Virginia CMV Compliance Guide
VA DOT regulations for commercial motor vehicles
VA DMV Motor Carrier SafetyOfficial VA DOT websiteOverview
Virginia DMV Motor Carrier Safety and the Virginia State Police handle commercial vehicle enforcement. Virginia is a major East Coast freight corridor with I-95, I-81, I-64, and I-77 carrying heavy truck traffic. The Port of Virginia (Norfolk) is a significant cargo port, and the Hampton Roads area is a major freight hub.
Inspection & Enforcement Program
Virginia operates weigh stations and mobile enforcement units. VSP officers perform Level I through Level III inspections. The state has a strong enforcement presence on I-81 (one of the busiest truck corridors in the East) and I-95.
Weight Limits & Oversize/Overweight
Virginia follows federal weight limits of 80,000 lbs GVW on Interstate highways. The state has specific weight limits on state routes and numerous bridges. Virginia issues overweight permits through VDOT.
Virginia-Specific Requirements
- Virginia requires a state-specific annual vehicle safety inspection for all vehicles registered in the state.
- I-81 has specific truck safety initiatives due to high crash rates, including increased enforcement and truck climbing lane construction.
- Virginia enforces specific toll requirements on I-66 express lanes, I-495 express lanes, and the Dulles Toll Road.
- The state has extensive local truck routing requirements in Northern Virginia and the Hampton Roads area.
- Virginia enforces a highway use fee for commercial vehicles based on weight.
Contact
VA DMV Motor Carrier: (804) 249-5130
Federal Requirements That Apply in Virginia
In addition to Virginia-specific regulations, all federal DOT and FMCSA requirements apply to commercial vehicles operating in VA. These guides cover each federal requirement in detail:
This information is provided as a general reference. State regulations change frequently. Always verify current requirements with the Virginia DOT or your compliance advisor before relying on any information presented here.