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Title loans are legal in Virginia and are regulated under the Motor Vehicle Title Loan Act, Va. Code § 6.2-2200 et seq., as reformed by the Fairness in Lending Act of 2020. Lenders are licensed by the State Corporation Commission's Bureau of Financial Institutions.
Virginia caps a title loan at $2,500 and requires it to be repaid in instalments over at least six months and no more than 24. A shorter minimum is allowed only where the monthly payment stays within 5% of your verified gross or 6% of your verified net monthly income.
Pricing has two parts. Interest is limited to 36% simple annual, and the lender may add a monthly maintenance fee of up to the lesser of 8% of the original loan amount or $15. That fee cannot be added to the balance interest is charged on, but it is still money you pay, so the real APR runs above 36%. On a $500 loan over a year the all-in rate works out near 92%; on $2,500 it is closer to 48%.
Virginia does not allow the loan to be rolled over, extended or refinanced, and no lender may write you a title loan while you already have one elsewhere. Interest stops accruing once the vehicle is repossessed, or 60 days after a missed payment.
| Rule | What Virginia Allows |
|---|---|
| Legal structure | A motor vehicle title loan under Va. Code § 6.2-2200 et seq., made by a lender licensed with the State Corporation Commission |
| Interest | Simple annual rate not exceeding 36% (§ 6.2-2216(A)) |
| Maintenance fee | Monthly, up to the lesser of 8% of the originally contracted amount or $15, and it may not be added to the balance interest is charged on (§ 6.2-2216(A)) |
| Other charges | None. No interest, fee or charge beyond those § 6.2-2216 lists |
| Total fee cap | 50% of the original amount on loans of $1,500 or less; 60% above $1,500 |
| Amount | Up to $2,500 |
| Term | At least 6 months and no more than 24 (§ 6.2-2215.1) |
| Renewals | Extensions, renewals and refinances are prohibited |
| Prepayment | No penalty |
| One at a time | A lender may not make you a title loan while you hold one with another lender |
| Interest stops | On repossession, or 60 days after a missed payment (§ 6.2-2216(B)) |
| Repossession | Requires 10 days' written notice; storage of a repossessed vehicle may not be charged to you |
| Collection limits | No wage garnishment, no criminal prosecution, and no personal money judgment except in specific cases |
Because the maintenance fee sits outside the 36% interest cap, the rate you actually pay depends on how much you borrow. The fee is the lesser of 8% or $15 a month, so on a small loan it dominates. On $500 over a year it adds about $180 against roughly $103 of interest.
The table shows the statutory maximum with the fee counted in, over a 12-month schedule. These are ceilings, not quotes.
| You Borrow | Term | Interest + Fees | Total You Repay | All-in APR |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $500 | 12 months | $282.77 | $782.77 | ~92.1% |
| $1,500 | 12 months | $488.32 | $1,988.32 | ~55.5% |
| $2,500 | 12 months | $693.86 | $3,193.86 | ~47.8% |
Your lender must be licensed by the Virginia State Corporation Commission, and you can verify that before you sign.
The lender has to show you the APR, every fee, the payment amounts and the total cost before you commit. Only the charges listed in § 6.2-2216 may be imposed, and nothing else. There is no prepayment penalty, so paying early genuinely saves you money.
Repossession requires 10 days' written notice, and you must be given an accounting of the redemption amount before the vehicle is sold. The lender may not charge you for storing a repossessed car, nor for anything beyond the actual cost of perfecting its security interest. Virginia does not permit wage garnishment or criminal prosecution over a title loan, and a personal money judgment is available only in narrow circumstances.
Virginia residents can visit your nearest Swift Title Loans branch. To get started, simply share your car details and contact information, then bring your vehicle for a quick inspection. Your loan will be reviewed in branch by a lender, and while approval is subject to their policies, same-day cash may be available if approved—all at your local branch and with an in-person visit. This convenient option is ideal for local borrowers seeking fast cash.
Apply from anywhere. No need to drive to a location or wait in line. Complete everything from your phone.
Skip the hassle of bringing your car somewhere. Just upload photos of your vehicle from your phone. That's it.

Past bankruptcy or low credit score? No problem. Your car's value matters more than your credit history.
Apply in 7 minutes. Get cash as fast as the same business day when you apply before noon.*
Swift Title Loans is 100% free to use. Get a quote, compare offers, and decide what works for you.
If you've found yourself in a difficult financial position and need access to cash, you may qualify for a title loan at your nearest branch. Check the requirements and stop by to get started!
Getting the cash you need is quick and simple with our title loan process
Complete a simple form from your phone or computer. A quick branch visit, no appointment needed. 7 minutes for pre-approval.
Upload photos of your car (all 4 sides, odometer, VIN, interior), ID, title, and proof of income. No physical inspection required.
Receive a loan estimate based on your car's value and your ability to repay. No obligation.
Once approved, funds are deposited directly to your bank account. Keep driving your car while you repay. Same-day funding available.*
Here's a real example of a funded title loan from our branch:
2020 Nissan Altima | 2011 Toyota Tacoma | 2020 Toyota Camry | |
| Mileage | 115,000 | 300,000 | 91,000 |
| Vehicle Value | $10,425 | $7,125 | $14,950 |
| Loan Amount | $1,890 | $1,986 | $2,100 |
| Loan-to-Value | 18% | 28% | 14% |
| Funded | May 2026 | Jul 2026 | Aug 2026 |
Swift Title Loans vehicles funded in Virginia between May 2026 and August 2026. Amounts shown are what was funded, not a quote.
Before you sign, be clear on the payment, the number of payments, and the total you will have paid when the schedule ends. The figures in your own agreement are the ones that count, not the examples on any website, ours included.
A title loan is one way to cover a shortfall, and it is worth putting it next to a few alternatives before you commit your car's title. A credit union small-dollar loan, a payment plan negotiated directly with the biller, a paycheck advance from your employer, or help from a local assistance programme will often cost less. If none of those work, borrow the smallest amount that solves the problem and pay it off as quickly as your budget allows.
Keep your vehicle in the picture too. The title is the security, so a loan you cannot repay puts the car you rely on at risk, and in most cases that car is worth considerably more than the loan.
Quick answers to help you feel confident about title loans.