Virginia statute
Va. Code Ann. § 46.2-869 — Improper driving; penalty
Current through 2026 Regular Session
Part of Article 7: Reckless Driving and Improper Driving, Code of Virginia.
Criminal charges under this statute
Full text of Va. Code Ann. § 46.2-869
Statutory text current through the 2026 Regular Session. This publication reproduces the text of the Code of Virginia from the official Virginia Law Portal API published by the Virginia General Assembly's Division of Legislative Automated Systems; it is not the official Code of Virginia.
Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this article, upon the trial of any person charged with reckless driving where the degree of culpability is slight, the jury or the court trying the case without a jury may find the accused not guilty of reckless driving but guilty of improper driving. However, an attorney for the Commonwealth may reduce a charge of reckless driving to improper driving at any time prior to the court's decision and shall notify the court of such change. Improper driving shall be punishable as a traffic infraction punishable by a fine of not more than $500.
Official sources
Legal terms used in this section
Questions this section answers
Is improper driving a felony or a misdemeanor in Virginia?
Improper driving is a traffic infraction in Virginia under Va. Code Ann. § 46.2-869.
Which Virginia statute covers improper driving?
Improper driving is governed by Va. Code Ann. § 46.2-869 (Improper driving; penalty).
This reference is informational and is not legal advice.