Virginia Law

Article 6. Exemptions from Registration.

A. A resident owner of any passenger car, pickup or panel truck, moped, autocycle, or motorcycle, other than those provided for in § 46.2-652, that has been duly registered for the current calendar year in another state or country and that at all times when operated in the Commonwealth displays the license plate or plates issued for the vehicle in the other state or country, may operate or permit the operation of the passenger car, pickup or panel truck, moped, autocycle, or motorcycle within or partly within the Commonwealth for the first 30 days of his residency in the Commonwealth without registering the passenger car, pickup or panel truck, moped, autocycle, or motorcycle or paying any fees to the Commonwealth.

B. In addition to any penalty authorized under this title, any locality may adopt an ordinance imposing a penalty of up to $250 upon the resident owner of any motor vehicle that, following the end of the 30-day period provided in subsection A, is required to be registered in Virginia but has not been so registered. The locality may impose the penalty upon the resident owner annually for as long as the motor vehicle remains unregistered in Virginia. The ordinance shall set forth a reasonable method for assessing and collecting the penalty, whether by civil, criminal, or administrative process, and shall identify the employees or agents of the locality who are to execute such assessment and collection.

1976, c. 17, § 46.1-41.1; 1980, c. 53; 1989, c. 727; 2013, cc. 347, 783; 2014, cc. 53, 256; 2016, c. 131.

No person shall be required to obtain the registration certificate, license plates, or decals for or pay a registration fee for any backhoe operated on any highway for a distance of no more than twenty miles from its operating base.

Code 1950, § 46-45; 1950, p. 693; 1952, c. 498; 1956, cc. 292, 568; 1958, c. 541, § 46.1-45; 1962, cc. 214, 535; 1964, c. 611; 1966, c. 654; 1968, c. 46; 1970, c. 192; 1972, c. 609; 1973, c. 495; 1978, c. 307; 1988, cc. 76, 568; 1989, c. 727; 2016, c. 142.

No person shall be required to obtain the registration certificate, license plates, or decals for or pay a registration fee for any vehicle on which is securely attached a machine for spraying fruit trees and other plants of the owner or lessee of the truck.

Code 1950, § 46-45; 1950, p. 693; 1952, c. 498; 1956, cc. 292, 568; 1958, c. 541, § 46.1-45; 1962, cc. 214, 535; 1964, c. 611; 1966, c. 654; 1968, c. 46; 1970, c. 192; 1972, c. 609; 1973, c. 495; 1978, c. 307; 1988, cc. 76, 568; 1989, c. 727; 2016, c. 142.

A. No person shall be required to obtain the registration certificate, license plates, or decals for or pay a registration fee for any motor vehicle, trailer, or semitrailer used exclusively for agricultural or horticultural purposes on lands owned or leased by the vehicle's owner.

B. This exemption shall only apply to (i) pickup or panel trucks; (ii) sport utility vehicles; (iii) vehicles other than pickup or panel trucks, sport utility vehicles, trailers, or semitrailers having a gross vehicle weight rating greater than 7,500 pounds; and (iv) trailers and semitrailers that are not operated on or over any public highway in the Commonwealth for any purpose other than:

1. Crossing a highway;

2. Operating along a highway for a distance of no more than 75 miles from one part of the owner's land to another, irrespective of whether the tracts adjoin;

3. Taking the vehicle or attached fixtures to and from a repair shop for repairs;

4. Taking another vehicle exempt from registration under any provision of §§ 46.2-664 through 46.2-668 or 46.2-672, or any part or subcomponent of such a vehicle, to or from a repair shop for repairs, including return trips;

5. Operating along a highway to and from a refuse disposal facility for the purpose of disposing of trash and garbage generated on a farm and incidental refuse from the farmer's or his employee's home;

6. Operating along a highway for a distance of no more than 75 miles for the purpose of obtaining supplies for agricultural or horticultural purposes, seeds, fertilizers, chemicals, or animal feed and returning; or

7. Transporting the vehicle's owner between his residence and the lands being used for agricultural or horticultural purposes.

