Code of Virginia Code - Article 7. Horns, Sirens, and Whistles

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Code of Virginia
Title 46.2. Motor Vehicles
Chapter 10. Motor Vehicle and Equipment Safety

12/19/2024

Article 7. Horns, Sirens, and Whistles.

§ 46.2-1059. Horns.

Every motor vehicle driven on a highway shall be equipped with a working horn capable of emitting sound audible under normal conditions for at least 200 feet.

Code 1950, § 46-289; 1958, c. 541, § 46.1-283; 1989, c. 727.

§ 46.2-1060. Illegal sirens, whistles, etc.; unlawful use of warning devices; exceptions.

It shall be unlawful for any vehicle to be equipped with or for any person to use on any vehicle any siren or exhaust, compression or spark plug whistle, or horn except as may be authorized in this title. It shall be unlawful for any vehicle operated on a public highway to be equipped with any warning device that is not of a type that has been approved by the Superintendent. It shall further be unlawful for any person at any time to use a horn otherwise than as a reasonable warning or to make any unnecessary or unreasonably loud or harsh sound by means of a horn or other warning device. However, vehicles of common carriers or extraordinarily large and heavy vehicles may be equipped with such type of warning device as the Superintendent may require or permit.

Notwithstanding the provisions of this article, a siren, bell, or supplemental horn may be used on a vehicle as a noisemaker for an alarm system if the device is installed so as to prohibit actuation of the system by the driver while the vehicle is in motion.

Code 1950, § 46-290; 1958, c. 541, § 46.1-284; 1962, c. 146; 1970, c. 283; 1989, c. 727.

§ 46.2-1061. Sirens or exhaust whistles on emergency vehicles.

Every law-enforcement vehicle, every vehicle authorized to be equipped with warning lights pursuant to §§ 46.2-1022 and 46.2-1023 shall be equipped with a siren, exhaust whistle, or air horn designed to give automatically intermittent signals. Such devices shall be of types not prohibited by the Superintendent.

Code 1950, § 46-291; 1958, c. 541, § 46.1-285; 1960, c. 391; 1966, cc. 655, 664, 699; 1968, c. 89; 1980, c. 337; 1989, c. 727; 1990, c. 418.

§ 46.2-1062. Approval of warning devices.

The Superintendent may promulgate regulations relating to the construction, mounting, use, and number of warning devices for which there shall be an approval fee as prescribed in § 46.2-1008.

Code 1950, § 46-293; 1958, c. 541, § 46.1-286; 1989, c. 727.