{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/46.2-882.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/46.2-882.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/46.2-882.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/46.2-882.html"}],"law_id":78936,"edition_id":1,"section_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","history":"Code 1950, \u00a7 46-215.2; 1954, c. 313; 1956, c. 216; 1958, c. 541, \u00a7 46.1-198; 1966, c. 585; 1968, c. 497; 1974, c. 554; 1984, c. 357; 1986, c. 530; 1988, c. 712; 1989, c. 727; 1990, cc. 691, 974; 1991, c. 345; 1994, c. 734; 1997, c. 33; 1998, c. 423; 1999, cc. 693, 694, 698, 724, 729, 733; 2000, cc. 354, 357, 365; 2002, c. 109; 2003, cc. 608, 965; 2006, c. 930; 2007, c. 231; 2020, c. 1232.","full_text":"The speed of any motor vehicle may be determined by the use of (i) a laser speed determination device, (ii) radar, (iii) a microcomputer device that is physically connected to an odometer cable and both measures and records distance traveled and elapsed time to determine the average speed of a motor vehicle, or (iv) a microcomputer device that is located aboard an airplane or helicopter and measures and records distance traveled and elapsed time to determine the average speed of a motor vehicle being operated on highways within the Interstate System of highways as defined in \u00a7 33.2-100. The speed of motor vehicles may be determined by the use of a photo speed monitoring device as authorized in \u00a7 46.2-882.1. The results of such determinations shall be accepted as prima facie evidence of the speed of such motor vehicle in any court or legal proceeding where the speed of the motor vehicle is at issue.\n\t\tIn any court or legal proceeding in which any question arises about the calibration or accuracy of any laser speed determination device, radar, microcomputer device, or photo speed monitoring device as described in this section used to determine the speed of any motor vehicle, a certificate, or a true copy thereof, showing the calibration or accuracy of (a) the speedometer of any vehicle, (b) any tuning fork employed in calibrating or testing the radar or other speed determination device, or (c) any other method employed in calibrating or testing any laser speed determination device or photo speed monitoring device, and when and by whom the calibration was made, shall be admissible as evidence of the facts therein stated. No calibration or testing of any device other than a photo speed monitoring device shall be valid for longer than six months. No calibration or testing of a photo speed monitoring device shall be valid for longer than 12 months.\n\t\tThe driver of any such motor vehicle may be arrested without a warrant under this section if the arresting officer is in uniform and displays his badge of authority and if the officer has observed the registration of the speed of such motor vehicle by the laser speed determination device, radar, or microcomputer device as described in this section, or has received a radio message from the officer who observed the speed of the motor vehicle registered by the laser speed determination device, radar, or microcomputer device as described in this section. However, in case of an arrest based on such a message, such radio message shall have been dispatched immediately after the speed of the motor vehicle was registered and furnished the license number or other positive identification of the vehicle and the registered speed to the arresting officer.\n\t\tNeither State Police officers nor local law-enforcement officers shall use laser speed determination devices or radar, as described herein in airplanes or helicopters for the purpose of determining the speed of motor vehicles.\n\t\tState Police officers may use laser speed determination devices, radar, and\/or microcomputer devices as described in this section. All localities may use radar and laser speed determination devices to measure speed. State Police officers and local law-enforcement may use photo speed monitoring devices to measure speed as authorized in \u00a7 46.2-882.1. The Cities of Alexandria, Fairfax, Falls Church, Manassas, and Manassas Park and the Counties of Arlington, Fairfax, Loudoun, and Prince William and towns within such counties may use microcomputer devices as described in this section.\n\t\tThe Division of Purchases and Supply, pursuant to \u00a7 2.2-1112, shall determine the proper equipment used to determine the speed of motor vehicles and shall advise the respective law-enforcement officials of the same. Police chiefs and sheriffs shall ensure that all such equipment and devices purchased on or after July 1, 1986, meet or exceed the standards established by the Division.