{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/46.2-870.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/46.2-870.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/46.2-870.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/46.2-870.html"}],"law_id":59540,"edition_id":1,"section_id":59540,"structure_id":14992,"section_number":"46.2-870","catch_line":"Maximum speed limits generally","history":"Code 1950, \u00a7 46-212; 1950, p. 881; 1952, c. 666; 1954, c. 244; 1956, c. 364; 1958, c. 541, \u00a7\u00a7 46.1-193, 46.1-401; 1960, c. 153; 1962, c. 307; 1964, cc. 118, 408; 1966, c. 85; 1968, c. 641; 1972, cc. 89, 546, 553, 608; 1974, c. 528; 1975, c. 533; 1977, c. 577; 1978, c. 605; 1980, c. 347; 1986, c. 639; 1988, cc. 662, 897; 1989, cc. 276, 526, 727; 1992, c. 598; 1994, c. 423; 1996, c. 1; 1998, cc. 546, 560; 1999, c. 142; 2001, c. 298; 2002, c. 872; 2003, c. 838; 2004, c. 696; 2005, cc. 266, 267, 268; 2006, c. 213; 2007, cc. 222, 544; 2010, cc. 26, 56; 2014, c. 91; 2018, cc. 160, 339, 340, 345.","full_text":"Except as otherwise provided in this article, the maximum speed limit shall be 55 miles per hour on interstate highways or other limited access highways with divided roadways, nonlimited access highways having four or more lanes, and all state primary highways.\n\t\tThe maximum speed limit on all other highways shall be 55 miles per hour if the vehicle is a passenger motor vehicle, bus, pickup or panel truck, or a motorcycle, but 45 miles per hour on such highways if the vehicle is a truck, tractor truck, or combination of vehicles designed to transport property, or is a motor vehicle being used to tow a vehicle designed for self-propulsion, or a house trailer.\n\t\tNotwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this section, the maximum speed limit shall be 70 miles per hour where indicated by lawfully placed signs, erected subsequent to a traffic engineering study and analysis of available and appropriate accident and law-enforcement data, on (i) interstate highways; (ii) multilane, divided, limited access highways; and (iii) high-occupancy vehicle lanes if such lanes are physically separated from regular travel lanes. The maximum speed limit shall be 60 miles per hour where indicated by lawfully placed signs, erected subsequent to a traffic engineering study and analysis of available and appropriate accident and law-enforcement data, on U.S. Route 17, U.S. Route 23, U.S. Route 29, U.S. Route 58, U.S. Alternate Route 58, U.S. Route 301, U.S. Route 360, U.S. Route 460, U.S. Route 501 between the Town of South Boston and the North Carolina state line, State Route 3, and State Route 207 where such routes are nonlimited access, multilane, divided highways.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":218119,"text":"Except as otherwise provided in this article, the maximum speed limit shall be 55 miles per hour on interstate highways or other limited access highways with divided roadways, nonlimited access highways having four or more lanes, and all state primary highways.\n\t\tThe maximum speed limit on all other highways shall be 55 miles per hour if the vehicle is a passenger motor vehicle, bus, pickup or panel truck, or a motorcycle, but 45 miles per hour on such highways if the vehicle is a truck, tractor truck, or combination of vehicles designed to transport property, or is a motor vehicle being used to tow a vehicle designed for self-propulsion, or a house trailer.\n\t\tNotwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this section, the maximum speed limit shall be 70 miles per hour where indicated by lawfully placed signs, erected subsequent to a traffic engineering study and analysis of available and appropriate accident and law-enforcement data, on (i) interstate highways; (ii) multilane, divided, limited access highways; and (iii) high-occupancy vehicle lanes if such lanes are physically separated from regular travel lanes. The maximum speed limit shall be 60 miles per hour where indicated by lawfully placed signs, erected subsequent to a traffic engineering study and analysis of available and appropriate accident and law-enforcement data, on U.S. Route 17, U.S. Route 23, U.S. Route 29, U.S. Route 