{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/46.2-103.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/46.2-103.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/46.2-103.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/46.2-103.html"}],"law_id":58256,"edition_id":1,"section_id":58256,"structure_id":14128,"section_number":"46.2-103","catch_line":"Stopping vehicles for inspection or to secure information","history":"Code 1950, \u00a7 46-16; 1958, c. 541, \u00a7 46.1-8; 1989, c. 727; 2012, c. 11.","full_text":"Except as prohibited by \u00a7 19.2-59, on his request or signal, any law-enforcement officer who is in uniform or displays his badge or other sign of authority may:\n\n1\n\nStop any motor vehicle, trailer, or semitrailer to inspect its equipment, operation, manufacturer’s serial or engine number; or2\n\nStop any property-carrying motor vehicle, trailer, or semitrailer to inspect its contents or load or to obtain other necessary information.\n\t\t\tNothing in this section, however, shall be construed to authorize the establishment on any highway of police check-points where the only vehicles subject to inspection are motorcycles.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":213447,"text":"Except as prohibited by \u00a7 19.2-59, on his request or signal, any law-enforcement officer who is in uniform or displays his badge or other sign of authority may:","type":"section","prefixes":[""],"prefix":"","entire_prefix":"","prefix_anchor":"","level":1,"next_prefix":"1"},"1":{"id":213448,"text":"Stop any motor vehicle, trailer, or semitrailer to inspect its equipment, operation, manufacturer’s serial or engine number; or","type":"section","prefixes":["1"],"prefix":"1","entire_prefix":"1","prefix_anchor":"1","level":1,"prior_prefix":"","next_prefix":"2"},"2":{"id":213449,"text":"Stop any property-carrying motor vehicle, trailer, or semitrailer to inspect its contents or load or to obtain other necessary information.\n\t\t\tNothing in this section, however, shall be construed to authorize the establishment on any highway of police check-points where the only vehicles subject to inspection are motorcycles.","type":"section","prefixes":["2"],"prefix":"2","entire_prefix":"2","prefix_anchor":"2","level":1,"prior_prefix":"1"}},"ancestry":[{"id":14128,"edition_id":1,"name":"General Provisions","identifier":"1","label":"chapter","depth":3,"order_by":1,"parent_id":13270,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:46:57","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:46:57","permalink":{"id":225293,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":14128,"identifier":"1","token":"46.2\/I\/1","url":"\/46.2\/I\/1\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":13270,"edition_id":1,"name":"General Provisions; Department of Motor Vehicles","identifier":"I","label":"subtitle","depth":2,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12770,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:44:33","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:44:33","permalink":{"id":225291,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":13270,"identifier":"I","token":"46.2\/I","url":"\/46.2\/I\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12770,"edition_id":1,"name":"Motor Vehicles","identifier":"46.2","label":"title","depth":1,"order_by":1,"parent_id":null,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:43:52","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:43:52","permalink":{"id":225289,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12770,"identifier":"46.2","token":"46.2","url":"\/46.2\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}}],"structure_contents":[{"id":82691,"structure_id":14128,"section_number":"46.2-100","catch_line":"Definitions","url":"\/46.2-100\/","token":"46.2\/I\/1\/46.2-100","metadata":false},{"id":79952,"structure_id":14128,"section_number":"46.2-100.1","catch_line":"Certified mail; subsequent mail or notices may be sent by regular mail","url":"\/46.2-100.1\/","token":"46.2\/I\/1\/46.2-100.1","metadata":false},{"id":66965,"structure_id":14128,"section_number":"46.2-101","catch_line":"Applicability