What Are the Dirt Bike Laws in Virginia? Learn Before Riding!

I live in West Virginia and meet my daily commuting demands with my street-legal dirt bike. It seems like a weekend touring friend to visit my beloved neighbors alongside the state. Fortunately, I haven’t faced any legal issues with my dirt bikes on the streets. However, it wasn’t an easy journey to make my old dirt bike street legal to operate on highways and city roads.

The Code of Virginia doesn’t allow all-terrain vehicles on public highways and residential roads. So, it is a tough task to make your dirt bike street-legal unless you know and follow the proper legal ways.

Don’t worry! Today, I will share everything about Virginia’s traffic rules and regulations for dirt bike ridings. And you can know the legal processes to make a dirt bike street legal here. Read on!

The Code of Virginia: Rules & Regulations for Dirt Bike Riding!

You must follow some sections of the Code of Virginia while planning to operate all-terrain dirt bikes on highways and public streets. Otherwise, it might be a punishable violation of the state traffic rules.

DOT-Approved Design

The recreational dirt bikes must be compatible with the prescribed design, shape, number, and location of the Virginia Department of Transportation. Then, the dirt bikes are operable on highways, city streets, and neighborhoods, according to sections 46.2-800.2(1). However, the state regional recreation authority warns OHV riders to ride on highways.

Driving License

No person cannot drive a motor vehicle on the public streets without having a valid driving license. If you don’t have a driving license, it would be a punishable offense under section 46.2-901. A driving license is one of the prerequisites to ride dirt bikes in neighborhoods also. The Department of Transportation issues valid driving licenses to ensure public safety on highways.

Wearing Helmets

The all-terrain recreational motorbike riders must wear safety helmets while operating in neighborhoods and open fields. And you must put on a helmet approved by the superintendent of police.

Virginia is one of the eighteen states of the USA where the riders and passengers are bound to wear safety helmets. Section 46.2-910 of the Virginia Motor Vehicle Code urges people to wear helmets to avoid penalties.

Riding Hour

In Virginia, the off-highway recreational dirt bikes are operable within only daylight. And it requires a headlight and taillights to ride at night. You shouldn’t disturb your neighbor while driving.

Decent Driving Speed

You must follow the speed limit under sections 46.2-874.1 to ride your dirt bike in residential areas and highways. Otherwise, you shall have to count fees as a penalty. The decent driving speed of motorbikes in the neighborhoods is twenty miles per hour. If you violate the speed limit, the civil penalty of $100 would be applicable according to the state traffic law.

Moreover, you cannot disregard the speed limit signs on highways to protect lives and properties. The speed limit violators on highways are bound to pay $500. So, follow speed signs and move on.

Safety Equipment

Section 46.2-912 defines safety equipment for off-highway vehicles to operate on highways. Riding a motor vehicle is prohibited without horns, headlights, rearview mirrors, taillights, etc. Therefore, no person can operate their dirt bike on highways without meeting the safety conditions. Like many other US states, it is a punishable violation in Virginia.

Haphazard Stopping

You cannot haphazardly stop your dirt bike on highways, city streets, and neighborhood roads in Virginia. It can cause fatal accidents on the busiest streets across the state. The law enforcement officers can fine you $20 or more under section 46.2-888 for violating rules and creating obstacles on the public streets. So, park your dirt bike in the particular parking zones.

Rules for Racing

No person can participate in dirt bike racing in residential areas, alongside schools, hospitals, baby homes, and churches. Section 46.2-865 prohibits racing in restricted areas. If traffic officers convict you as a reckless driver, your driving license can be suspended for six months to two years. So, don’t race in neighborhoods and restricted areas with your dirt bike.

Obeying Traffic Signals

Provision 46.2-833 of the Virginia Vehicle Code encourages drivers to follow traffic signals for safer moving. You must obey red-yellow-green signals to move or stop. You cannot violate the signals and endanger your and other lives on the streets. It is a punishable violation of the provision. You might pay up to $350 due to a traffic signal violation.

Riding on Sidewalks

The Virginia Motor Vehicle Department prohibits riding motorbikes on sidewalks. It can impede the movement of non-motorist vehicles, people with disabilities, and walkers. According to section 46.2-903, federal laws restrict the movement of motor-driven vehicles on side roads. However, it relaxes the provision in case of emergencies and crisis conditions.