C. The owner or lessee of a pickup or panel truck or sport utility vehicle claiming the exemption provided pursuant to this section shall be required to obtain a permanent farm use placard pursuant to § 46.2-684.2.

Code 1950, § 46-45; 1950, p. 693; 1952, c. 498; 1956, cc. 292, 568; 1958, c. 541, § 46.1-45; 1962, cc. 214, 535; 1964, c. 611; 1966, c. 654; 1968, c. 46; 1970, c. 192; 1972, c. 609; 1973, c. 495; 1978, c. 307; 1988, cc. 76, 568; 1989, c. 727; 1994, c. 253; 2000, c. 318; 2001, c. 327; 2010, c. 293; 2012, c. 174; 2013, c. 776; 2016, c. 142; 2017, c. 538; 2020, c. 781; 2022, cc. 51, 52; 2023, cc. 85, 86.

No person shall be required to obtain the registration certificate, license plates, or decals for or pay a registration fee prescribed for any motor vehicle, trailer, or semitrailer owned by the owner or lessee of a farm and used by him on a seasonal basis in transporting farm produce and livestock along public highways for a distance of no more than 75 miles or to a storage house, packing plant, or market. The provisions of this section shall only apply to (i) pickup or panel trucks; (ii) sport utility vehicles; (iii) vehicles other than pickup or panel trucks, sport utility vehicles, trailers, or semitrailers having a gross vehicle weight rating greater than 7,500 pounds; and (iv) trailers and semitrailers. The owner or lessee of a pickup or panel truck or sport utility vehicle claiming the exemption provided pursuant to this section shall be required to obtain a permanent farm use placard pursuant to § 46.2-684.2.

Code 1950, § 46-45; 1950, p. 693; 1952, c. 498; 1956, cc. 292, 568; 1958, c. 541, § 46.1-45; 1962, cc. 214, 535; 1964, c. 611; 1966, c. 654; 1968, c. 46; 1970, c. 192; 1972, c. 609; 1973, c. 495; 1978, c. 307; 1988, cc. 76, 568; 1989, c. 727; 1995, c. 126; 1998, c. 323; 2010, c. 293; 2012, c. 174; 2013, c. 776; 2016, c. 142; 2017, c. 538; 2022, cc. 51, 52; 2023, cc. 85, 86.

No person shall be required to obtain the registration certificate, license plates, or decals for or pay the prescribed fee for any farm machinery or tractor when operated on a highway (i) between one tract of land and another regardless of whether the land is owned by the same person or (ii) to and from a repair shop for repairs.

The owner or lessee of any farm machinery or tractor claiming the exemption provided pursuant to this section shall not be required to obtain a permanent farm use placard pursuant to § 46.2-684.2.

Code 1950, § 46-45; 1950, p. 693; 1952, c. 498; 1956, cc. 292, 568; 1958, c. 541, § 46.1-45; 1962, cc. 214, 535; 1964, c. 611; 1966, c. 654; 1968, c. 46; 1970, c. 192; 1972, c. 609; 1973, c. 495; 1978, c. 307; 1988, cc. 76, 568; 1989, c. 727; 1996, c. 55; 2000, c. 318; 2016, c. 142; 2023, cc. 85, 86.

A. No person shall be required to obtain the registration certificate, license plates, or decals for or pay a registration fee for any motor vehicle, trailer, or semitrailer which is validly registered in another state and bears valid license plates issued by that state when the use of the vehicle has been contracted for by the owner or lessee of a farm as an incidental part of the harvesting of a crop from his farm. This exemption shall only be valid while the vehicle is engaged principally in transporting farm produce from the farm:

1. As an incidental part of harvesting operations;

2. Along a public highway for a distance of not more than 20 miles to a storage house, packing plant, market, or transportation terminal;

3. When the use is a seasonal operation; and

4. When the owner of the vehicle has secured from the Commissioner an exemption permit for each vehicle.

B. The Commissioner, upon receipt of an application certifying that a vehicle is entitled to the exemption set forth in this subsection and, if the vehicle is a qualified highway vehicle under § 58.1-2700, payment of $150, shall issue an exemption permit on a form prescribed by him. The exemption permit shall be carried at all times by the operator of the vehicle for which it is issued or displayed in a conspicuous place on the vehicle. The exemption permit shall be valid for a period of 90 days from date of issue and shall be renewable by the procedure set forth in the foregoing provisions of this section.