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":282757,"text":"The speed of any motor vehicle may be determined by the use of (i) a laser speed determination device, (ii) radar, (iii) a microcomputer device that is physically connected to an odometer cable and both measures and records distance traveled and elapsed time to determine the average speed of a motor vehicle, or (iv) a microcomputer device that is located aboard an airplane or helicopter and measures and records distance traveled and elapsed time to determine the average speed of a motor vehicle being operated on highways within the Interstate System of highways as defined in \u00a7 33.2-100. The speed of motor vehicles may be determined by the use of a photo speed monitoring device as authorized in \u00a7 46.2-882.1. The results of such determinations shall be accepted as prima facie evidence of the speed of such motor vehicle in any court or legal proceeding where the speed of the motor vehicle is at issue.\n\t\tIn any court or legal proceeding in which any question arises about the calibration or accuracy of any laser speed determination device, radar, microcomputer device, or photo speed monitoring device as described in this section used to determine the speed of any motor vehicle, a certificate, or a true copy thereof, showing the calibration or accuracy of (a) the speedometer of any vehicle, (b) any tuning fork employed in calibrating or testing the radar or other speed determination device, or (c) any other method employed in calibrating or testing any laser speed determination device or photo speed monitoring device, and when and by whom the calibration was made, shall be admissible as evidence of the facts therein stated. No calibration or testing of any device other than a photo speed monitoring device shall be valid for longer than six months. No calibration or testing of a photo speed monitoring device shall be valid for longer than 12 months.\n\t\tThe driver of any such motor vehicle may be arrested without a warrant under this section if the arresting officer is in uniform and displays his badge of authority and if the officer has observed the registration of the speed of such motor vehicle by the laser speed determination device, radar, or microcomputer device as described in this section, or has received a radio message from the officer who observed the speed of the motor vehicle registered by the laser speed determination device, radar, or microcomputer device as described in this section. However, in case of an arrest based on such a message, such radio message shall have been dispatched immediately after the speed of the motor vehicle was registered and furnished the license number or other positive identification of the vehicle and the registered speed to the arresting officer.\n\t\tNeither State Police officers nor local law-enforcement officers shall use laser speed determination devices or radar, as described herein in airplanes or helicopters for the purpose of determining the speed of motor vehicles.\n\t\tState Police officers may use laser speed determination devices, radar, and\/or microcomputer devices as described in this section. All localities may use radar and laser speed determination devices to measure speed. State Police officers and local law-enforcement may use photo speed monitoring devices to measure speed as authorized in \u00a7 46.2-882.1. The Cities of Alexandria, Fairfax, Falls Church, Manassas, and Manassas Park and the Counties of Arlington, Fairfax, Loudoun, and Prince William and towns within such counties may use microcomputer devices as described in this section.\n\t\tThe Division of Purchases and Supply, pursuant to \u00a7 2.2-1112, shall determine the proper equipment used to determine the speed of motor vehicles and shall advise the respective law-enforcement officials of the same. Police chiefs and sheriffs shall ensure that all such equipment and devices purchased on or after July 1, 1986, meet or exceed the standards established by the Division.","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}],"previous_section":{"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},"next_section":{"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},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/46.2-882\/","history_text":"<p>The record of this law\u2019s original creation isn\u2019t available online. It has been modified 22 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 313; in 1956, chapter 216; in 1958, chapter 541; in 