{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2026\/code-json\/46.2-1088.3.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2026\/code-text\/46.2-1088.3.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2026\/code-xml\/46.2-1088.3.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2026\/code-html\/46.2-1088.3.html"}],"law_id":364694,"edition_id":2,"section_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","history":"2002, c. 402; 2019, c. 392.","full_text":"A\n\nAs used in this section:\n\t\t\t“Counterfeit air bag” means a replacement air bag or a replacement air bag component displaying an unauthorized mark identical or substantially similar to the genuine mark of a motor vehicle manufacturer or a supplier of parts for a motor vehicle manufacturer.\n\n\t\t\t“Nonfunctional air bag” means a replacement air bag that has been previously deployed, damaged, or is otherwise inoperable or that has a fault that is detected by the vehicle diagnostic system after the installation procedure is complete and includes any object, including a counterfeit air bag, intended to deceive the vehicle’s owner into believing the object is a functional air bag.\n\nB\n\nAny person who, without the knowledge of the vehicle’s owner or the person requesting the installation, reinstallation, or replacement of a motor vehicle air bag, installs or reinstalls any air bag or other component of the vehicle’s inflatable restraint system knowing that the air bag installation is not in accordance with federal safety regulations applicable to that specific line-make, model, and model year vehicle is guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor.\n\nC\n\nAny person who, without the knowledge of the vehicle’s owner or the person requesting the installation, reinstallation, or replacement of a motor vehicle air bag, installs, reinstalls, or replaces a motor vehicle air bag or other component of the vehicle’s inflatable restraint system with an air bag or other component of a vehicle’s inflatable restraint system knowing that the air bag was previously installed in another motor vehicle is guilty of a Class 2 misdemeanor.\n\nD\n\nAny person who knowingly manufactures, imports, sells, installs, or reinstalls a counterfeit air bag or nonfunctional air bag, or any device that is intended to conceal a counterfeit air bag or nonfunctional air bag, in a motor vehicle is guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor.\n\nE\n\nThe provisions of this section shall not apply to the sale, installation, reinstallation, or replacement of any motor vehicle air bag on vehicles used solely for police work, as described in § 46.2-750.1.\n\nF\n\nAny sale, installation, reinstallation, or replacement of a motor vehicle air bag in violation of this section shall not be construed as a superseding cause that limits the liability of any party in any civil action.\n\n","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":1358708,"text":"As used in this section:\n\t\t\t“Counterfeit air bag” means a replacement air bag or a replacement air bag component displaying an unauthorized mark identical or substantially similar to the genuine mark of a motor vehicle manufacturer or a supplier of parts for a motor vehicle manufacturer.\t\t\t“Nonfunctional air bag” means a replacement air bag that has been previously deployed, damaged, or is otherwise inoperable or that has a fault that is detected by the vehicle diagnostic system after the installation procedure is complete and includes any object, including a counterfeit air bag, intended to deceive the vehicle’s owner into believing the object is a functional air bag.","type":"section","prefixes":["A"],"prefix":"A","entire_prefix":"A","prefix_anchor":"A","level":1,"next_prefix":"B"},"1":{"id":1358709,"text":"Any person who, without the knowledge of the vehicle’s owner or the person requesting the installation, reinstallation, or replacement of a motor vehicle air bag, installs or reinstalls any air bag or other component of the vehicle’s inflatable restraint system knowing that the air bag installation is not in accordance with federal safety regulations applicable to that specific line-make, model, and model year vehicle is guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor.","type":"section","prefixes":["B"],"prefix":"B","entire_prefix":"B","prefix_anchor":"B","level":1,"prior_prefix":"A","next_prefix":"C"},"2":{"id":1358710,"text":"Any person who, without the knowledge of the vehicle’s owner or the person requesting the installation, reinstallation, or replacement of a motor vehicle air bag, installs, reinstalls, or replaces a motor vehicle air bag or other component of the vehicle’s inflatable restraint system with an air bag or other component of a vehicle’s inflatable restraint system knowing that the air bag was previously installed in another motor vehicle is guilty of a Class 2 misdemeanor.","type":"section","prefixes":["C"],"prefix":"C","entire_prefix":"C","prefix_anchor":"C","level":1,"prior_prefix":"B","next_prefix":"D"},"3":{"id":1358711,"text":"Any person who knowingly manufactures, imports, sells, installs, or reinstalls a counterfeit air bag or nonfunctional air bag, or any device that is intended to conceal a counterfeit air bag or nonfunctional air bag, in a motor vehicle is guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor.","type":"section","prefixes":["D"],"prefix":"D","entire_prefix":"D","prefix_anchor":"D","level":1,"prior_prefix":"C","next_prefix":"E"},"4":{"id":1358712,"text":"The provisions of this section shall not apply to the sale, installation, reinstallation, or replacement of any motor vehicle air bag on vehicles used solely for police work, as described in § 46.2-750.1.","type":"section","prefixes":["E"],"prefix":"E","entire_prefix":"E","prefix_anchor":"E","level":1,"prior_prefix":"D","next_prefix":"F"},"5":{"id":1358713,"text":"Any sale, installation, reinstallation, or replacement of a motor vehicle air bag in violation of this section shall not be construed as a superseding cause that limits the liability of any party in any civil action.","type":"section","prefixes":["F"],"prefix":"F","entire_prefix":"F","prefix_anchor":"F","level":1,"prior_prefix":"E"}},"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":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},"next_section":{"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},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/46.2-1088.3\/","history_text":"

