Virginia Following-Distance & Headlight Rules
How far back to follow another vehicle, when to dim high beams for oncoming and following traffic, and the move-over law for emergency vehicles.
- Following-distance rule
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Virginia teaches a two-, three-, four-second rule that scales with speed: at least 2 seconds under 35 MPH, 3 seconds from 35 to 45 MPH, and 4 seconds from 46 to 70 MPH. To measure it, watch the vehicle ahead pass a fixed object (an overpass, sign, fence, or pavement mark), then count the seconds until your front bumper reaches the same spot. If you arrive before the count is up for your speed band, you are following too closely; slow down and open up. Add seconds for bad weather, heavy traffic, poor pavement, a vehicle in poor condition, when you are behind a large vehicle that blocks your view, behind a motorcycle or bicycle, while exiting an expressway, or when you are being tailgated. The manual notes that the published cushions assume you are not exceeding 70 MPH.
- Dim high beams within (ft) — oncoming
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500
Source: Virginia Driver's Manual, Section 3: Safe Driving, Night Driving, p. 23
- Dim high beams within (ft) — following
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200
Source: Virginia Driver's Manual, Section 3: Safe Driving, Night Driving, p. 23
- Headlight requirements
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You must use your headlights in Virginia from sunset to sunrise, and any time inclement weather (rain, fog, snow, or sleet) drops visibility to 500 feet or less. You must also have your headlights on whenever you are using your windshield wipers because of weather. Using headlights at all times, including during daylight, makes your vehicle more visible to other drivers. Use low beams in cities and towns except on unlit streets, switch to low beams within 500 feet of an oncoming vehicle, and switch to low beams when you are within 200 feet of a vehicle you are following. In heavy fog, use low beams only (high beams reflect off the fog) and steer by the road edge markings.
Source: Virginia Driver's Manual, Section 3: Safe Driving, Lights, Night Driving, and Fog, pp. 22-23
- Min following distance behind emergency vehicle (ft)
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500
Source: Virginia Driver's Manual, Section 3: Safe Driving, Yielding to Vehicles with Flashing Lights, p. 16
- Motorcycle following rule
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Never tailgate a motorcycle. Virginia's manual says to add an extra second to the standard following-distance rule when you are behind a motorcycle, and to double that extra cushion in inclement weather. A motorcycle's size makes it easy to misjudge its speed and distance, and a slight road change or debris can be a major obstacle for a rider, so always leave room to react. Anticipate that the rider will use the entire lane as conditions change, never drive beside a motorcycle in the same lane, and check your blind spots for motorcycles before you pull out, change lanes, turn, back up, or proceed through an intersection.
Source: Virginia Driver's Manual, Section 3: Safe Driving, Sharing the Road (Motorcycles), p. 20
- Cyclist safe-passing rule
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Virginia requires motorists to pass cyclists with at least three feet of clearance, measured to the left of the bicycle. If the lane is not wide enough to allow that three-foot clearance, you must change lanes to pass safely; using a marked bicycle lane to pass is prohibited. When approaching or passing a person on a bicycle, moped, or power-assisted bicycle, reduce your speed and give plenty of room. The same three-foot clearance rule applies when passing a horse-drawn buggy. On roads with a center lane marked by a broken yellow line beside a solid yellow line, the driver on the solid-line side may cross only to pass pedestrians, bicyclists, and riders of scooters or skateboards, when the opposite lane is clear and the pass can be made safely.
- Move-over law (stopped emergency vehicles)
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When you approach a stationary emergency vehicle, tow truck, or any vehicle showing flashing blue, red, amber, or white lights on a highway, change to a lane not next to the vehicle if you can do so safely. If you cannot change lanes safely, reduce your speed and proceed with caution. The same change-lanes-or-slow-down rule applies to stationary vehicles displaying hazard lights, warning signs, or properly lit flares or torches. When passing a trash-collection vehicle, change to a lane not next to it on roads of at least four lanes; on roads with fewer than four lanes, slow to 10 MPH below the posted speed limit and pass at least two feet to the vehicle's left. When passing a stationary mail vehicle, proceed with caution at a safe speed for conditions. Violations can result in court suspension of your driver's license and demerit points. These requirements do not apply inside highway work zones. Separately, never follow an emergency vehicle with flashing lights closer than 500 feet, and never park within 500 feet of where fire trucks or equipment are stopped answering an alarm.
Source: Virginia Driver's Manual, Section 3: Safe Driving, Yielding to Vehicles with Flashing Lights, p. 16
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