Legal Question in Traffic Law in Virginia

PA license on Virginia Roads

I was recently pulled over on my motorcycle and the officer accused me of driving illegally. I have a PA license and a class M permit on said license. In PA with a permit and a valid class C license I can ride solo from sunrise to sunset, which I was doing. The officer claimed that in VA you have to have a licensed passenger on the motorcycle (which I know is false) and that since I did not have one I was driving illegally regardless of the validity of my PA permit and license; since once you're on VA roads the VA laws over-ride all others. Is he correct? and is this true of all states?


Asked on 12/11/06, 11:56 am

1 Answer from Attorneys
Michael Hendrickson Law Office Michael E. Hendrickson

Re: PA license on Virginia Roads

The officer is correct that once an individual is on the public roads of the Commonwealth of Virginia, the laws of Virginia govern the driver, and not those of Pennsylvania nor any other jurisdiction. As to his assertion regarding a passenger allegedly required under Virginia law to accompany you on your mortorcycing through the Commonwealth, I have no idea.

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Answered on 12/16/06, 9:39 am


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