{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2026\/code-json\/46.2-1079.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2026\/code-text\/46.2-1079.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2026\/code-xml\/46.2-1079.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2026\/code-html\/46.2-1079.html"}],"law_id":364682,"edition_id":2,"section_id":364682,"structure_id":52062,"section_number":"46.2-1079","catch_line":"Radar detectors; demerit points not to be awarded","history":"1962, c. 125, \u00a7 46.1-198.1; 1975, c. 108; 1976, c. 90; 1978, cc. 87, 91; 1981, c. 303; 1989, c. 727; 1992, c. 825; 1998, c. 300.","full_text":"A\n\nIt shall be unlawful for any person to operate a motor vehicle on the highways of the Commonwealth when such vehicle is equipped with any device or mechanism, passive or active, to detect or purposefully interfere with or diminish the measurement capabilities of any radar, laser, or other device or mechanism employed by law-enforcement personnel to measure the speed of motor vehicles on the highways of the Commonwealth for law-enforcement purposes. It shall be unlawful to use any such device or mechanism on any such motor vehicle on the highways. It shall be unlawful to sell any such device or mechanism in the Commonwealth. However, provisions of this section shall not apply to any receiver of radio waves utilized for lawful purposes to receive any signal from a frequency lawfully licensed by any state or federal agency.\n\t\t\tThis section shall not be construed to authorize the forfeiture to the Commonwealth of any such device or mechanism. Any such device or mechanism may be taken by the arresting officer if needed as evidence, and, when no longer needed, shall be returned to the person charged with a violation of this section, or at that person’s request, and his expense, mailed to an address specified by him. Any unclaimed devices may be destroyed on court order after six months have elapsed from the final date for filing an appeal.\n\n\t\t\tExcept as provided in subsection B of this section, the presence of any such prohibited device or mechanism in or on a motor vehicle on the highways of the Commonwealth shall constitute prima facie evidence of the violation of this section. The Commonwealth need not prove that the device or mechanism in question was in an operative condition or being operated.\n\nB\n\nA person shall not be guilty of a violation of this section when the device or mechanism in question, at the time of the alleged offense, had no power source and was not readily accessible for use by the driver or any passenger in the vehicle.\n\nC\n\nThis section shall not apply to motor vehicles owned by the Commonwealth or any political subdivision thereof and used by law-enforcement officers in their official duties, nor to the sale of any such device or mechanism to law-enforcement agencies for use in their official duties.\n\nD\n\nNo demerit points shall be awarded by the Commissioner for violations of this section. Any demerit points awarded by the Commissioner prior to July 1, 1992, for any violation of this section shall be rescinded and the driving record of any person awarded demerit points for a violation of this section shall be amended to reflect such rescission.\n\n","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":1358677,"text":"It shall be unlawful for any person to operate a motor vehicle on the highways of the Commonwealth when such vehicle is equipped with any device or mechanism, passive or active, to detect or purposefully interfere with or diminish the measurement capabilities of any radar, laser, or other device or mechanism employed by law-enforcement personnel to measure the speed of motor vehicles on the highways of the Commonwealth for law-enforcement purposes. It shall be unlawful to use any such device or mechanism on any such motor vehicle on the highways. It shall be unlawful to sell any such device or mechanism in the Commonwealth. However, provisions of this section shall not apply to any receiver of radio waves utilized for lawful purposes to receive any signal from a frequency lawfully licensed by any state or federal agency.\n\t\t\tThis section shall not be construed to authorize the forfeiture to the Commonwealth of any such device or mechanism. Any such device or mechanism may be taken by the arresting officer if needed as evidence, and, when no longer needed, shall be returned to the person charged with a violation of this section, or at that person’s request, and his expense, mailed to an address specified by him. Any unclaimed devices may be destroyed on court order after six months have elapsed from the final date for filing an appeal.