Virginia Law

A. The transportation within or through this Commonwealth of alcoholic beverages lawfully purchased within this Commonwealth is prohibited, except upon a permit issued by the board, when in excess of the following limits:

1. Wine and beer. No limitation.

2. Alcoholic beverages other than those described in subdivision 1 of this subsection. Three gallons.

The transportation within, into, or through this Commonwealth of alcoholic beverages lawfully purchased outside of this Commonwealth is prohibited, except upon a permit issued by the board, when in excess of the following limits:

Alcoholic beverages, including wine and beer. Three gallons.

If satisfied that the proposed transportation is otherwise lawful, the board shall issue a transportation permit, which shall accompany the alcoholic beverages at all times to the final destination.

B. Commercial carriers desiring to engage regularly in the transportation of alcoholic beverages within, into, or through this Commonwealth shall, except as hereinafter noted, obtain a transportation permit from the board or otherwise possess acceptable documentation as required by the following provisions.

A transportation permit may be obtained by filing an application in writing upon forms furnished by the board. If satisfied that the proposed transportation is otherwise lawful, the board shall issue a transportation permit. Such permit shall not be transferable and shall authorize the carrier to engage in the regular transportation of alcoholic beverages upon condition that there shall accompany each such transporting vehicle a bill of lading or other memorandum describing the alcoholic beverages being transported and showing the names and addresses of the consignor and consignee, who shall be lawfully entitled to make and to receive the shipment. Such a bill of lading or other memorandum may serve as a transportation permit so long as it is made available for inspection to special agents of the board or any law-enforcement officer upon request.

C. The board may refuse, suspend, or revoke a carrier's transportation permit, including the use of a bill of lading or other memorandum as a transportation permit as provided in subsection B of this section, if it shall have reasonable cause to believe that alcoholic beverages have been illegally transported by such carrier or that such carrier has violated any condition of a permit. Before refusing, suspending, or revoking such permit, the board shall accord the carrier involved the same notice and opportunity to be heard and follow the same administrative procedures accorded an applicant or licensee under Title 4.1 of the Code of Virginia.

D. There shall be exempt from the requirements of this section:

1. Common carriers by water engaged in transporting lawfully acquired alcoholic beverages for a lawful consignor to a lawful consignee;

2. Persons transporting wine, beer, or cider purchased from the board or a licensee;

3. Persons transporting alcoholic beverages that may be manufactured and sold without a license;

4. A licensee transporting lawfully acquired alcoholic beverages he is authorized to sell in a vehicle owned or leased by the licensee;

5. Persons transporting alcoholic beverages to the board, or to licensees, provided that a bill of lading or a complete and accurate memorandum accompanies the shipment, and provided further, in the case of the licensee, that the merchandise is such as his license entitles him to sell;

6. Persons transporting alcoholic beverages as a part of their official duties as federal, state, or municipal officers or employees; and

7. Persons transporting lawfully acquired alcoholic beverages in a passenger vehicle, other than those alcoholic beverages referred to in subdivisions D 2 and D 3 of this section, provided the same are in the possession of the bona fide owners thereof and that no occupant of the vehicle possesses any alcoholic beverages in excess of the maximum limitations set forth in subsection A of this section.

E. This section shall not be construed to alter the one-gallon (four liters if any part is in a metric-sized container) limitation upon alcoholic beverages that may be brought into the Commonwealth pursuant to § 4.1-310 E of the Code of Virginia.