As of January 1, 2022, the minimum wage in Virginia was increased to $11.00 per hour and the minimum car insurance policy was increased to $30,000/$60,000 limits.
Virginia Minimum Wage
The minimum wage law, enacted in 2020 set forth a step-up schedule, with the Virginia minimum wage currently set to reach $15 per hour by 2026. Va. Code § 40.1-28.10. The following chart illustrates the Virginia minimum wage increases in the law:
| May 1, 2021, until January 1, 2022 | $9.50 per hour or the federal minimum wage, whichever is greater |
| January 1, 2022, until January 1, 2023 | $11.00 per hour or the federal minimum wage, whichever is greater |
| January 1, 2023, until January 1, 2025 | $12.00 per hour or the federal minimum wage, whichever is greater |
| January 1, 2025, until January 1, 2026 | $13.50 per hour or the federal minimum wage, whichever is greater |
| January 1, 2026, until January 1, 2027 | $15.00 per hour or the federal minimum wage, whichever is greater |
See Va. Code § 40.1-28.10.
While the federal minimum wage remains at $7.25 per hour, Virginia is not alone in increasing its minimum wage on the state level. Over 20 states increased their minimum wages for 2022, many of them by a scheduled yearly step up similar to Virginia. Additionally, the minimum wage rate for federal contractors covered by Executive Order 13658 also increased for 2022 as follows:
| Beginning January 1, 2022 | $11.25 per hour $7.90 per hour for minimum cash wage paid to tipped employees |
| For covered contracts that are entered into on or after January 30, 2022 | $15.00 per hour |
See 86 FR 51683. These increases come as some call for a $15 federal minimum wage across the board. The current $7.25 minim wage has not been increased since 2009.
Virginia Minimum Car Insurance Policy Limits
Meanwhile, the minimum limits for a motor vehicle owner's insurance policy also increased, as shown in the following chart:
| Injury to or death of one person in any one accident | Injury to or death of two or more persons in any one accident | Property damage in any one accident | |
| Previously in 2021 | $25,000 | $50,000 | $20,000 |
| For all policies effective on or after January 1, 2022, but prior to January 1, 2025 | $30,000 | $60,000 | $20,000 |
| For all policies effective on or after January 1, 2025 | $50,000 | $100,000 | $25,000 |
See Va. Code § 46.2-472. If your car insurance does not meet the above referenced minimum requirements, the Virginia DMV will require you to pay a $500 Virginia Uninsured Motor Vehicle fee, in addition to the regular registration fees, in order to register your vehicle. Falsely certifying your car insurance or other noncompliance with these requirements could result in additional fees, penalties, or the suspension of your driver’s license.
If you have questions about this article, please contact Steve Setliff (ssetliff@setlifflaw.com) at 804-377-1261.
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