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Virginia criminal charge

Improper driving in Virginia

traffic infractionCurrent through 2026 Virginia legislative session

Improper driving is a traffic infraction under Virginia criminal law, defined by Va. Code Ann. § 46.2-869. As a traffic infraction, it is punishable within the statutory sentencing range Virginia sets for that offense class. Virginia classifies offenses as Class 1 through Class 6 felonies and Class 1 through Class 4 misdemeanors (Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-9), with the standard punishment ranges set by §§ 18.2-10 and 18.2-11 — and a substantial number of offenses are unclassified, with the penalty stated in the defining section itself. Traffic infractions are not criminal offenses (§ 18.2-8).

Defined by Va. Code Ann. § 46.2-869.

Common questions about improper driving in Virginia

Is improper driving a felony or a misdemeanor in Virginia?

Improper driving is a traffic infraction in Virginia under Va. Code Ann. § 46.2-869.

Which Virginia statute covers improper driving?

Improper driving is governed by Va. Code Ann. § 46.2-869 (Improper driving; penalty).

Legal terms used in this law

This reference is informational and is not legal advice. Penalty ranges are the statutory classification ranges; sentencing in a specific case depends on its facts and history.