Code 1950, § 46-45; 1950, p. 693; 1952, c. 498; 1956, cc. 292, 568; 1958, c. 541, § 46.1-45; 1962, cc. 214, 535; 1964, c. 611; 1966, c. 654; 1968, c. 46; 1970, c. 192; 1972, c. 609; 1973, c. 495; 1978, c. 307; 1988, cc. 76, 568; 1989, c. 727; 2003, c. 896; 2011, cc. 881, 889; 2016, c. 142.

No person shall be required to obtain the registration certificate, license plates, or decals for or pay a registration fee for any tractor, trailer, log cart, or similar vehicle owned by a sawmill operator when the vehicle is operated or moved:

1. Along a highway from one sawmill or sawmill site to another;

2. To or from a repair shop for repairs; or

3. Across a highway from one contiguous tract of land to another.

Code 1950, § 46-45; 1950, p. 693; 1952, c. 498; 1956, cc. 292, 568; 1958, c. 541, § 46.1-45; 1962, cc. 214, 535; 1964, c. 611; 1966, c. 654; 1968, c. 46; 1970, c. 192; 1972, c. 609; 1973, c. 495; 1978, c. 307; 1988, cc. 76, 568; 1989, c. 727; 2016, c. 142.

No person shall be required to obtain the registration certificate, license plates, or decals for or pay a registration fee for any motor vehicle, trailer, or semitrailer owned by a farm owner when the vehicle is operated or moved along a highway for no more than 75 miles between a sawmill or sawmill site and his farm to transport sawdust, wood shavings, slab wood, and other wood wastes. The provisions of this section shall only apply to (i) pickup or panel trucks; (ii) sport utility vehicles; (iii) vehicles other than pickup or panel trucks, sport utility vehicles, trailers, or semitrailers having a gross vehicle weight rating greater than 7,500 pounds; and (iv) trailers and semitrailers. The owner or lessee of a pickup or panel truck or sport utility vehicle claiming the exemption provided pursuant to this section shall be required to obtain a permanent farm use placard pursuant to § 46.2-684.2.

Code 1950, § 46-45; 1950, p. 693; 1952, c. 498; 1956, cc. 292, 568; 1958, c. 541, § 46.1-45; 1962, cc. 214, 535; 1964, c. 611; 1966, c. 654; 1968, c. 46; 1970, c. 192; 1972, c. 609; 1973, c. 495; 1978, c. 307; 1988, cc. 76, 568; 1989, c. 727; 2010, c. 293; 2012, c. 174; 2013, c. 776; 2016, c. 142; 2017, c. 538; 2022, cc. 51, 52; 2023, cc. 85, 86.

No person shall be required to obtain the registration certificate, certificate of title, license plates, or decals for or to pay a registration fee for any motor vehicle owned or leased by a maritime cargo terminal owner or operator and used to transport a seagoing container and operated along a highway on a route of no more than one mile approved by the Department.

2016, c. 379.

No person shall be required to obtain the registration certificate, license plates, or decals for or pay a registration fee for any motor vehicle, trailer, or semitrailer used at mines when operated on the highway for no more than twenty miles between mines or to or from a repair shop for repairs.

Code 1950, § 46-45; 1950, p. 693; 1952, c. 498; 1956, cc. 292, 568; 1958, c. 541, § 46.1-45; 1962, cc. 214, 535; 1964, c. 611; 1966, c. 654; 1968, c. 46; 1970, c. 192; 1972, c. 609; 1973, c. 495; 1978, c. 307; 1988, cc. 76, 568; 1989, c. 727; 2016, c. 142.

