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<law><site_title>Virginia Decoded</site_title><site_url>https://vacode.org</site_url><law_id>69860</law_id><section_number>46.2-865</section_number><catch_line>(Effective July 1, 2026) Racing or exhibition driving; definitions; penalties</catch_line><edition url="https://vacode.org/2025/" slug="2025" current="TRUE" last_updated="">2025</edition><referred_to_by><reference>46.2-384</reference><reference>46.2-394</reference><reference>46.2-492</reference><reference>46.2-865.1</reference><reference>46.2-866</reference><reference>46.2-867</reference><reference>46.2-867.1</reference></referred_to_by><structure><unit label="title" level="1" order_by="1" identifier="46.2">Motor Vehicles</unit><unit label="subtitle" level="2" order_by="1" identifier="III">Operation</unit><unit label="chapter" level="3" order_by="1" identifier="8">Regulation of Traffic</unit><unit label="article" level="4" order_by="1" identifier="7">Reckless Driving and Improper Driving</unit></structure><text>
						<section id="A"><p><span class="prefix-number">A.</span> As used in this article, unless the context requires a different meaning:
			&#x201C;<span class="dictionary">Exhibition driving</span>&#x201D; means the intentional performance of any of the following in close proximity to a group of two or more people: <a id="paragraph-252433" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/46.2-865/#A"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="A1" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">1.</span> Maintaining a <span class="dictionary">motor vehicle</span> in a stationary position by using the brake pedal or parking brake of such vehicle while simultaneously engaging the gas pedal, causing one set of wheels to spin or lose contact with the pavement; <a id="paragraph-252434" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/46.2-865/#A1"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="A2" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">2.</span> Operating a <span class="dictionary">motor vehicle</span> in an unnecessary manner that causes such vehicle to move in a manner inconsistent with the normal operation of such vehicle, such as zigzagging or spinning around in a circular pattern. &#x201C;<span class="dictionary">Exhibition driving</span>&#x201D; does not include operating a <span class="dictionary">motor vehicle</span> in an otherwise lawful manner and engaging in such described conduct as necessary to avoid collision, damage, or injury; <a id="paragraph-252435" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/46.2-865/#A2"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="A3" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">3.</span> Operating one or more <span class="dictionary">motor vehicles</span>, for the purpose of exhibiting the speed or power of such vehicle or vehicles, from a designated starting point to a designated ending point or over a common selected course, including drag racing; or <a id="paragraph-252436" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/46.2-865/#A3"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="A4" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">4.</span> Transporting a passenger on the hood or roof of the <span class="dictionary">motor vehicle</span>. <a id="paragraph-252437" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/46.2-865/#A4"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="B"><p><span class="prefix-number">B.</span> Any person who engages in a race between two or more <span class="dictionary">motor vehicles</span> on the <span class="dictionary"><span class="dictionary">highways</span></span> in the Commonwealth or on any driveway or premises of a church, school, recreational facility, or business property open to the public in the Commonwealth is guilty of <span class="dictionary">reckless driving</span>, unless authorized by the <span class="dictionary">owner</span> of the property or his <span class="dictionary">agent</span>. <a id="paragraph-252438" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/46.2-865/#B"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="C"><p><span class="prefix-number">C.</span> Any person who engages in <span class="dictionary">exhibition driving</span> on the <span class="dictionary"><span class="dictionary">highways</span></span> in the Commonwealth or on any driveway or premises of a church, school, recreational facility, or business property open to the public in the Commonwealth is guilty of <span class="dictionary">reckless driving</span>, unless authorized by the <span class="dictionary">owner</span> of the property or his <span class="dictionary">agent</span>. <a id="paragraph-252439" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/46.2-865/#C"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="D"><p><span class="prefix-number">D.</span> Any person who purposefully rides as a passenger on the hood or roof during any race or <span class="dictionary">exhibition driving</span> in violation of subsection B or C is guilty of a Class 3 <span class="dictionary">misdemeanor</span>. <a id="paragraph-252440" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/46.2-865/#D"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="E"><p><span class="prefix-number">E.</span> Any person who purposefully slows, stops, or impedes, or attempts to slow, stop, or impede, the movement of traffic, including pedestrian traffic, for the purpose of a race or <span class="dictionary">exhibition driving</span> in violation of subsection B or C is guilty of a Class 1 <span class="dictionary">misdemeanor</span>. <a id="paragraph-252441" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/46.2-865/#E"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="F"><p><span class="prefix-number">F.</span> When any person is convicted of <span class="dictionary">reckless driving</span> under subsection B, in addition to any other penalties provided by <span class="dictionary">law</span>, the <span class="dictionary">driver</span>&#x2019;s license of such person shall be suspended by the <span class="dictionary">court</span> for a period of not less than six months nor more than two years or the <span class="dictionary">court</span> may, in its discretion and for good cause shown, require that such person enroll in the Intelligent Speed Assistance Program established pursuant to &#xA7; <a class="law" title="(Effective July 1, 2026) Establishment of Intelligent Speed Assistance Program; penalty" href="/46.2-507/">46.2-507</a> for a period of not less than six months nor more than two years. In the case of <span class="dictionary">conviction</span>, the <span class="dictionary">court</span> shall <span class="dictionary">order</span> the surrender of the license to the <span class="dictionary">court</span> where it shall be disposed of in accordance with the provisions of &#xA7; <a class="law" title="(Effective July 1, 2026) Disposition of surrendered licenses on revocation or suspension" href="/46.2-398/">46.2-398</a>. No restricted license issued nor enrollment in the Intelligent Speed Assistance Program required pursuant to this section shall permit any person to operate a commercial <span class="dictionary">motor vehicle</span>, as that term is defined in &#xA7; <a class="law" title="Definitions" href="/46.2-341.4/">46.2-341.4</a>. <a id="paragraph-252442" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/46.2-865/#F"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="G"><p><span class="prefix-number">G.</span> When any person is convicted of an <span class="dictionary">offense</span> of <span class="dictionary">reckless driving</span> under subsection C, in addition to any other penalties provided by <span class="dictionary">law</span>, the <span class="dictionary">driver</span>&#x2019;s license of such person shall be suspended by the <span class="dictionary">court</span> for a period of up to six months. In the case of <span class="dictionary">conviction</span>, the <span class="dictionary">court</span> shall <span class="dictionary">order</span> the surrender of the license to the <span class="dictionary">court</span> where it shall be disposed of in accordance with the provisions of &#xA7; <a class="law" title="(Effective July 1, 2026) Disposition of surrendered licenses on revocation or suspension" href="/46.2-398/">46.2-398</a>. <a id="paragraph-252443" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/46.2-865/#G"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section></text><history>Code 1950, &#xA7; 46-209.2; 1956, c. 686; 1958, c. 541, &#xA7; 46.1-191; 1972, c. 33; 1984, c. 780; 1989, c. 727; 2025, cc. 648, 652.</history><metadata></metadata></law>
