Except as otherwise provided in this article, the maximum speed limit shall be 55 miles per hour on interstate highways or other limited access highways with divided roadways, nonlimited access highways having four or more lanes, and all state primary highways.
The maximum speed limit on all other highways shall be 55 miles per hour if the vehicle is a passenger motor vehicle, bus, pickup or panel truck, or a motorcycle, but 45 miles per hour on such highways if the vehicle is a truck, tractor truck, or combination of vehicles designed to transport property, or is a motor vehicle being used to tow a vehicle designed for self-propulsion, or a house trailer.
Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this section, the maximum speed limit shall be 70 miles per hour where indicated by lawfully placed signs, erected subsequent to a traffic engineering study and analysis of available and appropriate accident and law-enforcement data, on (i) interstate highways; (ii) multilane, divided, limited access highways; and (iii) high-occupancy vehicle lanes if such lanes are physically separated from regular travel lanes. The maximum speed limit shall be 60 miles per hour where indicated by lawfully placed signs, erected subsequent to a traffic engineering study and analysis of available and appropriate accident and law-enforcement data, on U.S. Route 17, U.S. Route 23, U.S. Route 29, U.S. Route 58, U.S. Alternate Route 58, U.S. Route 301, U.S. Route 360, U.S. Route 460, U.S. Route 501 between the Town of South Boston and the North Carolina state line, State Route 3, and State Route 207 where such routes are nonlimited access, multilane, divided highways.
Code 1950, § 46-212; 1950, p. 881; 1952, c. 666; 1954, c. 244; 1956, c. 364; 1958, c. 541, §§ 46.1-193, 46.1-401; 1960, c. 153; 1962, c. 307; 1964, cc. 118, 408; 1966, c. 85; 1968, c. 641; 1972, cc. 89, 546, 553, 608; 1974, c. 528; 1975, c. 533; 1977, c. 577; 1978, c. 605; 1980, c. 347; 1986, c. 639; 1988, cc. 662, 897; 1989, cc. 276, 526, 727; 1992, c. 598; 1994, c. 423; 1996, c. 1; 1998, cc. 546, 560; 1999, c. 142; 2001, c. 298; 2002, c. 872; 2003, c. 838; 2004, c. 696; 2005, cc. 266, 267, 268; 2006, c. 213; 2007, cc. 222, 544; 2010, cc. 26, 56; 2014, c. 91; 2018, cc. 160, 339, 340, 345.
Structure Code of Virginia
Chapter 8 - Regulation of Traffic
§ 46.2-800.1. Riding animals on highways after sunset
§ 46.2-800.3. Driving in flooded areas prohibited
§ 46.2-801. Chapter applicable to drivers of all vehicles regardless of ownership
§ 46.2-802. Drive on right side of highways; penalty
§ 46.2-803. Keep to the right in crossing intersections or railroads
§ 46.2-804. Special regulations applicable on highways laned for traffic; penalty
§ 46.2-805. Lane-use control signals
§ 46.2-806. One-way roadways and highways
§ 46.2-807. Path of travel at circular intersections
§ 46.2-808.1. Use of crossovers on controlled access highways; penalty
§ 46.2-808.2. Violations committed within highway safety corridor; report on benefits
§ 46.2-809. Regulation of truck traffic on primary and secondary highways
§ 46.2-809.1. Regulation of residential cut-through traffic by Board
§ 46.2-810. Age limits for drivers of public passenger-carrying vehicles
§ 46.2-810.1. Smoking in vehicle with a minor present; civil penalty
§ 46.2-811. Coasting prohibited
§ 46.2-812. Driving more than thirteen hours in twenty-four prohibited
§ 46.2-813. Occupation of trailer being towed on highways
§ 46.2-814. Driving through safety zone prohibited
§ 46.2-815. Hauling certain cargoes through tunnels in violation of posted signs; penalty
§ 46.2-816. Following too closely
§ 46.2-816.1. Careless driving and infliction of injury or death on vulnerable road users; penalty
§ 46.2-817. Disregarding signal by law-enforcement officer to stop; eluding police; penalties
§ 46.2-818.1. Opening and closing motor vehicle doors; penalty
§ 46.2-819.2. Driving a motor vehicle from establishment where motor fuel offered for sale; penalty
§ 46.2-819.3. Use of toll facility without payment of toll; enforcement; penalty
§ 46.2-819.4. Smoking in proximity to gas pumps; penalty
§ 46.2-819.6. Invoice for unpaid toll
§ 46.2-819.8. Toll grace period
§ 46.2-819.9. Agreements for enforcement of tolling violations against nonresidents
§ 46.2-819.10. Withholding of vehicle registration for enforcement of out-of-state toll violations
§ 46.2-820. Right-of-way at uncontrolled intersections, generally
§ 46.2-821. Vehicles before entering certain highways shall stop or yield right-of-way
§ 46.2-822. Right-of-way at circular intersections
§ 46.2-823. Unlawful speed forfeits right-of-way
§ 46.2-824. Right-of-way at uncontrolled "T" intersections
§ 46.2-825. Left turn traffic to yield right-of-way
§ 46.2-827. Right-of-way of United States forces, troops, National Guard, etc.