No person shall be required to obtain the registration certificate, license plates, or decals for or pay a registration fee for any motor vehicle or trailer, semitrailer, or fertilizer spreader drawn by a farm tractor used by a farmer, his tenant, agent or employee or a cotton ginner, peanut buyer, or fertilizer distributor to transport unginned cotton, peanuts, or fertilizer owned by the farmer, cotton ginner, peanut buyer, or fertilizer distributor from one farm to another, from farm to gin, from farm to dryer, from farm to market, or from fertilizer distributor to farm and on return to the distributor. The owner or lessee of a pickup or panel truck or sport utility vehicle claiming the exemption provided pursuant to this section shall be required to obtain a permanent farm use placard pursuant to § 46.2-684.2.

The provisions of this section shall not apply to vehicles operated on a for-hire basis.

Code 1950, § 46-45; 1950, p. 693; 1952, c. 498; 1956, cc. 292, 568; 1958, c. 541, § 46.1-45; 1962, cc. 214, 535; 1964, c. 611; 1966, c. 654; 1968, c. 46; 1970, c. 192; 1972, c. 609; 1973, c. 495; 1978, c. 307; 1988, cc. 76, 568; 1989, c. 727; 2016, c. 142; 2022, cc. 51, 52; 2023, cc. 85, 86.

No person shall be required to obtain the registration certificate, license plates, or decals for or pay a registration fee for any farm vehicle exempted from registration under the provisions of this article when that vehicle is:

1. Making a return trip from any marketplace;

2. Transporting back to a farm ordinary and essential food, including procuring a meal for a farmer or his employees, and other products for home and farm use while engaged in activities allowed in this chapter; or

3. Transporting supplies to the farm.

The owner or lessee of a pickup or panel truck or sport utility vehicle claiming the exemption provided pursuant to this section shall be required to obtain a permanent farm use placard pursuant to § 46.2-684.2.

Code 1950, § 46-45; 1950, p. 693; 1952, c. 498; 1956, cc. 292, 568; 1958, c. 541, § 46.1-45; 1962, cc. 214, 535; 1964, c. 611; 1966, c. 654; 1968, c. 46; 1970, c. 192; 1972, c. 609; 1973, c. 495; 1978, c. 307; 1988, cc. 76, 568; 1989, c. 727; 2016, c. 142; 2022, cc. 51, 52; 2023, cc. 85, 86.

No person shall be required to obtain the registration certificate, license plates, or decals for or pay a registration fee for any motor vehicle, trailer, boat trailer, or semitrailer, or any combination thereof not having a gross vehicle weight exceeding 12,000 pounds used by commercial fishermen, their agents, or employees for the purpose of:

1. Transporting boats or other equipment used in commercial fishing no more than 50 miles between his place of residence or business and the waters within the territorial limits of the Commonwealth or the adjacent marginal seas;

2. Any return trip to his place of residence or business; or

3. Transporting harvested seafood no more than 50 miles between the place where the seafood is first brought ashore and the transporter's place of business or the location of the seafood's first point of sale.

Code 1950, § 46-45; 1950, p. 693; 1952, c. 498; 1956, cc. 292, 568; 1958, c. 541, § 46.1-45; 1962, cc. 214, 535; 1964, c. 611; 1966, c. 654; 1968, c. 46; 1970, c. 192; 1972, c. 609; 1973, c. 495; 1978, c. 307; 1988, cc. 76, 568; 1989, c. 727; 1997, c. 500; 2013, c. 777; 2016, c. 142.

