{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/46.2-1038.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/46.2-1038.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/46.2-1038.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/46.2-1038.html"}],"law_id":80603,"edition_id":1,"section_id":80603,"structure_id":13233,"section_number":"46.2-1038","catch_line":"When turn signals required; exceptions","history":"Code 1950, \u00a7 46-302; 1954, c. 44; 1958, c. 541, \u00a7 46.1-298; 1962, c. 255; 1974, c. 217; 1989, c. 727.","full_text":"A\n\nAny 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 &#xA7; 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\n\nIt 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.C\n\nAny such turn signal may be used in lieu of the hand and arm signal required by &#xA7; 46.2-849.D\n\nSubsections A and B of this section shall not apply to any motorcycle. The provisions of this section shall not apply to motor vehicles, trailers, or semitrailers used for agricultural or horticultural purposes and exempted from registration under Article 6 (&#xA7; 46.2-662 et seq.) of Chapter 6 of this title.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":288918,"text":"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 &#xA7; 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.","type":"section","prefixes":["A"],"prefix":"A","entire_prefix":"A","prefix_anchor":"A","level":1,"next_prefix":"B"},"1":{"id":288919,"text":"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.","type":"section","prefixes":["B"],"prefix":"B","entire_prefix":"B","prefix_anchor":"B","level":1,"prior_prefix":"A","next_prefix":"C"},"2":{"id":288920,"text":"Any such turn signal may be used in lieu of the hand and arm signal required by &#xA7; 46.2-849.","type":"section","prefixes":["C"],"prefix":"C","entire_prefix":"C","prefix_anchor":"C","level":1,"prior_prefix":"B","next_prefix":"D"},"3":{"id":288921,"text":"Subsections A and B of this section shall not apply to any motorcycle. The provisions of this section shall not apply to motor vehicles, trailers, or semitrailers used for agricultural or horticultural purposes and exempted from registration under Article 6 (&#xA7; 46.2-662 et seq.) of Chapter 6 of this title.","type":"section","prefixes":["D"],"prefix":"D","entire_prefix":"D","prefix_anchor":"D","level":1,"prior_prefix":"C"}},"ancestry":[{"id":13233,"edition_id":1,"name":"Lights and Turn Signals","identifier":"3","label":"article","depth":4,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12828,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:44:29","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:44:29","permalink":{"id":229409,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":13233,"identifier":"3","token":"46.2\/III\/10\/3","url":"\/46.2\/III\/10\/3\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12828,"edition_id":1,"name":"Motor Vehicle and Equipment Safety","identifier":"10","label":"chapter","depth":3,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12827,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:43:55","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:43:55","permalink":{"id":228599,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12828,"identifier":"10","token":"46.2\/III\/10","url":"\/46.2\/III\/10\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12827,"edition_id":1,"name":"Operation","identifier":"III","label":"subtitle","depth":2,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12770,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:43:55","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:43:55","permalink":{"id":228597,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12827,"identifier":"III","token":"46.2\/III","url":"\/46.2\/III\/","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":86642,"structure_id":13233,"section_number":"46.2-1010","catch_line":"Equipment required","url":"\/46.2-1010\/","token":"46.2\/III\/10\/3\/46.2-1010","metadata":false},{"id":54889,"structure_id":13233,"section_number":"46.2-1011","catch_line":"Headlights on motor vehicles","url":"\/46.2-1011\/","token":"46.2\/III\/10\/3\/46.2-1011","metadata":false},{"id":54238,"structure_id":13233,"section_number":"46.2-1012","catch_line":"Headlights, auxiliary headlights, tail lights, brake lights, auxiliary lights, and illumination of license plates on motorcycles or autocycles","url":"\/46.2-1012\/","token":"46.2\/III\/10\/3\/46.2-1012","metadata":false},{"id":82249,"structure_id":13233,"section_number":"46.2-1013","catch_line":"Tail