights,
taillights, and lights to illuminate their rear license plates as provided in regulations
promulgated by the Superintendent.
VA Code Ann. § 46.2-1038. When turn signals required; exceptions
A. Any motor vehicle, trailer, or semitrailer which is so constructed or carries a load in such a
manner as to prevent a hand and arm signal required in § 46.2-849 from being visible both to
the front and rear of such motor vehicle, trailer, or semitrailer or any vehicle the driver of which
is incapable of giving the required hand and arm signals, shall be equipped with electrical turn
signals which meet the requirements of this title and are of a type that has been approved by
the Superintendent. A tractor truck, however, need not be equipped with electrical turn signals
on the rear if it is equipped with double faced signal lights mounted on the front fenders or on
the sides near the front of the vehicle clearly visible to the rear.
B. It shall be unlawful for any person to drive on any highway a motor vehicle registered in the
Commonwealth and manufactured or assembled after January 1, 1955, unless such vehicle is
equipped with such turn signals on both front and rear.
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VA Code Ann. § 46.2-1039. Requirements of turn signals; regulations
Every turn signal used to give a signal of intention to turn a vehicle shall be so constructed and
so installed as to give a signal plainly visible in clear weather and under normal traffic
conditions from a distance of at least 100 feet to the rear and 100 feet to the front of the
vehicle. No front turn signal, however, shall be required on vehicles manufactured before
January 1, 1943.
The Superintendent may promulgate regulations not inconsistent with this section and § 46.2-
1038 governing the construction, location, and operation of turn signals and the color of lights
which may be used in any such signal device. Nothing contained herein, however, shall prohibit
the requiring of turn signals on any vehicle whose driver is prevented by any reason from giving
the hand and arm signal required in § 46.2-849.
VA Code Ann. § 46.2-1048. Pollution control systems or devices
No motor vehicle registered in the Commonwealth and manufactured for the model year 1973
or for subsequent model years shall be operated on the highways in the Commonwealth unless
it is equipped with an air pollution control system, device, or combination of such systems or
devices installed in accordance with federal laws and regulations.
It shall be unlawful for any person to operate a motor vehicle, as herein described, on the
highways in the Commonwealth with its pollution control system or device removed or
otherwise rendered inoperable.
It shall be unlawful for any person to operate on the highways in the Commonwealth a motor
vehicle, as described in this section, equipped with any emission control system or device
unless it is of a type installed as standard factory equipment, or comparable to that designed
for use upon the particular vehicle as standard factory equipment.
No motor vehicle, as described in this section, shall be issued a safety inspection approval
sticker unless it is equipped as provided under the foregoing provisions of this section or if it
violates this section.
The provisions of this section shall not prohibit or prevent shop adjustments or replacements of
equipment for maintenance or repair or the conversion of engines to low polluting fuels, such
as, but not limited to, natural gas or propane, so long as such action does not degrade the
antipollution capabilities of the vehicle power system.
The provisions of this section shall not apply to converted electric vehicles.
Va. Code § 46.2-1055. Windshield wipers
Every permanent windshield on a motor vehicle shall be equipped with a device for cleaning
snow, rain, moisture, or other matter from the windshield directly in front of the driver. The
device shall be so constructed as to be controlled or operated by the driver of the vehicle. Every
such device on a school bus or a vehicle designed or used to carry passengers for compensation
or hire or as a public conveyance shall be of a mechanically or electrically operated type. The
device or devices on any motor vehicle manufactured or assembled after January 1, 1943,
shall clean both the right and left sides of the windshield and shall be of a mechanically or
electrically operated type.
VA Code Ann. § 46.2-1055.1. Windshield defroster or defogger
Every Virginia-registered motor vehicle manufactured for the 1969 or subsequent model years
and required to be equipped with a windshield shall be equipped with a windshield defroster or
defogger. The defroster or defogger shall be in good working order at all times when the vehicle
is operated on the highways.
VA Code Ann. § 46.2-1056. When safety glass required
It shall be unlawful for any person to drive on any highway a motor vehicle registered in the
Commonwealth and manufactured or assembled after January 1, 1935, and designed or used
for the purpose of carrying persons for compensation or hire or as a public conveyance to
transport school children and others, unless such vehicle is equipped with safety glass wherever
glass is used in doors, windows, and windshields.
It shall be unlawful to drive on any highway any motor vehicle registered in the
Commonwealth, manufactured or assembled after January 1, 1936, unless the vehicle is
equipped with safety glass approved by the Superintendent, or meets the standards and
specifications of the American National Standards Institute, Incorporated, or the regulations of
the federal Department of Transportation whenever glass is used in doors, windows, and
windshields.
The term “safety glass” as used in this section shall mean any product composed of glass so
manufactured, fabricated or treated as substantially to prevent shattering and flying of the
glass when struck or broken. The Commissioner shall maintain a list of types of glass approved
by the Superintendent as conforming to the specifications and requirements for safety glass as
set forth in this section and shall not issue a license for or relicense any motor vehicle subject to
the provisions herein stated unless such motor vehicle is equipped as herein provided with the
approved type of glass.