§ 46.2-828.1. Impeding or disrupting certain funeral processions; penalty
§ 46.2-828.2. Impeding or disrupting vehicles operating under a valid highway hauling permit
§ 46.2-830.1. Failure to obey highway sign where driver sleeping or resting
§ 46.2-830.2. Pedestrians with disabilities; traffic signs
§ 46.2-831. Unofficial traffic control devices prohibited; penalties
§ 46.2-832. Damaging or removing traffic control devices or street address signs
§ 46.2-833. Traffic lights; penalty
§ 46.2-833.1. Evasion of traffic control devices
§ 46.2-834. Signals by law-enforcement officers, crossing guards, and flaggers
§ 46.2-835. Right turn on steady red light after stopping
§ 46.2-836. Left turn on steady red after stopping
§ 46.2-837. Passing vehicles proceeding in opposite directions
§ 46.2-838. Passing when overtaking a vehicle
§ 46.2-841. When overtaking vehicle may pass on right
§ 46.2-842. Driver to give way to overtaking vehicle
§ 46.2-842.1. Drivers to give way to certain overtaking vehicles on divided highways
§ 46.2-843. Limitations on overtaking and passing
§ 46.2-844. Passing stopped school buses; penalty; prima facie evidence; penalty
§ 46.2-845. Limitation on U-turns
§ 46.2-846. Required position and method of turning at intersections; local regulations
§ 46.2-848. Signals required on backing, stopping, or turning
§ 46.2-850. Change of course after giving signal
§ 46.2-851. Signals prior to moving standing vehicles into traffic
§ 46.2-852. Reckless driving; general rule
§ 46.2-853. Driving vehicle which is not under control; faulty brakes
§ 46.2-854. Passing on or at the crest of a grade or on a curve
§ 46.2-855. Driving with driver's view obstructed or control impaired
§ 46.2-856. Passing two vehicles abreast
§ 46.2-857. Driving two abreast in a single lane
§ 46.2-858. Passing at a railroad grade crossing
§ 46.2-859. Passing a stopped school bus; prima facie evidence
§ 46.2-860. Failing to give proper signals
§ 46.2-861. Driving too fast for highway and traffic conditions
§ 46.2-862. Exceeding speed limit
§ 46.2-863. Failure to yield right-of-way
§ 46.2-864. Reckless driving on parking lots, etc.