Age Limit

Under provisions 46.2-810, no person under eighteen is eligible to operate a motor vehicle on highways. It also goes for dirt bikes, which are street legal in Virginia. However, the guys under sixteen can ride their dirt bikes on private property and dedicated racing grounds. And parents must monitor their beloved babies while operating recreational dirt bikes.

Traffic Safety Laws to Drive Dirt Bikes in Virginia

The Virginia Department of Transportation (DOT) implements a set of traffic safety rules to make the streets safe for all 24/7. You must know the current rules and upcoming changes to these traffic laws. You cannot intimidate, injure, and disturb on the streets while operating your dirt bike. The Virginia traffic laws strictly prohibit aggressive and reckless driving on highways, city streets, and neighborhoods.

Reckless driving is a serious criminal offense involving imprisonment and compensation or both. The law enforcement officers can charge you up to $2500, 12 months in jail, and six months of license cancellation.

The street-legal dirt bikes must have proper safety equipment (horns, headlights, taillights, brakes, rear view mirrors, improved exhaust, etc.). Otherwise, you cannot operate them in neighborhoods and streets.

Dirt bikes’ exhaust systems must be compatible with environmental standards. And the fuel system should be eco-friendly to save nature and future generations. So, upgrade the fuel and exhaust of your dirt bike. You must have a driving license to drive street-legal dirt bikes on highways. Virginia graduated licensing program permits 16 or more years of guys to have a valid driving license for motorbike riding.

The traffic safety rules restrict dirt bike riders from riding time on residential roads during sleeping hours and school. Don’t drive your dirt bike in neighborhoods in the early morning and late at night.

According to traffic safety laws, no persons can use a phone or other communicative devices while operating motor vehicles. So, you must be aware of using your cell phones while driving your dirt bike. It is illegal to attempt to elude traffic police officers in Virginia. If they show you signals to stop, you must stop there. It involves the scope of possible penalties for ignoring police officers’ calls.

You must carry all the required documents (license card, registration paper, and insurance card) to avoid unwanted enforcement on the streets. Don’t miss presenting the documents if needed.

Are Dirt Bikes Street-Legal in Virginia? Yes, Let’s see!

The Virginia Vehicle Code permits off-highway vehicles on public streets under strict guidance implemented by the Department of Transportation. Explore the ways of making dirt bikes street-legal.

According to Virginia Code 462-9151, you cannot ride your dirt bike in public places or private spaces unless receiving legal authorization. The Department of Transportation (DOT) demands the following equipment and legal endorsements to award dirt bike riders street-legal approval.

• Headlight: No dirt bike is street-legal on highways, neighboring roads, and public streets without DOT-approved headlights. The Virginia Code 46.2-1011 prohibits operating off-highway dirt bikes on highways without safety headlights.
• Tail Lights: Riding any motor vehicle on highways requires tail lights to avoid unavoidable collisions and accidents. The Department of Transportation doesn’t recognize any dirt bike street-legal without tail lights. You may learn more about tail light installations in the Virginia Code 46.2-1013.
• Indicator Lights: You must equip your dirt bike with safety indicator lights to safely turn and corner. It protects you from possible collisions from your fellow riders on highways and city streets.
• Horn: The Virginia Code 46.2-1059 urges for installation of horns to motor vehicles to operate on public streets. So, the Department of Transportation demands for safety horns to endorse dirt bikes as street-legal. Install the horns that emit audible sounds under normal conditions for at least 20 feet.
• Brakes: According to Virginia Code 46.2-1069, no vehicles are operable on highways without safety brakes. It is strictly prohibited to ride a dirt bike on public streets and neighborhoods without brakes. So, modify your dirt bikes with safe braking systems for front and rear tires.
• Tires: Upgrade your dirt bike tires according to the Society of Automotive Engineers standards under VA Code 46.2-1042. The tires must be compatible with the Federal Department of Transportation guidelines. And the American National Standard Institute endorses tires’ strength and quality.
• Rear View Mirrors: Don’t forget to install rear view mirrors on your dirt bike before applying for street-legal approval. The Department of Transportation (DOT) demands rearview mirrors covering at least 200 feet back. Get more in VA Code 46.2-1082 for rear-view mirror installations.
• Exhaust: Replace your dirt bike’s existing noisy exhaust system for street legality. And install an EPA-approved exhaust system for dent-free clean emission. The muffler must be in very good working condition for lower noise. And the exhaust installation would be under VA Code 46.2-1049.

