{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/46.2-104.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/46.2-104.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/46.2-104.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/46.2-104.html"}],"law_id":59128,"edition_id":1,"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","history":"Code 1950, \u00a7\u00a7 46-15, 46-80; 1958, c. 541, \u00a7 46.1-7; 1964, c. 205; 1972, c. 362; 1978, cc. 500, 605; 1984, c. 780; 1988, c. 74; 1989, c. 727; 2008, cc. 551, 691; 2009, c. 756; 2022, c. 183.","full_text":"The operator of any motor vehicle, trailer, or semitrailer being operated on the highways in the Commonwealth shall have in his possession: (i) the physical registration card issued by the Department or the registration card issued by the state or country in which the motor vehicle, trailer, or semitrailer is registered and (ii) his driver’s license, learner’s permit, or temporary driver’s permit.\n\t\tThe owner or operator of any motor vehicle, trailer, or semitrailer shall stop on the signal of any law-enforcement officer who is in uniform or shows his badge or other sign of authority and shall, on the officer’s request, exhibit his registration card, driver’s license, learner’s permit, or temporary driver’s permit and write his name in the presence of the officer, if so required, for the purpose of establishing his identity.\n\t\tEvery person licensed by the Department as a driver or issued a learner’s or temporary driver’s permit who fails to carry his license or permit, and the registration card for the vehicle which he operates, is guilty of a traffic infraction and upon conviction punished by a fine of $10. However, if any person summoned to appear before a court for failure to display his license, permit, or registration card presents, before the return date of the summons, to the court a license or permit issued to him prior to the time the summons was issued or a registration card, as the case may be, or appears pursuant to the summons and produces before the court a license or permit issued to him prior to the time the summons was issued or a registration card, as the case may be, he shall, upon payment of all applicable court costs, have complied with the provisions of this section.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":216820,"text":"The operator of any motor vehicle, trailer, or semitrailer being operated on the highways in the Commonwealth shall have in his possession: (i) the physical registration card issued by the Department or the registration card issued by the state or country in which the motor vehicle, trailer, or semitrailer is registered and (ii) his driver’s license, learner’s permit, or temporary driver’s permit.\n\t\tThe owner or operator of any motor vehicle, trailer, or semitrailer shall stop on the signal of any law-enforcement officer who is in uniform or shows his badge or other sign of authority and shall, on the officer’s request, exhibit his registration card, driver’s license, learner’s permit, or temporary driver’s permit and write his name in the presence of the officer, if so required, for the purpose of establishing his identity.\n\t\tEvery person licensed by the Department as a driver or issued a learner’s or temporary driver’s permit who fails to carry his license or permit, and the registration card for the vehicle which he operates, is guilty of a traffic infraction and upon conviction punished by a fine of $10. However, if any person summoned to appear before a court for failure to display his license, permit, or registration card presents, before the return date of the summons, to the court a license or permit issued to him prior to the time the summons was issued or a registration card, as the case may be, or appears pursuant to the summons and produces before the court a license or permit issued to him prior to the time the summons was issued or a registration card, as the case may be, he shall, upon payment of all applicable court costs, have complied with the provisions of this section.","type":"section","prefixes":[""],"prefix":"","entire_prefix":"","prefix_anchor":"","level":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":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},"next_section":{"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},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/46.2-104\/","history_text":"

