Who We Are

The Virginia Four Wheel Drive Association Inc., (VA4WDA) was formed in 1981 by a group of concerned four wheel drive owners. Some belonged to local clubs and others just owned a four wheel drive vehicle for recreation purposes. The issue that brought these four-wheelers together was proposed legislation by the Virginia General Assembly that would severely restrict the bumper heights of vehicles in the Commonwealth and make many existing vehicles illegal. We met in the banquet room of the Richmond Golden Corral Steakhouse to address the proposed legislation. From that initial meeting, the need to have an organization to represent the interests of four wheel drive owners inside the state became apparent. Issues like the bumper bill laws, lift kit restrictions, body lifts vs. suspension lifts, inspection procedures, installation of larger than stock tires, tinted windows, and auxiliary lighting all were being addressed by the Department of Motor Vehicles and the State Police. There needed to be a voice for four wheelers in that legislative process. As a result of the hard work and dedication of these initial volunteers working with the legislators in the General Assembly, the compromise legislation that we have today, which is reasonable, flexible, and safe, was developed.