DMV News Releases
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Friday, June 30, 2006
Media Contact: Bill Foy
Department of Motor Vehicles
(804) 367-6623
New Laws Impact Virginia Drivers Beginning July 1, 2006
Alcohol Law, HOV Lane Violations Highlight Changes
RICHMOND - Legislation, which impacts Virginia drivers and motor vehicle laws, takes effect July 1, 2006. Brief summaries of some of the more significant new laws are listed below.
Providing Alcohol - This new law requires the court to suspend, for a period of not more than one year, the driving privilege for anyone found guilty of purchasing alcohol for a person who is underage, intoxicated or interdicted (prohibited from using alcohol by court order.) Currently suspension of a driver's license in these instances is discretionary.
Underage Purchase - Requires the court, in addition to other penalties, to suspend for at least six months (and not more than one year) the driving privilege of anyone 18 and older, who purchases, consumes or possesses alcohol in violation of state law. Currently, a suspension is imposed at the discretion of the court.
Vehicle Racing - If a person causes the death of another person while engaging in a vehicle race in a manner so gross, wanton, and culpable as to show reckless disregard for human life, he is guilty of a felony. It is punishable by a mandatory jail term of not less than one year and not more than 20 years.
Military Driver's License Extensions - Spouses and dependents accompanying U.S. military or U.S. diplomats serving overseas may now be granted the same extension period for an expired driver's license as the service member. The period for all extensions is reduced from five to three years.
HOV Lane Fines - The fines for driving in the HOV lanes without the required number of occupants in Planning District Eight (northern Virginia) have been increased as follows: fines have increased from $50 to $125 for a first violation and from $200 to $250 for a second violation within 5 years while for third violations within 5 years, fines remain at $500, and for fourth and subsequent violations within 5 years, fines remain at $1,000. Also, three demerit points will be assessed for second or subsequent offenses occurring within Planning District Eight.
For HOV violations in other parts of Virginia, the fine has increased from $50 to $100.
Convictions for all HOV violations will be placed on the violator's driving record.
ref:
http://dmvnow.com/webdoc/general/news/news.asp?id=4868
also I watch on TV somewhere the hybrid will soon loose its HOV privilege, better check on that if you have one
Other than that, have a safe and happy 4th July
EDIT FOUND HOV ARTICLE:
DMV News Releases
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tuesday, May 30, 2006
Media Contact: Pam Goheen
Department of Motor Vehicles
(804) 367-1519
New Law Limits HOV Use in I-95/395 Corridor
Clean Special Fuel Vehicles Registered After June 30 Will Not Be Exempt from HOV Requirements in I-95/395 Corridor; Fees to Increase
RICHMOND - Consumers need to be aware of changes to the law before purchasing hybrid and other clean special fuel vehicles with the intention of using HOV lanes in the I-95/395 Corridor.
"The most important change affects hybrid purchasers," said DMV Commissioner D. B. Smit. "They will not be exempt from occupancy requirements in the I-95/395 HOV lanes unless they are registered with DMV on or before June 30, 2006."
Vehicles registered for clean special fuel license plates on July 1, 2006 or after will not be exempt from the occupancy requirements for the I-95/395 HOV lanes. However, all qualifying vehicles with clean special fuel plates will continue to have access to all other HOV lanes throughout the state, until the general exemption expires on July 1, 2007.
This clean special fuel plate is currently available and will be issued to qualifying vehicles that are registered with clean special fuels plates prior to July 1, 2006. Virginia law exempts qualifying vehicles registered with this plate from the occupancy requirements for all HOV lanes in Virginia.