No person shall be required to obtain the registration certificate, license plates, or decals for or pay a registration fee prescribed for any motor vehicle engaged in coal mining operations or other types of mining and quarrying operations, if the sole function of the motor vehicle is to haul coal from mine to tipple or to haul other mined or quarried products from mine or quarry to a processing plant. The owner of the vehicle, however, shall first obtain, without charge, a permit from the Commissioner of Highways in any case in which the motor vehicle is required to cross the public highways. The Commissioner of Highways shall not issue the permit unless he is satisfied that the owner of the motor vehicle has, at his own expense, strengthened the highway crossing so that it will adequately bear the load and has provided adequate signs, lights, or flagmen as may be required for the protection of the public. Any damage done to the highways as a result of this operation shall be repaired in a manner satisfactory to the Commissioner of Highways at the expense of the vehicle's owner.

1970, c. 604, § 46.1-45.1; 1972, c. 609; 1989, c. 727; 2016, c. 142.

No person shall be required to obtain the registration certificate, license plates, or decals for or pay any registration fee for any golf cart or utility vehicle that either (i) is not operated on or over any public highway in the Commonwealth or (ii) is operated on or over a public highway as authorized by Article 13.1 (§ 46.2-916.1 et seq.) of Chapter 8.

1973, c. 194, § 46.1-45.2; 1980, c. 37; 1986, c. 220; 1987, cc. 151, 342, 388; 1989, c. 727; 1995, c. 670; 1996, c. 920; 1997, cc. 485, 783, 904; 1999, c. 211; 2002, cc. 44, 98; 2003, c. 105; 2004, c. 746; 2016, c. 142.

No person shall be required to obtain the registration certificate, license plates, or decals for or pay any registration fee for any self-propelled wheelchair or self-propelled wheelchair conveyance provided it is:

1. Operated by a person who is capable of operating it properly and safely but who, by reason of physical disability, is otherwise unable to move about as a pedestrian; and

2. Not operated on a public highway in this Commonwealth except to the extent necessary to cross the highway.

1973, c. 194, § 46.1-45.2; 1980, c. 37; 1986, c. 220; 1987, cc. 151, 342, 388; 1989, c. 727; 2016, c. 142.

A. No person shall be required to obtain the registration certificate, license plates, or decals for or pay a registration fee for any forklift truck provided it is:

1. Operated by a person holding a valid Virginia driver's license;

2. Operated along or across highways only in traveling from one plant, factory, or job site to another by the most direct route;

3. Not carrying or transporting any object or person, other than the driver;

4. Displaying a slow-moving vehicle emblem in conformity with § 46.2-1081;

5. In compliance with requirements of the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration;

6. Not operated on or along any limited access highway; and

7. Not operated for a distance of more than ten miles.

B. For the purposes of this section, "forklift truck" means a self-propelled machine used for hoisting and transporting heavy objects by means of steel fingers inserted under the load.

1973, c. 194, § 46.1-45.2; 1980, c. 37; 1986, c. 220; 1987, cc. 151, 342, 388; 1989, c. 727; 2016, c. 142.

No person shall be required to obtain the registration certificate, license plates, or decals for or pay a registration fee for any snowmobile.

1973, c. 194, § 46.1-45.2; 1980, c. 37; 1986, c. 220; 1987, cc. 151, 342, 388; 1989, c. 727; 2016, c. 142.

No person shall be required to obtain the registration certificate, license plate, or decals for or pay a registration fee for any all-terrain vehicle.

2006, c. 896; 2016, c. 142.

No person shall be required to obtain the registration certificate, license plate, or decals for or pay a registration fee for any off-road motorcycle.

2006, c. 896; 2016, c. 142.

No person shall be required to obtain the registration certificate, license plates, or decals for or pay a registration fee for any motor vehicle properly registered in Maryland and used for the purpose of hauling oyster shells for a distance of less than three miles on a public highway of this Commonwealth to navigable waters to be further transported by water to Maryland.

1974, c. 359, § 46.1-45.3; 1989, c. 727; 2016, c. 142.

Repealed by Acts 1999, c. 329.

Tractors, rollers, and other machinery used for highway purposes need not be registered under this chapter.

Code 1950, § 46-46; 1958, c. 541, § 46.1-47; 1989, c. 727.

Nothing in this chapter shall apply to machines known as traction engines or to any locomotives or electric cars operating on rails.