58, U.S. Alternate Route 58, U.S. Route 301, U.S. Route 360, U.S. Route 460, U.S. Route 501 between the Town of South Boston and the North Carolina state line, State Route 3, and State Route 207 where such routes are nonlimited access, multilane, divided highways.","type":"section","prefixes":[""],"prefix":"","entire_prefix":"","prefix_anchor":"","level":1}},"ancestry":[{"id":14992,"edition_id":1,"name":"Speed","identifier":"8","label":"article","depth":4,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12875,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:51:21","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:51:21","permalink":{"id":230961,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":14992,"identifier":"8","token":"46.2\/III\/8\/8","url":"\/46.2\/III\/8\/8\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12875,"edition_id":1,"name":"Regulation of Traffic","identifier":"8","label":"chapter","depth":3,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12827,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:43:58","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:43:58","permalink":{"id":230189,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12875,"identifier":"8","token":"46.2\/III\/8","url":"\/46.2\/III\/8\/","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":59540,"structure_id":14992,"section_number":"46.2-870","catch_line":"Maximum speed limits generally","url":"\/46.2-870\/","token":"46.2\/III\/8\/8\/46.2-870","metadata":false},{"id":80123,"structure_id":14992,"section_number":"46.2-871","catch_line":"Maximum speed limit for school buses","url":"\/46.2-871\/","token":"46.2\/III\/8\/8\/46.2-871","metadata":false},{"id":58764,"structure_id":14992,"section_number":"46.2-872","catch_line":"Maximum speed limits for vehicles operating under special permits","url":"\/46.2-872\/","token":"46.2\/III\/8\/8\/46.2-872","metadata":false},{"id":79719,"structure_id":14992,"section_number":"46.2-873","catch_line":"Maximum speed limits at school crossings; penalty","url":"\/46.2-873\/","token":"46.2\/III\/8\/8\/46.2-873","metadata":false},{"id":79726,"structure_id":14992,"section_number":"46.2-873.1","catch_line":"Maximum speed limit on nonsurface-treated highways","url":"\/46.2-873.1\/","token":"46.2\/III\/8\/8\/46.2-873.1","metadata":false},{"id":68019,"structure_id":14992,"section_number":"46.2-873.2","catch_line":"Maximum speed limit on rural rustic roads","url":"\/46.2-873.2\/","token":"46.2\/III\/8\/8\/46.2-873.2","metadata":false},{"id":82131,"structure_id":14992,"section_number":"46.2-874","catch_line":"Maximum speed limit in business and residence districts","url":"\/46.2-874\/","token":"46.2\/III\/8\/8\/46.2-874","metadata":false},{"id":78886,"structure_id":14992,"section_number":"46.2-874.1","catch_line":"Authority to increase penalties in residence districts","url":"\/46.2-874.1\/","token":"46.2\/III\/8\/8\/46.2-874.1","metadata":false},{"id":73270,"structure_id":14992,"section_number":"46.2-875","catch_line":"Maximum speed limit on certain other highways in cities and towns","url":"\/46.2-875\/","token":"46.2\/III\/8\/8\/46.2-875","metadata":false},{"id":67188,"structure_id":14992,"section_number":"46.2-876","catch_line":"Maximum speed limit for passenger vehicles towing certain trailers","url":"\/46.2-876\/","token":"46.2\/III\/8\/8\/46.2-876","metadata":false},{"id":66235,"structure_id":14992,"section_number":"46.2-877","catch_line":"Minimum speed limits","url":"\/46.2-877\/","token":"46.2\/III\/8\/8\/46.2-877","metadata":false},{"id":81825,"structure_id":14992,"section_number":"46.2-878","catch_line":"Authority to change speed limits","url":"\/46.2-878\/","token":"46.2\/III\/8\/8\/46.2-878","metadata":false},{"id":57192,"structure_id":14992,"section_number":"46.2-878.1","catch_line":"Maximum speed limits in highway work zones; penalty","url":"\/46.2-878.1\/","token":"46.2\/III\/8\/8\/46.2-878.1","metadata":false},{"id":79416,"structure_id":14992,"section_number":"46.2-878.2","catch_line":"Maximum speed limits in certain residence districts of counties, cities, and towns; penalty","url":"\/46.2-878.2\/","token":"46.2\/III\/8\/8\/46.2-878.2","metadata":false},{"id":68556,"structure_id":14992,"section_number":"46.2-878.2:1","catch_line":"Maximum