\t\t\tExcept as provided in subsection B of this section, the presence of any such prohibited device or mechanism in or on a motor vehicle on the highways of the Commonwealth shall constitute prima facie evidence of the violation of this section. The Commonwealth need not prove that the device or mechanism in question was in an operative condition or being operated.","type":"section","prefixes":["A"],"prefix":"A","entire_prefix":"A","prefix_anchor":"A","level":1,"next_prefix":"B"},"1":{"id":1358678,"text":"A person shall not be guilty of a violation of this section when the device or mechanism in question, at the time of the alleged offense, had no power source and was not readily accessible for use by the driver or any passenger in the vehicle.","type":"section","prefixes":["B"],"prefix":"B","entire_prefix":"B","prefix_anchor":"B","level":1,"prior_prefix":"A","next_prefix":"C"},"2":{"id":1358679,"text":"This section shall not apply to motor vehicles owned by the Commonwealth or any political subdivision thereof and used by law-enforcement officers in their official duties, nor to the sale of any such device or mechanism to law-enforcement agencies for use in their official duties.","type":"section","prefixes":["C"],"prefix":"C","entire_prefix":"C","prefix_anchor":"C","level":1,"prior_prefix":"B","next_prefix":"D"},"3":{"id":1358680,"text":"No demerit points shall be awarded by the Commissioner for violations of this section. Any demerit points awarded by the Commissioner prior to July 1, 1992, for any violation of this section shall be rescinded and the driving record of any person awarded demerit points for a violation of this section shall be amended to reflect such rescission.","type":"section","prefixes":["D"],"prefix":"D","entire_prefix":"D","prefix_anchor":"D","level":1,"prior_prefix":"C"}},"ancestry":[{"id":52062,"edition_id":2,"name":"Miscellaneous Equipment","identifier":"10","label":"article","depth":4,"order_by":10,"parent_id":52052,"metadata":{"child_laws":28,"child_structures":0},"date_created":"2026-08-02 02:52:39","date_modified":"2026-08-02 12:34:12","permalink":{"id":1455629,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":52062,"identifier":"10","token":"46.2\/III\/10\/10","url":"\/46.2\/III\/10\/10\/","edition_id":2,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":52052,"edition_id":2,"name":"Motor Vehicle and Equipment Safety","identifier":"10","label":"chapter","depth":3,"order_by":2,"parent_id":52051,"metadata":{"child_laws":265,"child_structures":23},"date_created":"2026-08-02 02:52:29","date_modified":"2026-08-02 12:34:11","permalink":{"id":1455601,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":52052,"identifier":"10","token":"46.2\/III\/10","url":"\/46.2\/III\/10\/","edition_id":2,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":52051,"edition_id":2,"name":"Operation","identifier":"III","label":"subtitle","depth":2,"order_by":3,"parent_id":52048,"metadata":{"child_laws":589,"child_structures":55},"date_created":"2026-08-02 02:52:29","date_modified":"2026-08-02 12:34:07","permalink":{"id":1455599,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":52051,"identifier":"III","token":"46.2\/III","url":"\/46.2\/III\/","edition_id":2,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":52048,"edition_id":2,"name":"Motor Vehicles","identifier":"46.2","label":"title","depth":1,"order_by":101,"parent_id":null,"metadata":{"child_laws":1830,"child_structures":157},"date_created":"2026-08-02 02:52:29","date_modified":"2026-08-02 12:34:02","permalink":{"id":1452291,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":52048,"identifier":"46.2","token":"46.2","url":"\/46.2\/","edition_id":2,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}}],"structure_contents":[{"id":364671,"structure_id":52062,"section_number":"46.2-1072","catch_line":"Operation of vehicle without serial or identification number; requirements for stamping, cutting, or embossing numbers; regulations","url":"\/46.2-1072\/","token":"46.2\/III\/10\/10\/46.2-1072","metadata":false},{"id":364670,"structure_id":52062,"section_number":"46.2-1072.1","catch_line":"Fees","url":"\/46.2-1072.1\/","token":"46.2\/III\/10\/10\/46.2-1072.1","metadata":false},{"id":364672,"structure_id":52062,"section_number":"46.2-1073","catch_line":"Engine