Is it legal to own a pet armadillo?
Legal, no state permit
Armadillos are not on Virginia's list of predatory or undesirable nonnative animals that need a special permit.
VA · State hub
Virginia
Every QuirkMaps topic for Virginia, grouped by category. Each answer links to the official source it comes from.
Exotic pets
Vehicles
Can car dealerships open on Sundays?
Sunday sales allowed
Virginia has no state law that stops car dealers from selling on Sunday.
Do adults have to wear motorcycle helmets?
All riders
Virginia requires every motorcycle operator and passenger to wear a helmet, regardless of age.
Do you need a front license plate?
Front and rear plates
Virginia requires ordinary cars to display license plates on both the front and the rear.
Is it legal to pump your own gas?
Self-serve allowed
Virginia allows self-service gas; its Statewide Fire Prevention Code adopts the International Fire Code's self-service fueling rules with minor changes.
Is it legal to put a train horn on a car?
Allowed with limits
Virginia allows only State Police-approved warning devices on public roads and bans unreasonably loud or harsh horn sounds; air horns aren't addressed for cars.
Is there an annual vehicle safety inspection?
Regular safety inspection
Virginia requires registered vehicles to pass a safety inspection every 12 months at a State Police-licensed station.
Home & property
Are fireworks legal?
Sparklers and ground fireworks only
Virginia allows only 'permissible fireworks' such as sparklers, fountains and wheels; anything that explodes, flies or shoots projectiles is banned.
Food & drink
Are happy hour drink specials legal?
Allowed with limits
Virginia allows happy hours, but not between 9 p.m. and 2 a.m., and two-for-one or all-you-can-drink deals are banned.
Is there a bottle deposit?
No bottle deposit
Virginia has no bottle deposit law, and state law blocks local governments from requiring container deposits.
Where can you buy liquor?
Government-run stores
Virginia sells liquor only in state-run Virginia ABC stores; private stores may sell beer and wine but not spirits.
Time & calendar
Does the state observe daylight saving time?
Observes DST
Virginia observes daylight saving time under federal law and has not enacted a law to change that.
Money & taxes
Are groceries taxed?
Groceries exempt
Virginia ended its state sales tax on groceries in 2023, but a 1% local tax still applies statewide.
Does the state have a lottery?
Has a state lottery
Yes. Virginia has a state lottery run by the Commonwealth through the Virginia Lottery.
Does the state have a sales-tax-free weekend?
Has a tax-free period
Virginia holds a three-day sales tax holiday every August, starting the first Friday, for school, clothing, hurricane, and energy-saving items.
Voting & elections
Do you need an ID to vote?
ID required, non-photo accepted
Virginia asks for ID from a list that includes non-photo documents; voters without one may sign a statement and vote.