of title to vehicles on certain toll roads and parking facilities","url":"\/46.2-101\/","token":"46.2\/I\/1\/46.2-101","metadata":false},{"id":73192,"structure_id":14128,"section_number":"46.2-102","catch_line":"Enforcement by law-enforcement officers; officers to be uniformed; officers to be paid fixed salaries","url":"\/46.2-102\/","token":"46.2\/I\/1\/46.2-102","metadata":false},{"id":58256,"structure_id":14128,"section_number":"46.2-103","catch_line":"Stopping vehicles for inspection or to secure information","url":"\/46.2-103\/","token":"46.2\/I\/1\/46.2-103","metadata":false},{"id":59128,"structure_id":14128,"section_number":"46.2-104","catch_line":"Possession of registration cards; exhibiting registration card and licenses; failure to carry license or registration card","url":"\/46.2-104\/","token":"46.2\/I\/1\/46.2-104","metadata":false},{"id":66134,"structure_id":14128,"section_number":"46.2-105","catch_line":"Making false affidavit or swearing falsely, perjury","url":"\/46.2-105\/","token":"46.2\/I\/1\/46.2-105","metadata":false},{"id":56208,"structure_id":14128,"section_number":"46.2-105.1","catch_line":"Unlawful procurement of certificate, license, or permit; unauthorized possession of examination or answers; unlawful distribution of false operator's license; penalty","url":"\/46.2-105.1\/","token":"46.2\/I\/1\/46.2-105.1","metadata":false},{"id":68909,"structure_id":14128,"section_number":"46.2-105.2","catch_line":"Obtaining documents from the Department when not entitled thereto; penalty","url":"\/46.2-105.2\/","token":"46.2\/I\/1\/46.2-105.2","metadata":false},{"id":57524,"structure_id":14128,"section_number":"46.2-106","catch_line":"Reciprocal agreements entered into by Governor","url":"\/46.2-106\/","token":"46.2\/I\/1\/46.2-106","metadata":false},{"id":82668,"structure_id":14128,"section_number":"46.2-107","catch_line":"Lists of vehicles used for rent or hire, or by contract carriers","url":"\/46.2-107\/","token":"46.2\/I\/1\/46.2-107","metadata":false},{"id":87378,"structure_id":14128,"section_number":"46.2-108","catch_line":"Records required of persons renting motor vehicles without drivers; inspections; insurance","url":"\/46.2-108\/","token":"46.2\/I\/1\/46.2-108","metadata":false},{"id":78969,"structure_id":14128,"section_number":"46.2-109","catch_line":"Reports by persons in charge of garages and repair shops; vehicles equipped with bullet-proof glass or smoke projectors or struck by bullets","url":"\/46.2-109\/","token":"46.2\/I\/1\/46.2-109","metadata":false},{"id":74372,"structure_id":14128,"section_number":"46.2-110","catch_line":"Right to inspect vehicles in garages","url":"\/46.2-110\/","token":"46.2\/I\/1\/46.2-110","metadata":false},{"id":78142,"structure_id":14128,"section_number":"46.2-111","catch_line":"Flares and other signals relating to stopped commercial motor vehicles","url":"\/46.2-111\/","token":"46.2\/I\/1\/46.2-111","metadata":false},{"id":86621,"structure_id":14128,"section_number":"46.2-112","catch_line":"Tampering with odometer; penalty; civil liability","url":"\/46.2-112\/","token":"46.2\/I\/1\/46.2-112","metadata":false},{"id":56620,"structure_id":14128,"section_number":"46.2-113","catch_line":"Violations of this title; penalties","url":"\/46.2-113\/","token":"46.2\/I\/1\/46.2-113","metadata":false},{"id":63404,"structure_id":14128,"section_number":"46.2-114","catch_line":"Disposition of fines and forfeitures","url":"\/46.2-114\/","token":"46.2\/I\/1\/46.2-114","metadata":false},{"id":83135,"structure_id":14128,"section_number":"46.2-115","catch_line":"Inapplicability of title on Tangier Island; adoption of local ordinances; penalties","url":"\/46.2-115\/","token":"46.2\/I\/1\/46.2-115","metadata":false},{"id":55270,"structure_id":14128,"section_number":"46.2-116","catch_line":"Registration with Department of Criminal Justice Services required for tow truck drivers; penalty","url":"\/46.2-116\/","token":"46.2\/I\/1\/46.2-116","metadata":false},{"id":84528,"structure_id":14128,"section_number":"46.2-117","catch_line":"Revocation and suspension of registration of tow truck driver; notice and hearing; assessment of