Starting 1 July 2026, Virginia will become the first state in the US to require speed limiting devices on vehicles driven by people convicted of reckless driving at 100 mph or faster. It's a landmark law — and even if you're a learner or newly licensed driver who'd never dream of hitting triple digits, the reasoning behind it matters for everyone on the road, as reported by Zutobi.
What the Law Actually Does
Under the new statute, drivers convicted of reckless driving at 100 mph or above will have a speed limiting device installed on their vehicle as a condition of licence reinstatement. The device physically prevents the car from exceeding a set speed — think of it as an electronic governor that caps your top end.
Virginia already treats driving at 85 mph or more as reckless driving (a criminal misdemeanour), so the 100 mph threshold targets the most extreme offenders. But the signal it sends is broader: speed kills, and states are getting creative about enforcement.
Hands-Free Laws Are Now Primary in 30+ States
Speed limiters aren't the only big change in 2026. Over 30 states now treat holding your phone while driving as a primary offence — meaning police can pull you over for it alone, without needing another reason. Iowa, South Carolina, Louisiana and Pennsylvania all joined or strengthened enforcement this year.
For new drivers, this is critical. Distracted driving is the leading cause of crashes among 16-to-24-year-olds, and the new laws mean a phone in your hand is now a guaranteed ticket in most of the country.
REAL ID Enforcement Is Fully Active
If you haven't upgraded to a REAL ID-compliant licence yet, the clock has run out. Enforcement is fully active in 2026, and travellers without a compliant ID face a $45 TSA fee at airport checkpoints. When you visit the DMV for your road test, ask about upgrading — it's one trip that handles both.
Summer DMV Appointments: Book Now
Summer is peak season at DMV offices across the country, with back-to-school demand pushing wait times to their longest. Almost every state now requires appointments for first-time applications and road tests. If you're planning to take your test this summer, book your slot now — walk-ins are increasingly a thing of the past.
Permit Test Banks Are Being Refreshed
States are rotating in new questions on distracted driving, work zone safety, vulnerable road users and expanded Move Over laws. If you're studying with outdated material, you could be caught off guard. Use up-to-date resources and practice on real question formats.
Whether you're in Virginia or Vermont, the 2026 changes share a common thread: road safety is being taken more seriously than ever, and new drivers are expected to meet a higher standard. Use SteerClear to practise real road test routes with live scoring and make sure you're ready when your appointment arrives.