or serial number illegible, removed, or obliterated","url":"\/46.2-1073\/","token":"46.2\/III\/10\/10\/46.2-1073","metadata":false},{"id":364673,"structure_id":52062,"section_number":"46.2-1074","catch_line":"Removing or altering serial or identification numbers, decals and devices without consent of Department","url":"\/46.2-1074\/","token":"46.2\/III\/10\/10\/46.2-1074","metadata":false},{"id":364675,"structure_id":52062,"section_number":"46.2-1075","catch_line":"Possession of vehicles with serial numbers removed or altered","url":"\/46.2-1075\/","token":"46.2\/III\/10\/10\/46.2-1075","metadata":false},{"id":364674,"structure_id":52062,"section_number":"46.2-1075.1","catch_line":"Tampering with gross vehicle weight ratings; penalty","url":"\/46.2-1075.1\/","token":"46.2\/III\/10\/10\/46.2-1075.1","metadata":false},{"id":364676,"structure_id":52062,"section_number":"46.2-1076","catch_line":"Lettering on certain vehicles","url":"\/46.2-1076\/","token":"46.2\/III\/10\/10\/46.2-1076","metadata":false},{"id":364679,"structure_id":52062,"section_number":"46.2-1077","catch_line":"Motor vehicles not to be equipped with television within view of driver; viewing motion pictures or similar displays while driving","url":"\/46.2-1077\/","token":"46.2\/III\/10\/10\/46.2-1077","metadata":false},{"id":364677,"structure_id":52062,"section_number":"46.2-1077.01","catch_line":"Display of certain visual material in motor vehicles prohibited; penalty","url":"\/46.2-1077.01\/","token":"46.2\/III\/10\/10\/46.2-1077.01","metadata":false},{"id":364678,"structure_id":52062,"section_number":"46.2-1077.1","catch_line":"Mobile infrared transmitters; demerit points not to be awarded","url":"\/46.2-1077.1\/","token":"46.2\/III\/10\/10\/46.2-1077.1","metadata":false},{"id":364681,"structure_id":52062,"section_number":"46.2-1078","catch_line":"Unlawful to operate motor vehicle, bicycle, electric personal assistive mobility device, electric power-assisted bicycle, or moped while using earphones","url":"\/46.2-1078\/","token":"46.2\/III\/10\/10\/46.2-1078","metadata":false},{"id":364680,"structure_id":52062,"section_number":"46.2-1078.1","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/46.2-1078.1\/","token":"46.2\/III\/10\/10\/46.2-1078.1","metadata":false},{"id":364682,"structure_id":52062,"section_number":"46.2-1079","catch_line":"Radar detectors; demerit points not to be awarded","url":"\/46.2-1079\/","token":"46.2\/III\/10\/10\/46.2-1079","metadata":false},{"id":364684,"structure_id":52062,"section_number":"46.2-1080","catch_line":"Speedometer in good working order","url":"\/46.2-1080\/","token":"46.2\/III\/10\/10\/46.2-1080","metadata":false},{"id":364685,"structure_id":52062,"section_number":"46.2-1081","catch_line":"Slow-moving vehicle emblems","url":"\/46.2-1081\/","token":"46.2\/III\/10\/10\/46.2-1081","metadata":false},{"id":364686,"structure_id":52062,"section_number":"46.2-1082","catch_line":"Mirrors","url":"\/46.2-1082\/","token":"46.2\/III\/10\/10\/46.2-1082","metadata":false},{"id":364687,"structure_id":52062,"section_number":"46.2-1083","catch_line":"Rear fenders, flaps, or guards required for certain motor vehicles","url":"\/46.2-1083\/","token":"46.2\/III\/10\/10\/46.2-1083","metadata":false},{"id":364688,"structure_id":52062,"section_number":"46.2-1084","catch_line":"Vehicle to have securely affixed seat for driver; location of such seat","url":"\/46.2-1084\/","token":"46.2\/III\/10\/10\/46.2-1084","metadata":false},{"id":364689,"structure_id":52062,"section_number":"46.2-1085","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/46.2-1085\/","token":"46.2\/III\/10\/10\/46.2-1085","metadata":false},{"id":364690,"structure_id":52062,"section_number":"46.2-1086","catch_line":"Devices for emission of smoke screens, gas projectors or flame throwers; prohibited","url":"\/46.2-1086\/","token":"46.2\/III\/10\/10\/46.2-1086","metadata":false},{"id":364691,"structure_id":52062,"section_number":"46.2-1087","catch_line":"Forfeiture of vehicles equipped with smoke projectors, etc","url":"\/46.2-1087\/","token":"46.2\/III\/10\/10\/46.2-1087","metadata":false},{"id":364698,"structure_id":52062,"section_number":"46.2-1088","catch_line":"Air conditioning units","url":"\/46.2-1088\/","token":"46.2\/III\/10\/10\/46.2-1088","metadata":false},{"id":364692,"structure_id":52062,"section_number":"46.2-1088.1","catch_line":"Hood