§ 66-25. Construction, maintenance and loading to prevent escape of contents; load covers; exemptions.

(a)

No vehicle shall be operated or moved on any highway unless it is so constructed, maintained, and loaded as to prevent its contents from dropping, sifting, leaking, or otherwise escaping. No provision of this section, however, shall apply to any:

(1)

Motor vehicle that is used exclusively for agricultural purposes as provided in Code of Virginia, § 46.2-698 and is not licensed in any other state;

(2)

Agricultural vehicle, tractor, or other vehicle exempted from registration and licensing requirements pursuant to Code of Virginia, § 46.2-662 et seq.; or

(3)

Motor vehicle transporting forest products, poultry, or livestock.

(b)

The loads of all trucks, trailers and semitrailers carrying gravel, sand, coal or other nonagricultural and nonforestry products on interstate, primary, or secondary highways or roads maintained by cities, counties or incorporated towns shall be either (i) secured to the vehicle in which they are being transported or (ii) covered. Covers used to prevent the escape of material from commercial vehicles used to transport solid waste shall be of such design, installation, and construction as to contain the vehicle's cargo within the vehicle, regardless of the vehicle's speed or weather conditions. Public service company vehicles, pickup trucks, and emergency snow removal equipment while engaged in snow removal operations shall be excluded from this subsection.

(Code 1992, § 11-25)

State Law reference— Similar provisions, Code of Virginia, § 46.2-1156.

(Code 1992, § 11-25)

State law reference

Similar provisions, Code of Virginia, § 46.2-1156.