What Are the Best Legal Places to Ride Dirt Bikes in Virginia?

Virginia is famous for all its beautiful natural landscapes: mountains, beaches, forests, and plain lands. The natural beauties attract dirt bike riders to enjoy their weekends. Let’s explore some legal trails for dirt bikes!

Trail Name	Address to Go	Condition to Ride
South Pedlar Trail	VA-130, Elon, VA 24572, United States	Authority Approval
Ridgeview Trail System	Haysi, VA 24256, United States	Authority Approval
Big Boys Playground	5347 N Valley Pike, Harrisonburg, VA 22802, United States	Authority Approval
Coal Canyon	California, USA	Authority Approval
Birch Creek Motorsports	12725 Kentuck Rd, Sutherlin, VA 24594, United States	Authority Approval
Virginia Highlands Horse Trails	Sugar Grove, VA 24375, USA	Authority Approval
Elkhorn Lake & Compound Inc	2500 Elkhorn Rd, Java, VA 24565, United States	Authority Approval
Charles City Dirt Riders	11865 Roxbury Rd, Charles City, VA 23030, United States	Authority Approval
Rocky Run Trail	12826 Mt Royal Ln, Fairfax, VA 22033, United States	Authority Approval
Moto Cove Trail	980 Cove Rd, Gore, VA 22637, United States	Authority Approval

Though these are dedicated all-terrain motorbike riding trails, you must obey the Virginia wildlife laws and protect yourself with the proper safety tools. And don’t violate the state traffic rules.

Frequently Learned Questions (FLQs): Read before Riding Dirt Bikes!

Like me, you may have the following questions about riding dirt bikes in Virginia. Get some legal learnings about dirt bike riding here. It is also important to know the legal issues to have dirt bike street legality.

Do I Need a Valid Driving License to Ride My Dirt Bike in Virginia?

You don’t need a valid driving license to ride your dirt bike on private properties. However, The VA Code 46.2-908.3 prohibits operating motor vehicles on highways and public streets without a valid driving license.

According to the state traffic laws, riding dirt bikes in public places without a driving license is a punishable criminal offense. The law enforcement officers can charge fees and proceed to imprisonment or both for the violation.

So, enroll your name in the drivers’ safety programs directed by the Virginia Department of Transportation and pass the examinations for achieving a valid driving license.

Should I Register My Dirt Bike for Street-legal Approval?

The Virginia Motor Vehicle Department declares no dirt bike street-legal without authority registration. It must have a title of certification for registering the all-terrain dirt bikes. Department of Motor Vehicle Registration inspects the title of certification and safety standards of the dirt bikes before awarding street-legal approval. You must modify your dirt bike with all required safety tools.

If you don’t register your dirt bike, the law enforcement officers can seize your motorbike from public places or highways under the VA Code 46.2-916. Besides, you cannot operate it on private property without the owner’s concern.

What Are the Dirt Bike Riding Speed Limits in Virginia?

The Department of Transportation (DOT) strictly stops high-speed reckless driving of motor vehicles on highways and city streets. And the Virginia Code has several sections prohibiting reckless driving.

Here, I will show you the dirt bike operating speed limits in different zones and areas.

Zone	Speed Limit
Highways	45MPH
City Streets	35MPH
Neighborhood Roads	20MPH
Rural Roads	35MPH
Streets beside schools, hospitals, and churches	20MPH
On bridges	40MPH

*N. B-Speed limit may change in emergencies.

Sources: Virginia Department of Transportation

Life is more valuable than time and sensation. So, be an ideal dirt bike rider with comfortable riding speed on city streets and highways. Don’t lose life and property! It is a punishable crime in the state laws’ eyes.

Last But Not the Least!

Virginia is one of the few US states that offer dirt bike riders street-legal approval under terms and conditions. However, the Virginia Code is rigorous in ensuring optimum public safety in every sphere of life. You cannot operate motor vehicles on highways or public places without the proper safety standards. And the violation of safety measures is a punishable offense in the state.

The Department of Transportation (DOT) discourages driving dirt bikes in neighborhoods without registration, license, and safety gear. However, don’t miss operating in the state-legal dedicated trails. Happy riding!