speed limits on certain roads","url":"\/46.2-878.2_1\/","token":"46.2\/III\/8\/8\/46.2-878.2_1","metadata":false},{"id":79911,"structure_id":14992,"section_number":"46.2-878.3","catch_line":"Prepayment of fines for violations of speed limits","url":"\/46.2-878.3\/","token":"46.2\/III\/8\/8\/46.2-878.3","metadata":false},{"id":87029,"structure_id":14992,"section_number":"46.2-879","catch_line":"No conviction for speeding in certain areas unless markers installed","url":"\/46.2-879\/","token":"46.2\/III\/8\/8\/46.2-879","metadata":false},{"id":59223,"structure_id":14992,"section_number":"46.2-881","catch_line":"Special speed limitation on bridges, tunnels and interstates","url":"\/46.2-881\/","token":"46.2\/III\/8\/8\/46.2-881","metadata":false},{"id":78936,"structure_id":14992,"section_number":"46.2-882","catch_line":"Determining speed with various devices; certificate as to accuracy of device; arrest without warrant","url":"\/46.2-882\/","token":"46.2\/III\/8\/8\/46.2-882","metadata":false},{"id":74055,"structure_id":14992,"section_number":"46.2-882.1","catch_line":"Use of photo speed monitoring devices in highway work zones, school crossing zones, and high-risk intersection segments; civil penalty","url":"\/46.2-882.1\/","token":"46.2\/III\/8\/8\/46.2-882.1","metadata":false},{"id":79089,"structure_id":14992,"section_number":"46.2-883","catch_line":"Signs indicating legal rate of speed and measurement of speed by radar","url":"\/46.2-883\/","token":"46.2\/III\/8\/8\/46.2-883","metadata":false}],"next_section":{"id":80123,"structure_id":14992,"section_number":"46.2-871","catch_line":"Maximum speed limit for school buses","url":"\/46.2-871\/","token":"46.2\/III\/8\/8\/46.2-871","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/46.2-870\/","history_text":"

The record of this law\u2019s original creation isn\u2019t available online. It has been modified 33 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 1952, chapter 666; in 1954, chapter 244; in 1956, chapter 364; in 1958, chapter 541; in 1960, chapter 153; in 1962, chapter 307; in 1964, chapters 118 and 408; in 1966, chapter 85; in 1968, chapter 641; in 1972, chapters 89, 546, 553, and 608; in 1974, chapter 528; in 1975, chapter 533; in 1977, chapter 577; in 1978, chapter 605; in 1980, chapter 347; in 1986, chapter 639; in 1988, chapters 662 and 897; in 1989, chapters 276, 526, and 727; in 1992, chapter 598; in 1994, chapter 423<\/a>; in 1996, chapter 1<\/a>; in 1998, chapters 546<\/a> and 560<\/a>; in 1999, chapter 142<\/a>; in 2001, chapter 298<\/a>; in 2002, chapter 872<\/a>; in 2003, chapter 838<\/a>; in 2004, chapter 696<\/a>; in 2005, chapters 266<\/a>, 267<\/a>, and 268<\/a>; in 2006, chapter 213<\/a>; in 2007, chapters 222<\/a> and 544<\/a>; in 2010, chapters 26<\/a> and 56<\/a>; in 2014, chapter 91<\/a>; in 2018, chapters 160<\/a>, 339<\/a>, 340<\/a>, and 345<\/a>.<\/p>","references":[{"id":60928,"section_number":"46.2-373","catch_line":"Report by law-enforcement official investigating accident","order_by":null,"url":"\/46.2-373\/"},{"id":79059,"section_number":"46.2-397","catch_line":"Suspension of license for certain violations while transporting explosives, inflammable gas or liquid","order_by":null,"url":"\/46.2-397\/"},{"id":64733,"section_number":"46.2-868.1","catch_line":"Aggressive driving; penalties","order_by":null,"url":"\/46.2-868.1\/"},{"id":81825,"section_number":"46.2-878","catch_line":"Authority to change speed limits","order_by":null,"url":"\/46.2-878\/"}],"refers_to":false,"permalink":{"id":230963,"object_type":"law","relational_id":59540,"identifier":"46.2-870","token":"46.2\/III\/8\/8\/46.2-870","url":"\/46.2-870\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/46.2-870\/","token":"46.2\/III\/8\/8\/46.2-870","dublin_core":{"Title":"Maximum speed limits generally","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 46.2-870","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

