Points, tickets and licence suspension in Virginia

By the end of this topic you can

• You can explain the 3, 4 and 6 point levels with examples.
• You can say how long demerit points stay valid.
• You can describe what happens to a driver under 18 after one, two and three convictions.
• You can explain what completing a driver improvement clinic does.
• You can describe the suspensions that follow an offense during probation.

What you need to know and understand

• Offenses carry 3, 4 or 6 demerit points; no single conviction carries more than 6.
• Speeding 1 to 9 mph over is 3 points, 10 to 19 mph over is 4 points, and 20 mph or more over is 6 points.
• Demerit points are valid for two years from the date of the offense.
• If several offenses come from one occasion, only the highest-value one is counted.
• Under 18: the first points conviction means a mandatory driver improvement clinic.
• Under 18: a second conviction brings a 90-day suspension; a third brings revocation for one year or until 18, whichever is longer.
• Completing a clinic subtracts 5 demerit points, or gives safe driving points if you have fewer than 5 demerits.

Point values with examples

• 6 points: driving while intoxicated, reckless driving, racing, speeding 20 mph or more over the limit.
• 4 points: failure to yield, following too closely, failure to stop when entering a highway, aggressive driving, speeding 10 to 19 mph over.
• 3 points: improper driving, improper passing, failure to obey a highway sign, speeding 1 to 9 mph over.

The under-18 ladder

Breaking the provisional license passenger or curfew limits is a separate infraction, and a second or later violation can lead a court to suspend your driving for up to six months. The site's guide to Virginia DMV demerit points and driver improvement covers the full adult system too.

1. First conviction for an offense committed before 18 that carries points: DMV orders a driver improvement clinic. No safe driving points are given for it.
2. Second conviction: 90-day license suspension. You can ask the juvenile court for a restricted license for travel to home, work or college if there is no other transport.
3. Third conviction: revocation for one year or until you turn 18, whichever is longer.

Clinics, probation and suspension for older drivers

Adults 18 and over are sent to a driver improvement clinic at 12 points in 12 months or 18 points in 24 months. Being directed to a clinic also starts six months of probation. A points conviction for an offense during probation brings a suspension of 90 days for a 6-point offense, 60 days for a 4-point offense or 45 days for a 3-point offense.

Good driving is rewarded too. Safe driving points can offset demerits, up to a maximum of 5. Ask DMV how many you hold.

Common mistakes

• Thinking points vanish when you pay the ticket. They stay valid for two years from the offense date.
• Treating 'only 10 over' as minor. It is a 4-point offense.
• Ignoring a DMV clinic notice. Ordered clinics have a deadline, and missing it can lead to further DMV action.
• Assuming two tickets from one stop give double points. Only the highest one is counted.

Test yourself: Points, tickets and licence suspension in Virginia

Answer each question, then read the explanation. Questions come in a random order each time.

Go deeper

• Virginia DMV Points
• How to Get a Driver’s License in Virginia
• Moving to Virginia