This law was first created in 2002. The record of its establishment is cataloged in chapter 402<\/a> 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. It has been modified 1 time. 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. That modification is as follows: in 2019, chapter 392<\/a>.<\/p>","references":false,"refers_to":[{"id":366181,"section_number":"46.2-750.1","catch_line":"Vehicles used for police work","order_by":null,"url":"\/46.2-750.1\/"}],"permalink":{"id":1455727,"object_type":"law","relational_id":364694,"identifier":"46.2-1088.3","token":"46.2\/III\/10\/10\/46.2-1088.3","url":"\/46.2-1088.3\/","edition_id":2,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/46.2-1088.3\/","token":"46.2\/III\/10\/10\/46.2-1088.3","dublin_core":{"Title":"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","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 46.2-1088.3","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

A.<\/span> As used in this section:\n\t\t\t“Counterfeit air bag<\/span>” means a replacement air bag or a replacement air bag component displaying an unauthorized mark identical or substantially similar to the genuine mark of a motor vehicle<\/span> manufacturer or a supplier of parts for a motor vehicle<\/span> manufacturer.

\t\t\t“Nonfunctional air bag<\/span>” means a replacement air bag that has been previously deployed, damaged, or is otherwise inoperable or that has a fault that is detected by the vehicle diagnostic system after the installation procedure is complete and includes any object<\/span>, including a counterfeit air bag<\/span>, intended to deceive the vehicle’s owner<\/span> into believing the object<\/span> is a functional air bag. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

B.<\/span> Any person who, without the knowledge of the vehicle’s owner<\/span> or the person requesting the installation, reinstallation, or replacement of a motor vehicle<\/span> air bag, installs or reinstalls any air bag or other component of the vehicle’s inflatable restraint system knowing that the air bag installation is not in accordance with federal safety regulations applicable to that specific line-make, model, and model year vehicle is guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor<\/span>. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

C.<\/span> Any person who, without the knowledge of the vehicle’s owner<\/span> or the person requesting the installation, reinstallation, or replacement of a motor vehicle<\/span> air bag, installs, reinstalls, or replaces a motor vehicle<\/span> air bag or other component of the vehicle’s inflatable restraint system with an air bag or other component of a vehicle’s inflatable restraint system knowing that the air bag was previously installed in another motor vehicle<\/span> is guilty of a Class 2 misdemeanor<\/span>. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

D.<\/span> Any person who knowingly manufactures, imports, sells, installs, or reinstalls a counterfeit air bag<\/span> or nonfunctional air bag<\/span>, or any device that is intended to conceal a counterfeit air bag<\/span> or nonfunctional air bag<\/span>, in a motor vehicle<\/span> is guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor<\/span>. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

E.<\/span> The provisions of this section shall not apply to the sale, installation, reinstallation, or replacement of any motor vehicle<\/span> air bag on vehicles<\/span> used solely for police work, as described in § 46.2-750.1<\/a>. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

F.<\/span> Any sale, installation, reinstallation, or replacement of a motor vehicle<\/span> air bag in violation of this section shall not be construed as a superseding cause that limits the liability of any party<\/span> in any civil action<\/span>. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>","plain_text":" CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nAIR BAGS; INSTALLATION OF OTHER OBJECT IN LIEU OF AIR BAG PROHIBITED;\nMANUFACTURE, SALE, ETC., OF COUNTERFEIT OR NONFUNCTIONAL AIR BAG PROHIBITED;\nNOTICE OF INSTALLATION OF PREVIOUSLY INSTALLED AIR BAG REQUIRED; PENALTIES (\u00a7\n46.2-1088.3)\n\nA. As used in this section:\n\t\t\t“Counterfeit air bag” means a replacement air bag or a\nreplacement air bag component displaying an unauthorized mark identical or\nsubstantially similar to the genuine mark of a motor vehicle manufacturer or a\nsupplier of parts for a motor vehicle manufacturer.\t\t\t“Nonfunctional air\nbag” means a replacement air bag that has been previously deployed,\ndamaged, or is otherwise inoperable or that has a fault that is detected by the\nvehicle diagnostic system after the installation procedure is complete and\nincludes any object, including a counterfeit air bag, intended to deceive the\nvehicle’s owner into believing the object is a functional air bag.\n\nB. Any person who, without the knowledge of the vehicle’s owner or the\nperson requesting the installation, reinstallation, or replacement of a motor\nvehicle air bag, installs or reinstalls any air bag or other component of the\nvehicle’s inflatable restraint system knowing that the air bag\ninstallation is not in accordance with federal safety regulations applicable to\nthat specific line-make, model, and model year vehicle is guilty of a Class 1\nmisdemeanor.\n\nC. Any person who, without the knowledge of the vehicle’s owner or the\nperson requesting the installation, reinstallation, or replacement of a motor\nvehicle air bag, installs, reinstalls, or replaces a motor vehicle air bag or\nother component of the vehicle’s inflatable restraint system with an air\nbag or other component of a vehicle’s inflatable restraint system knowing\nthat the air bag was previously installed in another motor vehicle is guilty of\na Class 2 misdemeanor.\n\nD. Any person who knowingly manufactures, imports, sells, installs, or\nreinstalls a counterfeit air bag or nonfunctional air bag, or any device that is\nintended to conceal a counterfeit air bag or nonfunctional air bag, in a motor\nvehicle is guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor.\n\nE. The provisions of this section shall not apply to the sale, installation,\nreinstallation, or replacement of any motor vehicle air bag on vehicles used\nsolely for police work, as described in § 46.2-750.1.\n\nF. Any sale, installation, reinstallation, or replacement of a motor vehicle air\nbag in violation of this section shall not be construed as a superseding cause\nthat limits the liability of any party in any civil action.\n\nHISTORY: 2002, c. 402; 2019, c. 392.","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"}}