Virginia legal term
Vehicle in Virginia Criminal Law
Current through 2026 Virginia legislative session
In Virginia criminal law, “Vehicle” is a term defined by statute rather than by its everyday meaning. Its statutory definition — quoted verbatim below — controls how the term is applied throughout the Virginia criminal code.
What does “Vehicle” mean in Virginia criminal law?
"Vehicle" means every device in, on or by which any person or property is or may be transported or drawn on a highway, except personal delivery devices and devices moved by human power or used exclusively on stationary rails or tracks. (Va. Code Ann. § 46.2-100)
Statutes defining or using this term
Charges using this term
- Breaking, injuring, defacing, destroying, or preventing the operation of vehicle, aircraft, boat, or vessel
- Certain premises deemed common nuisance
- Duty of driver to stop, etc., in event of accident involving injury or death or damage to attended property
- Penalty for violation of §§ 46.2-895 through 46.2-897
- Unauthorized use of animal, aircraft, vehicle or boat
- Use of communications systems to facilitate certain offenses involving children
- Using vehicles to promote prostitution or unlawful sexual intercourse
- Aggressive driving
- Application for and issuance of search warrant for a tracking device
- Breaking and entering into railroad cars, motortrucks, aircraft, etc., or pipeline systems
- Calling or summoning emergency medical services vehicle or firefighting apparatus without just cause
- Entering or setting in motion, vehicle, aircraft, boat, locomotive or rolling stock of railroad
Related terms in the same statutes
This reference is informational and is not legal advice.