2025 SESSION

INTRODUCED

25102015D

HOUSE BILL NO. 2458

Offered January 13, 2025

Prefiled January 8, 2025

A BILL to amend and reenact §§ 46.2-613 and 46.2-1088.5 of the Code of Virginia, relating to vehicles used for agricultural purposes.

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Patrons—O'Quinn and Lovejoy

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Referred to Committee on Transportation

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Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:

1. That §§ 46.2-613 and 46.2-1088.5 of the Code of Virginia are amended and reenacted as follows:

§ 46.2-613. Infractions relating to registration, licensing, and certificates of title; penalties.

A. No person shall:

1. Operate, park, or permit the operation or parking of a motor vehicle, trailer, or semitrailer owned, leased, or otherwise controlled by him on a highway unless (i) (a) it is registered, (ii) (b) a certificate of title therefor has been issued, and (iii) (c) it has displayed on it the license plate or plates and decal or decals, if any, assigned to it by the Department for the current registration period, subject to the exemptions mentioned in Article 5 (§ 46.2-655 et seq.) and Article 6 (§ 46.2-662 et seq.) or (ii) it has displayed on it the permanent farm use placard assigned to it by the Department pursuant to § 46.2-684.2. The provisions of this subdivision shall apply to the registration, licensing, and titling of mopeds on or after July 1, 2014.

2. Possess or use any registration card, license plate, or decal to which he is not entitled or knowingly permit the use of any registration card, license plate, or decal by anyone not entitled to it.

3. Willfully and intentionally violate the limitations imposed under §§ 46.2-665, 46.2-666, and 46.2-670 while operating an unregistered vehicle pursuant to the agricultural and horticultural exemptions allowed under those sections. A first violation of this subdivision shall constitute a traffic infraction punishable by a fine of not more than $250, and a second or subsequent violation of this subdivision shall constitute a traffic infraction punishable by a fine of $250.

B. For any summons issued for a violation of this section, the court may, in its discretion, dismiss the summons, where proof of compliance with this section is provided to the court on or before the court date.

§ 46.2-1088.5. Reflectors or reflectorized material required on rear end of certain trailers.

A. There shall be affixed to the rear end of every utility trailer that does not require state inspection either (i) two or more reflectors of a type approved by the Superintendent or (ii) at least 100 square inches of solid reflectorized material. The reflectors or reflective material shall be applied so as to outline the rear end of the trailer.

B. Notwithstanding the provisions of § 46.2-1013 or 46.2-1014, any trailer or semitrailer exempt from registration pursuant to § 46.2-665, 46.2-666, 46.2-670, 46.2-672, or 46.2-673 may be operated without tail lights or brake lights on the highways of the Commonwealth between sunrise and sunset, provided that such trailer or semitrailer has affixed to the rear end either (i) two or more reflectors of a type approved by the Superintendent or (ii) at least 100 square inches of solid reflectorized material.

C. For the purposes of this section, "utility trailer" means a trailer whose body and tailgate consist largely or exclusively of a metal mesh.