Over the past decade, Virginia has passed numerous new laws that work to protect Virginians by making our roadways safer. Virginia law already began requiring higher levels of insurance in 2024. There are hundreds of new laws going into effect on July 1st, 2025, and three super important ones Virginia drivers need to know about. Whether driving laws target reckless driving or distracted driving, enhancing safety and accountability protects all drivers in the commonwealth. By clarifying driver responsibilities and promoting passenger safety, Virginia is advancing towards a safer and more equitable system.
Safe driving habits are not only good for Virginia communities, they also keep our car insurance rates down. Keep these new driving laws, as well as your safety and the safety of others, in mind after July 1st, 2025.
In 2024, 151 people (126 pedestrians, 25 bicyclists) died walking or cycling on Virginia roadways. A new Virginia law eliminates ambiguous terms such as "careless or distracted driving" and explicitly mandates that drivers must stop for pedestrians. Non-compliance constitutes an infraction. If the infraction leads to serious injury or death, it escalates to a misdemeanor.
In 2023, Virginia was ranked last in the nation by The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration for seat belt usage. While the national average showed about 92% of individuals using seat belts, Virginia's rate was only 73%. A 2024 statewide observational survey indicated that approximately 81.1% of Virginians, including drivers and front-seat passengers, wore seat belts. In comparison, the national seat belt usage rate was 91.2% in 2024.
Virginia's 2024 law only requires adults in the front seat to wear a seat belt. Moved forward by driving safety organizations such as Drive Smart Virginia, and grieving Virginia mother, Christy King a new law goes into effect on July 1, 2025. King's son tragically died due to not wearing a seat belt in the back seat of a vehicle, leading to the enactment of the "Christopher King Seat Belt Law."
With teens already at risk on Virginia's roadways, the Virginia legislature is expanding laws for unlicensed drivers. As of July 1, 2025, allowing a minor with no driver’s license or learner’s permit to operate your vehicle that causes injury or death can result in a class 1 misdemeanor. This is in effect even if the minor has a learner’s permit if the vehicle operation extends beyond the bounds of the permit. If a violation doesn't already constitute a felony, it remains a Class 1 misdemeanor.
VA HB1549—allowing a minor with no driver’s license or learner’s permit to operate your vehicle that causes injury or death results in a class 1 misdemeanor, a fine of up to $2500, and a jail sentence of up to 12 months.
Sources:
https://www.dmv.virginia.gov/news/dmv-urges-virginians-prioritize-pedestrian-safety-behind-wheel
https://www.drivesmartva.org/current-projects/buckle-up-live-on/
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