Kevin took my van to the cleaner’s yesterday (and got the oil changed…what a sweetheart!), and while the guys were cleaning it, my parking permit hang tag broke. He said it was brittle, probably from being in the sun so long.

So when I was thinking of posting this old picture I took last year of the permit and my “spirit beads” from GWHS Homecoming a year or two ago, I decided to finally look up what Kevin keeps telling me is law: that we’re not supposed to have anything hanging from the rearview mirror, anyway.

Here’s what the Virginia code says about it:

§ 46.2-1054. Suspension of objects or alteration of vehicle so as to obstruct driver’s view.

It shall be unlawful for any person to drive a motor vehicle on a highway in the Commonwealth with any object or objects, other than a rear view mirror, sun visor, or other equipment of the motor vehicle approved by the Superintendent, suspended from any part of the motor vehicle in such a manner as to obstruct the driver’s clear view of the highway through the windshield, the front side windows, or the rear window, or to alter a passenger-carrying vehicle in such a manner as to obstruct the driver’s view through the windshield. However, this section shall not apply (i) when the driver’s clear view of the highway through the rear window is obstructed if such motor vehicle is equipped with a mirror on each side, so located as to reflect to the driver a view of the highway for at least 200 feet to the rear of such vehicle, (ii) to safety devices installed on the windshields of vehicles owned by private waste haulers or local governments and used to transport solid waste, or (iii) to bicycle racks installed on the front of any bus operated by any city, county, transit authority, or transit or transportation district.

(1960, c. 122, § 46.1-291.1; 1972, cc. 8, 844; 1987, c. 135; 1989, c. 727; 2003, c. 273.)

Sounds like a bunch of loopholes to me! The permit and beads certainly don’t “obstruct” my “clear view of the highway through the windshield” at all. But I suppose if someone wanted to make a case for it, they may be able to.

Oh, and this reminds me…I forgot to ask Mrs. B for another permit today!