More than 13 hours is illegal!

While researching something else (I'll post it sometime soon), I ran across this little gem of knowledge: In the state of Virginia (and many other states) it is illegal to operate a motor vehicle more than 13 hours a day. (This includes any time you spent driving in other states.) So lets says Rachel and I go on a road trip to see my mother in Iowa. On the way back to VA, If I start driving and go for 8 hours then let Rachel drive for 4 hours while I sleep, it would still be illegal for me to finish the drive since there would be more than 5 hours of driving left.

So my advice to you: If you are ever stopped by a cop and asked how long you have been driving don't say anything more than 12hrs or he can details you till 24 hours have past from the first minute you started driving.


Here is the law if you want to see for yourself:


§ 46.2-812.   Driving more than thirteen hours in twenty-four prohibited.

No person shall drive any motor vehicle on the highways of the Commonwealth for more than thirteen hours in any period of twenty-four hours or for a period which, when added to the time such person may have driven in any other state, would make an aggregate of more than thirteen hours in any twenty-four-hour period. The provisions of this section, however, shall not apply to the operation of motor vehicles used in snow or ice control or removal operations or similar emergency situations.

No owner of any vehicle shall cause or permit it to be driven in violation of this section.