The record of this law\u2019s original creation isn\u2019t available online. It has been modified 10 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 1964, chapter 205; in 1972, chapter 362; in 1978, chapters 500 and 605; in 1984, chapter 780; in 1988, chapter 74; in 1989, chapter 727; in 2008, chapters 551<\/a> and 691<\/a>; in 2009, chapter 756<\/a>; in 2022, chapter 183<\/a>.<\/p>","references":[{"id":68913,"section_number":"16.1-69.48:1","catch_line":"Fixed fee for misdemeanors, traffic infractions and other violations in district court; additional fees to be added","order_by":null,"url":"\/16.1-69.48_1\/"},{"id":78190,"section_number":"17.1-275.7","catch_line":"Fixed misdemeanor fee","order_by":null,"url":"\/17.1-275.7\/"}],"refers_to":false,"permalink":{"id":225315,"object_type":"law","relational_id":59128,"identifier":"46.2-104","token":"46.2\/I\/1\/46.2-104","url":"\/46.2-104\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/46.2-104\/","token":"46.2\/I\/1\/46.2-104","dublin_core":{"Title":"Possession of registration cards; exhibiting registration card and licenses; failure to carry license or registration card","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 46.2-104","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

The operator<\/span> of any motor vehicle<\/span>, trailer<\/span>, or semitrailer<\/span> being operated on the highways<\/span><\/span> in the Commonwealth shall have in his possession<\/span>: (i) the physical registration card issued by the Department<\/span> or the registration card issued by the state or country in which the motor vehicle<\/span>, trailer<\/span>, or semitrailer<\/span> is registered and (ii) his driver<\/span>’s license, learner’s permit, or temporary driver<\/span>’s permit.\n\t\tThe owner<\/span> or operator<\/span> of any motor vehicle<\/span>, trailer<\/span>, or semitrailer<\/span> shall stop on the signal of any law<\/span>-enforcement officer<\/span> who is in uniform or shows his badge or other sign of authority and shall, on the officer’s request, exhibit his registration card, driver<\/span>’s license, learner’s permit, or temporary driver<\/span>’s permit and write his name in the presence of the officer, if so required, for the purpose of establishing his identity.\n\t\tEvery person licensed by the Department<\/span> as a driver<\/span> or issued a learner’s or temporary driver<\/span>’s permit who fails to carry his license or permit, and the registration card for the vehicle which he operates, is guilty of a traffic infraction<\/span> and upon conviction<\/span> punished by a fine of $10. However, if any person summoned to appear before a court<\/span> for failure to display his license, permit, or registration card presents, before the return date of the summons<\/span>, to the court<\/span> a license or permit issued to him prior to the time the summons<\/span> was issued or a registration card, as the case may be, or appears pursuant to the summons<\/span> and produces before the court<\/span> a license or permit issued to him prior to the time the summons<\/span> was issued or a registration card, as the case may be, he shall, upon payment of all applicable court<\/span> costs, have complied with the provisions of this section.<\/p><\/section>","plain_text":" CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nPOSSESSION OF REGISTRATION CARDS; EXHIBITING REGISTRATION CARD AND LICENSES;\nFAILURE TO CARRY LICENSE OR REGISTRATION CARD (\u00a7 46.2-104)\n\nThe operator of any motor vehicle, trailer, or semitrailer being operated on the\nhighways in the Commonwealth shall have in his possession: (i) the physical\nregistration card issued by the Department or the registration card issued by\nthe state or country in which the motor vehicle, trailer, or semitrailer is\nregistered and (ii) his driver’s license, learner’s permit, or\ntemporary driver’s permit.\n\t\tThe owner or operator of any motor vehicle, trailer, or semitrailer shall stop\non the signal of any law-enforcement officer who is in uniform or shows his\nbadge or other sign of authority and shall, on the officer’s request,\nexhibit his registration card, driver’s license, learner’s permit,\nor temporary driver’s permit and write his name in the presence of the\nofficer, if so required, for the purpose of establishing his identity.\n\t\tEvery person licensed by the Department as a driver or issued a\nlearner’s or temporary driver’s permit who fails to carry his\nlicense or permit, and the registration card for the vehicle which he operates,\nis guilty of a traffic infraction and upon conviction punished by a fine of $10.\nHowever, if any person summoned to appear before a court for failure to display\nhis license, permit, or registration card presents, before the return date of\nthe summons, to the court a license or permit issued to him prior to the time\nthe summons was issued or a registration card, as the case may be, or appears\npursuant to the summons and produces before the court a license or permit issued\nto him prior to the time the summons was issued or a registration card, as the\ncase may be, he shall, upon payment of all applicable court costs, have complied\nwith the provisions of this section.\n\nHISTORY: Code 1950, \u00a7\u00a7 46-15, 46-80; 1958, c. 541, \u00a7 46.1-7; 1964, c. 205;\n1972, c. 362; 1978, cc. 500, 605; 1984, c. 780; 1988, c. 74; 1989, c. 727; 2008,\ncc. 551, 691; 2009, c. 756; 2022, c. 183.","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}}