Virginia Truck Mud Flap Law

What Virginia makes you run

Virginia only requires rear fenders, flaps, or guards once your licensed gross weight tops 40,000 pounds (Va. Code 46.2-1083). No inch or angle number lives in the statute. The flap just has to substantially stop rocks, dirt, and water from flying off the back. Log haulers and bare tractor trucks are exempt. Roadside, an officer eyeballs whether spray is blocked, not a tape measure. A missing or torn flap draws a correctable equipment ticket, not an out-of-service hold.

Coverage and clearance

• Required: Yes
• Coverage: No fixed tread-width figure. The guard just has to be large enough to substantially block rearward spray.
• Ground clearance: No set ground-clearance number and no angle. Rear fenders, flaps, or guards must be of sufficient size to substantially prevent rocks, dirt, water, and other substances from projecting to the rear (Va. Code 46.2-1083).
• Fine: Traffic infraction and correctable equipment charge, fine capped at the Class 4 misdemeanor amount (up to $250) plus costs (Va. Code 46.2-113; 18.2-11). Not out-of-service.

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