lights","url":"\/46.2-1013\/","token":"46.2\/III\/10\/3\/46.2-1013","metadata":false},{"id":55516,"structure_id":13233,"section_number":"46.2-1014","catch_line":"Brake lights","url":"\/46.2-1014\/","token":"46.2\/III\/10\/3\/46.2-1014","metadata":false},{"id":85762,"structure_id":13233,"section_number":"46.2-1014.1","catch_line":"Supplemental high mount stop light","url":"\/46.2-1014.1\/","token":"46.2\/III\/10\/3\/46.2-1014.1","metadata":false},{"id":70500,"structure_id":13233,"section_number":"46.2-1015","catch_line":"Lights on bicycles, electric personal assistive mobility devices, personal delivery devices, electric power-assisted bicycles, mopeds, and motorized skateboards or scooters","url":"\/46.2-1015\/","token":"46.2\/III\/10\/3\/46.2-1015","metadata":false},{"id":64768,"structure_id":13233,"section_number":"46.2-1016","catch_line":"Lights on other vehicles; reflectors","url":"\/46.2-1016\/","token":"46.2\/III\/10\/3\/46.2-1016","metadata":false},{"id":58032,"structure_id":13233,"section_number":"46.2-1017","catch_line":"Dimension or marker lights and reflectors, generally","url":"\/46.2-1017\/","token":"46.2\/III\/10\/3\/46.2-1017","metadata":false},{"id":68583,"structure_id":13233,"section_number":"46.2-1018","catch_line":"Marker lights on vehicles or loads exceeding thirty-five feet","url":"\/46.2-1018\/","token":"46.2\/III\/10\/3\/46.2-1018","metadata":false},{"id":74725,"structure_id":13233,"section_number":"46.2-1019","catch_line":"Spotlights","url":"\/46.2-1019\/","token":"46.2\/III\/10\/3\/46.2-1019","metadata":false},{"id":83551,"structure_id":13233,"section_number":"46.2-1020","catch_line":"Other permissible lights","url":"\/46.2-1020\/","token":"46.2\/III\/10\/3\/46.2-1020","metadata":false},{"id":66212,"structure_id":13233,"section_number":"46.2-1021","catch_line":"Additional lights permitted on certain commercial vehicles","url":"\/46.2-1021\/","token":"46.2\/III\/10\/3\/46.2-1021","metadata":false},{"id":78667,"structure_id":13233,"section_number":"46.2-1021.1","catch_line":"Additional lights permitted on certain privately owned cars","url":"\/46.2-1021.1\/","token":"46.2\/III\/10\/3\/46.2-1021.1","metadata":false},{"id":60736,"structure_id":13233,"section_number":"46.2-1022","catch_line":"Flashing or steady-burning blue or red, flashing red and blue or blue and white, or red, white, and blue warning lights","url":"\/46.2-1022\/","token":"46.2\/III\/10\/3\/46.2-1022","metadata":false},{"id":78077,"structure_id":13233,"section_number":"46.2-1023","catch_line":"Flashing red or red and white warning lights","url":"\/46.2-1023\/","token":"46.2\/III\/10\/3\/46.2-1023","metadata":false},{"id":68894,"structure_id":13233,"section_number":"46.2-1024","catch_line":"Flashing or steady-burning red or red and white warning light units","url":"\/46.2-1024\/","token":"46.2\/III\/10\/3\/46.2-1024","metadata":false},{"id":61251,"structure_id":13233,"section_number":"46.2-1025","catch_line":"Flashing amber, purple, or green warning lights","url":"\/46.2-1025\/","token":"46.2\/III\/10\/3\/46.2-1025","metadata":false},{"id":69248,"structure_id":13233,"section_number":"46.2-1025.1","catch_line":"Flashing amber warning lights on certain fox hunting vehicles","url":"\/46.2-1025.1\/","token":"46.2\/III\/10\/3\/46.2-1025.1","metadata":false},{"id":79262,"structure_id":13233,"section_number":"46.2-1026","catch_line":"Flashing high-intensity amber warning lights","url":"\/46.2-1026\/","token":"46.2\/III\/10\/3\/46.2-1026","metadata":false},{"id":76532,"structure_id":13233,"section_number":"46.2-1027","catch_line":"Warning lights on certain demonstrator vehicles","url":"\/46.2-1027\/","token":"46.2\/III\/10\/3\/46.2-1027","metadata":false},{"id":85600,"structure_id":13233,"section_number":"46.2-1028","catch_line":"Auxiliary lights on firefighting, Virginia Department of Transportation, and other emergency vehicles","url":"\/46.2-1028\/","token":"46.2\/III\/10\/3\/46.2-1028","metadata":false},{"id":77393,"structure_id":13233,"section_number":"46.2-1028.1","catch_line":"Illuminated identification systems on certain emergency vehicles","url":"\/46.2-1028.1\/","token":"46.2\/III\/10\/3\/46.2-1028.1","metadata":false},{"id":63456,"structure_id":13233,"section_number":"46.2-1028.2","catch_line":"Auxiliary lights on public utility vehicles","url":"\/46.2-1028.2\/","token":"46.2\/III\/10\/3\/46.2-1028.2","metadata":false},{"id":70664,"structure_id":13233,"section_number":"46.2-1029","catch_line":"Auxiliary lights on law-enforcement vehicles","url":"\/46.2-1029\/","token":"46.2\/III\/10\/3\/46.2-1029","metadata":false},{"id":84510,"structure_id":13233,"section_number":"46.2-1029.1","catch_line":"Flashing