Virginia Law

A. All vehicles used for driver education or used for testing purposes shall be marked by a rooftop sign, in bold letters not less than two and one-half inches in height, clearly visible 100 feet from the front and rear, stating one of the following: "Student Driver," "Learner," "New Driver," "Driver Education" or "Caution-Student."

All vehicles used by a school shall display the name of the school, as shown on the school license, on the outside of the vehicle when engaged in driver education or when the vehicle is being used for testing purposes. The name of the school shall be included either on the rooftop sign or affixed to both sides of the vehicle.

B. No motor vehicle may be used for driver education unless it is in safe mechanical condition as defined in these regulations. Each vehicle used for driver education in a school shall have dual controls consisting of dual brakes, dual inside rearview mirror and right-hand and left-hand outside mirrors. Any training vehicle or vehicles used for instruction shall not be more than nine model years old. This model year requirement may be waived or altered on a case-by-case basis for vehicles specially equipped to accommodate disabled individuals. The driver training vehicle shall be equipped with a minimum of four safety belts.

C. The department may exempt any school teaching disabled individuals from the requirement to provide motor vehicles, on a case-by-case basis. The school may use a vehicle provided by the disabled student for their in-vehicle instruction in the event that it is cost prohibitive for the school to maintain certain specialized equipment or if such equipment is not readily installed and removed or if it provides necessary practical experience for the student in their own vehicle. When using a student's vehicle, the school shall require that the disabled student provide written verification from the company insuring the vehicle that it is aware that the vehicle will be used for driver training instruction and the insurance is in full force during such use.

The school shall also require the disabled student to provide a copy of the current liability insurance policy for the vehicle. The school shall maintain a copy of the current liability insurance policy covering such vehicle in the student's file. The school shall also send prior to beginning instruction a notice to the department, in a format prescribed by the department, stipulating the reasons for using the student's vehicle and the anticipated dates of instruction as well as a copy of the current liability insurance policy on the vehicle.

Any school that uses a disabled student's motor vehicle must ensure that such vehicle is in safe mechanical condition as defined in these regulations, and displays signage as specified under these regulations.

D. All motor vehicles used by a licensed school for in-vehicle instruction shall be inspected and approved by the department based on the criteria outlined in these regulations before being used for student instruction. All motor vehicles used by a licensed school for the purpose of taking the driving examination shall have a valid registration in the vehicle and be in safe mechanical condition, as defined in these regulations.