1966, chapter 585; in 1968, chapter 497; in 1974, chapter 554; in 1984, chapter 357; in 1986, chapter 530; in 1988, chapter 712; in 1989, chapter 727; in 1990, chapters 691 and 974; in 1991, chapter 345; in 1994, chapter <a href=\"https:\/\/legacylis.virginia.gov\/cgi-bin\/legp604.exe?941+ful+CHAP0734\">734<\/a>; in 1997, chapter <a href=\"https:\/\/legacylis.virginia.gov\/cgi-bin\/legp604.exe?971+ful+CHAP0033\">33<\/a>; in 1998, chapter <a href=\"https:\/\/legacylis.virginia.gov\/cgi-bin\/legp604.exe?981+ful+CHAP0423\">423<\/a>; in 1999, chapters <a href=\"https:\/\/legacylis.virginia.gov\/cgi-bin\/legp604.exe?991+ful+CHAP0693\">693<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/legacylis.virginia.gov\/cgi-bin\/legp604.exe?991+ful+CHAP0694\">694<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/legacylis.virginia.gov\/cgi-bin\/legp604.exe?991+ful+CHAP0698\">698<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/legacylis.virginia.gov\/cgi-bin\/legp604.exe?991+ful+CHAP0724\">724<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/legacylis.virginia.gov\/cgi-bin\/legp604.exe?991+ful+CHAP0729\">729<\/a>, and <a href=\"https:\/\/legacylis.virginia.gov\/cgi-bin\/legp604.exe?991+ful+CHAP0733\">733<\/a>; in 2000, chapters <a href=\"https:\/\/legacylis.virginia.gov\/cgi-bin\/legp604.exe?001+ful+CHAP0354\">354<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/legacylis.virginia.gov\/cgi-bin\/legp604.exe?001+ful+CHAP0357\">357<\/a>, and <a href=\"https:\/\/legacylis.virginia.gov\/cgi-bin\/legp604.exe?001+ful+CHAP0365\">365<\/a>; in 2002, chapter <a href=\"https:\/\/legacylis.virginia.gov\/cgi-bin\/legp604.exe?021+ful+CHAP0109\">109<\/a>; in 2003, chapters <a href=\"https:\/\/legacylis.virginia.gov\/cgi-bin\/legp604.exe?031+ful+CHAP0608\">608<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/legacylis.virginia.gov\/cgi-bin\/legp604.exe?031+ful+CHAP0965\">965<\/a>; in 2006, chapter <a href=\"https:\/\/legacylis.virginia.gov\/cgi-bin\/legp604.exe?061+ful+CHAP0930\">930<\/a>; in 2007, chapter <a href=\"https:\/\/legacylis.virginia.gov\/cgi-bin\/legp604.exe?071+ful+CHAP0231\">231<\/a>; in 2020, chapter <a href=\"https:\/\/legacylis.virginia.gov\/cgi-bin\/legp604.exe?201+ful+CHAP1232\">1232<\/a>.<\/p>","references":[{"id":81448,"section_number":"2.2-1112","catch_line":"Standardization of materials, equipment and supplies","order_by":null,"url":"\/2.2-1112\/"},{"id":56835,"section_number":"46.2-920","catch_line":"Certain vehicles exempt from regulations in certain situations; exceptions and additional requirements","order_by":null,"url":"\/46.2-920\/"},{"id":54198,"section_number":"9.1-102","catch_line":"Powers and duties of the Board and the Department","order_by":null,"url":"\/9.1-102\/"}],"refers_to":[{"id":81448,"section_number":"2.2-1112","catch_line":"Standardization of materials, equipment and supplies","order_by":null,"url":"\/2.2-1112\/"},{"id":63006,"section_number":"33.2-100","catch_line":"Definitions","order_by":null,"url":"\/33.2-100\/"},{"id":74055,"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","order_by":null,"url":"\/46.2-882.1\/"}],"permalink":{"id":231035,"object_type":"law","relational_id":78936,"identifier":"46.2-882","token":"46.2\/III\/8\/8\/46.2-882","url":"\/46.2-882\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/46.2-882\/","token":"46.2\/III\/8\/8\/46.2-882","dublin_core":{"Title":"Determining speed with various devices; certificate as to accuracy of device; arrest without warrant","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 46.2-882","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section><p>The speed of any <span class=\"dictionary\">motor vehicle<\/span> may be determined by the use of (i) a laser speed determination device, (ii) radar, (iii) a microcomputer device that is physically connected to an odometer cable and both measures and records distance traveled and elapsed time to determine the average speed of a <span class=\"dictionary\">motor vehicle<\/span>, or (iv) a microcomputer device that is located aboard an airplane or helicopter and measures and records distance traveled and elapsed time to determine the average speed of a <span class=\"dictionary\">motor vehicle<\/span> being operated on <span class=\"dictionary\"><span class=\"dictionary\">highways<\/span><\/span> within the Interstate System of <span class=\"dictionary\"><span class=\"dictionary\">highways<\/span><\/span> as defined in \u00a7&nbsp;<a class=\"law\" title=\"Definitions\" href=\"\/33.2-100\/\">33.2-100<\/a>. The speed of <span class=\"dictionary\">motor vehicles<\/span> may be determined by the use of a photo speed monitoring device as authorized in \u00a7&nbsp;<a class=\"law\" title=\"Use of photo speed monitoring devices in highway work zones, school crossing zones, and high-risk intersection segments; civil penalty\" href=\"\/46.2-882.1\/\">46.2-882.1<\/a>. The results of such determinations shall be accepted as prima facie <span class=\"dictionary\">evidence<\/span> of the speed of such <span class=\"dictionary\">motor vehicle<\/span> in any <span class=\"dictionary\">court<\/span> or legal proceeding where the speed of the <span class=\"dictionary\">motor vehicle<\/span> is at <span class=\"dictionary\">issue<\/span>.