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VA Code Ann. § 46.2-1082. Mirrors
No person shall drive a motor vehicle on a highway in the Commonwealth if the vehicle is not
equipped with a mirror which reflects to the driver a view of the highway for a distance of not
less than 200 feet to the rear of such vehicle.
No motor vehicle registered in the Commonwealth, designed and licensed primarily for
passenger vehicular transportation on the public highways and manufactured after 1968 shall
be driven on the highways in the Commonwealth unless equipped with at least one outside and
at least one inside rear view mirror meeting the requirements of this section.
Notwithstanding the other provisions of this section, no motor vehicle which either has no rear
window, or which has a rear window so obstructed as to prevent rearward vision by means of
an inside rear view mirror, shall be required to be equipped with an inside rear view mirror if
such motor vehicle has horizontally and vertically adjustable outside rear view mirrors installed
on both sides of such motor vehicle in such a manner as to provide the driver of such motor
vehicle a rearward view along both sides of such motor vehicle for at least 200 feet.
VA Code Ann. § 46.2-1088.1. Hood scoops
No motor vehicle shall be operated on a public highway in the Commonwealth if any hood
scoop installed thereon exceeds any of the following dimensions:
1. For any hood scoop installed on any motor vehicle manufactured for the 1990 or earlier
model year: thirty-eight inches wide at its widest point, two and one-quarter inches high at its
highest point measured from the junction of the dashboard and the windshield, and fifty-two
and one-quarter inches long at its longest point.
2. For any hood scoop installed on any motor vehicle manufactured for the 1991 or subsequent
model year: thirty-eight inches wide at its widest point, one and one-eighth inches high at its
highest point measured from the junction of the dashboard and the windshield, and fifty and
one-half inches long at its longest point.
VA Code Ann. § 46.2-1092. Safety lap belts or a combination of lap belts and shoulder
harnesses to be installed in certain motor vehicles
No passenger car or autocycle registered in the Commonwealth and manufactured for the year
1963 or for subsequent years shall be operated on the highways in the Commonwealth unless
the front seats thereof are equipped with adult safety lap belts or a combination of lap belts
and shoulder harnesses of types approved by the Superintendent.
Failure to use the safety lap belts or a combination of lap belts and shoulder harnesses after
installation shall not be deemed to be negligence. Nor shall evidence of such nonuse of such
devices be considered in mitigation of damages of whatever nature.
No motor vehicle registered in the Commonwealth and manufactured after January 1, 1968,
shall be issued a safety inspection approval sticker if any lap belt, combination of lap belt and
shoulder harness, or passive belt systems required to be installed at the time of manufacture by
the federal Department of Transportation have been either removed from the motor vehicle or
rendered inoperable.
No autocycle registered in the Commonwealth shall be issued a safety inspection sticker if any
lap belt, combination of lap belt and shoulder harness, or passive belt systems required to be
installed under this section have been either removed from the autocycle or rendered
inoperable.
No passenger car, except convertibles, registered in the Commonwealth and manufactured on
or after September 1, 1990, shall be operated on the highways in the Commonwealth unless
the forward-facing rear outboard seats thereof are equipped with rear seat lap/shoulder belts
of types required to be installed at the time of manufacture by the federal Department of
Transportation.
No passenger car, including convertibles, registered in the Commonwealth and manufactured
on or after September 1, 1991, shall be operated on the highways in the Commonwealth unless
the forward-facing rear outboard seats thereof are equipped with rear seat lap/shoulder belts
of types required to be installed at the time of manufacture by the federal Department of
Transportation.
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VA Code Ann. § 46.2-1057. Windshields
It shall be unlawful for any person to drive on a highway in the Commonwealth any motor
vehicle or reconstructed motor vehicle, other than a motorcycle or autocycle, registered in the
Commonwealth that was manufactured, assembled, or reconstructed after July 1, 1970, unless
the motor vehicle is equipped with a windshield.
VA Code Ann. § 46.2-1067. Within what distances brakes should stop vehicle
On a dry, hard, approximately level stretch of highway free from loose material, the service
braking system shall be capable of stopping a motor vehicle or combination of vehicles at all
times and under all conditions of loading at a speed of 20 miles per hour within the following
distances:
1. Passenger motor vehicles, except buses and antique vehicles, 25 feet.
2. Buses, trucks, and tractor trucks, 40 feet.
3. Motor vehicles registered or qualified to be registered as antique vehicles, when equipped
with two-wheel brakes, 45 feet; four-wheel brakes, 25 feet.
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VA Code Ann. § 46.2-1158.01. Exceptions to motor vehicle inspection requirement
A. The following shall be exempt from inspection as required by § 46.2-1157:
1. Four-wheel vehicles weighing less than 500 pounds and having less than 6 horsepower;
2. Boat, utility, or travel trailers that are not equipped with brakes;
3. Antique motor vehicles or antique trailers as defined in § 46.2-100 and licensed pursuant to
§ 46.2-730;
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