of headlights on certain vehicles","url":"\/46.2-1029.1\/","token":"46.2\/III\/10\/3\/46.2-1029.1","metadata":false},{"id":72396,"structure_id":13233,"section_number":"46.2-1029.2","catch_line":"Certain vehicles may be equipped with secondary warning lights","url":"\/46.2-1029.2\/","token":"46.2\/III\/10\/3\/46.2-1029.2","metadata":false},{"id":74584,"structure_id":13233,"section_number":"46.2-1030","catch_line":"When lights to be lighted; number of lights to be lighted at any time; use of warning lights","url":"\/46.2-1030\/","token":"46.2\/III\/10\/3\/46.2-1030","metadata":false},{"id":61103,"structure_id":13233,"section_number":"46.2-1031","catch_line":"Requirements as to single-beam head lights","url":"\/46.2-1031\/","token":"46.2\/III\/10\/3\/46.2-1031","metadata":false},{"id":65624,"structure_id":13233,"section_number":"46.2-1032","catch_line":"Requirements as to multiple-beam headlights","url":"\/46.2-1032\/","token":"46.2\/III\/10\/3\/46.2-1032","metadata":false},{"id":54466,"structure_id":13233,"section_number":"46.2-1033","catch_line":"Indicator light required","url":"\/46.2-1033\/","token":"46.2\/III\/10\/3\/46.2-1033","metadata":false},{"id":73407,"structure_id":13233,"section_number":"46.2-1034","catch_line":"When dimming headlights required","url":"\/46.2-1034\/","token":"46.2\/III\/10\/3\/46.2-1034","metadata":false},{"id":75546,"structure_id":13233,"section_number":"46.2-1035","catch_line":"Dimming headlights on parked vehicles","url":"\/46.2-1035\/","token":"46.2\/III\/10\/3\/46.2-1035","metadata":false},{"id":62842,"structure_id":13233,"section_number":"46.2-1036","catch_line":"Acetylene lights on antique motor vehicles","url":"\/46.2-1036\/","token":"46.2\/III\/10\/3\/46.2-1036","metadata":false},{"id":81417,"structure_id":13233,"section_number":"46.2-1037","catch_line":"Lights on parked vehicles","url":"\/46.2-1037\/","token":"46.2\/III\/10\/3\/46.2-1037","metadata":false},{"id":80603,"structure_id":13233,"section_number":"46.2-1038","catch_line":"When turn signals required; exceptions","url":"\/46.2-1038\/","token":"46.2\/III\/10\/3\/46.2-1038","metadata":false},{"id":68552,"structure_id":13233,"section_number":"46.2-1039","catch_line":"Requirements of turn signals; regulations","url":"\/46.2-1039\/","token":"46.2\/III\/10\/3\/46.2-1039","metadata":false},{"id":77922,"structure_id":13233,"section_number":"46.2-1040","catch_line":"Hazard lights","url":"\/46.2-1040\/","token":"46.2\/III\/10\/3\/46.2-1040","metadata":false}],"previous_section":{"id":81417,"structure_id":13233,"section_number":"46.2-1037","catch_line":"Lights on parked vehicles","url":"\/46.2-1037\/","token":"46.2\/III\/10\/3\/46.2-1037","metadata":false},"next_section":{"id":68552,"structure_id":13233,"section_number":"46.2-1039","catch_line":"Requirements of turn signals; regulations","url":"\/46.2-1039\/","token":"46.2\/III\/10\/3\/46.2-1039","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/46.2-1038\/","history_text":"<p>The record of this law\u2019s original creation isn\u2019t available online. It has been modified 5 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 1954, chapter 44; in 1958, chapter 541; in 1962, chapter 255; in 1974, chapter 217; in 1989, chapter 727.<\/p>","references":[{"id":68552,"section_number":"46.2-1039","catch_line":"Requirements of turn signals; regulations","order_by":null,"url":"\/46.2-1039\/"},{"id":73069,"section_number":"46.2-1548","catch_line":"Transferable license plates","order_by":null,"url":"\/46.2-1548\/"},{"id":85594,"section_number":"46.2-1558","catch_line":"Issuance of temporary license plates to dealers and vehicle owners","order_by":null,"url":"\/46.2-1558\/"}],"refers_to":[{"id":77821,"section_number":"46.2-662","catch_line":"Temporary exemption for new resident operating vehicle registered in another state or country","order_by":null,"url":"\/46.2-662\/"},{"id":57778,"section_number":"46.2-849","catch_line":"How signals given","order_by":null,"url":"\/46.2-849\/"}],"permalink":{"id":229551,"object_type":"law","relational_id":80603,"identifier":"46.2-1038","token":"46.2\/III\/10\/3\/46.2-1038","url":"\/46.2-1038\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/46.2-1038\/","token":"46.2\/III\/10\/3\/46.2-1038","dublin_core":{"Title":"When turn signals required; exceptions","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 46.2-1038","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section id=\"A\"><p><span class=\"prefix-number\">A.