Virginia criminal charge
Racing or exhibition driving in Virginia
Racing or exhibition driving is a criminal offense under Virginia law, defined by Va. Code Ann. § 46.2-865. Its classification is not fixed: Virginia assigns a different penalty class depending on the circumstances of the offense. The class that applies — and the sentencing range that follows from it — depends on which statutory variant fits the facts.
Defined by Va. Code Ann. § 46.2-865.
What is the penalty for racing or exhibition driving in Virginia?
| Penalty | Range | Basis | Authority |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fine | up to $500 (Passenger on hood or roof during race or exhibition driving — Purposefully riding as a passenger on the hood or roof of a vehicle during a race or exhibition driving violation under subsection B or C.; fine only — no jail (§ 18.2-11(c))) | discretionary | Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-11 |
| Jail / prison | up to 12 months (Impeding traffic for purpose of race or exhibition driving — Purposefully slowing, stopping, or impeding, or attempting to slow, stop, or impede, traffic including pedestrian traffic for the purpose of a race or exhibition driving violation under subsection B or C.) | discretionary | Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-11 |
| Fine | up to $2,500 (Impeding traffic for purpose of race or exhibition driving — Purposefully slowing, stopping, or impeding, or attempting to slow, stop, or impede, traffic including pedestrian traffic for the purpose of a race or exhibition driving violation under subsection B or C.; either or both with confinement (§ 18.2-11(a))) | discretionary | Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-11 |
Applies to current.
How is racing or exhibition driving classified in Virginia?
The classification depends on the circumstances:
| Variant | Classification | When it applies | Statute |
|---|---|---|---|
| Passenger on hood or roof during race or exhibition driving | Class 3 Misdemeanor | Purposefully riding as a passenger on the hood or roof of a vehicle during a race or exhibition driving violation under subsection B or C. | Va. Code Ann. § 46.2-865D |
| Impeding traffic for purpose of race or exhibition driving | Class 1 Misdemeanor | Purposefully slowing, stopping, or impeding, or attempting to slow, stop, or impede, traffic including pedestrian traffic for the purpose of a race or exhibition driving violation under subsection B or C. | Va. Code Ann. § 46.2-865E |
Common questions about racing or exhibition driving in Virginia
Is racing or exhibition driving a felony or a misdemeanor in Virginia?
It depends on the circumstances: racing or exhibition driving ranges from a class 3 misdemeanor to a class 1 misdemeanor in Virginia under Va. Code Ann. § 46.2-865.
Passenger on hood or roof during race or exhibition driving: class 3 misdemeanor (Va. Code Ann. § 46.2-865D) · Impeding traffic for purpose of race or exhibition driving: class 1 misdemeanor (Va. Code Ann. § 46.2-865E)
What are the penalties for racing or exhibition driving in Virginia?
Penalties for racing or exhibition driving in Virginia depend on how it is classified — from a class 3 misdemeanor up to a class 1 misdemeanor — with the ranges set by Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-11; the full table of ranges by variant is published on this page.
Which Virginia statute covers racing or exhibition driving?
Racing or exhibition driving is governed by Va. Code Ann. § 46.2-865 (Racing or exhibition driving; definitions; penalties).
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.