Speed limits are most definitely one of the last things people consider when it comes to traveling to a state with as much history and natural beauty as Virginia. However, the state’s traffic authority has set out stringent guidelines that must be abided by in order to avoid fines, points added to your license, insurance increases, and even potentially jail time.
If you are planning on moving to the Old Dominion State, simply driving there for a vacation, or maybe just driving through the state or commuting through to reach North Carolina, or perhaps even Maryland, knowing the speed limits in Virginia is such vital information to have and follow.
Having knowledge of the correct speed limits is not only about avoiding potential punishment, it is also, and more importantly about driving safely to prevent accidents and injury of other motorists or passersby. Driving within a safe and legal speed limit helps reduce the possibility of crashes, promotes efficient use of the road, and saves you from fines and potential license suspension.
So, what is the speed limit in Virginia? Well, traffic laws, including speed limits and other motor vehicle-related laws, are established by the Virginia Department of Transportation. Unlike the majority of other states, Virginia follows the “basic speeding law”, and the “presumed speed limits” law. Although the basic speeding law is common practice in most states, the presumed speed limits are pretty unique to Virginia.
Virginia Basic Speeding Laws
The basic speeding law prohibits driving “at a speed greater than is reasonable and prudent under the conditions and having regard to the actual hazards then existing”. Simply put: motorists must always drive at a safe speed for the conditions and environment they are driving in.
For example, if you were driving down a 30 mph road in Virginia, during a dark and rainy day, where road visibility is clearly poor, and the road itself is slippery and unsafe, you would be required to slow down your speed significantly less than the signed limit due to the weather and road conditions being considered dangerous. Failure to do so will likely result in fines, license points, and even worse punishments.
Actual and Basic VA Speed Limits
As mentioned previously, as most states have “absolute speed limits”, which is a simple concept, so, this means that what you see is what you get, a signed limit of 30 mph means that you must travel at this limit or less. If you drive faster than the signed speed limit, you will have violated the law. Here are the absolute VA speed limits:
- 35 mph is the speed limit in residential areas (always double-check the posted speed limit).
- School zones all have a speed limit of 25mph when speed limit beacons are flashing.
- Construction zones on interstates/highways are generally between 45 mph to 55 mph – look for the temporary signs.
- 55 mph is the maximum speed limit for undivided roads.
- 60 mph is the maximum speed limit for divided roads.
- The urban highway speed limit in Virginia is 65 mph.
- Rural highways in Virginia are 70 mph.
- What is the highest speed limit in Virginia? Interstate highways and rural interstates in Virginia are 70 mph, trucks that drive on an interstate highway must abide by the limit of 70 mph too (Virginia truck speed limit).
When driving through residential areas and not a state highway, something to be aware of is schools. As mentioned previously, these areas often have temporarily and permanently lowered speed limits and enforce these limits very strictly. You don’t want to receive a hefty fine or, more importantly, endanger children.
Fines and License Points
Violating Virginia’s basic speeding law will usually cost you a fine of $51, however, this is dependent on the location in which the violation took place, with the addition of $6 + $7 for each mph over the speed limit the driver was going.
Speeding in a residential zone will land you with a $51 processing fee, with the addition of the fine ($200 + $8 for each mph over the limit). Speeding in a school zone will also involve a $51 processing fee and the fine is $8 for each mph over the speed limit, with the additional fine of up to $250.
Not only will you receive a ticket and subsequent fines for committing a speeding violation, but points will also likely be added to your license too. Here are all of the speeding and driving violations that will result in points being added to your license in Virginia:
Virginia Speeding Ticket Points | Total Points |
---|---|
Driving while intoxicated | 6 |
Under 21 driving after consuming alcohol | 6 |
Reckless driving | 6 |
Speeding 20 mph or more over limit | 6 |
Racing | 6 |
Failure to yield right of way | 4 |
Speeding 10 to 19 mph over limit | 4 |
Following too closely | 4 |
Failure to stop before entering highway | 4 |
Aggressive driving | 4 |
Improper driving (lower than reckless) | 3 |
Speeding 1 to 9 mph over limit | 3 |
Improper passing | 3 |
Failure to obey traffic sign | 3 |
When visiting, passing through, or relocating your family to the state of Virginia, it is understandable to have your mind focused on fun things to do. Although, knowing what is the speed limit in Virginia is – and adhering to the signed limits – will ensure your time is well spent and minimize the chance of you being fined or getting into an accident.