<\/span> Any <span class=\"dictionary\">motor vehicle<\/span>, <span class=\"dictionary\">trailer<\/span>, or <span class=\"dictionary\">semitrailer<\/span> which is so constructed or carries a load in such a manner as to prevent a hand and arm signal required in &#xA7; <a class=\"law\" title=\"How signals given\" href=\"\/46.2-849\/\">46.2-849<\/a> from being visible both to the front and rear of such <span class=\"dictionary\">motor vehicle<\/span>, <span class=\"dictionary\">trailer<\/span>, or <span class=\"dictionary\">semitrailer<\/span> or any vehicle the <span class=\"dictionary\">driver<\/span> 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 <span class=\"dictionary\">Superintendent<\/span>. A <span class=\"dictionary\">tractor truck<\/span>, however, need not be equipped with electrical turn signals on the rear if it is equipped with double faced signal <span class=\"dictionary\">lights<\/span> mounted on the front fenders or on the sides near the front of the vehicle clearly visible to the rear. <a id=\"paragraph-288918\" class=\"section-permalink\" href=\"https:\/\/vacode.org\/46.2-1038\/#A\"><i class=\"fa fa-link\"><\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section id=\"B\"><p><span class=\"prefix-number\">B.<\/span> It shall be unlawful for any person to drive on any <span class=\"dictionary\">highway<\/span> a <span class=\"dictionary\">motor vehicle<\/span> 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. <a id=\"paragraph-288919\" class=\"section-permalink\" href=\"https:\/\/vacode.org\/46.2-1038\/#B\"><i class=\"fa fa-link\"><\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section id=\"C\"><p><span class=\"prefix-number\">C.<\/span> Any such turn signal may be used in lieu of the hand and arm signal required by &#xA7; <a class=\"law\" title=\"How signals given\" href=\"\/46.2-849\/\">46.2-849<\/a>. <a id=\"paragraph-288920\" class=\"section-permalink\" href=\"https:\/\/vacode.org\/46.2-1038\/#C\"><i class=\"fa fa-link\"><\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section id=\"D\"><p><span class=\"prefix-number\">D.<\/span> Subsections A and B of this section shall not apply to any <span class=\"dictionary\">motorcycle<\/span>. The provisions of this section shall not apply to <span class=\"dictionary\">motor vehicles<\/span>, <span class=\"dictionary\">trailers<\/span>, or <span class=\"dictionary\">semitrailers<\/span> used for agricultural or horticultural purposes and exempted from registration under Article 6 (&#xA7; <a class=\"law\" title=\"Temporary exemption for new resident operating vehicle registered in another state or country\" href=\"\/46.2-662\/\">46.2-662<\/a> et seq.) of Chapter 6 of this title. <a id=\"paragraph-288921\" class=\"section-permalink\" href=\"https:\/\/vacode.org\/46.2-1038\/#D\"><i class=\"fa fa-link\"><\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>","plain_text":"                                 CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nWHEN TURN SIGNALS REQUIRED; EXCEPTIONS (\u00a7 46.2-1038)\n\nA. Any motor vehicle, trailer, or semitrailer which is so constructed or carries\na load in such a manner as to prevent a hand and arm signal required in &#xA7;\n46.2-849 from being visible both to the front and rear of such motor vehicle,\ntrailer, or semitrailer or any vehicle the driver of which is incapable of\ngiving the required hand and arm signals, shall be equipped with electrical turn\nsignals which meet the requirements of this title and are of a type that has\nbeen approved by the Superintendent. A tractor truck, however, need not be\nequipped with electrical turn signals on the rear if it is equipped with double\nfaced signal lights mounted on the front fenders or on the sides near the front\nof the vehicle clearly visible to the rear.\n\nB. It shall be unlawful for any person to drive on any highway a motor vehicle\nregistered in the Commonwealth and manufactured or assembled after January 1,\n1955, unless such vehicle is equipped with such turn signals on both front and\nrear.\n\nC. Any such turn signal may be used in lieu of the hand and arm signal required\nby &#xA7; 46.2-849.\n\nD. Subsections A and B of this section shall not apply to any motorcycle. The\nprovisions of this section shall not apply to motor vehicles, trailers, or\nsemitrailers used for agricultural or horticultural purposes and exempted from\nregistration under Article 6 (&#xA7; 46.2-662 et seq.) of Chapter 6 of this\ntitle.\n\nHISTORY: Code 1950, \u00a7 46-302; 1954, c. 44; 1958, c. 541, \u00a7 46.1-298; 1962, c.\n255; 1974, c. 217; 1989, c. 727.","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}}