Motorcycle Laws & Requirements in Virginia

Riding a motorcycle is quite different from driving a car; it requires special training and experience. Motorcycle riders are subject to many of the same laws and regulations as other motorists, and there are additional requirements that they must follow.

Virginia law defines a motorcycle as a “motor vehicle designed to travel on not more than three wheels in contact with the ground and is capable of traveling at speeds in excess of 35 miles per hour.” Under the statute, motorcycles do not include autocycles, electric personal assistive mobility devices, electric power-assisted bicycles, farm tractors, golf carts, mopeds, motorized skateboards or scooters, utility vehicles, or wheelchair or wheelchair conveyances.

Before you get on a motorcycle in Virginia, be sure that you know and understand the various laws and regulations governing the use of motorcycles. Also make sure that you fully comply with those laws and regulations. Doing so can help mitigate the risk of getting into an accident. You will also be in the best position for seeking compensation should you get into a motorcycle accident.

Virginia Motorcycle Helmet Law

In Virginia, the law requires that anyone riding on a motorcycle or in a sidecar wear a helmet approved by the U.S. Department of Transportation. A helmet can either be a full-face helmet with a visor or face shield, or a three-quarter open face helmet.

If wearing an open-face helmet, a rider must wear goggles that are made of shatter-proof material. Those goggles must be free of scratches, able to fasten securely to your face and be fog-free. They must allow you to see clearly on either side and have space to wear glasses or sunglasses under them if needed.

Before setting off on a ride, you must make sure that your helmet fits snuggly on your head and has no defects or damage, such as cracks, loose padding, or frayed straps.

Virginia Motorcycle Requirements

In order to own and operate a motorcycle in Virginia, your motorcycle must be titled and registered.

A proper motorcycle should fit you, in that your feet can reach the ground while you are seated. At a minimum, your motorcycle should also have the following equipment:

• Headlight and taillight
• Front and rear brakes
• Turn signals
• Horn
• Two mirrors
• Factory-installed seats and footrests for all riders and passengers

In addition to following Virginia’s motorcycle helmet laws, you should also wear protective clothing, including jacket and pants made of a heavy material such as leather or denim, boots or shoes high enough to cover your ankles, and gloves made of leather or heavy cloth.

Do You Need a Motorcycle License in Virginia?

Virginia law requires anyone operating a motorcycle to hold a valid motorcycle classification designation on his or her driver’s license, or hold a license restricted to the operation of a motorcycle. Upon applying for a motorcycle license or designation, you must indicate whether you intend to operate a two-wheeled motorcycle and/or a three-wheeled motorcycle. In order to receive a license or designation for either type of motorcycle, you must pass a road test on that type of motorcycle or have completed an acceptable motorcycle training course.

An active duty member of the military, or their spouse or dependent, who has completed a motorcycle training course approved by the U.S. Armed Services may be exempted from some requirements when applying for a motorcycle license or designation.

If you are learning to ride a motorcycle, you must obtain a motorcycle learner’s permit, which allows you to operate a motorcycle between the hours of 4 a.m. and midnight, while wearing a helmet at all times, and while supervised by an individual licensed to operate a motorcycle who
is 21 years or older, alert and able to assist, and providing immediate supervision.

Is Motorcycle Insurance Required in Virginia?

Virginia requires motorcycle operators to carry insurance. Insurance policies must meet minimum liability coverage requirements set forth in law. At a minimum, motorcycle insurance in Virginia must offer bodily injury liability coverage of $25,000 per person/$50,000 per accident and offer $20,000 per accident in property damage coverage.

Is Lane Splitting Legal in Virginia?

Virginia, like most states, outlaws lane splitting. This means that two motor vehicles may not occupy the same lane of traffic, with the exception that two motorcycles may ride side by side in the same lane. As a result, a motorcycle rider may not legally ride alongside another vehicle (except for another motorcycle) in the same lane of traffic, or ride on traffic dividing lines.

A car or other vehicle may not pass a motorcycle in the same lane of traffic. A vehicle must move to the left, if legal to do so, in order to pass a motorcycle.

Can Motorcycles Ride on the Shoulder in Virginia?

Like all other motor vehicles, motorcycles are prohibited in Virginia from operating on the shoulder of a highway, except where driving on a paved shoulder is permitted pursuant to lawfully posted signs.

Hurt in a Motorcycle Accident? Contact Us Now

As a motorcycle rider, you should be following Virginia’s laws and regulations governing motorcycles. Doing so means that you are operating your motorcycle safely and therefore will reduce the chance of getting into a motorcycle accident.

If you disregard Virginia’s motorcycle laws and regulations and get into an accident, that can be used as evidence that you were partially or entirely at fault for your accident. Being in compliance with Virginia motorcycle laws will ensure you are in the best position to recover compensation for your injuries and damages in the event of a motorcycle accident.

If you or a loved one have been injured in a motorcycle accident in Virginia through no fault of your own, contact the Law Office of Andrew S. Martin, LLC, today. Schedule a consultation with an experienced Virginia motorcycle accident attorney. Let our attorney help you understand your rights and options for seeking compensation for your injuries and damages. Those damages can include your costs of medical treatment, lost wages from missed work, and pain and suffering.