\n\t\tIn any <span class=\"dictionary\">court<\/span> or legal proceeding in which any question arises about the calibration or accuracy of any laser speed determination device, radar, microcomputer device, or photo speed monitoring device as described in this section used to determine the speed of any <span class=\"dictionary\">motor vehicle<\/span>, a certificate, or a true copy thereof, showing the calibration or accuracy of (a) the speedometer of any vehicle, (b) any tuning fork employed in calibrating or testing the radar or other speed determination device, or (c) any other method employed in calibrating or testing any laser speed determination device or photo speed monitoring device, and when and by whom the calibration was made, shall be <span class=\"dictionary\">admissible<\/span> as <span class=\"dictionary\">evidence<\/span> of the <span class=\"dictionary\">facts<\/span> therein stated. No calibration or testing of any device other than a photo speed monitoring device shall be valid for longer than six months. No calibration or testing of a photo speed monitoring device shall be valid for longer than 12 months.\n\t\tThe <span class=\"dictionary\">driver<\/span> of any such <span class=\"dictionary\">motor vehicle<\/span> may be arrested without a warrant under this section if the arresting officer is in uniform and displays his badge of authority and if the officer has observed the registration of the speed of such <span class=\"dictionary\">motor vehicle<\/span> by the laser speed determination device, radar, or microcomputer device as described in this section, or has received a radio message from the officer who observed the speed of the <span class=\"dictionary\">motor vehicle<\/span> registered by the laser speed determination device, radar, or microcomputer device as described in this section. However, in case of an <span class=\"dictionary\">arrest<\/span> based on such a message, such radio message shall have been dispatched immediately after the speed of the <span class=\"dictionary\">motor vehicle<\/span> was registered and furnished the license number or other positive identification of the vehicle and the registered speed to the arresting officer.\n\t\tNeither State Police officers nor local <span class=\"dictionary\"><span class=\"dictionary\">law<\/span>-enforcement officers<\/span> shall use laser speed determination devices or radar, as described herein in airplanes or helicopters for the purpose of determining the speed of <span class=\"dictionary\">motor vehicles<\/span>.\n\t\tState Police officers may use laser speed determination devices, radar, and\/or microcomputer devices as described in this section. All localities may use radar and laser speed determination devices to measure speed. State Police officers and local <span class=\"dictionary\">law<\/span>-enforcement may use photo speed monitoring devices to measure speed as authorized in \u00a7&nbsp;<a class=\"law\" title=\"Use of photo speed monitoring devices in highway work zones, school crossing zones, and high-risk intersection segments; civil penalty\" href=\"\/46.2-882.1\/\">46.2-882.1<\/a>. The Cities of Alexandria, Fairfax, Falls Church, Manassas, and Manassas Park and the Counties of Arlington, Fairfax, Loudoun, and Prince William and towns within such counties may use microcomputer devices as described in this section.\n\t\tThe Division of Purchases and Supply, pursuant to \u00a7&nbsp;<a class=\"law\" title=\"Standardization of materials, equipment and supplies\" href=\"\/2.2-1112\/\">2.2-1112<\/a>, shall determine the proper equipment used to determine the speed of <span class=\"dictionary\">motor vehicles<\/span> and shall advise the respective <span class=\"dictionary\">law<\/span>-enforcement officials of the same. Police chiefs and sheriffs shall ensure that all such equipment and devices purchased on or after July 1, 1986, meet or exceed the standards established by the Division.