There are many new state laws in the Commonwealth of Virginia that became effective as of July 1, 2007. The ones that concern drivers, roads and transportation are listed below.

Registration fees for passenger vehicles and pick-up trucks will increase $10 statewide, beginning with July 1, 2007 registrations. The increases are part of a wide-ranging transportation funding law passed by the 2007 VA General Assembly.

New age requirements for children to be secured in booster seats take effect July 1 in Virginia as well. Children riding in motor vehicles will be required to be properly restrained until they reach eight years of age. Currently, the law requires a child safety seat for children through the age of five.

Additionally, this new law requires rear-facing child seats be placed only in the back seat of a vehicle. If the vehicle does not have a back seat, the device may be placed in the front passenger seat, provided the airbag has been deactivated, or there is no airbag equipment.

Effective July 1, 2007, Virginia drivers younger than 18 years of age may not operate a motor vehicle in Virginia while using a cellular telephone or other wireless communications devices. The new law prohibits the use of cell phones, even if they are considered to be hands-free. It also prohibits text-messaging while driving.

Starting July 1, a multitude of traffic offenses, from expired licenses to speeding, come will come with a civil remedial fee associated with it. That means a motorist convicted of reckless driving (such as 80 mph in a 55 area) faces not only a fine of up to $2,500 and a year in jail, but a non-negotiable $350-a-year tax for three years. This new VA law forbids judges from waiving or reducing the fee.

So hundreds of dollars, or even thousands of dollars in some severe cases, can be collected by VA in these civil remedial fees to those the state determines to be a "dangerous" driver. For a second example anyone accumulating 8 points or more on his license would pay an additional $100, plus $75 for any points over 8, up to $700 a year. Fees apply only to Virginia residents.

Other Virginia laws becoming effective as of July 1, 2007 with regards with to transportation or motorist include:

• Those convicted of driving under the influence will have to provide proof of vehicle insurance before the Department of Motor Vehicles will reissue their driver’s licenses.
• Statewide localities can monitor intersections with "red light" cameras to photograph those running red lights. Violations are civil fines.
• Smoking is prohibited within 20 feet of a gasoline pump where a car is being fueled up.
• Diesel fuel tax is going up by 1.5 cents per gallon so now it will match the 17.5 cents per gallon gasoline tax.
• Photo monitoring of toll facilities is permitted to catch drivers who skip tolls.

There are other state laws concerning crimes such as creating and circulating spyware over the Internet and receiving data it steals from unsuspecting computer users is a felony (which comes with penalties of a fine of up to $2,500, up to 5 years in prison, or both), health, taxes, elections, money and property. If you want to know more about these other laws can research them by looking at the Virginia Legislative Information System.

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