costs","url":"\/46.2-117\/","token":"46.2\/I\/1\/46.2-117","metadata":false},{"id":82474,"structure_id":14128,"section_number":"46.2-118","catch_line":"Prohibited acts by tow truck drivers and towing and recovery operators","url":"\/46.2-118\/","token":"46.2\/I\/1\/46.2-118","metadata":false},{"id":84696,"structure_id":14128,"section_number":"46.2-119","catch_line":"Complaints against tow truck drivers or towing and recovery operators; enforcement by the Office of the Attorney General","url":"\/46.2-119\/","token":"46.2\/I\/1\/46.2-119","metadata":false}],"previous_section":{"id":73192,"structure_id":14128,"section_number":"46.2-102","catch_line":"Enforcement by law-enforcement officers; officers to be uniformed; officers to be paid fixed salaries","url":"\/46.2-102\/","token":"46.2\/I\/1\/46.2-102","metadata":false},"next_section":{"id":59128,"structure_id":14128,"section_number":"46.2-104","catch_line":"Possession of registration cards; exhibiting registration card and licenses; failure to carry license or registration card","url":"\/46.2-104\/","token":"46.2\/I\/1\/46.2-104","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/46.2-103\/","history_text":"

The record of this law\u2019s original creation isn\u2019t available online. It has been modified 3 times. Those modifications are cataloged by \u201cThe Acts of Assembly,\u201d a state publication, by year and chapter. Those modifications that can be read on the General Assembly\u2019s website will be linked accordingly. Those modifications are as follows: in 1958, chapter 541; in 1989, chapter 727; in 2012, chapter 11<\/a>.<\/p>","references":false,"refers_to":[{"id":84564,"section_number":"19.2-59","catch_line":"Search without warrant prohibited; when search without warrant lawful","order_by":null,"url":"\/19.2-59\/"}],"permalink":{"id":225311,"object_type":"law","relational_id":58256,"identifier":"46.2-103","token":"46.2\/I\/1\/46.2-103","url":"\/46.2-103\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/46.2-103\/","token":"46.2\/I\/1\/46.2-103","dublin_core":{"Title":"Stopping vehicles for inspection or to secure information","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 46.2-103","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

Except as prohibited by \u00a7 19.2-59<\/a>, on his request or signal, any law<\/span>-enforcement officer<\/span> who is in uniform or displays his badge or other sign of authority may:<\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

1.<\/span> Stop any motor vehicle<\/span>, trailer<\/span>, or semitrailer<\/span> to inspect its equipment, operation, manufacturer’s serial or engine number; or <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

2.<\/span> Stop any property-carrying motor vehicle<\/span>, trailer<\/span>, or semitrailer<\/span> to inspect its contents or load or to obtain other necessary information.\n\t\t\tNothing in this section, however, shall be construed to authorize the establishment on any highway<\/span> of police check-points where the only vehicles<\/span> subject to inspection are motorcycles<\/span>. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>","plain_text":" CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nSTOPPING VEHICLES FOR INSPECTION OR TO SECURE INFORMATION (\u00a7 46.2-103)\n\nExcept as prohibited by \u00a7 19.2-59, on his request or signal, any\nlaw-enforcement officer who is in uniform or displays his badge or other sign of\nauthority may:\n\n1. Stop any motor vehicle, trailer, or semitrailer to inspect its equipment,\noperation, manufacturer’s serial or engine number; or\n\n2. Stop any property-carrying motor vehicle, trailer, or semitrailer to inspect\nits contents or load or to obtain other necessary information.\n\t\t\tNothing in this section, however, shall be construed to authorize the\nestablishment on any highway of police check-points where the only vehicles\nsubject to inspection are motorcycles.\n\nHISTORY: Code 1950, \u00a7 46-16; 1958, c. 541, \u00a7 46.1-8; 1989, c. 727; 2012, c.\n11.","edition":{"id":1,"name":"2025","slug":"2025","date_created":"2026-06-21 22:39:22","date_modified":"2026-06-21 22:39:22","current":1,"order_by":1,"last_import":null}}