<\/p><\/section>","plain_text":"                                 CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nDETERMINING SPEED WITH VARIOUS DEVICES; CERTIFICATE AS TO ACCURACY OF DEVICE;\nARREST WITHOUT WARRANT (\u00a7 46.2-882)\n\nThe speed of any motor vehicle may be determined by the use of (i) a laser speed\ndetermination device, (ii) radar, (iii) a microcomputer device that is\nphysically connected to an odometer cable and both measures and records distance\ntraveled and elapsed time to determine the average speed of a motor vehicle, or\n(iv) a microcomputer device that is located aboard an airplane or helicopter and\nmeasures and records distance traveled and elapsed time to determine the average\nspeed of a motor vehicle being operated on highways within the Interstate System\nof highways as defined in \u00a7 33.2-100. The speed of motor vehicles may be\ndetermined by the use of a photo speed monitoring device as authorized in \u00a7\n46.2-882.1. The results of such determinations shall be accepted as prima facie\nevidence of the speed of such motor vehicle in any court or legal proceeding\nwhere the speed of the motor vehicle is at issue.\n\t\tIn any court or legal proceeding in which any question arises about the\ncalibration or accuracy of any laser speed determination device, radar,\nmicrocomputer device, or photo speed monitoring device as described in this\nsection used to determine the speed of any motor vehicle, a certificate, or a\ntrue copy thereof, showing the calibration or accuracy of (a) the speedometer of\nany vehicle, (b) any tuning fork employed in calibrating or testing the radar or\nother speed determination device, or (c) any other method employed in\ncalibrating or testing any laser speed determination device or photo speed\nmonitoring device, and when and by whom the calibration was made, shall be\nadmissible as evidence of the facts therein stated. No calibration or testing of\nany device other than a photo speed monitoring device shall be valid for longer\nthan six months. No calibration or testing of a photo speed monitoring device\nshall be valid for longer than 12 months.\n\t\tThe driver of any such motor vehicle may be arrested without a warrant under\nthis section if the arresting officer is in uniform and displays his badge of\nauthority and if the officer has observed the registration of the speed of such\nmotor vehicle by the laser speed determination device, radar, or microcomputer\ndevice as described in this section, or has received a radio message from the\nofficer who observed the speed of the motor vehicle registered by the laser\nspeed determination device, radar, or microcomputer device as described in this\nsection. However, in case of an arrest based on such a message, such radio\nmessage shall have been dispatched immediately after the speed of the motor\nvehicle was registered and furnished the license number or other positive\nidentification of the vehicle and the registered speed to the arresting officer.\n\t\tNeither State Police officers nor local law-enforcement officers shall use\nlaser speed determination devices or radar, as described herein in airplanes or\nhelicopters for the purpose of determining the speed of motor vehicles.\n\t\tState Police officers may use laser speed determination devices, radar, and\/or\nmicrocomputer devices as described in this section. All localities may use radar\nand laser speed determination devices to measure speed. State Police officers\nand local law-enforcement may use photo speed monitoring devices to measure\nspeed as authorized in \u00a7 46.2-882.1. The Cities of Alexandria, Fairfax, Falls\nChurch, Manassas, and Manassas Park and the Counties of Arlington, Fairfax,\nLoudoun, and Prince William and towns within such counties may use microcomputer\ndevices as described in this section.\n\t\tThe Division of Purchases and Supply, pursuant to \u00a7 2.2-1112, shall determine\nthe proper equipment used to determine the speed of motor vehicles and shall\nadvise the respective law-enforcement officials of the same. Police chiefs and\nsheriffs shall ensure that all such equipment and devices purchased on or after\nJuly 1, 1986, meet or exceed the standards established by the Division.\n\nHISTORY: Code 1950, \u00a7 46-215.2; 1954, c. 313; 1956, c. 216; 1958, c. 541, \u00a7\n46.1-198; 1966, c. 585; 1968, c. 497; 1974, c. 554; 1984, c. 357; 1986, c. 530;\n1988, c. 712; 1989, c. 727; 1990, cc. 691, 974; 1991, c. 345; 1994, c. 734;\n1997, c. 33; 1998, c. 423; 1999, cc. 693, 694, 698, 724, 729, 733; 2000, cc.\n354, 357, 365; 2002, c. 109; 2003, cc. 608, 965; 2006, c. 930; 2007, c. 231;\n2020, c. 1232.","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}}