§ 46.2-865.1. Injuring another or causing the death of another while engaging in a race; penalties
§ 46.2-866. Racing; aiders or abettors
§ 46.2-867. Racing; seizure of motor vehicle
§ 46.2-868. Reckless driving; penalties
§ 46.2-868.1. Aggressive driving; penalties
§ 46.2-869. Improper driving; penalty
§ 46.2-870. Maximum speed limits generally
§ 46.2-871. Maximum speed limit for school buses
§ 46.2-872. Maximum speed limits for vehicles operating under special permits
§ 46.2-873. Maximum speed limits at school crossings; penalty
§ 46.2-873.1. Maximum speed limit on nonsurface-treated highways
§ 46.2-873.2. Maximum speed limit on rural rustic roads
§ 46.2-874. Maximum speed limit in business and residence districts
§ 46.2-874.1. Exceptions to maximum speed limits in residence districts; penalty
§ 46.2-875. Maximum speed limit on certain other highways in cities and towns
§ 46.2-876. Maximum speed limit for passenger vehicles towing certain trailers
§ 46.2-877. Minimum speed limits
§ 46.2-878. Authority to change speed limits
§ 46.2-878.1. Maximum speed limits in highway work zones; penalty
§ 46.2-878.2:1. Maximum speed limits on certain roads
§ 46.2-878.3. Prepayment of fines for violations of speed limits
§ 46.2-879. No conviction for speeding in certain areas unless markers installed
§ 46.2-880. Tables of speed and stopping distances
§ 46.2-881. Special speed limitation on bridges, tunnels and interstates
§ 46.2-883. Signs indicating legal rate of speed and measurement of speed by radar
§ 46.2-884. Railroad warning signals must be obeyed
§ 46.2-885. When vehicles to stop at railroad grade crossings
§ 46.2-888. Stopping on highways; removing motor vehicle from roadway
§ 46.2-889. Location of parked vehicles
§ 46.2-890. Stopping in vicinity of fire or emergency
§ 46.2-891. Exemption for highway construction and maintenance vehicles
§ 46.2-892. Rural mail carriers stopping on highways
§ 46.2-893. Stopping on highways to discharge cargo or passengers; school buses
§ 46.2-896. Duties of driver in event of accident involving damage only to unattended property
§ 46.2-898. Reports are in addition to others
§ 46.2-899. Article applies to accidents on private or public property
§ 46.2-900. Penalty for violation of §§ 46.2-895 through 46.2-897
§ 46.2-901. Suspension of driver's license for failure to report certain accidents
§ 46.2-902. Leaving scene of accident when directed to do so by officer
§ 46.2-903. Riding or driving vehicles on sidewalks; exceptions
§ 46.2-904.1. Electric power-assisted bicycles
§ 46.2-907. Overtaking and passing vehicles
§ 46.2-908.1:1. Personal delivery devices
§ 46.2-908.2. Low-speed vehicles; required equipment
§ 46.2-909. Riding on motorcycles, generally
§ 46.2-911.1. Operation of motor-driven cycles on public highways prohibited
§ 46.2-912. Operating motorcycle without headlight, horn or rearview mirror
§ 46.2-914. Limitations on operation of mopeds
§ 46.2-915. Stickers required on mopeds
§ 46.2-915.1. All-terrain vehicles and off-road motorcycles; penalty
§ 46.2-915.2. Safety equipment for mopeds; effect of violation; penalty
§ 46.2-916. Ordinances providing for the disposition of unregistered or unlicensed motorcycles
§ 46.2-916.2. Designation of public highways for golf cart and utility vehicle operations
§ 46.2-916.3. Limitations on golf cart and utility vehicle operations on designated public highways
§ 46.2-917.1. School buses hired to transport children
§ 46.2-917.2. School buses operating under State Corporation Commission or Department certificate
§ 46.2-918. School buses to be routed so as to avoid necessity of pupils' crossing divided highways
§ 46.2-919. Age limit for drivers of school buses
§ 46.2-919.1. Use of wireless telecommunications devices by persons driving school buses
§ 46.2-920.2. Operation of vehicles owned or controlled by the Wildlife Center of Virginia
§ 46.2-921. Following or parking near fire apparatus or emergency medical services vehicle
§ 46.2-922. Driving over fire hose
§ 46.2-923. How and where pedestrians to cross highways
§ 46.2-924. Drivers to stop for pedestrians; installation of certain signs; penalty
§ 46.2-925. Pedestrian control signals
§ 46.2-926. Pedestrians stepping into highway where they cannot be seen
§ 46.2-927. Boarding or alighting from buses
§ 46.2-928. Pedestrians not to use roadway except when necessary; keeping to left
§ 46.2-929. Pedestrians soliciting rides
§ 46.2-930. Loitering on bridges or highway rights-of-way
§ 46.2-934. Failure to use cane or guide dog not contributory negligence
§ 46.2-935. Regulation by ordinance in counties, cities, and towns
§ 46.2-937. Traffic infractions treated as misdemeanors for arrest purposes
§ 46.2-939. Authority of law-enforcement officers to issue subpoenas
§ 46.2-940. When arresting officer shall take person before issuing authority
§ 46.2-941. Conditions precedent to issuance of summons for violation of parking ordinance; notice
§ 46.2-942. Admissibility of results of speedometer test in prosecution for exceeding speed limit
§ 46.2-943. Court or jury may consider defendant's prior traffic record before sentencing