Virginia Hazard Light Laws: When You Can (and Cannot) Use Your Flashers

Every Virginia driver has reached for their hazard light button at some point — pulled over on the shoulder with a flat tire, crawling through a thunderstorm, or stuck in a sudden traffic jam on I-95. But not every use of your flashers is legal in the Commonwealth, and a poorly timed flash of those amber lights can lead to confusion, crashes, and even a traffic citation.

At ABC Driving Improvement, we hear this question a lot from drivers who have just been ticketed and are searching for a way to clear their record. The rules are simpler than most drivers think — but they are not what most drivers assume. Here is exactly when you can use your hazard lights in Virginia, when you cannot, and how to protect yourself if you have already received a ticket.

What Virginia Law Actually Says

Virginia Code § 46.2-1030 governs the use of vehicle lights, and § 46.2-1014 covers signal lamps. Together, they create a clear framework: hazard lights — those four-way flashers that blink both turn signals at once — are intended primarily as a warning that a vehicle is stopped, disabled, or otherwise an obstruction on or near the roadway.

Hazard lights tell other drivers, "I am not moving the way you expect." Use them when that statement is true. Skip them when it is not.

When You Can Legally Use Hazard Lights in Virginia

The Virginia DMV recognizes several scenarios where hazard lights are appropriate or required:

• Stopped or disabled on the road or shoulder. If your vehicle is broken down, parked in an emergency lane, or otherwise creating an obstruction, hazard lights are the standard warning.

• Slow-moving funeral processions. Vehicles in a funeral procession traditionally use hazard lights along with their headlights — learn more in our funeral procession driving guide.

• Towing or being towed. A vehicle on a flat tow or dolly should activate hazards to warn drivers that the configuration is unusual.

• Sudden severe slowdowns on a highway. A quick flash of hazards alerts drivers behind you to brake — common practice on interstates when traffic stops unexpectedly.

• Heavy fog, smoke, or hard rain creating very low visibility. When you are forced to drive well below the posted speed because you cannot see, hazards can be appropriate.

When You Should NOT Use Hazard Lights

Driving in Regular Rain or Light Snow

This is the most common mistake. A spring shower or a light dusting of snow is not the right time for flashers. With hazards on, your turn signals are disabled, and other drivers cannot tell when you intend to change lanes or merge.

Double Parking or Quick Errands

Turning on hazards does not legalize an illegal stop. Officers in Richmond, Norfolk, Alexandria, and other Virginia cities routinely cite drivers parked in travel lanes regardless of whether the flashers are on.

Driving at Normal Speed

If you are moving with the flow of traffic, hazards are inappropriate. The signal misleads other drivers and can be cited under failure to signal or improper use of vehicle equipment.

What Happens If You Get a Ticket for Improper Hazard Light Use

An improper-flashers citation is usually charged as a traffic infraction. It generally carries a small fine and may add demerit points to your Virginia driving record. While the ticket is not as severe as a reckless driving charge, even minor demerits affect insurance rates and can stack up if you already have other violations on your MVR.

How a Driver Improvement Course Can Help

Completing the Virginia DMV-approved 8-hour driver improvement course earns +5 safe driving points on your Virginia record — points that offset existing demerits and demonstrate to insurers that you are taking responsibility. The course can also be ordered by a court as a condition of dismissing your ticket.

FAQ: Hazard Lights in Virginia

Can I drive with my hazards on during heavy rain in Virginia?

Only when visibility is so poor you are forced to drive significantly below the posted speed. If you can maintain near-normal speed, you should not have your hazards on — and you should use your low-beam headlights as required by Virginia law.

Is it illegal to use hazards while parked in Virginia?

Not if you are parked legally. Hazards do not change parking rules, but they are perfectly fine on a legally parked vehicle that needs to alert nearby drivers, such as during a quick loading stop in a designated zone.

Do hazard lights affect my insurance if I get a ticket?

Yes, any moving violation that adds demerit points can lead to a premium increase at renewal. Learn more in our guide to how traffic tickets affect Virginia insurance rates.

Protect Your Record for $74.99

If you have already been cited for misuse of hazard lights or any other minor moving violation, the fastest, most affordable step is the Virginia DMV-approved 8-hour course at ABC Driving Improvement. Enroll today for just $74.99 through our secure online checkout, or learn more on our Virginia driver improvement page.