Except as otherwise provided in this article, the maximum speed limit shall be 55 miles per hour on interstate highways<\/span><\/span> or other limited access highways<\/span><\/span> with divided roadways<\/span>, nonlimited access highways<\/span><\/span> having four or more lanes<\/span>, and all state primary highways<\/span><\/span>.\n\t\tThe maximum speed limit on all other highways<\/span><\/span> shall be 55 miles per hour if the vehicle is a passenger motor vehicle<\/span>, bus, pickup or panel truck<\/span>, or a motorcycle<\/span>, but 45 miles per hour on such highways<\/span><\/span> if the vehicle is a truck, tractor truck<\/span>, or combination of vehicles<\/span> designed to transport property, or is a motor vehicle<\/span> being used to tow a vehicle designed for self-propulsion, or a house trailer<\/span>.\n\t\tNotwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this section, the maximum speed limit shall be 70 miles per hour where indicated by lawfully placed signs, erected subsequent to a traffic engineering study and analysis of available and appropriate accident and law<\/span>-enforcement data, on (i) interstate highways<\/span><\/span>; (ii) multilane, divided, limited access highways<\/span><\/span>; and (iii) high-occupancy vehicle lanes<\/span> if such lanes<\/span> are physically separated from regular travel lanes<\/span>. The maximum speed limit shall be 60 miles per hour where indicated by lawfully placed signs, erected subsequent to a traffic engineering study and analysis of available and appropriate accident and law<\/span>-enforcement data, on U.S. Route 17, U.S. Route 23, U.S. Route 29, U.S. Route 58, U.S. Alternate Route 58, U.S. Route 301, U.S. Route 360, U.S. Route 460, U.S. Route 501 between the Town of South Boston and the North Carolina state line, State Route 3, and State Route 207 where such routes are nonlimited access, multilane, divided highways<\/span><\/span>.<\/p><\/section>","plain_text":" CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nMAXIMUM SPEED LIMITS GENERALLY (\u00a7 46.2-870)\n\nExcept as otherwise provided in this article, the maximum speed limit shall be\n55 miles per hour on interstate highways or other limited access highways with\ndivided roadways, nonlimited access highways having four or more lanes, and all\nstate primary highways.\n\t\tThe maximum speed limit on all other highways shall be 55 miles per hour if\nthe vehicle is a passenger motor vehicle, bus, pickup or panel truck, or a\nmotorcycle, but 45 miles per hour on such highways if the vehicle is a truck,\ntractor truck, or combination of vehicles designed to transport property, or is\na motor vehicle being used to tow a vehicle designed for self-propulsion, or a\nhouse trailer.\n\t\tNotwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this section, the maximum speed\nlimit shall be 70 miles per hour where indicated by lawfully placed signs,\nerected subsequent to a traffic engineering study and analysis of available and\nappropriate accident and law-enforcement data, on (i) interstate highways; (ii)\nmultilane, divided, limited access highways; and (iii) high-occupancy vehicle\nlanes if such lanes are physically separated from regular travel lanes. The\nmaximum speed limit shall be 60 miles per hour where indicated by lawfully\nplaced signs, erected subsequent to a traffic engineering study and analysis of\navailable and appropriate accident and law-enforcement data, on U.S. Route 17,\nU.S. Route 23, U.S. Route 29, U.S. Route 58, U.S. Alternate Route 58, U.S. Route\n301, U.S. Route 360, U.S. Route 460, U.S. Route 501 between the Town of South\nBoston and the North Carolina state line, State Route 3, and State Route 207\nwhere such routes are nonlimited access, multilane, divided highways.\n\nHISTORY: Code 1950, \u00a7 46-212; 1950, p. 881; 1952, c. 666; 1954, c. 244; 1956,\nc. 364; 1958, c. 541, \u00a7\u00a7 46.1-193, 46.1-401; 1960, c. 153; 1962, c. 307; 1964,\ncc. 118, 408; 1966, c. 85; 1968, c. 641; 1972, cc. 89, 546, 553, 608; 1974, c.\n528; 1975, c. 533; 1977, c. 577; 1978, c. 605; 1980, c. 347; 1986, c. 639; 1988,\ncc. 662, 897; 1989, cc. 276, 526, 727; 1992, c. 598; 1994, c. 423; 1996, c. 1;\n1998, cc. 546, 560; 1999, c. 142; 2001, c. 298; 2002, c. 872; 2003, c. 838;\n2004, c. 696; 2005, cc. 266, 267, 268; 2006, c. 213; 2007, cc. 222, 544; 2010,\ncc. 26, 56; 2014, c. 91; 2018, cc. 160, 339, 340, 345.","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}}