Privacy Policy
The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) is committed to protecting the privacy of our customers. The
following information explains our current Internet privacy practices, but shall not be construed as a
contractual promise. We reserve the right to amend our privacy policy at any time without notice.
Virginia Laws
We protect our records in accordance with our obligations as defined by applicable Virginia statutes, including,
but not limited to, the Government Data Collection and Dissemination Practices Act, in Title 2.2 of the Code of
Virginia, the Virginia Freedom of Information Act, and by other applicable U.S. Federal Laws.
Essential Technical Information We Collect
When you access our Web site, we automatically collect the following essential technical information:
• the Internet domain and Internet address of the computer you are using,
• the Web page you are requesting
• the type and version of browser and operating system installed on your PC, and
• the date and time of access
Though not essential, we also collect the Internet address of the Web site from which you linked to our Web site.
No other information is collected through our Web site unless you deliberately decide to send it to us, for
example, by conducting an online transaction, registering for personalized Web pages or sending us an email. We
use all of the above information to track the number of customers who visit our site and identify our most
popular pages so that we can continue to improve site content and functionality and diagnose problems with our
servers.
Optional Information We Collect
For each online service we ask only for the information we need to process your request. The questions within
each service/transaction would be the same that you are asked over the telephone or during an in-person visit.
Communicating With Us
While visiting our site, you may want to send VDOT an email or request that we call you. We will request your
name, your customer number, the subject of your question or comment, your email address and/or telephone
number. This information is used solely to fulfill your online request. VDOT does not share this customer
information with other individuals, organizations or with advertisers.
How the Information Collected is Used
VDOT does not share, sell or trade email addresses, demographic information collected on surveys or any other
information about our online customers. If necessary, VDOT may disclose user information if we have reason to
believe that disclosing this information is necessary to identify, contact or bring legal action against an
individual who attempts, even unintentionally, to gain unauthorized access to VDOT information or to disrupt our
Web site.
Cookies
When you visit a Web site and request information, the site's server sends the request to you and then breaks the
connection. The connection does not resume again until you perform another action. To ensure that we maintain a
connection between our server and your computer, we use a standard Web technology called "cookies." A cookie is
a very small amount of data that is sent from our server to your computer's hard drive. In addition, cookies
allow us to save the information that you input while progressing through an online transaction. If your browser
is not configured to "accept" cookies, you will still be able to access the static information on our Web site,
but you will not be able to use certain features, such as our online transactions.
Links to Other Web Sites
This Web site and its document collection might include hyperlinks to sites on the World Wide Web or Internet
that are neither controlled nor sponsored by the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) or the
Commonwealth of Virginia. They are included here solely for their value as reference, research or educational
tools or because they relate to the mission of this agency and the Commonwealth of Virginia. Inclusion of any
hyperlink should not be interpreted as an endorsement by VDOT or the Commonwealth of Virginia of either the
site's sponsor or any commercial product. If you have questions or concerns about a site we link to, please read
the privacy and security information for that site.
Plug Ins
Some files on the site require free external "plug ins" to be viewed. These software programs include:
• Adobe Reader
• Adobe Flash Player
• Microsoft Word Viewer
• Microsoft Excel Viewer
• Microsoft PowerPoint Viewer
• Windows Media Player
• Apple QuickTime
If you have difficulty opening files from this site, download and install the latest version of the software.
Security
The VDOT site has security measures in place to protect against the loss, misuse and alteration of information
under our control. When you browse public areas of the VDOT Web site, none of your personal information is
captured or stored by VDOT. When you conduct an online transaction with VDOT, we offer the use of a secure
server.
Firewalls
Our firewalls are a complex system of hardware and software that allow us to strictly regulate information and
data that can both enter and exit our servers. This ensures that only authorized access occurs and that VDOT
information remains confidential. No customer information is stored on our Internet servers. Records are stored
in separate databases not directly connected to the Internet.
Secure Sockets Layer
Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) is an industry standard technology that creates a secure environment for the
information transferred between your browser and VDOT. SSL encrypts all information that you input before it is
sent to VDOT. Secure data such as your customer number, PIN, date of birth, plate number, title number, and
credit card information are scrambled in the encryption/cryptography process.
Location Services
The Virginia 511 website and mobile application uses your location to identify start and end points while
determining route information. The Virginia 511 mobile application (VDOT 511) also uses your location to center
the map over your current location and to provide the look-ahead feature where the application will verbally
announce events, issues and construction ahead of you on your current route. You maintain control of location
services by controlling your browser and mobile settings. At no time does the Virginia 511 website collect or
store active route information.
Customer Comments
If you have questions about this privacy policy, the practices of this site, or your interaction with this Web
site, please contact us.