Code 1950, § 46-47; 1958, c. 541, § 46.1-48; 1989, c. 727.

It shall be unlawful for any vehicle exempted under this article from registration under this chapter to use the highways between sunset and sunrise unless it is equipped with lights as required by law.

1989, c. 727.

A. Any motor vehicle, trailer, or semi-trailer that is exempt from motor vehicle registration requirements pursuant to this article shall be insured under a general liability policy that includes personal injury liability insurance as defined in § 38.2-117 and property damage liability insurance as defined in § 38.2-118, under a policy of motor vehicle insurance as defined in § 38.2-124, or under an umbrella or excess insurance policy. Any such umbrella or excess insurance policy shall not be required to comply with the provisions of Chapter 22 (§ 38.2-2200 et seq.) of Title 38.2 of the Code of Virginia that relate to the ownership, maintenance, or use of the exempt motor vehicle, trailer, or semi-trailer.

B. Any person who owns a motor vehicle, trailer, or semi-trailer that is exempt from motor vehicle registration requirements pursuant to this article may be required by a law-enforcement officer to furnish proof that such motor vehicle, trailer, or semi-trailer is insured as required in subsection A. Failure to furnish proof of insurance when required by a law-enforcement officer as provided in this section within 30 days shall constitute a traffic infraction punishable by a $600 fine that shall be paid into the Uninsured Motorists Fund created pursuant to § 38.2-3000.

2005, c. 445; 2022, c. 736.

A. For the purposes of this section, "farm use placard" means a device containing letters, numerals, or a combination of both attached to a vehicle that is used for one of the exempt purposes set forth in § 46.2-665, 46.2-666, 46.2-670, 46.2-672, or 46.2-673.

B. An owner or lessee of a farm vehicle claiming an exemption for a farm vehicle provided pursuant to § 46.2-665, 46.2-666, 46.2-670, 46.2-672, or 46.2-673 shall obtain a farm use placard from the Department and display such placard on the vehicle at all times. The provisions of this section shall not apply to vehicles having a gross vehicle weight rating greater than 7,500 pounds, trailers, or semitrailers used exclusively as set forth in § 46.2-665, 46.2-666, 46.2-670, 46.2-672, or 46.2-673. Such farm use placard shall be permanent and valid for so long as the owner or lessee uses the vehicle for an exempt purpose and shall not require renewal.

C. Application for a permanent farm use placard shall be made on a form provided by the Department and shall require:

1. The name of the owner or lessee of the vehicle for which the exemption is claimed;

2. The approximate location and acreage of each farm on which the vehicle is to be used;

3. The type of agricultural commodities, poultry, dairy products, or livestock produced on such farms;

4. A statement, signed by the owner or lessee, that the vehicle shall only be used for one or more of the exempt purposes set forth in § 46.2-665, 46.2-666, 46.2-670, 46.2-672, or 46.2-673; and

5. A statement, signed by the owner or lessee, that the vehicle is an insured motor vehicle as defined in § 46.2-705 or is insured by a policy authorized pursuant to § 46.2-684.1.

Such application shall not request any additional information not required pursuant to this subsection. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the Department shall not release, except upon request by the farm use placard applicant, the guardian of such applicant, or the authorized agent of such applicant, or pursuant to a court order, any information obtained pursuant to this section.

D. The Department may charge a fee of $15 for a farm use placard. All fees collected by the Commissioner pursuant to this section shall be paid into the state treasury and set aside as a special fund to be used to meet the expenses of the Department.

E. Farm use placards are nontransferable.

F. An owner or lessee of a farm use vehicle shall return the farm use placard to the Department within 30 days of the vehicle ceasing to be used for one or more of the exempt purposes set forth in § 46.2-665, 46.2-666, 46.2-670, 46.2-672, or 46.2-673.

G. The Department shall not limit the number of placards that can be obtained at one time, provided the applicant is lawfully entitled to such placards.

2022, cc. 51, 52; 2023, cc. 85, 86.