scoops","url":"\/46.2-1088.1\/","token":"46.2\/III\/10\/10\/46.2-1088.1","metadata":false},{"id":364693,"structure_id":52062,"section_number":"46.2-1088.2","catch_line":"Warning devices required on certain vehicles","url":"\/46.2-1088.2\/","token":"46.2\/III\/10\/10\/46.2-1088.2","metadata":false},{"id":364694,"structure_id":52062,"section_number":"46.2-1088.3","catch_line":"Air bags; installation of other object in lieu of air bag prohibited; manufacture, sale, etc., of counterfeit or nonfunctional air bag prohibited; notice of installation of previously installed air bag required; penalties","url":"\/46.2-1088.3\/","token":"46.2\/III\/10\/10\/46.2-1088.3","metadata":false},{"id":364695,"structure_id":52062,"section_number":"46.2-1088.4","catch_line":"Devices used to supply nitrous oxide to the engines of motor vehicles","url":"\/46.2-1088.4\/","token":"46.2\/III\/10\/10\/46.2-1088.4","metadata":false},{"id":364696,"structure_id":52062,"section_number":"46.2-1088.5","catch_line":"Reflectors or reflectorized material required on rear end of certain trailers","url":"\/46.2-1088.5\/","token":"46.2\/III\/10\/10\/46.2-1088.5","metadata":false},{"id":364697,"structure_id":52062,"section_number":"46.2-1088.6","catch_line":"Motor vehicle recording devices","url":"\/46.2-1088.6\/","token":"46.2\/III\/10\/10\/46.2-1088.6","metadata":false}],"previous_section":{"id":364680,"structure_id":52062,"section_number":"46.2-1078.1","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/46.2-1078.1\/","token":"46.2\/III\/10\/10\/46.2-1078.1","metadata":false},"next_section":{"id":364684,"structure_id":52062,"section_number":"46.2-1080","catch_line":"Speedometer in good working order","url":"\/46.2-1080\/","token":"46.2\/III\/10\/10\/46.2-1080","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/46.2-1079\/","history_text":"

This law was first created in 1962. The record of its establishment is cataloged in chapter 125 of that year\u2019s edition of \u201cActs of Assembly,\u201d the annual state publication listing all changes made to the Code of Virginia in that year. Unfortunately, the 1962 \u201cActs\u201d aren\u2019t available online. It has been modified 7 times. Those modifications are cataloged by \u201cThe Acts of Assembly,\u201d a state publication, by year and chapter. Those modifications that can be read on the General Assembly\u2019s website will be linked accordingly. Those modifications are as follows: in 1975, chapter 108; in 1976, chapter 90; in 1978, chapters 87 and 91; in 1981, chapter 303; in 1989, chapter 727; in 1992, chapter 825; in 1998, chapter 300<\/a>.<\/p>","references":false,"refers_to":false,"permalink":{"id":1455679,"object_type":"law","relational_id":364682,"identifier":"46.2-1079","token":"46.2\/III\/10\/10\/46.2-1079","url":"\/46.2-1079\/","edition_id":2,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/46.2-1079\/","token":"46.2\/III\/10\/10\/46.2-1079","dublin_core":{"Title":"Radar detectors; demerit points not to be awarded","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 46.2-1079","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

A.<\/span> It shall be unlawful for any person to operate a motor vehicle<\/span> on the highways<\/span> of the Commonwealth when such vehicle is equipped with any device or mechanism, passive or active, to detect or purposefully interfere with or diminish the measurement capabilities of any radar, laser, or other device or mechanism employed by law<\/span>-enforcement personnel to measure the speed of motor vehicles<\/span> on the highways<\/span> of the Commonwealth for law<\/span>-enforcement purposes. It shall be unlawful to use any such device or mechanism on any such motor vehicle<\/span> on the highways<\/span>. It shall be unlawful to sell any such device or mechanism in the Commonwealth. However, provisions of this section shall not apply to any receiver of radio waves utilized for lawful purposes to receive any signal from a frequency lawfully licensed by any state or federal agency.\n\t\t\tThis section shall not be construed to authorize the forfeiture to the Commonwealth of any such device or mechanism. Any such device or mechanism may be taken by the arresting officer if needed as evidence<\/span>, and, when no longer needed, shall be returned to the person charged with a violation of this section, or at that person’s request, and his expense, mailed to an address specified by him. Any unclaimed devices may be destroyed on court order<\/span> after six months have elapsed from the final date for filing an appeal<\/span>.

