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Virginia Driving Violations
The commonwealth of Virginia administers to the driving population in the state through the Department of Motor Vehicles. This branch of the government is tasked with administering driving privileges to drivers, as well as enforcing stipulations, fines, fees, and other penalties based on driver violations. Like many other states, the commonwealth of Virginia uses a points-based system to track driver performance, as well as identify hazardous drivers on the roads. To prevent future violations, which may cause accidents or have already caused an accident, the state uses the points-based system to administer suspensions, revocations, and cancellations of license privileges for underperforming drivers.
Virginia Traffic Point System
The Virginia DMV uses demerit points to track habitually offending drivers. Drivers accruing twelve (12) points in one (1) year, or eighteen (18) points in eighteen (18) months face license suspension for ninety (90) days and mandatory driver improvement clinic attendance.
Virginia Fines and Penalties
| Traffic Violations | Fine Amounts | Points | Traffic School | Jail | License Suspension? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aggressive Driving | Not more than $2,500 | 6 | Successful completion of driver improvement clinic may reduce point total by five points, at court's discretion may be mandated as well | Class 1 misdemeanor with potential for up to one (1) year in jail | Suspension or revocation of license likely, but at court's discretion |
| Driving Under Influence - DUI | Not more than $2,500 | 6 | Driver improvement clinic required to reinstate license | Class 1 misdemeanor with potential for up to one (1) year in jail | Suspension or revocation of license required |
| Driving While Imparied - DWI | Not more than $2,500 | 6 | Driver improvement clinic required to reinstate license | Class 1 misdemeanor with potential for up to one (1) year in jail | Suspension or revocation of license required |
| Driving With License Suspended | Not more than $200 | 6 | Successful completion of driver improvement clinic may reduce point total by five points, at court's discretion may be mandated as well | Class 1 misdemeanor with potential for up to one (1) year in jail | Suspension or revocation of license required |
| Driving Without Headlights | Not more than $200 | 3 | Successful completion of driver improvement clinic may reduce point total by five points, at court's discretion may be mandated as well | Single offense does not result in incarceration | Suspension of license via point system possible, but suspension for single offense unlikely |
| Exhibition of Speed | Not more than $2,500 | 3 to 6 | Driver improvement clinic required to reinstate license | Class 1 misdemeanor with potential for up to one (1) year in jail | Suspension or revocation of license likely, but at court's discretion pending number of miles over speed limit |
| Failure to Yield | Not more than $200 | 3 | Successful completion of driver improvement clinic may reduce point total by five points, at court's discretion may be mandated as well | Single offense does not result in incarceration | Suspension of license via point system possible, but suspension for single offense unlikely |
| Failure to Signal | Not more than $200 | 4 | Successful completion of driver improvement clinic may reduce point total by five points, at court's discretion may be mandated as well | Single offense does not result in incarceration | Suspension of license via point system possible, but suspension for single offense unlikely |
| Failure to Stop | Not more than $200 | 3 | Successful completion of driver improvement clinic may reduce point total by five points, at court's discretion may be mandated as well | Single offense does not result in incarceration | Suspension of license via point system possible, but suspension for single offense unlikely |
| Hit and Run | Not more than $2,500 | 6 | Driver improvement clinic required to reinstate license | Class 1 misdemeanor with potential for up to one (1) year in jail | Suspension or revocation of license likely, but at court's discretion |
| Illegal Passing | Not more than $200 | 3 | Successful completion of driver improvement clinic may reduce point total by five points, at court's discretion may be mandated as well | Single offense does not result in incarceration | Suspension of license via point system possible, but suspension for single offense unlikely |
| Illegal u-turn | Not more than $200 | 3 | Successful completion of driver improvement clinic may reduce point total by five points, at court's discretion may be mandated as well | Single offense does not result in incarceration | Suspension of license via point system possible, but suspension for single offense unlikely |
| Intoxication Manslaughter | Not more than $2,500 | 6 | Driver improvement clinic required to reinstate license | Felony offense with penalties of at least one (1) year of incarceration | Suspension or revocation of license required |
| No Drivers License | Not more than $200 | 6 | Driver improvement clinic required to reinstate license | Class 1 misdemeanor with potential for up to one (1) year in jail | Suspension or revocation of license required |
| Running a Red Light | Not more than $200 | 3 | Successful completion of driver improvement clinic may reduce point total by five points, at court's discretion may be mandated as well | Single offense does not result in incarceration | Suspension of license via point system possible, but suspension for single offense unlikely |
| Running Stop Sign | Not more than $200 | 3 | Successful completion of driver improvement clinic may reduce point total by five points, at court's discretion may be mandated as well | Single offense does not result in incarceration | Suspension of license via point system possible, but suspension for single offense unlikely |
| Reckless Driving | Not more than $2,500 | 4 | Driver improvement clinic required to reinstate license | Single offense might result incarceration, but is Class 1 misdemeanor | Suspension or revocation of license likely, but at court's discretion |
| Speeding in School Zone | Not more than $200 | 3 to 6 | Successful completion of driver improvement clinic may reduce point total by five points, at court's discretion may be mandated as well | Single offense does not result in incarceration | Suspension of license via point system possible, but suspension for single offense unlikely |
| Unsafe Lane Change | Not more than $200 | 3 | Successful completion of driver improvement clinic may reduce point total by five points, at court's discretion may be mandated as well | Single offense does not result in incarceration | Suspension of license via point system possible, but suspension for single offense unlikely |
What to Expect in a Virginia Traffic Court
In Virginia traffic courts, drivers can attempt to dismiss their latest traffic violation during a scheduled hearing date. If drivers elect to pay the fine posted on the citation, they are essentially pleading guilty to the violation and paying the appropriate fines. However, if they choose to dispute the ticket, they must appear in the designated court at the appropriate time for a hearing before a traffic court judge. Here, they can attempt to dismiss their ticket, or mitigate the damages that the offense may carry for the individual driver.
Below are some useful links for navigating the driver’s license branch of the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles and their traffic court system.
- Driver’s Manual for Virginia, including Points-Based System Outline and Mandatory Suspension Offenses List
- Driver’s License Topic Drop Box Covering Violation Disputes and Demerit Points System
- Driver License Services Branch, including Reinstatement and Driver Improvement Clinics
- Driver’s License Branch Locations
Virginia Driving Violations Legal Help from a Lawyer
Having Virginia Driving Violations attorney review your traffic violations case beforehand, as well as represent your interests in traffic court, is essential to obtaining a favorable outcome in any traffic offense case. In cases where licenses may be suspended or revoked via demerit points or for a single infraction, drivers have a lot to lose if their pro se attempts fail, therefore, having an attorney is always in one’s best interest.