\t\t\tExcept as provided in subsection B of this section, the presence of any such prohibited device or mechanism in or on a motor vehicle<\/span> on the highways<\/span> of the Commonwealth shall constitute prima facie evidence<\/span> of the violation of this section. The Commonwealth need not prove that the device or mechanism in question was in an operative condition or being operated. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

B.<\/span> A person shall not be guilty of a violation of this section when the device or mechanism in question, at the time of the alleged offense<\/span>, had no power source and was not readily accessible for use by the driver<\/span> or any passenger in the vehicle. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

C.<\/span> This section shall not apply to motor vehicles<\/span> owned by the Commonwealth or any political subdivision thereof and used by law<\/span>-enforcement officers<\/span> in their official duties, nor to the sale of any such device or mechanism to law<\/span>-enforcement agencies for use in their official duties. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

D.<\/span> No demerit points shall be awarded by the Commissioner<\/span> for violations of this section. Any demerit points awarded by the Commissioner<\/span> prior to July 1, 1992, for any violation of this section shall be rescinded and the driving record of any person awarded demerit points for a violation of this section shall be amended to reflect such rescission. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>","plain_text":" CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nRADAR DETECTORS; DEMERIT POINTS NOT TO BE AWARDED (\u00a7 46.2-1079)\n\nA. It shall be unlawful for any person to operate a motor vehicle on the\nhighways of the Commonwealth when such vehicle is equipped with any device or\nmechanism, passive or active, to detect or purposefully interfere with or\ndiminish the measurement capabilities of any radar, laser, or other device or\nmechanism employed by law-enforcement personnel to measure the speed of motor\nvehicles on the highways of the Commonwealth for law-enforcement purposes. It\nshall be unlawful to use any such device or mechanism on any such motor vehicle\non the highways. It shall be unlawful to sell any such device or mechanism in\nthe Commonwealth. However, provisions of this section shall not apply to any\nreceiver of radio waves utilized for lawful purposes to receive any signal from\na frequency lawfully licensed by any state or federal agency.\n\t\t\tThis section shall not be construed to authorize the forfeiture to the\nCommonwealth of any such device or mechanism. Any such device or mechanism may\nbe taken by the arresting officer if needed as evidence, and, when no longer\nneeded, shall be returned to the person charged with a violation of this\nsection, or at that person’s request, and his expense, mailed to an\naddress specified by him. Any unclaimed devices may be destroyed on court order\nafter six months have elapsed from the final date for filing an appeal.\t\t\tExcept\nas provided in subsection B of this section, the presence of any such prohibited\ndevice or mechanism in or on a motor vehicle on the highways of the Commonwealth\nshall constitute prima facie evidence of the violation of this section. The\nCommonwealth need not prove that the device or mechanism in question was in an\noperative condition or being operated.\n\nB. A person shall not be guilty of a violation of this section when the device\nor mechanism in question, at the time of the alleged offense, had no power\nsource and was not readily accessible for use by the driver or any passenger in\nthe vehicle.\n\nC. This section shall not apply to motor vehicles owned by the Commonwealth or\nany political subdivision thereof and used by law-enforcement officers in their\nofficial duties, nor to the sale of any such device or mechanism to\nlaw-enforcement agencies for use in their official duties.\n\nD. No demerit points shall be awarded by the Commissioner for violations of this\nsection. Any demerit points awarded by the Commissioner prior to July 1, 1992,\nfor any violation of this section shall be rescinded and the driving record of\nany person awarded demerit points for a violation of this section shall be\namended to reflect such rescission.\n\nHISTORY: 1962, c. 125, \u00a7 46.1-198.1; 1975, c. 108; 1976, c. 90; 1978, cc. 87,\n91; 1981, c. 303; 1989, c. 727; 1992, c. 825; 1998, c. 300.","edition":{"id":2,"name":"2026","slug":"2026","date_created":"2026-07-16 18:40:23","date_modified":"2026-08-02 15:14:36","current":1,"order_by":2,"last_import":"2026-08-02 12:37:30"}}